Your first assignment is to set up your workspace properly

You may not proceed until you have completed this assignment

When you launch Dreamweaver you will encounter someone's files

Don't worry about that right now

You will also encounter someone's workspace

That's what we'll focus on

In a few minutes your workspace will look something like:

Don't worry if it doesn't, we're going to fix that as we learn what these things are

The window that should be at the top left of your screen is called the Insert Panel

It functions like the Toolbar in Word or PowerPoint

It should always sit in the upper left corner of your screen

If it is not visible navigate to Window > Insert and it will appear

If necessary, reposition the Insert Panel so it sits at the upper left corner of your screen

The window that should be at the lower left corner of your screen is called the Properties Panel

It functions like the Formatting Palette in Word or PowerPoint

If it is not visible navigate to Window > Properties and it will appear

If necessary, reposition the Properties Panel so it sits at the lower left corner of your screen

The window in the middle is the key to Dreamweaver

This is the Site Panel (or Site Window)

All your files, all your links, all your images—everything—absolutely everything is controlled via this window

More on that later

If it is not visible, you could navigate to Window > Site...

But you won't—not now or ever

See the F8 in the image above?

F8 (a function key in the top row of the keyboard) is the shortcut to the Site Window

Press F8 and see what happens

The Site Window is the key to Dreamweaver

It is your FATE (F8) to work with all your files via this window

Learn the shortcut NOW

You are expected to know it NOW

The Site Window sits between the Insert Panel and the Properties Panel

Organize your workspace so it looks something like the image above

There is absolutely no reason to ever reposition any of these three windows

There is absolutely no reason to ever close any of these three windows

When you open a document, it will also sit between the Insert and Properties Panels

You may (and should) grab the lower right corner of the window to widen the work area

But it should not ever overlap either the Insert Panel or the Properties Panel

It does, however, sit directly atop the Site Window

If you choose to follow these guidelines, you will find Dreamweaver much easier to learn

If you refuse to follow these guidelines you will not be allowed to use the program

When your workspace is set up correctly raise your hand and I'll check you off

Next up: Naming Conventions

Mac Lab | Dreamweaver | Flash | Photoshop