Customer Reviews

Web Design Templates Sourcebook

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I think the intention of the author is to provide a ready-to-use set of templates rather than designing readers designing their own. The book teaches about tables and frames, which are necessary knowledge for the reader to be able to customise the templates to suit their purpose. The book is divided into few sections according to categories of web page layouts for various purpose. The numerous illustrations help the own see what are layouts are available in the CD-ROM and thus reduces the effort to search for appropriate or desired template.

The book is rather outdated and mentions HTML 3.2. Now many people are delving to HTML 4, XHTML or even XML.

If you expect this book to be teaching web design, this book will not match that expectation. If you are looking for new stuff in scripting such as HTML 4, XHTML and XML, this book does not have any of that.

But if you are looking for some ready to use layouts/templates, then perhaps this book will be of some use to you. But as it is rather outdated, you shouldn't be paying the full price but a discounted rate. Quite worth it only if you can get it at a low, low price. I managed to get an unused copy at $4.85, and it was the last copy in the shop.

If you are serious about web design, you should consider looking for books that teach you how to use Macromedia Dreamweaver.

   What impressed me most about this book when I picked it up was the display of sample Web pages on the front and back covers, on the fold-out at the back of the book, and on many of its pages. By thumbing through this book the reader will find a variety of templates for every need and occasion, including brochures, business plans, calendars, catalogs, directories, forms, guest books, press releases, reports, schedules, surveys, and more. The CD that accompanies the book, which operates on both Windows and Mac platforms, provides the HTML source code and a graphic image of each template, providing a clear understanding of what the final page could look like. Readers are also encouraged to experiment. I'm currrently working on a Website and will combine several templates from this book to produce hybrid-designed Web pages. The possibilities are almost endless!

     The book features chapters offering helpful instruction on matters as HTML tagging, the use of forms, frames, and graphics. The CD also provides some popular HTML editors so that readers can get started immediately on their way to creating terrific Web pages. While the book does not offer CGI scripts for use with the guest books and forms offerred, it does offer readers with a solid starting point from which they can set up shop. This book and CD package serves as an effective tool for fast, professional results that will also offer helpful instruction and guidance on how to design state-of-the-art Websites and pages.

     I was somewhat hesitant about offering my brief review of this book to the world. Considering the great help this book would be to a budding Website developer such as myself, I realized I could lose business to someone else who would read my review, go out and buy the book, and then go into business for themselves! However, my commitment to offering reviews of good books that would benefit other members of the Internet community stands unwavering. I'm putting this book to use for myself. You should too!

This book comes with a CD chock full of templates ready to use, right out of the box. While I don't believe in using pre-designed templates as is, it certainly is a great way to get your creative mind moving in the right direction. Pick a template, take the pieces you like from it and create your own specialized design.

Chapters one and two begin with some very basic information on HTML coding. It gives the code and then a pictorial example of what the code does. Chapters three through seven provide information about when and where to use the templates in that chapter and then shows the pictures of what each will look like. Chapter eight explains DHTML, CCS, Layers, SSI and CGI with detailed coding examples.

An eight-page index and a five page content section allows the user to find the exact piece of information for which they are looking. AND as and added benefit, they are easier to use and locate what you want than looking in the Yellow Pages!

I would recommend this book to anyone who designs webs and has "writer's block" now and again. This covers just about every designer I know so be sure to add this to your "must have" library.

Now this is the first time I've come across a book like this - a book that gives you over 300 templates that you are encouraged to use to create your pages. Yet the concept is not new - on the Net, thousands of new web developers start off by copying webpages they fancy, modifying those pages by replacing the present content with their own content, and hey presto - their own web pages are ready to roll !

That this book is the first of it's kind is apparent from the first chapter - the entire first chapter is dedicated to explaining to the reader why he needs a book like this. The second chapter offers a newbie basic skills in HTML and design, while allowing the experienced designer a quick review of the basics.

The rest of the book has chapters that classify web sites according to the type of content to be presented, and presents a choice of templates for each kind. So if you are planning to create a text-heavy webpage like a magazine article or an annual report, all you have to do is choose the template you like best from all the alternatives presented, and fill in your text where indicated to get a professional looking webpage in a matter of minutes ! All these templates are available on the CD ROM included with the book. There are over 300 ready-to-use templates for academic sites, corporate sites, surveys, catalogs, reports, galleries ... the list is thorough !

Finally, if you tire of getting everything on a platter, the final chapter touches upon advanced topics like dynamic HTML, style sheets, layers and CGI scripting.

Web Design Templates Sourcebook is one book that teaches you to be intelligently lazy - all you need is basic design sense and how to cut and paste to exploit this book. Now that's not asking for much, is it ?

This book is a great source for getting ideas. It can also save you a lot of time. Why start from scratch? Modify the examples provided on the CD. Now if Lisa would only make a similar book for style sheets...

This Sourcebook is a very good desk reference for Web Design Professionals. As a Web Design Professional, this book has several excellent examples of both typical and unique templates. The first two chapters offer a novice Web Designer basic skills in HTML as well as design criteria, and for the advanced developer, these chapters offer a review for some and a new approach or path to Web development. Chapters three through seven are filled with templates that exemplify how a single design criterion can be developed in several ways. From a professional standpoint, this book can offer something to almost all Web design professionals at any level of developmental skill. Advanced designers, however, will find this book useful for ideas or possible design possibilities but not as a complete design reference.

In theory, a great book, in practice-don't waste your money

This book is totally outdated with 2-dimentional examples. Maybe nice for a beginner, not for (semi)professionals.