The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Creating Web Pages - for the bookshelf Major Keary |
Creating Web Pages for Dummies is a very good manual-cum-tutorial for raw
novices - and those with just a little experience - who want to learn the basic
skills of creating Web pages. I don't recommend it as an introductory text for
anyone aspiring to professional-level Web page design; the book is pitched at
the general user with a casual interest in creating Web pages, either for a
personal Web presence or as a contributor to a communal project, where the need
is for practical solutions with easy-to-use tools.
In short, this is a how-to book that sticks to plain vanilla tools and
techniques. It covers issues that any Web page designer has to consider, through
to interactive features, multimedia, and getting a Web page published.
Potential buyers should be aware that discussion of some aspects of publishing
is America-centric, which will suit those who want to use AOL, Earthlink, MSN,
and the like. If you want to use a local ISP you will need to research resources
for yourself; however, most Australian ISPs provide a hosting service and have
online documentation.
The authors provide a brief HTML primer, describe various tools, show how to
'build' a home page, add links, handle graphics, add animation, add interactive
features, and create a Blog. Design issues are discussed with the principles of
making a page look good, and there is a handy list of Web publishing do's and
don'ts.
A Win/Mac compatible CD comes with the book; it contains a very good collection
of software (freeware and trial versions) for creating and testing Web pages. A
particularly useful HTML file contains links to many online resources.
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Bud Smith and Arthur Bebak: Creating Web Pages for Dummies ISBN 0-7645-7327-6 Published by Wiley, 362 pp., RRP $44.95 incl. GST |
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Reprinted from the April 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
