Learning Web Design - 2nd Edition
Book Review by Lee RiceComputing is not new to me, but Web Design is. Which is why I found this book so useful.
Beginning with Chapter One, “Getting Started”, answers basic questions such as Where to Start, How it all Works, How to get Stuff on the Web, etc.
Topics such as HTML, Graphics, Interface, Design, Production, Programming, Multimedia, Java, etc. are covered.
Sound confusing? Well it is a bit if you are new to Web Designing, but this book walks you through, step by step to what you need to buy, Equipment, Software, and Web Page Authoring.
Discussed are Internet Tools and names of several popular Web Design Software programs. You learn How the Web Works, Getting Your Pages on the Web, Why Web Design Isn’t like Print Design and The Web Design Process.
Learning HTML includes step by step instructions to creating a sample page, formatting text with HTML with lots of exercises included. You learn how to add graphic elements (which I was happy to see). The “Test Yourself” sections following each chapter were a big help.
After creating your masterpiece Chapter Ten shows how to add Links. Of course by now you realize the links you provide guide users to areas you want them to visit, either within a page, another section of your own site, or to someone else’s. Guidance in selecting pathnames are given and common errors shown that, when made, will break your link; example: Don’t use backslashes (\), Drive Names, etc.
Tables are frequently used on Web sites, and Learning Web Design has devoted an entire chapter (11) to them. There are numerous graphs displaying “how to” which are extremely helpful. Covered are File formats, Gifs, JPEG, Animated GIFS, Slices and Rollovers. I love the charts, tables and figures used. They are plentiful and are easily understood. Subjects covered include Web Design Techniques, Building Usable Web Sites, Web Design Do’s and Don’ts and “How’d They do That”?
“Learning Web Design” includes demonstrations on creating Web graphics using several of the more popular graphic programs, several of which are included on the CD ROM as trial versions that are good for 30 days from the date installed. It also includes all the exercises in the book.
This 439-page book has nineteen chapters plus an Appendix that has answers to all the tests and exercises followed by a Glossary that covers terminology used.
Overall - this is an extremely useful book that I do recommend. It is well worth the purchase price of $39.95 retail. User Group members receive a 20% discount, check the Bytes for details.Learning Web Design by Jennifer Niederst
O’Reilly & Associates, Inc.
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Sebastopol, CA 95472
800-998-9938 or 707-827-7000
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