Testing Your Site Online

     

After the site has been transferred to the remote server, the testing process starts all over again. Although you've checked the site for approximate download speeds, accessibility, cross-browser compatibility, and code validation with Dreamweaver's tools, nothing can replace real-life experience.

Testing Download Speed

As mentioned earlier, the download speed provided by Dreamweaver in the status bar is only an approximation based purely on the size of the document and its components and the speed of the user 's connection. After the site is on the server, you can test the accuracy of Dreamweaver's prediction. If you're using a broadband connection, it's very important to visit the site through a standard modem, especially if your intended audience will include a significant number of dial-up users.

Note, however, that even if you're testing the site at various speeds, the true test comes when the site is live. If you're lucky enough to have a high volume of visitors , you might be unfortunate enough to have slow- downs in access speed as the server struggles to keep up.

Fixing Problems

Putting the site onto the remote server also enables you to check for real-life cross-browser compatibility. Again, Dreamweaver can alert you if your code is not compatible with certain browsers or platforms, but even valid code can appear very different on various configurations. Even if you don't have the necessary platforms and browsers to personally test your pages, having the site on the remote server enables you to get the opinion of others with different configurations.

Taking a fresh look at the site can also draw your attention to other minor problems, such as typos or slow-loading images that you didn't catch in earlier testing.

Editing on the Server

When you find mistakes, you can edit pages directly on the server. To do this, use the Connects to Remote Host button on the Site toolbar to connect to the server. If you're using the expanded Files panel, select a file from the Remote Site pane and open the file. If you're using the unexpanded Files panel, the view automatically changes to the Remote view upon connecting to the server. Select a file from this view, and open it. You can then edit the file as normal. When you save the file, it is automatically saved to both the remote server and the local folder, ensuring that your local folder remains an accurate replica of the live site.



Using Macromedia Studio MX 2004
Special Edition Using Macromedia Studio MX 2004
ISBN: 0789730421
EAN: 2147483647
Year: N/A
Pages: 339

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