Son of Web Pages That Suck: Learn Good Design by Looking at Bad Design Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok all I can say is wow. This man uses insults (accurately) to get the job done. I found myself wanting to redo things on my site and other sites I design just so he wouldn't find it and use it as a bad example. Good God. He is RIGHT ON on a lot of that stuff.

I disagreed him with him when it came to Flash. He thinks Flash is unnecessary, which it is in certain circumstances... but... he failed to mention adult sites which really use the art of visualization for the ultimate sale, which is what he discusses - that websites should be about bringing in money. Other than that and his not-so-secret hate for splash pages (although again, he failed to mention that some sites actually REQUIRE them by law)... I agreed with him on everything else in the book.

He gets into the Do's and Don'ts and really blasts the sites that use tacky animated Gifs on clashing backgrounds, unclean and unfocused sites, sites that don't use alt tags on images, and it really covers a whole lot of things that are just plain wrong. Way wrong.

He even got into a subject about never including text that says 'Click Here' and at first I scratched by head and thought - but why not?? And he showed some examples of it done right, and examples of how bad and tacky it can look when it is used wrong. I immediately got inspired and got rid of all of my 'Click here' text and sure enough, the results looked much more professional.

I have at least 20 high-maintenance business sites I constantly work on, and that being said - I am constantly feeling pretty positive about the work that I do. He doesn't care how good you think you are. He will be brutal. And it's about time someone steps forward to say it.
'A webmasters job is never complete' is an accurate statement.

He doesn't just give negative criticism... he offers good advice and solutions that are doable and just require effort and a sense of direction.

The bottom line: If you get aggravated with what he says, you can close the book and reopen it when you're ready for brutal honesty.

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Inspired by the award-winning Web site "Web Pages That Suck", this text takes a humorous approach to teaching Web design techniques by critiquing bad sites and then applying common sense and practical, hands-on guidance to create site make-overs. This updated second edition features design problems (misuse of Flash content) and old standbys (poor navigation). The CD contains a database of daily newspapers and other places for readers to promote their sites, plus "Software that Doesn't Suck" for Windows and Macintosh users - shareware, graphics programs, and other tools that have earned the author's seal of approval.

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Designing the Obvious: A Common Sense Approach to Web Application Design Review

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(More customer reviews)From 9 to 5 (well, a "little" after 5 most days), I am an Application Development Manager in my company. In my years doing this, I have read a lot of books on the topic of Web and User Experience Design. So far, only a handful stand out above "Designing the Obvious" by Robert Hoekman Jr. and even some of those, he takes his hat off to (such as the case of "Don't Make Me Think", for instance).
Hoekman proposes the "unthinkable" for those entrenched into rusty web design practices, but when you step back and reconsider the experiences you've had, his framework makes perfect sense. Here are a couple of thoughts he brings to the table, to give you an idea:
-Design an application that does one thing, and does it very well. For every additional feature, there is more to learn, more to tweak and configure, more to customize, more to read about in the help document, and more that can go wrong.
-People (users) don't always make the right choices. They make comfortable choices... they make choices they know how to make. To deal with this, he supports Goal-Directed (also called Activity-Centered) Design, as opposed to Human-Centered Design.
Web Design anathema? Violation of User Interface "basics"? Maybe it sounds so at first, but if you read through his arguments, you will find them very compelling and may end up (like myself) reconsidering some of your initial assumptions.
One of the reasons why his proposal resonated so much with me is because throughout the book, Hoekman introduces concepts that are not familiar in the Web space, borrowing them from long-established best practices in manufacturing (where I worked the first four years of my professional life), such as:
-Kaizen: improving things constantly, in little tiny ways that add up to gigantic results.
-Poka-Yoke: software "devices" meant to prevent user errors from occurring.
-Pareto (80/20 rule): Good, clean Web application design means that 80 percent of an application's usefulness comes from 20 percent of its features.
For longtime professionals and newcomers into the field of User Experience Design, Hoekman's book has turned into an absolute must read.

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Designing the Obvious belongs in thetoolbox of every person charged with the design and development ofWeb-based software, from the CEO to the programming team. Designing theObvious explores the character traits of great Web applications anduses them as guiding principles of application design so the end resultof every project instills customer satisfaction and loyalty. Theseprinciples include building only whats necessary, getting users up tospeed quickly, preventing and handling errors, and designing for theactivity. Designing the Obvious does not offer aone-size-fits-all development process--in fact, it lets you usewhatever process you like. Instead, it offers practical advice abouthow to achieve the qualities of great Web-based applications andconsistently and successfully reproduce them.

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Foundation Website Creation with CSS, XHTML, and JavaScript Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchase most CSS books that appear to have a different slant on the use of CSS. This book, although well written and authoritative, was less than I anticipated. It is, however, an excellent resource for those just now learning (X)HTML and CSS, et al. My complaint is simply that I overestimated its content. The writing style is clear and easily understandable and should be so to beginners as well. If considering a first book to learn these disciplines, this book is a good choice.

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Textbook-style guide to Web development with Web standards: the why, what, and how in an easy-to-follow lesson plan. The importance of Web standards only grows larger as the number of Web developers increases, and this is the book for everyone joining the accelerating Web standards bandwagon.

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The Internet: The Missing Manual Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book reminds me a lot of those "Internet Yellow Pages" books you used to see from 1994 until about 1996 when modern search engines and the growing sophistication of computer users made them unnecessary.
I thought I would peruse this book and see if it had anything of value to offer, and I have to say that unless you've been stranded on a desert island for the last twelve years, I can't see how it could be of much help. These days, pretty much all age groups from preschoolers to senior citizens have this much knowledge of the internet. In 2006 do we really need a book that tells us the different ways to connect to the internet, how to shop online, how to gamble online, and the perils of banking online? I don't think so.
I gave this book three stars mainly out of residual respect for the Missing Manual Series that is very helpful for learning the MAC and its various applications as well as software packages such as Photoshop Elements. Nothing in the manual is incorrect. It is well written and well illustrated. It is just too basic to be helpful for anyone who knows how to access an Internet search engine.
The table of contents is as follows:
Part I: GETTING ONLINE
1. Getting Online
Broadband Connections (Fast); Dial-Up Connections (Slow); Wireless Connections (Awesome); Software; Advanced Connection Tricks (Windows); Advanced Connection Tricks (Mac OS X);
2. Surfing the Web
Your First Web Page; Portals: Dashboards of the Web; Browser Choices;
Part II: FINDING INFORMATION
3. How to Search the Web
Search Basics; Directories at Your Service;
4. Searching by Information Type
White Pages, Yellow Pages; Driving Directions; Health and Medicine; Job Hunting; Getting the Facts; Word Definitions;
5. News and Blogs
News Sites; Online Newspapers; Sports, Weather, and Entertainment; Blogs; Feeds: Having the News Come to You;
6. Reviews and Ratings
Movies; Restaurants; Music; Books; Consumer Electronics; Cars;
Part III: SHOPPING, TRAVEL, AND FINANCE
7. Shopping
How to Shop Online; The Top Shopping Sites; Finding Good Deals; Shopping for Big-Ticket Items ;
8. Planning Trips
Booking Tickets and Reservations; Last-Minute Deals;
9. Finance
Online Banking; Finding Loans Online; Trading Online and Tracking Investments; Doing Your Taxes Online;
Part IV: ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA
10. Games and Gambling
Games for the Whole Family; Action Games; Massive Multiplayer Games; Virtual Worlds; Fantasy Sports; Gambling;
11. Music and Audio
Digital Audio and the Internet; Listening to Digital Audio; Online Music Stores; Streaming Music Sites; Internet Radio; Podcasts;
12. Videos, Movies, and TV
Videos and Movies Online; DVDs by Mail; Watching Webcams;
13. Photos
Finding Photos; Sharing Photos Online; Sending Photos to a Printing Service; Sending Photos via Email;
Part V: COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS
14. Email
Email Program vs. Web-Based Email; Setting Up Your Email Program; Writing and Sending Messages; Reading and Organizing Email; Fighting Email Pests
15. Instant Messages and Chat
Instant Messaging: An Introduction; IM Services: The Catalog;
16. Discussion Groups
Finding and Searching Groups; Creating New Groups;
17. Social Networking
Socializing and Dating Services; Professional Networking;
18. Skype & VoIP: Internet Phones;
Skype: Computer-to-Phone Plans; Phone-to-Phone Plans;
Part VI: INTERNET POWER AND PROTECTION
19. Your Own Blogs, Web Sites, and Podcasts
Blogs; Super-Simple Web Pages; Professional Web Sites; Podcasts;
20. Living on the Web
Online Backup and Storage; Online Word Processing Programs; Project Planning and Group Calendars; Online Meetings/Web Conferencing ;
21. Staying Safe
Know Your Enemies; Fighting Internet Pests; Defeating Spyware; Controlling Cookies; Phishing Lures; Sealing Your Computer's Firewall; Protecting Your Kids;




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The Internet is almost synonymous with change--that's one of its charms, and one of its headaches.You may think you know the Internet, but are you really up to speed on internet telephones, movie and TV downloading, blogging, gaming, online banking, dating, and photosharing?
This utterly current book covers:Getting Online. Readers will have all the information they need to decide what kind of broadband connection works best for them, which browser they should use, and what kind of spyware-fighting and virus-and spam-protection measures they need to protect themselves.
Finding Information. Google may be the leading search site, but it's certainly not the only game in town. This book introduces a diverse and useful collection of sites that help uncover everything from health care information, to shopping, travel and finance, to dependable reviews and ratings.
Movies, music, and photos. The Web's teeming with entertainment--and not just the sort of postage-stamp sized videos that only a geek could love. Learn where to download movies, watch TV online, listen to music, play games, and post and share photos with friends.
Keeping in touch. Email's only the beginning. This book introduces readers to the many tools that make the modern Internet such a great way to stay connected. From Web-based discussion groups to instant messaging programs, and from blogs and podcasts to Internet-based phone calls, this book will help you join the conversation.

Ideal for anyone just venturing into cyberspace, this book is also perfect for more experienced users who could use an update to today's most exciting internet applications.

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The Principles of Successful Freelancing Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a freelancer is the new black. It's just a crazy fun loving world where nothing can go wrong. Well as a crusty old freelancer I can tell you that's far from the truth.
Well Miles Burke in his new book The Principles of Successful Freelancing discusses just that. Miles is no stranger to making the leap into world of freelancing having done it three times.
When I first picked up this book, I'll be honest, I was a little skeptical. But I found this is a good book. It's well written with an entertaining layback style all it's own. I can just imagine Miles sitting back in a cafe or coffee shop chatting about freelancing. You could easily read this book on 4-5 hour plane flight.
This book is squarely aimed at the person who is considering getting into freelancing or has just started. It covers off all aspects of the freelancers life cycle, such as:
* From starting out and a hard look at oneself, are you cut out to be a freelancer.
* Preparing for the transition from regular work to freelancing, and all the things you really need to think about (but don't).
* Finances, making sure you really do stay in business and keep a positive cash flow.
* Productivity, time tracking, getting into that productivity zone and not being distracted.
* Selling, winning work and understanding how to sell. Something all freelances fear at some stage.
* Customer service, or keeping the client, project management made simple, and dealing with difficult clients.
* Lifestyle, work habits, life balance are discussed, this is huge area that I know freelancers cut corners on.
* Expansion, life beyond freelancing, the final stepping stone on the way for a freelancer, be that back into employment, or expansion using outsourcing or your own staff.
You know what's really good and annoying too (well for me) with this book; it is just full of all those tips and tricks that I just wish some freelancing mentor had told me all those years ago in the previous century when I started freelancing.
I enjoyed this book to the point that I found myself nodding and smiling as Miles waxed on with another aspect of freelancing, pointing out the pitfalls along the way. And sometimes I was wincing as I realised that after 14 years in the game I've still got a few things even I can improve on.
The one thing I didn't like, and this was just me, is it was it had a few too many lists in places. It made me think I was checking off my freelancing skills all the time. But really that was a very minor point.
Overall, highly recommended, if you are a new freelancer, or old one, or maybe just considering freelancing, get this book, read it. Act on it, it's a great reference source, then later on, reread it.
But you know with this book, it's now a little bit easier.

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Thinking about becoming your own boss and embarking on the wonderful and rewarding journey of freelancing? The Principles of Successful Freelancing is for you. In this easy-to follow guide you'll learn what's important in transforming your skills into a booming freelance business. This book leads you through the entire process, from getting started, through to winning and keeping loyal clients. Running a successful freelance business is easy, and with the information in this book, you'll confidently turn your freelancing dream into a profitable reality.

Learn how to make a smooth transition into freelancing
Understand how to effectively manage your money
Ensure you spend your time on the right activities
Discover why a work/life balance is important
Learn how your network can support you and your business
Overcome your fear of selling
And much more ...
The 12 Principles Of Successful Freelancing
Get Organized Keep your workspace tidy and plan ahead (short- and long-term).
Control Stress Remain calm and work through issues to avoid early burnout..
Research Spend quality time researching your proposed business-it's more than a five minute web surf.
Be PassionateLove your work! You should enjoy what you do for a living.
Budget Save for a rainy day rather than spend every cent as it comes in.
Value your Health Bad health stops you from working. Take time to exercise and maintain a nutritious diet.
Embrace Selling Enjoy the sales challenge-it's easier than you think!
Satisfy Customers Don't do average work-exceed their expectations and make them need you.
Grow Your Network Value family and friends' support, and meet new people all the time.
Maintain Cashflow It's what is in the bank that counts, not what you are billing-understand the difference.
Continually Learn Keep acquiring new skills and knowledge, every week. Let it slip and you could be left behind.
Achieve a Work/Life Balance Your life should be more than work-maintain a good balance for health and success.

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The Author Online: A Short Guide to Building Your Website, Whether You Do it Yourself (and you can) or You Work With Pros Review

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(More customer reviews)Succinct, genial, and indispensable. Never mind whether you plan to work with a web designer, you'll want to start by reading this book.

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You've written your book. Now create your website.This brief manual, written by a longtime publishing veteran who now builds websites for authors, is designed to help you conceive, plan, and create your own unique presence online. It's not a technical book but instead focuses on the large questions that all writers must wrestle with as they plan their website: Who do you want to be online? What do you want to do there? And where do you start?A central premise of The Author Online is that anyone who can write a book is capable of building his own website. New technology and open source innovations make it easy, affordable, and even fun - a creative act unto itself. But like writing a book, it requires thoughtful and careful planning.The Author Online is filled with ideas, advice, and real-world examples. It also includes results from the first and only comprehensive survey of author websites and invaluable insights into:* the features readers look for on their favorite author websites* whether or not to blog or Twitter, and how to approach both in an authentic, effective way* when and how to work with designers and/or programmers* how to create a content plan for your site* how to use analytic data as an editorial toolVisit the companion website, TheAuthorOnline.com, for more information including a constantly updated and detailed list of online resources andtools plus dozens of sample author websites.

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Leveraging Drupal: Getting Your Site Done Right (Wrox Programmer to Programmer) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a website developer specializing in Drupal-based sites for the last few years, I found this book to be exactly what I needed. I have several other books about drupal, including Pro Drupal Development, Second Edition (Beginning from Novice to Professional) and Learning Drupal 6 Module Development: A practical tutorial for creating your first Drupal 6 modules with PHP, yet I have found Leveraging Drupal to be the most helpful yet.
Leveraging Drupal goes into precisely the topics related to Drupal development which your average "working stiff" building Drupal sites runs into on every job: version control, the development and deployment process, upgrades, internationalization options, theming, etc. Included are helpful life-saving tidbits such as dealing with the infamous WSOD (php's white screen of death), checking out drupal via CVS, and setting up cron. It more than pays for itself in just the first three chapters.
One of the things I like most about the book is that the author treats website development with the same respect as any software project. From the book: "First of all, in a software project (and because of it's complexity, that is what a website application is), you are either controlled by circumstances or you succeed - but only if you can maintain your grip on things."
I would compare it to my other favorite programming book: Agile Java(TM): Crafting Code with Test-Driven Development (Robert C. Martin Series) by Jeff Langr. Leveraging Drupal is similar in that after reading and digesting it, you are a more mature developer than you were before.

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This book is a step-by-step guide and a hands-on co-piloted experience for those trying to make Drupal powered websites work for them, and for their clients. Much more than a "tutorial", what is needed is a nuts-and-bolts living mentor and guide which really shows the reader how to do the things really required for bringing it all together in a site which works. This will be the only book covering all the difficult components of Drupal: views, panels, themes, content creation, etc. The book will cover:* How to upgrade your hopelessly outdated and obsolete-software dependent site and bring it into the Drupal mainstream and future* How to become a great Drupal themer and make "non-Drupal" looking sites* How to really customize Drupal for your real needs* How to start using best practices in Drupal web application development* How to work like the pro Drupal shops and be ready for big projects - and small ones* Learn by example (code samples, theme samples, videos) at every step

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Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 with ASP, ColdFusion, and PHP: Training from the Source Review

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(More customer reviews)I have quite a bit of experience building static sites and pages and realized the importance of expanding my understanding of building dynamic sites. I have a pretty good understanding of using Dreamweaver but am just getting started on using Dreamweaver CS3. I was hoping to get a better idea of how to use all of the new features in CS3 while also specifically learning php. I got more than I bargained for. Specifically, I was not aware of the differences between ASP, ColdFusion and PHP. Now, I have a much better feel of which one to use for different situations.
One of the things that struck me right away is that anyone, regardless of your current level of experience, that is interested in using Dreamweaver can start out with this book. For those of you who already have Dreamweaver experience, you can speed through a few of the first parts but it is always great to see how someone else approaches things.
The tutorials and sample files were great and very easy to use - very intuitive and the sequential steps made lots of sense. I am still in the process of implementing all of the things I am learning. As a result of using this book, I am now planning to revise an existing static site and launch a new dynamic site. I love the way the book is written - very practical. I almost feel like the authors are having a dialog with me all along the way.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn how to use Dreamweaver CS3 to build dynamic websites and applications.

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Designed for intermediate Web designers and developers with no previous experience with programming or server-side technology. Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 with ASP, ColdFusion and PHP: Training from the Source has been fully-updated, not just for the latest version of Dreamweaver but for today's Web. It's now standards--compliant, with a site created using one of Dreamweaver's brand-new CSS templates, that includes Ajax elements in the dynamic site design. Users ready to take the next step and make their Web sites interactive will find the same easy-to-read, logical, well-constructed projects, but with a site based on the latest Web technology.

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AdvancED DOM Scripting: Dynamic Web Design Techniques Review

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(More customer reviews)UPDATE (3-17-08)
I bought this book again because the material is definitely good. I'm really bummed Friends Of Ed let it go to press with all these errors though. I mean, come on--I'm finding errors all over the place! That is a great disservice to Sambells. But I've decided the material is worth wading through the many, many copy editing oversights. I'm crossing my fingers I don't get stuck troubleshooting typos in the code that choke my browser. That could easily waste hours of my time.
-=-=-
I was pretty excited after I dropped the $50 or so to by this book because the contents are right down my alley. Unfortunately, I could hardly make it out of Chapter 1 for all the typos and editorial oversights. Here are a few as an example:
PG 34 -- "myVarialbe" instead of "myVariable"
PG 35 -- "when you retrieving" instead of "when you are retrieving"
PG 36 -- references a function called "initAchors()" that isn't used in the example code for that example. initAnchors() appears in the next example on the next page.
PG 37 -- number of iterations in loop changes from 3 to 5 from 1st example to 2nd example for no apparent reason - this is confusing and distracts from the point being made.
PG 37 -- Figure 1-7 shows three objects in diagram instead of the 5 needed (one for each loop)
This is all in just 3 pages!
This is the part of the book I started reading first so I assume the rest of the book is going to be as poorly edited/ proofread. This surprises me as I own over 5 or 6 titles from the Friend Of Ed series and I don't recall ever seeing so much as a typo in any of them.
Overall, I think the book shows promise. But I can't tolerate errors like this in a programming book. They are difficult enough to read already without having to figure out what the message was "supposed" to be.
I'm returning this book to the store. When it reaches a later edition I may give it another go. It needs some serious "debuggin" first though.

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DOM Scripting is a vital technique for web developers and designers to learn and master in the modern web development arena, for adding dynamic effects to web applications such as animations, maps, drag and drop, and more.At friends of ED, we kick-started the interest in this subject with Jeremy Keith's acclaimed book DOM Scripting (friends of ED 1590595335.) And now, with AdvancED DOM Scripting, we're aiming to take the reader further-AdvancED DOM Scripting starts where the original DOM Scripting left off, assuming the reader has already mastered the basics, and taking them further, with countless real world tutorials. It is the first book to exclusively cover advanced DOM Scripting techniques, and reads like a wish list of must have dynamic web application features, including visual effects using JavaScript libraries, Ajax, Mashups using APIs, and much more.

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Creating Web Sites Bible Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As of this review, I was on Chapter four.
There is a lot of info packed into this book, but also a lot of errors and typos.
The first tutorial web page they walk a person through on pages 114 / 115 has so many errors that it will not look anything like the finished product on page 116.
I wasted a lot of time attempting to figure out what the errors were, having to search other sections of the book for the proper code elements. THEN I had to play with the code elements to learn that the first example cannot be done the way they presented it!
The first tutorial shows this for aligning a headline center (I had to use parenthesis instead of the lesser than < and greater than > symbols so the actual code would show up here):
(p align"center"") (h3)Making Kimchi using an ordered list(h3)(p)
This does not work. It must look like this:
(h3 align="center") Making Kimchi using an order list(/h3)
The most frequently missing item is the forward slash / that is supposed to be at the end of nearly all HTML tags, according to the authors! They even say "If your screen differs in appearance slightly, don't worry about it."
WHAT GOOD IS A TUTORIAL IF MINE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE EXAMPLE?!
Just be prepared to have to figure stuff out on your own.

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Updated for the most recent tools, techniques, and standards for creating cutting-edge Web sites for businesses or personal use, this book is one-stop shopping for HTML, JavaScript, CSS, tables, forms, Flash, and more
Brand-new chapters cover Ajax, Adobe CS3 tools, RSS, and blogging tools
Hands-on guidance and expert advice dive into such topics as creating and editing images and graphics, adding multimedia elements (e.g., Flash animations, audio, and video), creating stores for Yahoo! and Amazon.com, designing auction pages for eBay, and building blogs

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Getting StartED Building Websites Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a very good book for the price. It has a lot of typos, but for the price, I can look past those. The book is very well laid out and gives some good examples, taking you through a very logical process. Some things are a bit over discussed but all in all, I would recommend this book for the novice website builder. Note: This book does not have ALL the answers and there are many things that are much more complicated in building websites than this book gets into. But if you want the basics to logically building a website from scratch, this book is a great start for the price.

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The whole world wants to build web sites. This key book in the Getting StartED series takes people with no knowledge of web design and teaches them the basics the friendly, friends of ED way. Rather than setting out to be a language reference or a strict set of guidelines like so many other web design books, Getting StartED Building Websites gives readers the wider picture, including important topics such as web hosting, search engine optimization, and CSS styling alongside the basics of HTML.The chapters are divided into the most common questions, so you'll find headings like "What kind of website should I make", "What about web hosting", and "How do I write good articles". It's this broad base approach that sets it apart from most beginner books that just focus down on one small topic.

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CMS Made Simple 1.6: Beginner's Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using CMSmadesimple (CMSMS) for 5 years or so. It's a very robust CMS (content management system) that is quite easy to learn in a basic way. To get more out of CMSMS though you need to know a bit more than you can easily pick up from just using the application, visiting the WIKI and user forums.
This book is exactly what a user new to CMSmadesimple would need to jump-start the learning experience. A web developer with more experience but no experience specifically with CMSmadesimple or the Smarty templating engine would also benefit from this book. To be sure, the measured pace of the book is perfect for a neophyte to CMSmadesimple.
The approach taken by the book is to teach you how to install CMSmadesimple and then how to build an example website from scratch using the book as your tutor. It walks you through each and every step, carefully assessing your progress along the way with end-of-chapter quizzes and a great method of delivering the content.
The book follows the procedure of telling you what you are about to do, telling you how to do it then explaining to you what you just did. For block-heads like me, it is the only way I learn well... by reading, doing and recapping.
All the major areas are covered including how to Install CMSMS, how to use the core modules, an understanding of how to use Smarty to build your templates, how to convert other website templates to work with CMSMS, a brief discussion of SEO and how to add e-commerce functionality and a discussion of Users and Permissions. There is a lot of information packed into this slender book. All of the information is presented in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner.
If you prefer reference types of books, this probably won't meet your needs as it does take a tutorial approach and is best consumed in a linear fashion. You -could- use it by jumping around from here to there if you just wanted to discover how to do some specific things such as adding a protected page to your site, easily implementing YouTube videos onto your pages or perhaps how to create a form with various types of input fields. But this book is not a reference book for CMSmadesimple. Rather it is a guided approach to learning the basics, and then some, of CMSmadesimple.
The author makes ample use of screenshots along the way. The code snippets are available from the publishers website, which is fortunate since no CD accompanies the book.
There are not many books dealing with CMSmadesimple and I was thrilled to find one that covered all the essentials in an easy to digest way. I'd highly recommend this to anyone contemplating the building of a website with CMSmadesimple. It will greatly enhance your early experiences with the application and explain some of the concepts that even I didn't have a firm grasp on until reading the book. In particular, the brief but helpful discussion of how the Smarty templating engine works is indispensable information.
I can't think of a better introduction to CMSmadesimple. I wish I'd had this book 5 years ago. It would have accelerated my learning greatly. And as an aside, if you are using WordPress to build websites but blogging is not your primary focus for the website, give CMSmadesimple a good look. It is really slick, has an active user forum and is continually undergoing development.

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This is a practical, hands-on book based around a case study website, which you will set up in this easy-to-understand introduction to using CMS Made Simple. The chapters provide clear instructions and detailed screenshots, so you can see exactly what to do at each step of the build. This book is perfect for newcomers as well as webmasters who are looking for an introduction to building powerful and professional websites with a content management system. The workshop covers all aspects of web publishing and is aimed for web designers, web developers, editors, and web managers.

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JavaScript Programmer's Reference (Wrox Programmer to Programmer) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a reference, this book works really well. One can pick up the book and quickly find anything from information about basic syntax, the DOM, to advanced features like Ajax and JSON. The examples stand alone from previous chapters, so there is no need to read the book linearly from cover to cover.
But if one *were* to read the book from cover to cover, it makes a great introduction to JavaScript for designers or others who are already familiar with HTML and CSS. White's writing style is pitch-perfect for such a use--the information is easy to follow while not being "dumbed-down."
The bottom line: great reference, but don't be afraid to use this to learn JavaScript as it is used today.

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Learn everything about utilizing the JavaScript language with the next generation of Rich Internet Applications from the accessible information in JavaScript Programmer's Reference, both a tutorial and a reference guide for web developers. Master methods for using Java with applications like Microsoft's Silverlight, Ajax, Flex, Flash and AIR by practicing with hands-on examples with practical, usable code. Employ this complete JavaScript reference to help you understand JavaScript Data Types, Variables, Operators, Expressions and Statements, work with JavaScript Frameworks and data, and improve performance with Ajax.

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Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual Review

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(More customer reviews)If you spend much time on the Internet at all, at some point you've said to yourself, "Maybe I should have a web site." It can be a bit intimidating, and many people don't get beyond that "Maybe I should ..." phase. If you want to progress further, this book is for you.
The book is laid out in a logical progression from concept to interaction to making money with your site. Each stage of web "development" has its own section in the book -- which is a huge plus: you don't have to wade through a lot of basic information to get to what you want.
The first section covers the planning stage of website design. There's a discussion about choosing a hosting service (including the problems with using the free space that many ISPs give to their subscribers) and an overview of HTML editing software. There's also a brief introduction to HTML -- just enough to get you started.
Section two takes it from there. You've found a hosting service, you've got the software, and you have the skeleton of a site. NOW you want to make the site look good. This section covers pictures, links, and tables, and even goes into some basic CSS. You learn to turn a bunch of separate web pages into a web site, add content so people want to visit your site, and make the site look good so people want to come back.
Section three goes where the average HTML tutorial doesn't go and talks about driving traffic. Getting search engine hits, creating your own message boards, and even (once you get the traffic) making money on your site. This is the part of the book that will have broader appeal -- the information will be valuable to novices as well as more experienced webmasters. The only disappointment in this section was that the subject of hit counters and stat tracking services wasn't covered in much depth. I would have liked to have seen more information on the various tracking services, rather than a one-page mention.
Part four starts to enhance the site. Javascript menus and buttons, and audio and video. This is a dangerous section, and the book does preach caution in adding many of these features (I noticed that there was little mention of animated GIFs, which I was very thankful for). The section on creative menus using Javascript and DHTML was very useful, and I plan on implementing some of what I have learned on my own site after the first of the year. The section covering audio and video was brief, but contained enough information for the novice designer to completely annoy visitors with embedded audio. Thankfully, the council in this section was moderation in all things -- they make sure that novices realize how annoying embedded audio can be.
Part five covers blogging, specifically working with Blogger. This is a good idea, though most new bloggers will eventually want something more powerful. Syndication is also briefly explained (though they don't tell you how to create your own RSS feeds). Blogger-specific tweaks are covered briefly, and budding bloggers are encouraged to use the skills they've gained by reading the rest of the books to customize their basic Blogger templates.
This book is a valuable asset for novice website builders, and contains many useful tips for more advanced users (though most power users will find little in it that they don't know already). It's up to date with the latest standards, though they spent more time talking about using table tags for layout than I would have liked, and not nearly enough time on div tags. I understand CSS a lot better now than I did before, and I've got some great ideas for improving my own sites. I think that the most valuable part of this book -- and, really, one of the reasons I love O'Reilly books so much -- is the fact that you can do everything in this book with free software. You can use Dreamweaver or Frontpage, but you can make a great site using free software that's readily available on the Web. Highly recommended.

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Think you have to be a technical wizard to build a great web site? Think again. For anyone who wants to create an engaging web site--for either personal or business purposes--Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual demystifies the process and provides tools, techniques, and expert guidance for developing a professional and reliable web presence.

Like every Missing Manual, you can count on Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual to be entertaining and insightful and complete with all the vital information, clear-headed advice, and detailed instructions you need to master the task at hand. Author Matthew MacDonald teaches you the fundamentals of creating, maintaining, and updating an effective, attractive, and visitor-friendly web site--from scratch or from an existing site that's a little too simple or flat for your liking.

Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual doesn't only cover how to create a well-designed, appealing, smart web site that is thoroughly up to date and brimming with the latest features. It also covers why it's worth the effort by explaining the rationale for creating a site in the first place and discussing what makes a given web site particularly aesthetic, dynamic, and powerful. It further helps you determine your needs and goals and make well informed design and content decisions.

Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual includes a basic primer on HTML, working with JavaScript, and incorporating services like Paypal's shopping cart, Amazon's associate program, and Google AdSense and AdWords. It delivers advanced tricks for formatting, graphics, audio and video, as well as Flash animation and dynamic content. And you'll learn how to identify and connect with your site's audience through forms, forums, meta tags, and search engines.

This isn't just another dry, uninspired book on how to create a web site. Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual is a witty and intelligent guide for all of you who are ready to make your ideas and vision a web reality.

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Site-Seeing: A Visual Approach to Web Usability Review

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(More customer reviews)This book lays a good foundation for web design by emphasizing planning, meeting clients' goals, and understanding the target audience. Wroblewski emphasizes usability when describing the core of the site- structure, navigation, content- and how it will affect the experience of the audience. He uses numerous examples to illustrate layout, visual heirarchy, color schemes, and how they work together (or don't!) to communicate quickly and effectively to the site visitor.
I got frustrated about the amount of fluff surrounding actual information. He makes plenty of good points and then buries them beneath a barrage of condescending, long-winded metaphors, like the way we can read a map and know that blue represents water. The analogy itself could be helpful, but three paragraphs to explain the analogy is just distracting.
I'm glad I read it... it opened my eyes to many challenges that web designers face, and inspired me to infuse life and personality into my own site. I'm also glad I highlighted the meaningful parts so I (or friends who borrow it) can skip past the fluff in the future.

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Although Web usability has received lots of hype, especially during the dot-com meltdown, the focus has been mostly on technical issues. Usability experts stress the pitfalls of frames and too many images on Web pages. They recommend editing out unnecessary words and writing in a non-linear style-all valuable advice, of course. But less frequently do they highlight the importance of the visual presentation of Web pages.The Web is a communication medium that does most of its talking visually. What you see on a Web page tells you what you might find within the site, how to get there, and why it might interest you-not to mention the instinctive emotional response that shapes your Web experience. As a result, Web usability issues are communication issues. Easy-to-use sites are those that communicate quickly and effectively.Site-Seeing takes a fresh approach to Web usability by applying visual communication principles and decision-making to Web design. Specifically, readers will learn the key concepts behind visual organization, look and feel, technical considerations, and clear planning that stem from audience awareness. Through numerous, full-color examples author Luke Wroblewski deconstructs "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of Web design.The visual presentation of a site does more than merely making it pretty. It organizes information according to function. It creates distinct and appropriate personalities. It provides emotional impact and attachment. In short, it engages the audience-and keeps them coming back.

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Dreamweaver CS3 for Windows and Macintosh Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read the other reviews and had to comment.
This book is NOT a technical manual, nor a step-by-step on how to design websites. Rather, it is a COMPANION book on how to use DreamWeaver. If you are familiar with other Adobe products, then you will appreciate that DreamWeaver maintains many similarities. If you are NOT familiar with Adobe products, then you are in for a major learning experience!
Let's get one thing straight right off the bat ... DreamWeaver is a highly complex program that is NOT meant for just any [dingbat] one to pick up on a whim and design the "perfect" website. You actually have to know how to read and understand (X)HTML, you can't just plop a site together without knowing this. Just because you CAN use the WYSIWYG interface doesn't mean you can do that exclusively.
If you are used to using FrontPage, then you have a RUDE awakening when it comes to the difference between that and DreamWeaver.
This book was the required book for the class in Web Design with DreamWeaver that I enrolled in (at an actual school) and completed very successfully.
This book is EXACTLY what the title states: a "quick start". It in no way ever implies that it is anything other than that! It is there as a gentle nudge. It is NOT there as a guided class!
AND, it NEVER EVER states that it teaches CSS ... NEVER!! Maybe you thought that "CS3" was the same as "CSS"??
If you are looking for an entire "class in a book" strictly on DreamWeaver, then I recommend the "Missing Manual" by O'Reilly and/or the "Classroom in A Book" series from Adobe Press.
If you are looking for a book on CSS (cascading style sheets), then you want the "Head First" series entitled "HTML with CSS & XHTML", or the Visual Quick Start book entitled "HTML, XHTML & CSS" ... DUH!! I mean, really - make sure you buy the correct book for what you want to learn! If you don't, then DON'T BLAME THE BOOK!!
I use this book as a reference quite often, and to remind myself how to do certain functions in DreamWeaver. It has a great index, and the appendices are very informative.
Also, the website is as complete as it can be. They give you the links for the resources in the book. There is only one "errata" that relates to using a Mac, and it's listed on the site.
About emailing ... they specifically say to READ THE FAQ'S FIRST. There is a disclaimer about them NOT being able to answer each and every email on page xiv of the book - so quit griping about that! Read the FAQ's, or get a teacher! [such a freakin' whiner you are M.F.Summy.]
I wish people would THINK before posting a negative review. There is value in every book. Before you buy it, look through it either online or in a book store! Whether you bought the proper one for your needs is NOT the book's fault! Grow up!

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With the release of Adobe Creative Suite CS3, Dreamweaver is now partof the world's leading suite of creative tools, making it the de factotool of choice for anyone designing for the Web. Adobe Dreamweaver CS3for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide uses a combinationof task-based instruction and strong visuals to teach beginning andintermediate users how to create, design, and publish powerful,innovative Web sites with Dreamweaver. Leading technology authors TomNegrino and Dori Smith take readers step-by-step through the newfeatures in Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, with all new chapters on buildingdynamic pages with Ajax and Spry, and designing for mobile devices.They also cover improvements to using styles and CSS in Dreamweaver,and the new Browser Compatibility Check in Dreamweaver CS3. Beginningusers will learn to create their first Web site, add text, style andposition page content, manage styles, work with links, incorporateimages, media, tables, forms, and frames, design site navigation, andso much more. Experienced users will find this a convenient referenceto the new features of Dreamweaver CS3.

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The Ten Golden Rules Of Online Marketing Workbook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a book that sets the foundation on Internet marketing. Great tool for understandig the basics and the foundation for leveraging the power and real value of doing business supported in the online world.
Full of examples and tips allows anyone to get going fast for value from internet as a business tool.
The person who recommended it to me, explained that it is a required read to anyone who wants to work and understand the new world of Marketing, and I believe so.


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