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Summary: This is the one!
Review: First of all, many books go into way too much detail in explaining the concepts of HTML. Most of the material in the thousand-pagers are useless. Ms. Castro cuts to the chase, presenting brief and accurate explainations of HTML tags, style sheets, and the creation and use of images that work on the web. The only other book on HTML that I've purchased in the past were the "for Dummies" volumes a few years ago. I put them down shortly after being bored to tears and severly discouraged. HTML seemed like a vast subject. In fact, it's the easiest language (if you can call it that)to learn on a computer. ANYBODY can write HTML code and Ms. Castro proves it in this book. A wealth of examples is provided on her website for each chapter. Don't miss out on this. WYSIWYG web site programs are nice. But, the real control comes from coding the HTML (with a WYSIWYG editor if you wish). You can do it. This is the book to get. Note to WordPerfect users: if you've ever used the Reveal Codes command in WordPerfect (I used ver 5.2 long ago), then HTML will come easily for you.
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Summary: Excellent for beginners
Review: I started at ground zero in HTML and with each page I am actually designing my site. Castro does a great job for someone who is not from a programming background. The illustrations are good and the layout is creative. Sure, more advanced books are available, but I doubt they are as easy and fun to read.
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Summary: A great "how to" book!
Review: A few weeks ago I developed a simple strategy for evaluating how-to books about technology. Books about computers should: 1) weigh less than a gallon of milk; 2) cost less than twenty dollars; 3) be updated yearly; 4) come with some kind of technical support via a website or an author email; and 5) Be clear, be clear, be clear. Books that comply with these requirements will achieve every author's dream of being good and popular at the same time. Elizabeth Castro writes books in this manner, and once again her HTML 4 For The World Wide Web (fourth edition) has found its way to the top of the bestseller lists for books about computers and the Internet. The book covers all the important aspects of HTML 4, including the latest updates about Cascading Style Sheets, Level 2. Each chapter gets right to the point and teaches you how to do things: format text, make links, add multimedia, make tables, frames, and forms. You get a handy color chart on the back inside cover of the book; and a whole chapter called "Extras" that teaches lesser-known tricks such as how to password-protect a directory, soup up your mailto links, create buttons with tables, and create and automatic slide show. There are also chapters about scripts, the essentials of JavaScript, and how to get people to visit your page after you've published it on the Web. The Visual Quickstart Guide format itself is an exemplary vehicle for Castro's instructional skills. Every page contains at least one diagram, so that the reader can SEE what's happening on their computer screen. All the lessons are divided into small bite-sized segments which are easy to digest. This strategy, known as "micro-uniting," has been proven to be the most effective way to teach. You can read the book straight through from start to finish, or you can use it as a reference book and jump in to any chapter. After each lesson, you may find yourself saying amazedly: "It's easy to do that!" In just a short time, working with this book, you'll be able to create useful, sophisticated and attractive effects on your web pages. Elizabeth Castro is one of those great how-to writers who anticipate your questions and thus make the learning process fast, efficient, and fun. HTML 4 For The World Wide Web is the ideal book to beginners who want to learn how to make web pages, and for intermediate-level users who want to give their web pages more features and a thoroughly professional look. Paperback, 384 pagesMichael Pastore, Reviewer
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Summary: The Best HTML Reference You Can Buy
Review: I have been developing web sites and teaching others how to do it for years. I have recommended this book as one of two that students should own, and this is the only HTML reference you'll need if you're already experienced and just need to look something up.
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Summary: HTML4 for the World Wide Web, Fourth edition:Visual Quicksta
Review: I think this book is confusing, slow and poorly written. I found it a waste of money and have been happy with other quickstart books in the past. I was mistaken this time.I suggest Lynda and William Weinman's "Creative HTML Design" instead.
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Summary: Good beginner's book and reference
Review: At work, I was tasked to create webpages for training purposes. Going by friends' recommendations, I got a copy of this book and started to the task with no prior HTML experience. Granted, I am no pro, but this book made the whole process of learning easy. I can find what I need to do and see a picture of what I want to do with text letting me know how to make it like the picture. I have received compliments on my pages at work. This is definitely a book to keep within arm's reach at your desk.
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Summary: An excellent HTML guide for all levels
Review: I am a java programmer who never really learnt HTML formally. I needed to learn it for a project, and I was looking for a book that starts with basics, but doesn't leave you hanging after just explaining some basic concepts. Great reviews prompted me to buy this book but when I received it, I was disappointed with the small size of the book. But after reading it, VOW! Make no mistake folks. This book beautifully covers everything in its small size which many other books cover in thousands of pages. An excellent tutorial, and even a better reference after you have read it once. Despite its small size, I can't think of a topic that has not been covered well in this book. Easy going language, and visual depiction of concepts, I have never written a review for books before this due to lack of time, but I had to review this one as I was so impressed. And at this price, it's a steal. Covers the latest HTML 4 version which should last for some years to come. Don't think twice, buy it now.
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Summary: If you've never written a line of code before...
Review: ...then you'll love this book. It's easy to read, clear in its examples, and comprehensive in covering HTML tags. If, however, you've already tried a tutorial or two online and are looking for something more in-depth, you may be disappointed. This is the basics, no doubt about it. If you just need to learn how to lay out a table, set colors, etc., then this is a good reference, but for more sophisticated techniques you'll need to take a step up. One feature that at first seemed greatly useful was the inside back cover, which shows a huge palette of colors with their hex numbers for coding. However, it's not as helpful as it would seem, as with the exception of white and black, none of the colors on the palette are web-ready colors, and will look different by monitor and system. Hopefully this will be adressed when a new edition comes out. In the meantime, have fun laying out tables!
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Summary: Great book for anyone to use!
Review: This book was so straight-forward and easy to read. I was up and running, writing HTML and creating my own web page in no time! I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to get a quick start in building their own page.
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Summary: Great introduction to HTML and a handy guide
Review: Great book! Bought it several months ago and still use it as a reference for details I couldn't remember. Ms. Castro eases you gently into the language, telling you why a certain code or technique helps and how it's done. There is also a companion website with minor corrections, additional references and a bulletin board so you can email questions and communicate with other programmers.
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