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Summary: By far the best book about building web sites
Review: I've been building web pages and sites since 1994, reading dozens of books, magazine articles, and online information. This book is by far the best material I've come across.The book is most valuable if you are the technical implementor of a database-backed web site, particularly if it is community oriented (i.e., allows visitors to contribute to the online content). It is a gold mine of information. But even if you're just building a 5 page site for your small company, or you're a non-technical manager who is participating in building a web site, or are just curious about how it all works, you will learn from this book. You will learn a LOT from this book!
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Summary: overviews the web life ying and yang
Review: some sites are ick and some are way ick BUT a few do the do AND phil splains it he really gives a good perspective the way things are the way they should be the way to get there many many handy examples and always the poignant photos AND the theme be OPEN TRUTH God Bless this guy
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Summary: enlightening / empowering
Review: Great book. Everyone knows a database back-end for even a simple site is a vast improvement. The technical details can be intimidating, but with a good set-up these details become suddenly simple. This book demonstrates a good set-up, and points you in the right direction to do it yourself. Mr. Greenspun's no-crap attitude is always refreshing.
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Summary: I've referred to it so much I had to tape the spine!
Review: This book has helped me understand the broader and more narrow issues of Web design and the technology that drives it. Although it isn't a Web design guide for complete techno ignorami (and I resembled that remark not too long ago), it helped me decide how to redesign my company's site and to evaluate the work of others. Mr. Greenspun carefully explains technical ideas and philosophies so that even a nerdy English major like me can understand. His writing style is clear and fun. Plus, when concepts get too complicated and your eyes start to cross, you can always clear your head by looking at the pretty pictures throughout the book. I've referred to this book so much that I had to tape the spine!
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Summary: This book drags me up from my lazy-boy.
Review: I was called "a big slacker" by all of my friends.This book,actually Phillip, makes me feel like -- I want to have my own web site since I read the preface.This book tells me the "real world" of how to create my web site(a useful one -- not a cool one).Lots of good sample site that I can go and check by myself.By reading this book, you're not feeling like you're reading a book.Instead, you're talking with your friend who's telling you about the things that he knows.Take a look at and you'll know what I mean.
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Summary: Best 4-color, coffee-table, web database book on the market!
Review: Since everyone has already talked about how great the content of this book is, I'm going to review something different: the design. Believe it or not, this is actually a 4 color, glossy page, photo-filled coffee table computer book. And it's fantastic. I've worked in the book publishing industry for 10 yrs, and I have never seen this kind of attention lavished on a book about databases. Computer books are usually published on cheap paper, and unless a screenshot is your idea of great art, their appearance is not particularly inspiring. In contrast, I'm not sure which i was inspired to do more after finishing this book:create a scalable database or go take great pictures! Although the author refers to book publishers as "dead tree publishers" on his website, his printed book is in some ways an argument _for_ dead tree publishing. The author has photos and text on his website as well, but what I saw on the web vs. what i have in my hands are two different things. What's on the website is handy; what i have in my hands, though, is beautiful. If you want to learn about serious database publishing on the web, buy this book. Or, if you just want to own a really good 4-color, photo-filled, coffee table book, buy this book. Long after the observations about application servers and particular databases become obsolete, you can still look at the color pictures and the nice layout and go, Wow! In the mean time, the content is as good as it looks. Hats off to the author, the book production team, and the people at the publisher for a job well done.
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Summary: You can do the web thing!
Review: I have been experimenting, suffering, struggling and in love with the web since 1993. I believe it to be the only real innovation in computer technology since the 60ies. (I did love my Mac, but it was just a good compilation of old ideas.) One of the best things about the web is its simplicity. You don't need to be a programmer to have your opinion (contribution), available to everybody. Non-programmers can learn to write HTML tags to make their contribution look nice. On the other side, every software company on this planet tries to make you believe that you need their plug-in, their editing suite, their utilities to be a successful web publisher. And of course, you don't! All you need is sound advice from experienced people, a server and a text editor. Philip Greenspun is experienced and his advice is sound. I consider myself to be a veteran, but I learned a new and important lesson in every single chapter. If you plan to do ANYTHING on the web, you MUST read this book. Not because Philip will solve all your problems, but because he will empower you to solve them yourself by telling you what needs special attention. More than just recommending technology, this book explains the concepts that will make a web site work. By the end, you will not feel intimidated by having to learn an avalanche of new technology, but rather you will put the book away and say: "I can do this!"
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Summary: Finally, a book about the *context* of the Web!
Review: Today's publishers are busy churning out books about how to use this or that technology to build a web site. Almost all of these books are obsolete by the time they are published, and none provide the context with which to figure out what technologies are worth using in the first place. This book is different. It is not going to teach you how to XML-enabled your web site in 21 seconds. What it will do is give you a context for designing your site and plenty of battle-hardened advice on what technologies make sense and why. As an author, Mr. Greenspun has the advantage of not only being engaging, but thoughtful at the same time. As soon as I got this book in the mail I found I couldn't put it down and spent the next 5 hours glued to the pages before I fell asleep, exhausted. When was the last time you encountered a technical book *that* engaging?
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Summary: A book that embraces the Net culture
Review: This is an essential book for anyone planning a successful website. The author is a programmer and a purist, so if your wanting to build a hot graphical interface in lieu of real content, be prepared for a reality check. The book is required reading for decision makers getting involved in Internet publishing.
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Summary: The Best Technology Book on the Market
Review: This book is the best technology book I've read in years. After years of COM, ATL, ADO, ASP, Dynamo, Java Hype, etc. this guy finally nails it. I have sold a bunch of these books in the last week to my friends at MSFT because they all find it incredibly absorbing. The layout is beautiful. Phil's approach to the subject matter, frank, fresh, and straightforward. This is a must have book.
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