Dreamweaver UltraDev 4: Dynamic Web Development [With CDROM]

This is NOT a particularly fat book which is merciful. I was actually able to read it cover-to-cover and follow the author's logic and directions (as they suggest), and really feel like I learned how to use UltraDev. I found the book to be well-thought out. The UltraDev tutorial, for example, is good but it over-explains every step. This book starts off detailed and then as you learn it assumes you know more and doesn't waste your time telling you the most basic stuff again and again when stepping you though exercises. Even so, the authors don't leave out any important details. Every exercise worked for me. I was never left saying, "Hugh?" The reviewer below that said that this book reads like it was written by people who have experience teaching others was right on. My only complaint is relatively minor but worth noting: The CD did not have the tables used for the exercises in enough different formats. Everything is in Access 2000 which I don't have. There are a few tables that are in Excel format, which was helpful because I could then import them into Access 97. But oddly enough the complete final table with all the data, that is used in exercises throughout the book was NOT in Excel format. This may have been a CD 'typo'. This was an inconvenience because I had to have someone with Access 2000 save the file down for me. After that it worked fine. The book itself is nicely done.

I manage several inexperienced developers and after reading the book, I ordered a copy for each of them. This book doesn't mess around with useless information. It teaches you the basics and gets you practicing along the way. It doesn't talk down to you, and it doesn't treat you like a programmer either. I'd recommend this one to anyone who wanted to learn how to make dynamic web pages.

Congratulations and thank you to Mooney and Mohler. A book like this comes along too infrequently. This is one of the few technical books I've seen that effectively addresses a wide audience, from novices to experts. If you have even the slightest experience with Dreamweaver--beginning or advanced--this is THE book to use to learn UltraDev. Matt Mooney and James Mohler use sound instructional principles, coupled with an outstanding understanding of server models, relational databases, web development fundamentals, and the UltraDev application, to deliver a one-of-a-kind learning experience. At the end of 302 pages (including the highly useful appendices), you will emerge a competent UltraDev user. Even better, you will understand what happens "under the engine," which means you'll be able to really take off with dynamic web development. One warning, though--once you pick the book up, it's hard to put down.

If so, and if you want to take your web development skills up to the next level, you need to buy this book. This book avoids the pitfalls of the field (it actually sticks to its objectives) and will have you up and running in no time. You won't believe how much this book will simplify your instructional development; it did mine.

There are lots of "bibles" out there for ultradev...but this one skips all of the junk and gets right into the meat of how to use the application effectively. The examples in the text are realistic and clear. The hints and resources that are provided ACTUALLY are useful. Obviously, the authors have been involved with teaching real people---they're not just hired guns to write a tech manual.With the help of this book, I was able to get a strong handle on ultradev and really understand how to effectively use, manipulate, and implement into my job. Definitely worth the money.