Conventions

The following typographical conventions are used in this book:

Menu options

Menu options are shown using the character, such as File Open.

Constant Width

Indicates code examples, functions, variables, HTML elements, attributes, and events.

Constant Width Bold

Indicates items that the user must enter exactly as shown, such as in a dialog box. In some tables, the default option is shown in bold.

Constant Width Italic

Indicates variables in code or dialog boxes that should be replaced with user-supplied information.

Italic

Indicates filenames, online addresses (URLs), items that need emphasis, and newly introduced technical terms.

Notes highlight important information related to the current topic.

Warnings alert you to ill-advised techniques or irrevocable choices that could be destructive.

Screenshots and Keyboard Shortcuts

Although Dreamweaver's user interface is nearly identical on Macintosh and Windows, I've incorporated screenshots from both platforms. When the user interface differs markedly between the two platforms, I've included screenshots of both the Macintosh and Windows interface.

Some Dreamweaver menus and shortcuts vary across the two platforms. Most keyboard shortcuts require you to press one or more indicated function keys (such as F5), modifier keys (such as Shift), or alphanumeric keys (such as A) simultaneously. Keyboard shortcuts are shown using capital letters, but the Shift key should be used only when indicated explicitly (the word Shift is used on both platforms, even though the Dreamweaver menus on the Macintosh use an arrow symbol to indicate the Shift key).

Most shortcuts have nearly equivalent counterparts on both platforms. The counterpart of the Windows Ctrl key is the Macintosh Command key (a.k.a., the Apple, cloverleaf, or propeller key), abbreviated as Cmd . The counterpart of the Windows Alt key is the Macintosh Option key, shown in the menus as a bizarre character rarely reproduced in print and abbreviated as Opt .

Use Edit Keyboard Shortcuts to open the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box, which summarizes all keyboard shortcuts. Use the Export Set as HTML button in this dialog box to save the listing in an HTML file that can be printed out for easy reference. (This book uses the same keyboard shortcut notation as the exported file.)

Windows users can access any menu item using the Alt key followed by one or more letters in sequence (as indicated by underlining in the menu). For example Alt-V, W means to press the Alt key, followed by the V key (to access the View menu), followed by the W key (to access the Design View on Top option).

Keyboard shortcuts are summarized in Appendix A. Some shortcuts may not work on some computers, particularly laptops, which intercept some function keys. If a shortcut does not work on the Macintosh, turn off the Hot Function Key option in the Keyboard Control Panel.