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Rating: 
Summary: I thought this was a very good book!
Review: Definitely the book to get if you want to learn about Netscape technologies. I haven't seen another book that discusses any of the Netscape technologies as well! The two best areas of the book are the JavaScript sections (client-side JavaScript and server-side LiveWire).Stanek pulls out all the stops in helping readers understand advanced development concepts with JavaScript. There's tons of useful examples and lots of great tips. I especially liked the tutorials on the sample applications (which are fairly advanced and definitely something to take a look at). Stanek doesn't just present the objects and their methods, properties, etc. He develops complete working examples that put the techniques he discusses to work. I learned so much reading the JavaScript chapters, that I recommend this book to others who JUST want to learn JavaScript. But the book doesn't stop there... The other section that I really liked was the LiveWire section. Stanek explores LiveWire application development in more detail than I've seen anywhere else. He also develops working applications. There's an entire 20-page chapter dedicated to working with files. The chapter is full of terrific examples that explain every aspect of reading, writing and modifying both text and binary files (so I don't know how this could be lacking). Furthermore, there are indeed specific notes on accessing data and files using file paths (something that another review claimed was missing from the book). Heck, there's an entire section on this subject in the file chapter. And while I'm up on my soap box, the other SUPPOSED flaw mentioned is a counter created using the project object. This example and discussion fills barely a 1/2 page in a 30-page chapter and is obviously meant to be a simple example of how to put the project object to work. Stanek begins the example by saying the project object maintains its state as long as the application is running. He also says that if you stop the application for any reason the project object and all its properties are destroyed and obviously the counter is reset. I mean DUH. No kidding. So what's the problem? I think the problem is that Netscape Developer's Guide is a well planned, well thought out book, that is way way way better than anything else available. -- Alice C. Watts
Rating: 
Summary: Good overall but weak in javascript syntax
Review: My 3 stars might be a little low for a review of this book - Its a good reference for everything Netscape. Having bought the book for Javascripting help, I was a bit dissappointed with its handling of syntax. The Javascript object model provides a logical way to access most any element within an HTML page but the Netscape ONE book failes to specifically cover the object hierarchy syntax. Events and Methods are listed but very few of them are fully described with examples. Also, although some thought was given to cross-platform compatibility, there are some glaring problems that don't seem have solutions. One such problem involves Netscape's method for checking if windows are open and giving them the focus if they are instead of attempting to open a new window. While this works in Netscape, it does not in Internet Explorer - a fact not touched on
Rating:
Summary: Good overall but weak in javascript syntax
Review: My 3 stars might be a little low for a review of this book - Its a good reference for everything Netscape. Having bought the book for Javascripting help, I was a bit dissappointed with its handling of syntax. The Javascript object model provides a logical way to access most any element within an HTML page but the Netscape ONE book failes to specifically cover the object hierarchy syntax. Events and Methods are listed but very few of them are fully described with examples. Also, although some thought was given to cross-platform compatibility, there are some glaring problems that don't seem have solutions. One such problem involves Netscape's method for checking if windows are open and giving them the focus if they are instead of attempting to open a new window. While this works in Netscape, it does not in Internet Explorer - a fact not touched on
Rating:
Summary: The ONLY book you need to understand Netscape technologies
Review: Wow! I've seen Stanek's work on the Web. The Web sites he has created are tops and so is his personal web site at www.tvpress.com. I've also followed his work in the magazines. I love his stuff in PC Magazine. It is only recently that I discovered his wonderful books. Stanek really puts his extensive knowledge into his books and this book is no exception. I been developing on the Web for several years and didn't think any book would come along to change my way of thinking. Then I found this book. It opened my eyes. Now, I can't get by without using something I learned in this book. I use JavaScript extensively in my Web pages. I use LiveConnect to connect my applets and scripts. I've even created my first plug-in. I couldn't have done any of it without this book.
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