HTML 4 For Dummies, 5th Edition [Paperback]

Ed Tittel (Author), Mary Burmeister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0764589172 | ISBN-13: 978-0764589171 | Edition: 5th

Are you fascinated by the look and design of Web pages? Do you wish that you had the knowledge and skills to create a great looking Web site? Whether you’re an up-and-coming Web designer or just an enthusiastic hobbyist, you are probably using HTML, the standard authoring language for the Internet. HTML 4 For Dummies, now in its 5^th edition, will show you the basics of working with this language as well as advanced skills for all-around knowledge.

HTML is used to create Web documents. As a standard issued by the World Wide Web Consortium, it is used by almost everyone to create and edit Web pages. HTML is capable of:

• Creating a Web site
• Inserting designs to a Web page
• Running on both PCs and Macs

The new edition of HTML 4 For Dummies contains nearly 50% more content than its previous editions, and covers a wide range of material, including: Planning a Web site to avoid underperformance

• Creating and viewing a Web page
• Working with text, tables, lists, and links
• Adding style to your page with images, colors, and fonts
• Managing layout
• Controlling positioning and appearance using CSS
• Integrating scripts with HTML
• Designing an eBay auction page
• Helpful advices and tips, as well as warnings about pitfalls

Complete with a 6-page tear-out colored reference sheet, HTML 4 For Dummies is the most comprehensive HTML guide yet. Written by a computer expert and author of over 120 books, including the previous editions of the bestselling HTML 4 For Dummies, this straightforward, fun guide will aid you through making and editing beautiful Web pages.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hard core programmers would say that HTML is for dummies. Even so, for those of us who want to build and maintain our own Web sites, but cringe at the sight of anything resembling a programming language, HTML 4 for Dummies is the hand-holding guide to help us through those processes.

Because many HTML editors do all the site-building work for you, it's strange the authors chose to wait until appendix C in the back of the book to explain why you must know HTML. Still, their reasons for learning HTML are sound, and the advice they dispense is solid.

Beyond going through the ins and outs of HTML tags, the book does a fine job of explaining what design elements work and how to avoid common mistakes. The section on XHTML ensures that budding site builders have all the latest tools at their disposal.

Whether your goal is to build a simple, text-oriented Web site or one loaded with frames, graphics, and animation, HTML 4 for Dummies will put you on the right track. --John Frederick Moore --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"read the user-friendly starter guide HTML 4 For Dummies, published by John Wiley & Sons." (Smallbusiness.co.uk)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 5th edition (May 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764589172
• ISBN-13: 978-0764589171
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > XHTML

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, for dummies ;), October 14, 2000

By 

Jason E. Smith "Web Developer" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HTML 4 for Dummies (with CD-ROM) (Paperback)

As the title says, this book is for people with very little knowledge of HTML - but knowledge of how to use a computer at an intermediate level. It covers most basic HTML tags, up to and including tables and a limited amount of framesets, as well as providing a large reference section aimed at the beginning HTML coder, becoming a decent reference manual even after the Tutorial section is finished.

It's not the be-all and end-all of coding references, but it's perfect for someone that is comfortable with a computer, and wants to being creating simple web pages. This can take an individual with little knowledge and give them enough information to where they can understand the more complex online references and puzzle out the rest, or to a level where they can successfully invest their time in learning more about CSS, JavaScript, and DHTML to move to more complex sites.

53 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this book..., October 5, 2000

By 

Renaaah "Renaaah" (Bronxville, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HTML 4 for Dummies (with CD-ROM) (Paperback)

I am currently taking an introductory class called "Build your Own Website." This book is required reading. When I went to my local bookstore to get "Html4 for Dummies with CD ROM," the sales associate did everything in her power to dissuade me from buying it. Now, 2 weeks into the course (and the book) I understand why.

There is too much text in this book: long, verbose explanations that make learning a chore. It is no fun to read, and is often confusing. Unless you are in the same situation as I (your professor demands that you use this, and only this, text) don't waste your money. Elizabeth Castro has written a much better book on this subject.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Satisfactory job of explaining HTML language to new user, November 13, 2002

By 

R. Geissman "Lodi Shopper" (Lodi, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HTML 4 for Dummies (with CD-ROM) (Paperback)

This book could have been about 200 pages shorter if they left out the redundant info on content and style of content. I would call this book "Keep it simple silly" as they must mention the KISS theory about 400 times. While I did get a better understanding of HTML after reading it. I was surely not prepared to make much of a web page when I was done digesting these 400 pages. I suggest picking it up at the library as I did and then getting a HTML reference book. Heck you can just go to WebMonkey or some other tutorial web site and learn just as much but quicker. It served it's usefullness but I would never buy it or reference back to it after reading it.