Customer Reviews

Microsoft Expression Web 2 Step by Step (Step By Step (Microsoft))

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Over the last month, I have gone through all 354 pages of this book sentence by sentence, word by word and "step by step" except for Chapter 2 on "Moving from FrontPage to Expression Web2." I have never used FrontPage so it would have little meaning for me.


I'm new to web-building so I can only speak with that experience. This begs the question, "Who is this book designed for," that is, "who would get the most out of it." The book makes no statements to that effect. And perhaps another question, "Are there enough books and training material available on this software to allow one to pick and choose for one's experience level? "Is there a "master manual" for this software or some other "Missing Manual?" There was a "Dummies" book for the first EW version. The answers to those question seem to be that because this software is relatively new, few books are available and apparently, a master manual does not exist and would need to be so massive and expensive (if it had to cover a complete understanding of the EW2 program including a complete review of CSS/PHP/ASP.net, etc., etc.

I purchased this Microsoft Press book along with "Sam's Teach Yourself MS EW2", "Visual Quickstart Guide MS EW" (Hester/first version of Expression), and "Special Edition-Using MS EW2" (Jim Cheshire). Sam's claims their book was written for the "novice designer" which fits my description (they qualify it by saying a seasoned designer will find lots of useful info). On the cover of Cheshire's book it states it is "The ONLY EW2 book you need."

Regardless, one would assume that, minimally, only a person who had some decent computer skills and serious interest in designing web pages (and time on their hands) would want to delve into an intense program such as EW2. I have, like anyone fitting that description, been sitting in front of a computer and MS Office Programs for the last 12 years and hence decided on this Microsoft program rather than say Dreamweaver. But I had never heard of cascading style sheets (CSS) nor PHP, ASP.net before I bought the program and books. So it was a struggle for me to get through the Leeds book in the sense of having to struggle with those entirely new concepts. Even I have had a little experience with creating a web site on a crude level some years ago. But if you are very new to web building and do not know the difference between HTML start and end tags you will be at a serious disadvantage with this book and you had best start with a "Dummies" book or a simpler book or course on web building before you jump into this one by Microsoft Press. Some books will say you can use EW2 without ever looking at the code view but I can't believe you can be proficient with EW2 without at least some general understanding of how to use the code view for very basic manipulations. This book does help you with that to some degree.

This book literally is "step by step" as the title states. Throughout the entire book you are told to "click on X", then "click on Y" browse to Z and type 1, 2, 3. An occasional explanation and/or description may be given. This was a bit of a problem for me, because I need a "big picture," "concepts" type of approach to learn anything as complicated as EW2. I'm not sure the "learn by doing" approach in this book will be valuable to many persons. It might be sufficient for the general construction of a web page but not for CSS and server side scripts programs. Perhaps MS Press needs to re-think this approach and get more opinions of whether this learning style really works for the complexity of EW2. I think they may be confused as to whom this book is directed. Perhaps the publisher should separate out the CSS and server side script learning into a separate book---two companion books such that they can each be more intense?

So I have come away with only a very general picture of how to build a website using EW2 and certainly need more intense training on CSS, PHP, and ASP.net either because of the approach used in this book or because of the general complexity of the Program and my limited experience. If you have some good experience in web building you may sail through this book and pick up all you need relative to this new EW2 version or to modern web building programs; but not if you are a "beginner" or novice.


So my next decision is which of my books to turn to now---or to buy separate CSS and scripting books and/or take some courses. These conclusions of mine are actually noted by the author Chris Leeds in the book, where he repeatedly notes his book is not the end of ones learning curve of EW2. I suspect I will now skim Jim Cheshire's book and thoroughly study certain sections which appears to take a more "theoretical" conceptual approach that I need. I will no doubt need specialized learning on the scripting programs and most definitely on CSS; it is critical to the program.

For me, this was a good, first, "review of basics" book, introducing me to CSS and the other programs now connected to modern web building programs. I had the time, interest and dedication to put into running through the book thoroughly in a short period of time. I wish it had more of the Nolan book "visual" approach, that is, a lot more and clear screen shots; they help also when it's necessary to look at code sections. I suspect MS Press wanted to put out a quick, inexpensive, overview of EW2 and in that sense, it does the job.

The author, who was quite helpful with some guidance, stated he was confined to this style by the overall business plan for the book. There are support websites for the subject of this book given in the book including an errata page for a few basic errors, online community support systems, how to contact Leeds for questions, and other help locations. Where needed, there are good listings of additional help for specific topics such as at the end of the PHP/ASP.net chapters.

A very good book for the beginner, or an intermediate user of Frontpage, This is the second edition, explains how to embed Silverlight, Media Player and Flash into your website. Explains how to use ASP.NET 2 features and controls, somethings not in the first edition (Step by Step Microsoft Expression Web). Includes CD for practice files, book arrived in good shape and within 2 days for standard mailing. Can contact author for questions.

I bought this book along with the Expression Web 2 software. Before this, I knew almost nothing about making a website, and I had never even heard of EW2. A few weeks earlier, I had purchased a few domains with visions of .... I'm not really sure. Was I going to create a business, a blog, or just play on the internet? If you're in a similar situation, I cannot recommend this book (and software) enough.

Step by Step is arranged like a workbook. A companion CD includes practice files for almost every chapter. The exercises are nearly idiot proof, although I managed a few stumbles along the way. Despite that, the novice should have very few problems creating and publishing a web site with nothing other than EW2 and this book. The teaching style is "click this," "enter this text," "after entering this text, an options menu appears, select option....," "the result is displayed in Figure...." If you manage to destroy a project, you can just reload it from the CD. The book is loaded with figures, hints, and problem solving tips.

Initially, I tried skipping things that I didn't think were relevant to me. For example, why would I ever need to read the chapter "Building a Web Site from Scratch?" Even a fool knows that there are terabytes of free templates out there. However, I soon realized the error of my thinking. My problem was that I didn't know what I didn't know. Within each chapter are loads of tidbits I immediately incorporated into my template based website. No part of this book should be skipped if you are a novice.

This book is not a study book or a book to be read in front of the TV. It's a book that you sit down in front of the computer with and go through page by page. Before you get half way through, you'll have a website up and running.

I also want to emphasize that this is a book aimed at the novice. If the only thing you want to do is design a blog, advertise a business, or something similarly simple, this book is all you need. However, if you really jump into web design like I did, you'll soon be looking for a book to take you too the next level. For that I recommend Jim Cheshire's Special Edition Using Microsoft Expression Web 2 from Que Publishing.

After purchasing Expression Web 2 several months ago, I set about learning how to use it. My goal was practical: become proficient enough to be productive with the application. I found several tutorials online, but after awhile I found most of them either too basic or too advanced.

In previous years I taught myself various software applications such as FrameMaker, Illustrator and Photoshop mostly through the printed word and decided to travel that route again. I bought three books in quick succession: 'Expression Web 2 On Demand' by Steve Johnson; 'Special Edition, Using Microsoft Expression Web 2'by Jim Cheshire,and 'Expression Web 2 Step by Step' by Chris Leeds.

There's a wealth of information in all three books, and I was impressed with all three authors' depth of knowledge. However, I found myself spending more and more time with 'Step by Step' than the others. Why? Expression Web 2 is an industrial strength web editor with a substantial learning curve, and doing the exercises in subsequent chapters of Leeds' book gave me an overview and a confidence that I could not get from the other books. The CD is invaluable because you can always go back and redo an exercise that you messed up on before.

'Expression Web 2: Step by Step' follows a proven pedagogical approach: introduce a concept, practise it, and then keep adding to the foundation. This is an excellent book and I am well on my way towards achieving my goal of proficiency.

I have used Frontpage since 1999, building and maintaining Websites continuously. This book is NOT for beginners, and is not based on usage other than its own included DVD examples. Thank God there are resources online - and they are free. Otherwise, I'd NOT been up and running at this point.

Incidentally, those online resources are filled with people frustrated with this software. They are also frustrated that the so-called "how-to" books are ineffective. The software itself is buggy, and depending on the CD you purchase it on, not all features will be available.

Someday, hopefully, a book will be written by a real user... not a computer geek who lives and breathes programming. Such a book would be in easy English and would not gloss over the most necessary basics. Save your money. And not all of us need a DVD with his example; just a book that says, "to do this, do this." Time is too precious.

It's no fun building sites like it used to be. Takes 4 steps for what used to take one or two. Thanks, Microsoft.

Coming from an absolute beginner level in web design and using EW2 I did learn a lot from this book. It got me from being totally lost to being able to move around the program fairly comfortably and being able to use a pretty large range of the functionality. Don't expect miracles, but this book is a good place to start for beginners-it will definitely give you some kind of foundation to build on.

I had a problem in two places with the book-Chapter 7, creating a web site from scratch-I could not get through the excercise due to the fact that the steps laid out were just not working for me. This after almost 40 minutes of going back and checking my work, and then repeating everything from the beginning of the chapter. So I was not able to go through the excercises on everything contained in the rest of the chapter. Slightly annoying and disappointing. Then the end of chapter 8, where you learn how to insert contact forms, you need a file that is not included on the CD that came with the book, and the author just says, if the file is not there, then you should import it.(???) First of all he should know what files are or are not contained in the CD that he prepared for the book. Second, if he is going to play that game with you and tell you to import it, he should at least give some clue about where you can get this very specific file. Its not like contact form confirmation files are flying around the web....

Aside from that-all good. You'll be able to work with, build and export web-sites from templates after your done.

I find that Step by Step is a bargain to allow the transition from FrontPage, to the Microsoft Expression Web 2. Expression Web 2 from my world of FrontPage, is no walk in the park, but the book allows clear understanding of this new journey.

Dan Wadley

When I first got this book I thought to myself "Great! Let's bite the bullet, dive right in and get the learning curve behind me." And, unfortunately that's not exactly how it is with this book. I admit, I'm spoiled by the old FrontPage way of doing things alas, reading this book got me even more confused and ready to pull my hair out so, out of frustration I ended up getting Sam's teach yourself Expression web 2. Writing a "How To" book is a difficult task for anyone. Adding examples that can be used for exercises is a bonus. But, wanting to learn basically two - maybe three things - and being walked through stuff that didn't retain my attention was the main reason why this book only received 3 stars. I suppose after I scan through Sam's book and do a few mock sites I'll appreciate this book BUT, it's unlikely and will pick up something more advanced.

I am new to web design and I needed a book that can show how to use MWE2 and this book by Chris Leeds did that with ease. I like it and I will strongly recommend it for beginners. I also used a DVD by Jeanne Warner and I think that also enhanced my ability to follow Chris through the study. If you are using windows, you may experience a minor miss step but you can always catch up and learn to put your skills to work gradually.
You will learn a lot and become familiar with the program in no time.

I just don't think this is a very good book. It was a little confusing through chapter 3, but I'll admit I learned a few things.

However, in chapter 4, the screen shots didn't match the sample files. So I checked the `done' files, and they also didn't match the book's screen shots. It might be nit picking, but when you're trying to learn, it would be nice if the instructions match the materials that you're trying to learn from.

At one point, after following the instructions in the book, Expression Web crashed. I tried about three times to follow the instructions, and each resulted in a crash. Okay, maybe Expression Web is buggy on a Vista laptop with 4G memory. I'd like to think that the book is just wrong.

On to chapter 5, and the rest of the book. It's almost as if the author lost interest. From here on out it just seems to be instructions to click here, open this file, change this setting, etc. The explanations are pretty shallow. Yes, the title is Step by Step, but I think the reader deservers better information for why actions are being performed.

This is the first Step by Step Microsoft Press book that I've purchased. Maybe this is standard fare for the series. So, two stars because I did learn something, but not more, because it just isn't very good.