Right, PHP is a server-side language so you won't be able to "preview" it on your local machine unless you're running a web server that can parse PHP (such as Apache).

If you DO want to take this one step further, you can download and install a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) application such as XAMPP and you'll be able to preview the website in your browser.  [ Just know that you won't need MySQL (that's for databases) -- it just comes with the package, so don't be scared  . ]  Anyway, once that's working, you could even set up Dreamweaver to use a "testing server" which would also let you preview your pages in the "Preview" tab (as opposed to just testing it in your own browser).

I didn't suggest this initially as it would only complicate things further, and you mentioned you were looking for a simple solution.  But if you're willing to use PHP to begin with, why not try?  If you're trying to achieve more advanced things that HTML just can't do, it's the next step up.

Otherwise, your alternative method would be to simply make your changes, upload them to Lunarpages, and test it live (this is generally not a great idea, though).

I want to let you know everything works beautifully!  Awesome advice on using PHP and the codes. I'm really happy with this -- with the new additions on the site I played around with adding the header, menu, etc in the same manner that was suggested earlier. I can now see why PHP is better. It will certainly make my life easier.

I had to go "live" with testing things because I can't figure out how XAMPP server works with Dreamweaver. After I tested all the links I got rid of the html files on the live server. Perhaps you can give me some pointers so that I don't have to do this again.

One thing I noticed is that PHP loads a lot quicker or perhaps it's my imagination!

Important question.... I know that there are 1 or 2 articles circulating with the html files -- I haven't gotten rid of them yet, but is there some way to reroute those files to the new php files? Hmmm..... maybe I should change the menu buttons on those html files to php files as a precaution?

Many thanks,
Sage

Hi Ibanezplayer85:

I understand on the reply. 

I have DW 8.0.2. -- I've unstalled and reinstalled DW and it still doesn't work as it should.  Is there something that I need to do in XAMPP?  I've hit the Apache start button and I've also used the "Service" control to see if this would work. Nada.

Thanks.

Any all suggestions are welcomed.