Web Server Handbook, The [Paperback]

Pete Palmer (Author), Adam Schneider (Author), Anne Chenette (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 1996 | ISBN-10: 013239930X | ISBN-13: 978-0132399302

23993-9 All the information and software you need to set up your own Web server: No experience necessary! Nowadays, anyone can "surf" the World Wide Web. But many people assume that if you want to put your own information on the Web, you'll have to spend thousands of dollars on specialized computers and consultants. The truth is, you can set up your own Web server, even if you have little or no Web experience. This book shows you how: step-by-step, with no hype. And it covers all the software you'll need, too-whether you use Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Windows NT, Macintosh, or UNIX. Starting with the absolute basics, you'll learn how to: *Set goals for your Web server *Choose your hardware and software *Choose the right Internet service provider *Get a domain name and IP address *Build your site, step-by-step *Add pictures, forms, and interactivity *Test, maintain, and update your site *Publicize your site *Make your site secure Better yet, with The Web Server Handbook, you can build an attractive site customized to your own needs-not just a cookie-cutter site that looks like everyone else's.You'll even find quick-reference guides to many important tools for Web site operators, including HTML, Perl programming, TCP/IP networking, and basic UNIX. The Web Server Handbook's CD-ROM is compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX systems; it contains the Internet's most popular Web Servers, including those from Apache, CERN, and NCSA, and a 60-day trial version of the WebSite Windows NT Web Server. The CD-ROM also contains dozens of helper applications and Web pages with built-in links to extensive on-line resources-even a Web site just for readers of this book. Why pay a fortune for a Web site? Do it yourself, with The Web Server Handbook/CD-ROM! It contains everything you need to create your own Web Server.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Geared to what may now be an oxymoron--the computer-savvy Web novice--The Web Server Handbook offers a brief but thorough guide to the genesis of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Also provided are clear, contextual definitions of common Web utilities, such as Gopher, Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Those who are already well versed in the what of the Web can fast-forward to platform-specific chapters with instructions on setting up your first Web server. However, the chapter devoted to setting up a Unix Web server remains the most relevant, with thorough discussions of server and access control configurations. If the heavy Unix bias of the authors didn't manage to steer you in that direction, the lack of information on setting up a Web server via Windows 95, 98, and NT quickly would. But the explanation of Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs and the quick reference guides to Unix, Perl, and TCP/IP help to compensate for what's lacking in the way of Windows.

Though some things change, The Web Server Handbook illustrates that many remain the same, even in cyberspace. Oddly prescient are the tips from Palmer and company on what constitutes a good Web site--clean, easy-to-follow pages, careful placement of well-chosen images, and well-written, properly spelled text. And though clearly written before the days of e-commerce as we now know it, the marketing advice given for doing business online remains fresh as well. The Web Server Handbook will make a solid if somewhat antiquated addition to any Internet-oriented reference shelf. --Sarah Roberts-Witt

From the Publisher

This is a step-by-step, comprehensive introduction to World Wide Web servers, starting with the basics. Learn what Web servers are, what they need to do, and about your options for getting connected to the Web. Then, walk through installing and configuring popular Web servers for LINUX, UNIX, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT, and the Mac. The Web Server Handbook presents helpful guidance on making your Web page attractive and useful - and making it compatible with your viewers' browser software. Finally, discover new ways to publicize your Web site, make it more interactive, and keep it secure and well- maintained. The accompanying CD-ROM includes sample templates, CGI and Perl scripts, popular Web server software packages, and a Web page that links to many of the world's best sites for Internet and Web server shareware and freeware.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Ptr (July 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013239930X
• ISBN-13: 978-0132399302
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,700,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides end-to-end, nontechnical overview of Web serving., August 17, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Boston, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Web Server Handbook, The (Paperback)

The Web Server Handbook was a big help in uderstanding the whole process of creating dynamic Web pages and then setting up a server to deliver them. One of the most important things I learned from this book was that you do not have to buy a lot of expensive hardware and software--or be a programming genius-- to set up a Web server. This should be a big help to small businesses and nonprofits,students, hobbyists, and others who want to control their Web environment but can't pay $100,000 to have someone else set it up.

As someone who *will* be paying others to help me set up a site, I found the book invaluable in understanding specifically what the work is that they are doing, and to be able to participate more knowledgeably in getting a site that works the way I want.

This book was different from many of the other Web creation books I've read, in that, it is not exclusively tied to one company's software applications or one operating system. It allowed me to look at the differences between the Mac, PC, and UNIX Web worlds.

It also gave me an introduction to CGI and PERL. In contrast to some of the other books in the field, it doesn't assume heavy programming background to understand these tools.

Finally, a word about tone: the book's style is upbeat and engaging, and encourages you to dive into trying new things. I have found it a good read, and a great all-around reference.

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to follow comprehensive book, February 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Web Server Handbook, The (Paperback)

This book is very well written in terms of showing you how to set-up your own server. Step by step instructions makes it easy to follow and topics covers everything from choosing your hardware to running cgi/perl scripts. Also the CD-rom has most of the software necessary to get your server up and running. An excellent book to have.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Out of Date and OLD, January 23, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Web Server Handbook, The (Paperback)

I bought this book in 1999...it was published in 1996. It sites examples for IE 3 and Netscape 3. Old and out of date. Not a bad book for that year.