Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
by Eric T Freeman, Elisabeth Freeman, Elisabeth Robson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Elisabeth Freeman, Elisabeth Robson, Eric T FreemanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-12-15
ISBN: 059610197X
Number of pages: 658
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Book Reviews of Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
Book Review: Excellent mesh of html instruction and educational design
Summary: 5 Stars
As an instructional designer, I spend most of my day (okay, the part of my day when I'm not playing online Mah Jong) trying to design training that will both engage the learner and ensure long-lasting knowledge retention; believe me, it's hard to do both, especially with technical instruction. Sadly, most training materials (especially technical manuals) spew forth an avalanche of terms and jargon, all with the tacit belief that if you want to learn something badly enough, then you will slog through the mire to get that knowledge. When my local Adobe Users Group offered Elisabeth and Eric Freeman's "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML" to someone for review, I accepted the mission. However, instead of finding a dry, overly-technical tome that would cure anyone's insomnia, I found a well-written, cleanly-designed book that uses educational design to teach skills in a way that anyone can grasp. More importantly, the book's design makes sure that the information sticks with you.
First and foremost, know that the authors' primary audience is the html novice. (They don't even assume that a reader has a high level of computer proficiency. If you can open your text editor and save files, you're golden.) However, because the book's scope runs from basic html through xhtml, more advanced users can jump into the fray later in the book and still learn a lot. The authors take the reader through basic html- and Web-related terms, stopping to examine how servers and Web sites interact, before plunging into page creation, design, and XHTML.
However, if that was all that could be said about the book, then it would be no more valuable than the five kajillion other html books on the market. No, the true value of Head First HTML is the way in which information is presented. (Amazingly, the authors even explain their educational design in the book's beginning.) They use conversational English to help readers grasp content quicker, as opposed to more traditional manuals that follow the dictate that instruction is only valuable when it's confusing. Additionally, they use images (black-and-white and color pictures, as well as drawings and clip art images) to help visual learners. Best of all, they incorporate hundreds of puzzles and exercises into the book to make sure that not only will you understand what you just read, but you'll be able to use that knowledge. (The application exercises are great because they don't follow the standard multiple choice question model. Studies show that learners are more likely to retain knowledge when they apply it soon after they learn it.)
I cannot say enough good things about Head First HTML. If you want to learn html or the more advanced design elements of xhtml, but have been afraid to take the plunge because of horrid instructional manuals, buy this book. You won't be disappointed.
Bill Bridges
Johns Hopkins Adobe Users Group
Summary of Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
Tired of reading HTML books that only make sense after you're an expert? Then it's about time you picked up Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML and really learned HTML. You want to learn HTML so you can finally create those web pages you've always wanted, so you can communicate more effectively with friends, family, fans, and fanatic customers. You also want to do it right so you can actually maintain and expand your Web pages over time, and so your web pages work in all the browsers and mobile devices out there. Oh, and if you've never heard of CSS, that's okay--we won't tell anyone you're still partying like it's 1999--but if you're going to create Web pages in the 21st century then you'll want to know and understand CSS.Learn the real secrets of creating Web pages, and why everything your boss told you about HTML tables is probably wrong (and what to do instead). Most importantly, hold your own with your co-worker (and impress cocktail party guests) when he casually mentions how his HTML is now strict, and his CSS is in an external style sheet.
With Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML, you'll avoid the embarrassment of thinking web-safe colors still matter, and the foolishness of slipping a font tag into your pages. Best of all, you'll learn HTML and CSS in a way that won't put you to sleep. If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a visually-rich format designed for the way your brain works. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, this book will load HTML, CSS, and XHTML into your brain in a way that sticks.
So what are you waiting for? Leave those other dusty books behind and come join us in Webville. Your tour is about to begin.
Praise
"Elegant design is at the core of every chapter here, each concept conveyed with equal doses of pragmatism and wit."
--Ken Goldstein, Executive Vice President, Disney Online
"This book is a thoroughly modern introduction to forward-looking practices in web page markup and presentation."
--Danny Goodman, author of Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Guide
"What used to be a long trial and error learning process has now been reduced neatly into an engaging paperback."
--Mike Davidson, CEO, Newsvine, Inc.
"I love Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML--it teaches you everything you need to learn in a 'fun coated' format!" -
-Sally Applin, UI Designer and Artist
"I haven't had as much fun reading a book (other than Harry Potter) in years. And your book finally helped me break out of my hapless so-last-century way of creating web pages."
--Professor David M. Arnow, Department of Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College
"If you've ever had a family member who wanted you to design a website for them, buy them Head First HTML with CSS and XHTML. If you've ever asked a family member to design you a web site, buy this book. If you've ever bought an HTML book and ended up using it to level your desk, or for kindling on a cold winter day, buy this book. This is the book you've been waiting for. This is the learning system you've been waiting for."
--Warren Kelly, Blogcritics.org
Today, serious Web pages use HTML and XHTML to structure their content and CSS for style and presentation. You need a book that understands how to incorporate everything correctly. Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML explains the fundamentals of HTML, XHTML, topics like web color, and CSS properties. In this book, pictures and step-by-step instructions explain how to build great-looking, standards-compliant web sites.
By Elisabeth Robson I am often asked how I first got started in programming. Recently, I was interviewed by Girls Gone Geek, a weekly podcast on technology from a women's perspective, and they asked if I got started by creating web sites. The Girls clearly have no idea how old I am! (Shhh...) I actually started programming long before the Web was a twinkle in Tim Berners-Lee's eye, but their question got me thinking, and I realized that creating a web site is a good way to get started on your way to programming.
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Another advantage to writing HTML and CSS yourself is that you can always write your web pages using the most current standards. When we wrote Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML, HTML 4.01, CSS 2, and XHTML 1.0 were the most current and best supported versions of these technologies, and in fact they still are. But standards development is inching along and before too long, HTML 5, CSS 3 and XHTML 2.0 will be launched and supported by browsers. If you stay up to date with these standards, you're likely to be writing far better code than programs like Dreamweaver or Expression do.
Once the new standards for HTML, CSS and XHTML are nailed down a bit more, we'll update Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML to include some of the cool new features. HTML 5 will be more strict than HTML 4 was, but it's designed to be backwards compatible with older browsers, so you will be able to convert your HTML 4 pages to HTML 5 web pages without worrying too much about breaking them in older browsers. (However, always keep in mind that there is no substitute for lots of testing!)
In the meantime, you can write HTML 4.01, CSS 2 and XHTML 1 knowing that these standards will be the most current and the best supported for quite a while. When the new standards are released and supported by browsers, we'll help you sort through it all so you can focus on creating great web pages and building up your web skills. And once you get the hang of some of these web page skills, you might very well find yourself wanting to move from creating web pages to programming.
