Unless you're familiar with HTML or CSS coding, leave the toolbar set to Design.
Rather than explain every tool and button here, we'll cover them in the coming chapters as we need them. We also don't cover items more suited to experienced users, such as the Files panel's Snippets tab, which can store frequently used bits of code.
You also can see or hide the contents of any panel by clicking the triangle-shaped arrow at the upper left of the panel.
Using Dreamweaver's keyboard shortcuts (provided by Macromedia) greatly speeds your work.
To download the Windows shortcuts, go to: http://download.macromedia.com/pub/documentation/en/dreamweaver/dw8/dw8_shortcuts_Win.pdf.
To download the Mac shortcuts, go to: http://download.macromedia.com/pub/documentation/en/dreamweaver/dw8/dw8_shortcuts_Mac.pdf.
Set Up Local Site p. 4
The name you enter in the Site Definition window only appears within Dreamweaver, not on your actual Web site. Pick one to distinguish this site from the many others you'll no doubt be creating soon.
Web-hosting firms usually email you a login name and password for posting your files. Keep the original email where you won't delete it and can find it later. If you ever buy a new computer, you'll need that password because Dreamweaver never reveals the password, just those black dots.
If the test connection fails, double-check your entries in the Site Definition window. Note that entries are case sensitive. Almost inevitably, you'll find a mistyped entry.
Use the check-in system only if there are several people building the Web site; it keeps you from overwriting each other's work.
