Microsoft Expression Web by Nolan Hester
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Book Reviews of Microsoft Expression Web
Book Review: Great Beginnings with MEW
Summary: 4 Stars
As a seasoned website developer and avid fan of online publishing, I have tried to keep up with new developments in website design programs over the years. In my opinion, the more user friendly, the better it is for me. I never managed to learn HTML, but succeeded using the GUI interface for which Microsoft is so well known. I utilized Microsoft FrontPage from the very beginning. However, as time went by, my websites begged for a more modern look and more interactive features, forcing me to use other software at times. While the FrontPage format was quite simple and straightforward, I was curious to see whether Expression Web would meet my needs.
So when Microsoft abandoned its long-standing tool, FrontPage for Expression Web, I naturally became interested. Nevertheless, this development required another learning curve, and I wanted a reasonably clear textbook to learn with, something that would not overwhelm with information or technical lingo. I was also interested in locating a textbook that would be good to use in a course on basic website design. PeachPit Press has succeeded in serving both purposes.
The book reviews the basics of website design quite well. As we all know, before attempting to create a website, we need to have a plan. Who is it for, what is my timeline, what pages will it con-tain. How about interactive features, navigation structure and links? This book will help you to deter-mine all of these.
This book has easy-to-follow instructions, a simple layout and plenty of tips and examples for both the experienced and inexperienced user. Even if you never used FrontPage, this book can guide you through the basics to the more technically sophisticated features of any website.
There are 12 Chapters which take the reader through the basics of Expression Web's inter-face, then the basics of creating a site including using templates included with the program. Not every feature on every page is necessary for every website; the book covers enough to get a basic site going or to add and enhance features on an existing site.
The first six chapters begin at the beginning. Clearly explained are how to create a site with a template or from scratch. Subsequent chapters go over page properties, page creation, working with text, images and hyperlinks. The chapter on links alone clears up a lot of misinformation you may have about creating links and bookmarks within a site. Subsequent chapters review initial setup, terminology, the language with which one communicates with the application, suggestions, and examples.
There is much information on creating Cascading Style Sheet styles. Chapters 7 and 8 clearly and concisely explain how and why these would be used, making it understandable. Expression Web makes it easy to do this, and the step-by-step examples and illustrations clarify this.
One of my favorite features, which would consume much of my designing time, is interactive buttons and other behaviors. This particular function is not readily available on online programs, such as Google's Page Creator, so is one I value in Expression Web.
Another very important aspect of website design is the creation of tables, and this is covered extensively in Chapter 10. If you don't use tables in your website, you should consider this to hold your text in place consistently.
Forms are also covered, from creation to the recovery of the form result, in Chapter 11.
The book concludes with how to publish a site, which may seem daunting but Expression Web comes with a built-in feature that helps identify the remote site, and remembers this for each website you create.
An index makes it easy to go back and review any skill learned.
This book is easy to read, has much information interjected on the margins, extra tips and humorous observations by the author. I should also mention the numerous screenshots, so you don't feel lost when following the steps. Even if unfamiliar with some of the more sophisticated or technically challenging features of Expression Web, you can create a rather professional website using skills you already have.
Book Review: Great info - clear visual aids
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are making the change from Microsoft FrontPage to Microsoft Expression Web I highly recommend this book with its helpful visual aids and informative text.
And if you desire to convert websites created with FrontPage to Expression Web authored sites which are far more compliant with W3C standards this is the right book for you.
Book Review: It is what it says
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a "quickstart guide". As such it covers the basics. It is a good starting point. For more in-depth information, one would need Cheryl's or Jim's book on EW. I rated Nolan's book a 4 because it is what it says it is - a quick-start guide.Book Review: Good Quick Guide
Summary: 4 Stars
You may grow out of it quickly but, it is stil usefull as a desk reference if you are not really a professional on the field and tend to forget some of the procedures...Book Review: Good Foundation
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is well written but was left with a couple of type errors. They may have been in a rush to get it out to print. It has been very helpfull for this newbie!