How reliable is the 'Broswer Compatibility Checker' in Dreamweaver, does anybody use it? Or is it better to always check as many browsers as you possibly can, also is there a third party software that does just that?

 

Thanks

Don't user Dreamweaver for anything other than the code edit mode. It's generally accepted as tacky software with regards to other functionality, I know less than a handful of developers who use it by choice. I can only hope you didn't spend your money on a full, non-student license. Alternative editors, in order of my personal opinion, include: Coda (Mac), Sublime Text 2, Komodo Edit, Notepad++. The latter 3 are all free.

 

Best to check in browsers - just install the main ones (Chrome, Firefox, IE with IETester for IE6/7/8, Safari, and maybe Opera) - but Adobe has BrowserLab which some people swear by.

Don't user Dreamweaver for anything other than the code edit mode. It's generally accepted as tacky software with regards to other functionality, I know less than a handful of developers who use it by choice. I can only hope you didn't spend your money on a full, non-student license. Alternative editors, in order of my personal opinion, include: Coda (Mac), Sublime Text 2, Komodo Edit, Notepad++. The latter 3 are all free.

 

Best to check in browsers - just install the main ones (Chrome, Firefox, IE with IETester for IE6/7/8, Safari, and maybe Opera) - but Adobe has BrowserLab which some people swear by.

 

 

Ahh ok, see i love using Dreamweaver, but i only say that because i haven't tried those others, so i'll give them a whirl! I just find the FTP easy on Dreamweaver as well! I already got Adobe Master Collection CS4 and Dreamweaver CS5.5, bit late there! Haha! Cheers for the advice!

It works really well. In fact Adobe is on top of the game in this area (my opinion). You can also check for compliancy and check legacy versions of browsers back to to IE5. Also, Adobe's sample code is bullet-proof in terms of cross-browser display. The browser and compliancy checker is THE ONLY REASON that I use dreamweaver. That being said, I don't use other functionality like "dreamweaver sites" ...that stuff is a complete waste of time.

It works really well. In fact Adobe is on top of the game in this area (my opinion). You can also check for compliancy and check legacy versions of browsers back to to IE5. Also, Adobe's sample code is bullet-proof in terms of cross-browser display. The browser and compliancy checker is THE ONLY REASON that I use dreamweaver. That being said, I don't use other functionality like "dreamweaver sites" ...that stuff is a complete waste of time.

 

So, you don't use one of the only points that many use Dreamweaver for? It is a great way to manage local and live source with check out/ins etc - Although I use Coda myself (much much better UI and speed) I do prefer the sites functionality of Dreamweaver.

 

 

 

So, you don't use one of the only points that many use Dreamweaver for?

Nope, just the built-in browser checker and validator (since around 2002 - good 'ol macromedia). Also, the code find and replace comes in handy. I do admit the UI has way more than I need, but it is also really customizable nowadays. I also don't use dreamweaver for ftp so speed is a non-issue for me, in that regard.

 

It is a great way to manage local and live source with check out/ins etc - Although I use Coda myself (much much better UI and speed) I do prefer the sites functionality of Dreamweaver.

 

I don't use them, but I could imagine how the check-in / check-outs would be helpful on really large teams...that's assuming I understand how it actually works since I never used that functionality. Coda looks pretty cool and I noticed that it has subversion integration with it....I know some server-side developers that love that. I am a front-end/design/SEO "wimp" .

Edited April 11, 201214 yr by BohnStudios