Handpicked Software

It’s been a few years since I’ve used Adobe GoLive and, though I was a beta tester for GoLive 6, it’s never been one of my favorite programs (I prefer to use a handful of lightweight apps to get the job done). But after viewing Total Training for Adobe GoLive CS2, I’m giving GoLive another look. Host Lynn Grillo makes Adobe GoLive seem less like a web developer’s version of Microsoft Word —bloated and uncooperative—and more like something… useful.

Lynn Grillo has the cred and delivers the goods. A GoLive user since it was called GoLive CyberStudio 2, Lynn has co-authored 4 books on Adobe GoLive. She’s an Application Engineer with Adobe Systems and an Adobe Certified Expert in GoLive, InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. An Adobe Certified Web Expert, she is also a frequent presenter at Macworld and Photoshop World.

Lynn is your “skipper” during the training, helping you “take the plunge,” tossing you “a life preserver” so “you’ll sail with the wind at your back.” The sea dog metaphors made me cringe (mercifully, you can skip the lesson intros without missing anything important), but the lessons are spot on. Her explanations areveryclear and thorough, and that’s a very good thing when you’re trying to learn a program that can be as daunting as GoLive.

In spite of the relatively short run time (approximately 7 hours), the program is comprehensive (you can view the complete course outline here and some sample videos here):

1. The GoLive User Interface
2. A Whirlwind Tour of GoLive CS2
3. The Editing Modes
4. The Site Window
5. Building a Page
6. Using Components and Actions
7. Introducing the CSS Editor
8. Advanced Page Building with CSS
9. Image Maps and Smart Objects
10. Working with Forms and Tables
11. Viewing and Editing Source Code
12. Using Color and Saving Images for the Web
13. Working with PDF and Quicktime
14. Site management
15. Publishing your Site
16. Super Secret Tips and Tricks

There are no bonus lessons for this program. Instead, registering entitles you to a free copy of MenuMachine, a GoLive extension for creating drop-down menus that would normally set you back $45.

Lynn wastes no time getting down to business. You’ll create a new site within five minutes of starting the program, followed by a thorough orientation to GoLive’s perplexing interface. The lessons sometimes seem too basic, but GoLive isn’t a very intuitive program and beginners (who may already be struggling to understand the rudiments of the web) will find Lynn’s approach reassuring. And while Lynn is careful not to lose even the greenest newbie, I found myself picking up a number of tips along the way. She almost makes GoLive look fun, and that’s no easy task.

Like all of the Total Training programs I’ve reviewed (Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 Unleashed, Total Training for Adobe Photoshop CS2, Total Training Masters Collection: Advanced Adobe Photoshop CS2, Total Training for Adobe Illustrator CS2, and Total Training for Adobe InDesign CS2), this program is highly polished and sports Total Training’s friendly user interface. The only glitch: It’s a bit surprising (and disappointing) that there still is no full screen support for this program (or for the Illustrator and InDesign trainings). But the Total Training web site continues to promise that this support is coming soon (full screen supportisavailable for Total Training for Adobe Photoshop CS2).

Total Training’s pricing strategy is something of a mystery. I’m not sure why Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 Unleashed (6 hours and 13 minutes) is priced at $59.99 and Total Training Masters Collection: Advanced Adobe Photoshop CS2 (8 hours) is priced at $149.99. And let’s set aside the debate about whether it’s a good idea to invest in learning a program that may face an uncertain future. Your time has to be worth something and if you absolutely must master the basics of GoLive, Total Training for Adobe GoLive CS2 will get you there in a day for a hundred bucks. That’s probably cheaper than spending your Saturday at the local community college and you can repeat the class as often as you like.

If you aren’t familiar with Total Training, order their free sampler CD containing over two hours of video training or view some sample tutorials online. As of this writing, and for a limited time, you can save 25% on any full series video product or an additional 10% off the lowest price on any bundle. Please note that I’m not paid to write these reviews and I don’t benefit if you click on these links, but if you’re looking for video training, I highly recommend Total Training.

Bottom Line: Who knew creating web pages with Adobe GoLive could be fun? Spend a day with Lynn Grillo and you’ll be navigating GoLive with full sails set (groan).
From: Total Training
Price: $99.99
Platform: Macintosh and Windows