Rating: 
Summary: Unique Book that doesn't regurgitate the SDK docs
Review: A unique book that serves as a strong starting point for non-programmers who want an overview of asp.net basics and who do not all-ready know how to program. Why is "ASP.NET for Web Designers" a unique book? Many asp.net intro books assume prior programming experience; many read as though MS gave the author an outline and content templates for the writer to <<add intro paragraph here>>. Ladka however thinks for himself: the result- a useful & unique book. Yes, he covers the server controls as all intro books should, but in addition to covering the bare minimum he does a nice job explaining and demonstrating how to implement OO concepts in your development.
Downside: He tries too hard to make the book's examples "user friendly." Ladka likes food allot and all the examples revolve around this topic to the point annoying the reader.
Over all a great book for someone wanting an introduction to Asp.Net and an intro on how to program with it.
Rating:
Summary: Well laid out
Review: ASP.NET for Web Designers by Peter Ladka
Published by Peachpit Press
Reviewed by Larry Hess HuNTUG member
Just as his cover states "Are you sick and tired of all those 1,200-page technical manuals that seen to be written in a language only Martians could understand?" Mr. Ladka has created a manual that is designed for the beginner that's not boring for the more experienced web developers. He shows both VB.Net and C# samples of all code snipping.
The book is divided into 4 main sections:
Part 1 ASP.Net Overview
1. ASP.Net Basics
2. Understanding Object-Oriented Programming
3. Scripting Basics
4. ASP.NET Pages
5. Understanding User Controls
Part 2 Designing with ASP.Net
6. HTML Server Controls
7. Web Server Controls
8. Web Form Validators
9. Displaying Data with Server Controls
Part 3 Advanced Features in ASP.Net
10. ADO.NET
11. State Management in ASP.NET
12. Form-Based Security in ASP.NET
13. XML in ASP.Net
Part 4 Appendixes
A. Installing the .NET Framework
B. Compiling Custom Objects
For the beginner the flow of the book takes the reader through the steps of designing their first web site with the standard "HELLO WORLD" approach, with each chapter building on the previous chapter information.
For the more experienced web developer the reader can jump in any chapter and get the information needed in that area. This is one of the best laid out and structured books' I've read.
The web link to the code snipping was the hardest thing about the whole book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for designers, not developers
Review: Good book if you don't have the minnimal idea of what Web Programming is, very practical por starters; Altough the guy kept comparing everything to food and eating habits. LOUSY definition of how DataBinding works and how the framework manages data...
Rating: 
Summary: Need to get up to speed quickly with ASP.NET? Get this book!
Review: I have been programming for a few years in a number of the popular scripting languages such as ColdFusion and ASP. I needed to get up to speed in ASP.NET very quickly for an upcoming project. I had purchased several other books about C# (my preferred .NET language) and ASP.NET, but, the other books went into way too much detail trying to cover every nook and cranny of the language. They were more like reference manuals than training guides. I just needed a book that showed me the differences between ASP and ASP.NET and the essential things I needed to know about ASP.NET to start coding now and not 3 months later after I've read a 1600 page tome! Those other books have now become useful in gaining a deeper understanding of .NET after learning the critical core with this book. I'd give this book a 5+++ rating!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro to ASP.NET
Review: I have been working with ASP for years, and needed something to get me up to speed in ASP.NET. I first bought ASP.NET by Example (Smith). I found that book to be a little too heavy on the explanation of the differences between ASP and ASP.NET. I didn't really get a very good grasp of how this .net stuff works. I then picked up ASP.NET for Web Designers, and immediately things started clicking. The writing is clear, the analogies are useful and relevant, and the author's humor keeps the book interesting through some of the code-heavy sections. And while the humor does occasionally get a little too goofy, it is without a doubt one of the best tech books I have read in a very long time. I was able to down the book in a few days, and by the end had a solid understanding of asp.net fundamentals. Very Highly Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro to ASP.NET
Review: I have been working with ASP for years, and needed something to get me up to speed in ASP.NET. I first bought ASP.NET by Example (Smith). I found that book to be a little too heavy on the explanation of the differences between ASP and ASP.NET. I didn't really get a very good grasp of how this .net stuff works. I then picked up ASP.NET for Web Designers, and immediately things started clicking. The writing is clear, the analogies are useful and relevant, and the author's humor keeps the book interesting through some of the code-heavy sections. And while the humor does occasionally get a little too goofy, it is without a doubt one of the best tech books I have read in a very long time. I was able to down the book in a few days, and by the end had a solid understanding of asp.net fundamentals. Very Highly Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Confusing - talks about to many languages
Review: I have done some programming before, so i am not exactly new to this but I find the book very confusing. Ladka spends way to much time going over other scripting languages. One page he is talking about Asp then next is asp.net. Another page he is talking about C++, and then visual basic. A significant chunk of book could be elimated if Ladka had just stuck to ASP.net. Another aspect is i feel like i am being talked down too, and his word definitions and not clear. An example events and objects -- "Sitting is an event and the seat is an ojbect." (pg 9)Yeah! But what is the definition?
Rating:
Summary: Great book for ASP.NET overview
Review: I have to say this is one of the best books I have picked up on ASP.NET. If you are a web designer/developer trying to get a handle on where to begin with ASP.NET, this is the book. The examples in the book are VB.NET and C# code and are very clear and to the point. The book doesn't get down to the nitty-gritty details of each object, but there is enough explanation to get you started on the right track with a good understanding of what you are trying to accomplish. If your just getting started with ASP.NET and debating what language to learn, and don't know where to begin, try this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book is TOP BANANA
Review: I purchased this book after a recommendation from the Dreamweaver MX (DW MX) community. I've not been disappointed. Ladka assumes a very basic to intermediate (but not necessary) understanding of classic ASP. This helps the reader appreciate some of the key difference between both. As a DW MX user (ASP, VB) I enjoyed reading about the ASP.NET basics. ASP.NET for web designers is an introduction into the concepts, and the methods of thinking. I'm particularly pleased that I now recognise some more VB language, ASP.NET terminology, and the form/function of Microsoft's latest framework. It's ideal to dissect and reassemble some of the online examples and sample application available for download. Ladka's book is about understanding the building blocks of ASP.NET. He acknowledges as web developers or non-programmer the reader is unlikely to understand the techniques and methodology to develop ASP.NET web pages - these are different. So he explains it, rather well <IMHO>! It's not surprising - Peter can be found answering questions at the MM forums on a variety of issues, so is well acquainted with the types of issues, concerns or 'blind spots' web developers have when considering something like ASP.NET. The book has a jolly, positive narrative - reading it is painless unlike other beginner's titles that take an introduction to a new technology very seriously. The examples are adequate. Of course, more practical examples would be useful, but other 'cook book' type publications may provide this. IMPROVEMENTS: 1) The book would benefit from a final chapter where an application is built using some of the concepts in the book.
2) A supporting web site would be nice.
3) Ladka should write a follow up to develop on this title - a book with real world examples and application development techniques. If like me you have a basic understanding of classic ASP (basic means you can download examples, kind of read the code, hack around a little and get them working) this book is for you. It will revisit the basic concepts providing an update and reframe your ideas on how to develop for ASP.NET <so you don't just use the new framework as an extension of your classic ASP days> Congratulations and well done Peter
Rating:
Summary: This book is TOP BANANA
Review: I purchased this book after a recommendation from the Dreamweaver MX (DW MX) community. I've not been disappointed. Ladka assumes a very basic to intermediate (but not necessary) understanding of classic ASP. This helps the reader appreciate some of the key difference between both. As a DW MX user (ASP, VB) I enjoyed reading about the ASP.NET basics. ASP.NET for web designers is an introduction into the concepts, and the methods of thinking. I'm particularly pleased that I now recognise some more VB language, ASP.NET terminology, and the form/function of Microsoft's latest framework. It's ideal to dissect and reassemble some of the online examples and sample application available for download. Ladka's book is about understanding the building blocks of ASP.NET. He acknowledges as web developers or non-programmer the reader is unlikely to understand the techniques and methodology to develop ASP.NET web pages - these are different. So he explains it, rather well ! It's not surprising - Peter can be found answering questions at the MM forums on a variety of issues, so is well acquainted with the types of issues, concerns or 'blind spots' web developers have when considering something like ASP.NET.The book has a jolly, positive narrative - reading it is painless unlike other beginner's titles that take an introduction to a new technology very seriously. The examples are adequate. Of course, more practical examples would be useful, but other 'cook book' type publications may provide this. IMPROVEMENTS: 1) The book would benefit from a final chapter where an application is built using some of the concepts in the book.
2) A supporting web site would be nice.
3) Ladka should write a follow up to develop on this title - a book with real world examples and application development techniques. If like me you have a basic understanding of classic ASP (basic means you can download examples, kind of read the code, hack around a little and get them working) this book is for you. It will revisit the basic concepts providing an update and reframe your ideas on how to develop for ASP.NET Congratulations and well done Peter
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