Web Design: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With so many books out on particular development tools and languages, it's refreshing to see one that tackles the overarching topic of Web design and implementation techniques. Web Design: The Complete Reference is a rare combination of design theory and detailed information on implementation. Author Thomas A Powell, who also wrote HTML: The Complete Reference, has produced an impressive sequel in this hefty title.

Powell addresses topics like navigation theory and user profiling, backing up high-level discussion with excellent, practical technique. He goes beyond your garden-variety explanation of what particular features are and how to code them by specifying the problems you might face and offering solutions. You get insight you can use: how to handle those pesky frames by understanding UI consequences, keep frames from opening within themselves, and offer your users the ability to print framed pages reliably.

All the bases are covered, including adding GUI interactivity, solid page layout and formatting techniques, and a look at the various Web technologies and their effect on site design. The entire work exudes the confidence of a well-seasoned writer, and the discussions leave you feeling well informed. This book bridges the gap between knowing how to build Web sites and having a holistic knowledge of all of the intricacies and pitfalls of coding for the Web. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered:

• Web-design methodologies
• Usability
• Types of Web sites
• Navigation theory and practice
• Linking text/buttons/icons/graphics
• Search facilities
• Text handling
• Colors and images
• Building interactivity
• Web technologies (XML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Cookies
• Server-side scripting
• Multimedia
• Site delivery and management
• The future of Web design
• Site evaluation procedures

Product Description

Get complete coverage of Web site design, including theories, techniques, and the latest technologies. Learn to design, build, and maintain a site and handle e-commerce and security. The author, Thomas Powell, developed the Web Design Certificate Program at the University of California, San Diego.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 872 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 1st edition (May 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072122978
• ISBN-13: 978-0072122978
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.6 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,210,881 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for everybody., August 10, 2000

By	"mmgilman" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This book is a general overview of web design.

The book begins with examples of web architecture (linear, hub, etc.) and then begins to expand on all issues related to web design( Text, Graphics,etc.). In my opinion it does not do this in the proper order. You learn about Graphics and Browser Auto-Detection before you learn about text. This is not that bad though. Basically this book lists improvements and the do's and don'ts of making a site. This book does not teach HTML! You will find very little on tags. The book frequently references it's Companion Book (Complete Reference: HTML).

This book also stops teaching about 75% through it. It then begins to explain what the future of web design will be and starts it's huge appendix section. In my opinion, alot of the different appendices should have been in a different book. What's the use of listing the hexidecimal color codes in a book that mentions very little or nothing about color usage in web design.

I also would have liked a section in the book on page layout. The book uses one layout throughout the entire book.

Java and CSS code is spread throughout the book, but no mention of how to put it into your site. Another thing I did not like about the book was, on about 25% of the improvements to web sites it listed, it gave you no code to perform the improvement. Examples: There are many useful forms in the book, but no code. It fully explains the importance of having a local search engine on your site. No code. There are many others.

Also, the book is too big for it's binder. After the first full day of usage(turning pages and laying the book flat so I could reference or type in some code) pages began to separate from the binding. I'm gonna have to go to Kinko's and get it rebound.

To me, this book is meant for someone who knows HTML code, but does not know the methodology of creating a user friendly site.

Do not, get this book if this is your first time building a site!

Do get this book if you are seeking to improve upon your current web design style!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Center your desing in the user, August 20, 2000

By	Ruben André de Franco Badaró (Lisbon, Portugal) - See all my reviews

This book doesn't help you very much in the design of web pages. It helps you in the design of web SITES. After reading this well structured book you will be capable create a structured web site in a few easy steps.

If you want to build dynamic, simple and user centered web pages you must read the rules and ideas this book gives you.

It covers almost every basic aspects of modern web building without getting into very complicated explanations. You can learn CSS (including some of those little effects you nowadays see in almost every website), HTML, XML.

For professional looking web site without "Las Vegas effects" and things like that, buy it, read it and practive its concepts.

Really 5 stars !

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete reference is the word., May 28, 2000

By	Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

More and more companies are using the web for e-commerce, e-business and e-learning. You have been tasked with the job of designing a web site that will not only build a client based but will also make your company stand out in the cyberspace community, where do you turn for the one book to guide you through it all?

Start by purchasing the WEB Design: The Complete Reference and begin to unlock the power of the web and the potential of unlimited customer base sales and support for your personal company or the fortune 500 mega power. This book has everything you need to create one of the most dynamic web sites.

In this 850 plus page encyclopedia of web design, you'll learn about core design issues, how to setup a site navigation and organization. You find information about page design and layout. You be given tools for adding images, creating form, menus and other web related items.

The book delves into web technology like HTML, CSS and XML. Also included is detailed information about Java Scripting, PERL and other web languages. Read about web technologies like CGI, Active X and other plug-ins and you'll be creating new pages and site in no time flat.

The book has a plethora of pictures, diagrams, tables, charts and most importantly coding examples making sure you understand the concepts completely. I was impressed by the amount of information included in the books and also by the accuracy and detail of the information.

The author also includes real world tips and tricks so you can see how everything fits into place. You will need a basic HTML and web design background as this book is more towards the high intermediate and advanced group. About the only shortcoming is no CD-rom with the usual freebies like banners, bullets and pre-written plug-ins and scripts. Still overall a very good value for the money.