Poor Richard's Web Site (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Peter Kent (Author)

Book Description

Series: Poor Richard's | Publication Date: February 2000

Explains all the steps one needs to take to set up a Web site in a down-to-earth, easy-to-understand style. Teaches how to create a web page, and how to get a domain name, and make sure your Web site works properly. Softcover.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Poor Richard's Web Site takes the approach that there's more to building a Web site than learning the ins and outs of HTML. It's a good premise, given that so many programs are now available that hide the complexity of creating Web sites. However, just as knowing how to push a button on a camera doesn't make one a photographer, a working knowledge of Microsoft FrontPage doesn't make one a Web master.

Author Peter Kent begins this book with a question that isn't asked often enough: Do you need a Web site? Kent's skepticism is of the healthy variety, making readers carefully consider whether developing an online presence is beneficial for their businesses. His approach is refreshingly nontechnical (for the most part, at least), offering up commonsense advice on how to find a host and how to create and promote your site.

If nothing else, Kent is definitive in his opinions. He's a staunch believer in using Web hosting firms, for example, and fancy multimedia enhancements do not impress him. His advice can be a bit too rigid at times, however. He abhors using .net or .org domains even if .com isn't available for your chosen name, noting that people expect the .com tag. (If this is so, how does he explain the success of Headhunter.net?)

Kent's somewhat cranky tone resembles that of a crusty, gray-haired professor dispensing advice that comes from hard-won experience. It can get grating over the course of 400 pages, but it's also the splash of cold water in the face of many would-be Web developers who need to keep their efforts in perspective. --John Frederick Moore

From Library Journal

Kent's approach to web-site design begins with a serious discussion about whether the reader even needs to set up a site. Covering all the basics in jargon-free English, he considers what you need to start, where to put your web site, finding a host, how to pick and register a domain name, creating a site, choosing an editor, adding interaction and taking orders online, distribution lists, and registering your web site. Very well written.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Top Floor Pub; 2 Rev Sub edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966103203
• ISBN-13: 978-0966103205
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book., April 6, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poor Richard's Web Site (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Poor Richard's Web Site: Geek-Free, Commonsense Advice onBuilding a Low-Cost Web Site (Second Edition) is a book so super thatyou may start asking yourself if Peter Kent is related to Clark. What makes this book outstanding is the superabundance of essential details. Kent tells you everything you need to know and do, shows you what the options are, then gives you his right-on-target advice. The second edition of the book has been thoroughly updated, and it's even eight dollars less expensive than the first. The book is divided into three sections: Preparation, Creation, and Promotion. The Preparation section tells you how you can benefit from a Web site, how to begin, where to put your site, how to choose a web host, and all about domain names. Chapter 4 (about how to choose a web host) lists and explains 43 services that hosting company might provide, thus giving you a foolproof method for comparing what each company can do. The Creation section is another cornucopia of rich ideas. Here you'll learn how to design your site, select an HTML authoring tool, how to add interaction, take orders online, and work with email. Part III, Promotion, is a complete seminar about the subject. You might take a course at a conference for hundreds of dollars and not get half the ideas you'll find right here at your fingertips. The book's Appendix contains two checklists for two of your most important jobs: finding a web host and promoting your site. And the book is filled throughout with almost 800 useful links to lead you to all kinds of important resources. You will find that setting up and running a successful Web site takes a lot of work. But with Kent's book, which tells you precisely what you need to do and how to do it most efficiently, your job will be much easier and enjoyable as well. As the saying goes: If you plan to buy only one book on the subject of making your own Web site, this book is unmistakably the one.

Michael Pastore, Reviewer

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal For Anyone Short On Time, Money, & Experience!, November 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Poor Richard's Web Site : Geek-Free, Commonsense Advice on Building a Low-Cost Web Site (Paperback)

     The Internet has become the home of a number of Websites offering information on a variety of issues, products, and services. Would you like to join us? Need help? There are plenty of fine books around to help you design a good Website. They offer different levels of instruction for a variety of reading audiences. Peter Kent has written Poor Richard's Web Site to help the average non-technically inclined person to design an effective Website and to have an effective online presence.      This book stands out from most other Website design books because the author writes from his own personal experience. His personal interest shows as he guides his readers along. His personal involvement throughout the book offers his readers, particularly those new to the online scene, the confidence they need to succeed online. It is user-friendly, avoiding the big hype and technical jargon found in many other books.      The author provides extensive help on a variety of Website matters such as determining if a Website is necessary, selecting Website hosting companies, selecting and using HTML authoring tools, Website design tips, taking orders online, registering domain names, registering Websites with Internet search engines, searching the Internet for prospective clients, advertising, and applying effective marketing principles.      One notable feature of the book is the listing of hundreds of Website links offering additional Website design assistance, marketing help, graphic images, scripts, online payment information, and other important help. A companion Website for the book features an extensive updated listing of these Websites. The author offers his readers a truly amazing collection of additional resources!      This book targets aspiring Website designers who need help setting up an online presence. If you are short on time, money, and experience this book will provide all the help you need. It's packed! Keep it within your reach while designing your Websites. Highly recommended!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Demystifies the process of setting up a web site, February 5, 1998

By 

David Karlins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poor Richard's Web Site : Geek-Free, Commonsense Advice on Building a Low-Cost Web Site (Paperback)

Sure, there are plenty of good books about FrontPage, HTML coding, designing web sites and web graphics. I've written a few myself. But this book is something different -- and needed! Peter Kent demystifies the basic process of of setting up a web site and provides all the missing links that other books don't cover. Chapter 14 on Taking Orders Online is a good example. The book is a great starting point for a small business, non-profit or community group that wants to get on the web.