Developing Online Content: The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web [Paperback]

Irene Hammerich (Author), Claire Harrison (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471146110 | ISBN-13: 978-0471146117 | Publication Date: December 20, 2001 | Edition: 1st

An all-in-one resource on writing, organizing, and delivering Web content
After nearly a decade of experimentation, Web professionals now know that bells and whistles alone do not make a successful Web site. More than anything, strong and seamlessly integrated content attracts customers and keeps them coming back. Coauthored by a new media development expert and an award-winning writer, this book arms professionals with a complete blueprint and a set of best practices for writing, organizing, and delivering Web content. A one-stop resource for Webmasters, content developers, project managers, and editors, it covers all the bases-from key technical considerations to the principles of professional copywriting.
Companion Web site includes resource listings and updates.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I read this book whilst engaged on two medium-sized Web projects, and can confirm that all the roles, tasks and collaborations they describe are 100 per cent accurate." (Writing & Computers, 5 March 2002)

"a great book if you publish a large amount of content" (Internet Advisor, May 2002)

"... hurrah for a book which, as it's subtitle says, is about The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web..." (Writers News, July 2002)

"...a good book which sets out the skills and responsibilities of online content developers..." (M2 Best Books, 19 August 2002)

"...the authors cover an impressive range...I particularly liked the pithy panels in which an expert gives his or her view on topics...the examples of poor and good practice are another strength..." (www.freepint.com, 5 September 2002)

From the Back Cover

An all-in-one resource on writing, editing, organizing, and delivering Web content

Are you a professional writer or editor who wants to better understand the Web as a new communications medium? A knowledge or content manager of a corporate or organizational Web site looking for ways to attract, retain, and inform users? A Web production manager or designer who needs more information about the interplay of text and multiple media?

Experts Irene Hammerich and Claire Harrison provide you with a complete blueprint and a set of best practices for writing, editing, organizing, and delivering effective Web content. They'll guide you through the site development process, uncover strategies such as how to structure information logically, create clear, coherent, and accessible text, and balance visual and textual elements. You'll also explore the basic technological issues involved in building and managing a successful site.

This book includes such topics as:
* The skills and responsibilities of content developers
* User surfing and reading behaviors
* How to structure, organize, and design information
* Nonlinear text, strategic linking, and interactivity
* The Web page versus the Web screen
* Tips to getting Web work

The companion Web site includes resource listings and updates to the book.

Wiley Computer Publishing
Timely. Practical. Reliable.

Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/
Visit our companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/hammerich/

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (December 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471146110
• ISBN-13: 978-0471146117
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Waste of Time, March 28, 2005

By 

M C Willis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Developing Online Content: The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web (Paperback)

Don't spend your hard-earned money on this book. If you really want to learn about developing content for the Web, buy a good grammar book, a good style book and a good Web design book. "Developing Online Content" is little more than a rehash of other publications, inflated with meaningless graphics and unnecessary new terms. The only worthwhile parts of the book are the lists of resources.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars poorly-written, technically inaccurate, November 21, 2002

By 

Aimee Morgan "darkbloom" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Developing Online Content: The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web (Paperback)

This book was severely marred by poorly-constructed sentences, punctuation errors (someone needs to instruct this book's copy editor on appropriate comma use), and grammatical errors. Sample sentence: "Each of these groups undertake separate activities and use separate technologies."

Far more troubling, however, are the technical inaccuracies this book contains. A sample:

1) The authors state that an 800 by 600 monitor displays this many pixels per square inch. Not true: 800 by 600 pixels refers to the size of the entire screen.
2) HTML is repeatedly described as a programming language -- it is more accurately described as a markup language.
3) XML is defined as "a new language for creating vector graphics for use on web sites, cell phones, and PDAs." This definition confuses XML with SVG, a language that allows scalable vector graphics to be described using XML. It is not an accurate definition of XML itself.

This book is geared toward professional writers, not technical experts. In this context, simplified explanations of technical concepts would be understandable. There is no excuse, however, for technically inaccurate explanations.

I purchased and read this book because a professor required it; I plan to recommend that he no longer use it as a textbook.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A One-Stop Resource, January 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Developing Online Content: The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web (Paperback)

This book provides a complete blueprint and set of best practices for writing, editing, organizing, and delivering effective Web content. Perfect for anyone responsible for or interested in Web content, including professional writers or editors, knowledge or content managers of corporate or organization Web sites, Web production managers or designers, marketing specialists, and subject-matter experts.