Customer Reviews

HTML, Java, CGI, VRML, SGML Web Publishing Unleashed

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although this book has great content, the information is too outdated. According to this book Java and frames, are not supported by IE. This book is still teaching HTML 2 and HTML 3 (not 3.2). Don't expect to learn that much about Java and CGI from this book either because it explains what they are more that it teaches how to create applets and scripts using them.

I bought this book after taking on the task of learning *gasp* all of the facets of web programming and design, hoping this would be current information. A lot of it is. If you're still developing and writing HTML in the 3.0 version. I was surprisingly let down by this part of the Unleashed series, which is usually known for high quality info. Not that it isn't a good book, it's just out of date. ** Wondering how to get money back now **.. My advice.. keep looking. This one is just not current enough to be useful for so much of what's new now. Sorry Mr. Stanek, et al.

As a true skeptic, I don't believe in a perfect 10, so I gave this book a 9. Still, there is something massively appealing about Stanek's style. I purchased this book some time ago and find that I used it every day. Recently, I also purchased the expanded Professional Reference edition. I was surprised at how well the two books compliment each other. There's lots of different material in each book. Some of the areas this book explores well are:

Setting up - covers in great detail how to set up your Web site, what you can publish on the Web, and how to plot your course to success with HTML, SGML, VRML, Java, and CGI. The publisher's tour of the Web in chapter 3 is tops. I also liked the direct comparisons of HTML, VRML, and SGML in chapter 4 - complete with easy to follow charts that tell you when and why to use each.

Internet Explorer and Navigator extensions - great discussion on how to use these extensions

Designing tables and frames - good coverage of the table spec and frames.

Client Pull/Server Push - I finally learned how to use pull and push from this chapter that covers this subject

CGI - extensive coverage of scripting, clear and easy to understand

Graphic Design/Web Design - lots of tips throughout. I printed out Stanek's 14-second rule and posted next to my monitor.

This book was great when I first started reading it....2 years ago. The author was well organized and very informative in his descriptions. If you want basic knowledge, and then to expand on present material, this is the book for you.

I just purchased this book, I am also a web designer, although it is already outdated the theories presented by the author makes this book relevant to newer versions of HTML etc.This book is still a must for designers and a would be CLASSIC!

Stanek did something 'heroic'. He wrote an overview in which every topic is written down in a clear and understandable way. The book is not just a summary, but it shows how several 'languages' could be used in web publishing, how to choose for a language, it's pros and cons, and how they can cooperate. It was about time that such a book was written, because many people could be overloaded with information without knowing what to do with it. By buying and reading this book you won't get 'overloaded'. Stanek takes you to a point from where he shows you what the possibilities are, what the differences are and how to make decisions in good design. For newbies and experienced people who are working in the field of webdesign, marketing and programming business a must! (Mr. Stanek, I owe you one..)

Stanek had a remarkable vision for the future of the Web when he wrote this book. He covered material in the book that was well ahead of its time when the book was published and the Web is just now catching up with where he was back in 1996. He talked about HTML 3.0 and its features at great length. These same exact features are now a part of the new HTML. He talked about advanced table models. The table models are now fully supported and on the cutting-edge of today's Web design.

Because of great foresight on Stanek's part, the book hasn't lost its luster. It still shines like a new dime and I rely on it to help me create cutting-edge Web sites time after time. You won't find another book like this one. I guarantee it. - CM

Recently I had the distinct pleasure of listening to William Stanek speak to a quiet crowd. In person he is dynamic, energizing and intelligent, just like his books. After hearing him speak and reading his books, I have come to the conclusion that he is one of the most underappreciated writers of our age. His style is better than that of most other computer book writers including Goodman and Lemay. You couldn't tell this from the little blip of his books on the shelves of the average bookstore, but this is largely because his publisher rarely pushes his books, doesn't support his ideas and generally doesn't give him the attention he deserves.

During the speech, William maintained an amazing level of energy and enthusiasm for nearly 2 hours. As I watched from the back, I saw people who had accompanied their spouses and definitely weren't techies, sit bolt upright in their chairs and become wide-eyed believers. After the speech, William stayed to answer personal questions. I watched as William spent 15 minutes teaching a teenager, who had probably never purchased a computer book and wasn't going to either, the secrets of creating floating frames. He continued on to help each and every person in the crowd that had questions. People listened to what he had to say because he didn't talk down at them, he talked to them and what he said came from the heart.

I say all this to let you know where I am coming from and that I truly mean it when I say you should buy this book. It is well-written, easy-reading, and truly quite wonderful. I hope the book helps you as much as it helped me. Alice C. Watts

After reading the great reviews for this book, I set out to find it at the local bookstore. I looked in three different bookstores (Border, Barnes & Noble, Crown) for this book and couldn't find it anywhere, talk about a sleeper hit that is under-appreciated by booksellers. I finally found the book at a bookstore in mid-town. What you are probably interested in knowing is whether the book was worth 3 hours of my time to chase down, so I could have it today instead of tomorrow and the answer is a resounding Yes! The reviews were dead on accurate. This book is better than Teach Yourself HTML and I ought to know I have hardcover and softcover editions of that book. The book is way better than Gookin's Web Wambooli and the O'Reilly book HTML: The Definitive Guide--I have those books as well for you see, I set out to become a super-duper Webmaster and chased all the rainbows. Unfortunately after I spent over $300 bucks on books and months pulling my hair out, I discoved this book and found I didn't need all those other books at all! William Stanek does a much better job of organizing the book and his step-by-step thought process really makes sense and truly helped me to learn everything the book discusses. This is a wonderful, intelligent and fun book to read. I heartily recommend it! -- Paul

Great book, Stanek topped Lemay--and I've been reading Lemay books since Teach Yourself HTML in a Week. As a matter of fact, I have 3 editions of Lemay's Teach Yourself book, including the latest professional reference edition BUT the book I use every day is Stanek's Web Publishing Unleashed