Customer Reviews

HTML: A Beginner's Guide, Third Edition

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have just finished the first two modules and let me tell you that if you are a pure beginner to HTML, DO NOT get this book. Module two is very confusing with very few examples for the beginner. I have been designing pretty decent web pages (www.pacificlittleleague.org) with MS Frontpage 2002 and wanted to learn HTML so I could advance to using javascript & flash. This book was a mistake purchase. It is not for the beginner. I have read all of the other comments that convinced me to buy this book, and all I can say is that maybe this would be a good book if you have already dabbled in some HTML. If you look at some of the test questions at the end of module 2, such as #9 which asks about the proper XHTML format for closing the hr tag, you will find that she hasn't even covered the tag hr yet. In # 11 it asks to rewrite "the text below" so that it doesn't show up on a web page - and then there is no text shown that could be rewritten. The author really needs to get in a frame of mind to that of a true beginner if she is going to sell this book as a beginner book.

I'm an HTML novice, and I've periodically browsed the bookstores looking for a good introductory HTML book, but I never found one that measured up to my hopes...until I encountered Wendy Willard's new book, HTML: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE. I gave it a quick skim in the bookstore and was immediately impressed by its organization, layout, use of examples, and appropriate level of detail. I read it cover to cover over a long weekend, and I was thrilled! I've read bits and pieces of quite a few technical books, and this book is right up there with the best. Most technical books suffer because they are written by techies, not writers. Well, for someone whose background is in graphic arts, Ms. Willard's expository writing skills are impressive. The book is extremely well organized at all levels--the overall content of the book, the individual chapters, even the individual paragraphs. The style is clear, engaging, fluid, and well balanced. Throughout the book, Ms. Willard maintains a good sense of context, so I never wondered why I was investing my energy in the point at hand. This book helped me to move from a very minimal knowledge of HTML to a high level of comfort with the smallest imaginable investment of time and energy. Quite simply, this may be the best introductory HTML book on the market.

This book is definetely worth every penny I paid for it. I started off knowing next to nothing about HTML coding. Now I know all about creating a web page/site, styling the text, including web graphics/colours (and about the hexidecimal colour system), tables (which are widely and a useful tool for web pafge layout, I found out), frames (another widely used tool - like on THIS page here!), embedding multimedia (and customizing it) and MUCH more. There are even useful introductions to javascript, cascading style sheets and stuff about actually putting your website on the web, and, at the beginning, stuff about web site design (e.g. for potential customers, etc.). There is a reference section for all the stuff you've learnt and a resources section both at the back. A BIG feature is the project running throughout the book, which gets you to create your own web site and build it up, gradually adding more and more stuff to it as you learn it. This consolidates your learning.

This book is EXCELLENT for beginners, who know nothing, and takes you through to, I would say, at least intermediate level. There is also stuff on how to make pages ready for the up-and-coming XHTML. Everything is fully,and very well explained, with useful short tests throughout. The only critcism I can think of is that it is a bit repetative in places - but then that can only be good for a beginner. If you want to learn HTML (and a bit more), this is a VERY good place to start!

I haven't read a more thorough, user-friendly guide to creating a Web site. This book has so much value-added content, beyond HTML, and demonstrates lessons through fun and easy practice tutorials. Individuals overwhelmed with taking on a new skill will discover, with this book, how simple and exciting learning HTML can be.

I needed a relatively quick way to learn how to construct a custom web page for my Computer-Help website, and this book did not disappoint.

I just finished the book today, and I can now use basic Javascript, tables, frames (don't use them!), and basic CGI scripts.

All the information you need to go from beginner to intermediate is here. I highly recommend this book as the most painless means of acquiring a working knowledge of HTML.

Some things this book does not cover are ASP, PHP, and the like, which is understandable. There are only so many pages available.

I read this book in its preliminary stage. I knew nothing about HTML, web pages, or even basic computer "lingo." I could not even download from the internet without pulling my hair out. If I can now understand HTML, ANYONE can. Read this book.

This is what I was looking for!!! Wanting to build a decent web site on my own but not having a clue where to begin I ordered this book. I feel like I'm taking a real class with the informative chapters and quizzes at the end of the book. HTML A Beginners Guide is a must have. Two thumbs up!!!

This is a great book. I have been very interested in the Internet for some time, but I never had the time or knowledge required to create a Web site. I bought this book on a lark, and I couldn't be more satisfied. The language is straightforward and down to earth. After three hours of concentrated learning, I constructed my first Web page. If you want to learn HTML, buy this book.

If you're a computer geek that wants complex HTML ramblings that only the few understand, don't buy this book. If you want an HTML book written for the rest of us then get this now! Not only does Wendy guide you through the minefield of HTML jargon by using plain English we can all understand, she also does it in a reassuring way, so you never feel out of your depth. You learn the basics of HTML very quickly in the book and then you are introduced to the more complex features a bit at a time giving the book a nice learning curve. You also get a taster for Javascripts and a bit of advice on things such as content and layout, which is nice. After you have finished reading this book it makes an excellent reference for those bits you always need to lookup thanks to the clear layout and reference tables.

I read this book in its preliminary stage. I knew nothing about HTML, web pages, or even basic computer "lingo." I could not even download from the internet without pulling my hair out. If I can now understand HTML, ANYONE can. Read this book.