Product Description

* Now features a full-color, six-panel tear-out Cheat Sheet that's packed with information-an HTML command and syntax reference, a chart of Web-safe colors, and an alphabetical listing of CSS elements
* Despite new Web-authoring technologies, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) remains the one fundamental building block of the Web
* Updates to this classic guide include a totally revamped description of XHTML syntax, expanded CSS coverage, and a new section on building navigation elements
* Includes an all-new section of example projects-creating an eBay auction page, designing an online product catalog, and adding multimedia elements to an existing site

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5050 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-03
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Hard-core programmers would say that HTML is for dummies. Nonetheless, those of us who'd like to build and maintain our own Web sites but cringe at the sight of anything resembling a programming language, HTML 4 for Dummies is the hand-holding guide we need to help us through.

Given that so many HTML editors are available that do all of the site-building work for you, it's strange that the authors chose to wait until Appendix C in the back of the book to explain why you need to know HTML. Still, their reasons for learning HTML are sound and the advice they dispense is solid.

Along with going through the ins and outs of HTML tags, the authors do a fine job of explaining what design elements work and how to avoid common mistakes. The section on XHTML ensures that budding site builders have all the latest tools at their disposal.

Whether your goal is to build a simple, text-oriented Web site, or one loaded with frames and graphics and animation, HTML 4 for Dummies will put you on the right track. --John Frederick Moore, amazon.com

Review
"read the user-friendly starter guide HTML 4 For Dummies, published by John Wiley & Sons." (Smallbusiness.co.uk)

Synopsis
Are you fascinated by the look and design of Web pages? Do you wish that you had the knowledge and skills to create a great looking Web site? Whether you're an up-and-coming Web designer or just an enthusiastic hobbyist, you are probably using HTML, the standard authoring language for the Internet. "HTML 4 For Dummies", now in its fifth edition, will show you the basics of working with this language as well as advanced skills for all-around knowledge. HTML is used to create Web documents. As a standard issued by the World Wide Web Consortium, it is used by almost everyone to create and edit Web pages.HTML is capable of: creating a Web site; inserting designs to a Web page; and, running on both PCs and Macs.

The new edition of "HTML 4 For Dummies" contains nearly 50 percent more content than its previous editions, and covers a wide range of material, including: Planning a Web site to avoid underperformance; creating and viewing a Web page; working with text, tables, lists, and links; adding style to your page with images, colors, and fonts; managing layout; controlling positioning and appearance using CSS; integrating scripts with HTML; designing an eBay auction page; and, helpful advices and tips, as well as warnings about pitfalls. Complete with a 6-page tear-out colored reference sheet, "HTML 4 For Dummies" is the most comprehensive HTML guide yet. Written by a computer expert and author of over 120 books, including the previous editions of the bestselling "HTML 4 For Dummies", this straightforward, fun guide will aid you through making and editing beautiful Web pages.

Customer Reviews

Confusing - tries to teach too many things at once.
Quite unsuitable for "Dummies", with virtually no prior knowledge of HTML.

One would expect a book like this to present the material in an orderly, structured manner, one thing at a time, starting with the most elementary concepts. This, unfortunately, is not the case. One only has to get as far as page 18 to encounter such terms as HTML, XHTML,(X)HTML, Document Type Definitions, Standard Generalised Markup Language, W3C, XHTML Transitional, XHTML Frameset, etc. Strong stuff indeed for a raw beginner!


And the reader may well be forgiven for wondering "what on earth is (X)HTML? Is this yet another variety of HTML?"

There should be frequent opportunities for self-testing, to ensure that the reader has thoroughly understood what he has read and practiced, before moving on to the next step. I found no evidence of any such testing.

On page 17 will be found the statement that "This book uses the XHTML 1.0 specification as its basis". Confusing indeed, when one recalls that the book is supposed to deal with "HTML for Dummies", and NOT with "XHTML for Dummies".

My main criticizm is that I could never be sure about which of the varieties of HTML the authors were talking at any given time - plain HTML, XHTML or (X)HTML, whatever that may be! What am I actually trying to learn here? A huge source of frustration! The book may well contain accurate information, but this is of no use whatsoever to a beginner unless he is absolutely clear from the outset about WHAT he is learning. The book makes a meal of what ought to be a straightforward subject, producing a sense of irritation in the reader. It does not even begin to approach the excellent standard of other Dummies books that I have read. My first reaction to this book was one of frustration followed by a sense of regret that I had purchased it in the first place.

You have probably guessed by now that I do not recommend it at all!

A Superb Beginners Guide to Creating Websites
I was very pleased with this book. I hadn't done any html work before and after reading this book I have created my own website. I've actually surprised myself! It starts off with the basics and then advances into more useful and easily understood concepts. I really recommend buying this book if your wanting to create a website as quick as possible.

Proof is in the Pudding
Let's face it, reviews are all very well and indeed there are lots of good ones (including some on this page), however, it's proof we all want.

Off the back of reading this excellent book, I built the following websites .. www.i-phone-uk.com .. www.shopdirect247.co.uk and I've just started www.gadgetheaven.net. If I've learnt the lessons of this book (and I accept there's an assumption that I have) then the lessons should be clear to see.

The book slowly layers (sometimes a little too slow) the steps the reader needs to take to grasp the subject and then builds upon it step-by-step. In fact, it is possible to build a site as you go along. Ed Tittel is clear to explain why things are important and doesn't completely exclude things too soon, although one quickly realises that this is someone that knows what he's talking about.

HTML isn't a dark art, it's a simple subject that like so many - is easy when you know how!

If you've used Dummies books before and have a genuine interest in developing a website then you'll find this very useful. Great for beginners.