When you first install Dreamweaver it is very easy to get caught in "the sweetie shop" with regard to extensions, we all love them! They ease our workflow and allow us to implement functionality in a few clicks, often saving a great deal of time on repetitive tasks. After a while we see the error of our ways, we look at what we grabbed from the sweetie shop and realise most we never use at all. The weeding out begins!

I think it would be kind of cool to share what remains in our Extension Managers after the weeding out has taken place. We could share information on the extensions that we REALLY find useful here, we could point other Dreamweaver users to where they can get them and explain to them why we think they are so useful.

I'll start the ball rolling with some of my favourites, in no particular order:

• Tom Muck's dynamic SQL Search and his Recordset navigation suite
• Danilo's CMX create include
• Massimo's check image upload

The dynamic SQL search extension by Tom Muck is just such a huge time saver, and it is so easy to implement. From selecting the searchable columns to setting the high-lighting of the search words in the results. The time saved in producing a really professional search facility is immeasurable!

Another one of Tom's extensions is the recordset navigation suite, very nice. You can check this one out here, easier to see it in action than try to explain. Incidentally this site also uses the dynamic SQL Search extension, try searching for mice from the banner to see the high-lighting in the search results. This site is still under going some work, so one or two little issues around.

Danilo's CMX create include, just makes the whole include process a breeze. Select your code and create the include from the context menu, job done!

Massimo's Check Image Upload, the perfect solution for a multitude of situations. Catches the width and height on upload for inserting into the database, makes image upload facilities in a CMS a breeze. PC browsers only on this one though.

The three I have mentioned are all to do with server-side technologies, feel free to point out extensions of whatever category you feel helps you most.

What do you have in your box of tricks?