Rating: 
Summary: A great book, even for professional dummies
Review: As a professional VB developer, I needed to learn the basics of ASP--the built in objects and the syntax of VBScript. Hatfield provides the coverage. Even though I need a more comprehensive VBScript reference at hand while I'm programming, it is the foundation acquired from the Dummies book that allows me to find what I need. The text is readable and well focused.Weaknesses: Although there are some examples in JavaScript, the preponderance of the code is in VBScript. Another shortcoming is the use of clever chapter titles, rather than descriptive titles. If you're reading from cover to cover--easy to do with Hatfield--then the titles don't really matter. Honestly, my major problem with the book is being seen with it. But then, how much of a dummy can you be if you're learning ASP. Conclusion: An excellent choice for your first book on ASP, even for stuffy "professionals."
Rating:
Summary: Truly a best buy on Active Server Pages
Review: I spent several hours browsing ASP books at my local (and very well stocked) library and at the bookstore whose name won't be mentioned here. None of the ASP books I looked at seemed comprehensible to a beginner. Normally I avoid "Dummies" books like the plague. Most I've seen are poorly written, disorganized and rarely leave with me a feeling that my money was well-spent. Hatfield's "Active Server Pages Dummies" I'm very pleased to say is the exception. Within 30 minutes of receiving the book from Amazon, most of my unanswered questions about Active Server Pages were resolved. Mr. Hatfield takes the beginner from A to Z in a measured, thorough pace that addresses each point completely and in context. An added bonus for me was the appendix on Microsoft VisualInterdev. I had spent several hours the night before banging my head against the wall trying to figure out how to use it. With Hatfield's excellent example I was up and runnin! g with VisualInterdev literally in a matter of minutes. I've browsed every other ASP title available and for the beginner, nothing even comes close to Bill Hatfield's "Active Server Pages for Dummies." It is terrific. Jerry
Rating: 
Summary: Get with the times
Review: For those who don't want to be dragged into the new .net world. There is still asp...however, 2.0 is the old version, at least get 3.0
Rating:
Summary: To VB or Not To VB... That is the question?
Review: If you want to learn server side scripting in VBScript you can go pretty much anywhere. If you want to learn server side scripting in JScript then this one of the few places to go. The JScript examples aren't much but they're better than nothing and the examples all work. I knew C/C++, SQL and some client side Javascript so it seemed like a natural way to go but there is simply not much written about server side scripting in JScript. Even though most of the examples are written in VBScript, they are clear and challenging enough to get you going. One the hardest hurdles is loading the Personal Web Server. If you don't already have a favorite HTML or ASP editor try UltraEdit32 and do yourself a favor from the beginning download the Script Debugger if your using Internet Explorer. It's free and like so many other things that go into learning Active Server Pages "it's better than nothing". Overall I like the book and the humor is tolerable. If he ever wants to write another I'd be happy to provide some additional JScript examples. I know enough to get buy for now and in the end that's what I wanted. I had a project that needed to get done by the end of the year and it looks like I'll make it. Thanks to all of you who have written these reviews in the past. For the most part they have faithfully guided me to the most useful and most useable sources of information available.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a great start of beginners
Review: I originally bought Beginning ASP by Wrox. It's very good, but at times very confusing. I searched Amazon and saw the reference to ASP for Dummies. I hate the Dummies' book!! Not hate Dummies books, but hate the titles and some of the comedy. I read other glowing reviews and decided to buy the book anyway. I must admit, this is a worth while investment and certainly one of the better programming books I now have in my collection. It's easy to read and explains concepts well. The one improvement I would like to see is more examples. At least I understand the basics of ASP better, and can learn more from my WROX book. Dummies for ASP is a great, great book for beginners!!!
Rating:
Summary: good for beginners
Review: A good book for beginners. I bought this book without any previous knowledge of ASP and it has been a great help to me.
In the first part of the book, it discusses the code and gives examples for almost all of it.
In the second part, it uses nearly all the code discussed in real world examples - which is really necessary if you want to throughly understand how the code is used or could be used. Once or twice I ran into a very minor piece of code that was not addressed.
The unexplained code was not very vital, although I still would have appreciated an explanation.
However, this was the only issue I can think of. As a rule, the "For Dummies" books give a lighthearted approach to subjects and this book is no exception.
It presents its material with a great balance of instruction and humor. Shortly - If you do not have any previous knowledge of ASP, then this is the book for you.
It is well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: This is 'THE' Book
Review: I think you can develop almost every type of web application using this book. It is perfect for starters and intermidiate level programmers. I run a software development house and this was in fact the book that opened different spectrums for me and I felt very easy with proramming after that.
Rating:
Summary: Navigating & judging
Review: Firstly, I needed to know what is involved with Active Server Pages. What do I buy? How do I use the computer? Etc. This book answered my questions, in a nice humourous style. Secondly, I needed to know how to think about ASP. This book helped me there too - at least for beginners. If you are a Web technology pro, forget this book. And why are you looking at a Dummines book?? Thirdly, I'm a great believer in "having a go". This book provides examples apt for an appropriate exercise at the "dummies" level. My complaint is more a recognition of the fact that I have progressed with ASP. There is much more involved with ASP than what this book touches on. I find this book assumes that I have some intelligence to work this out for myself. If you are new to computers, I advise you get other books to help you with this topic. Successfully explaining Active Server Pages is reliant on the reader being relatively familiar with computers, the Net, and the development mindset and culture. The latter two are the keys to securing a measure of success with ASP. I doubt I can write a review that is precision tuned with your situation. That said, if your gut instinct is that you need the treatment of the "Dummies" brand, buy this book. Here is a brainy reason why you'll likely need the "Dummines" book as well as another: It appears impossible to train yourself on ASP with one book alone.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Starter Book
Review: The only problem with this book is IIS and PWS can be difficult to install making for a good amount of preparation before using the examples. Otherwise, it's an excellent primer, with plenty of simple examples to mess with. I use a free ...site that lets me upload .asp pages, edit and view them without even needing PWS or IIS. Eventually I'll hook up PWS or IIS, when I have security set up higher. But this is a really good learning tool. Kudos to the author.
Rating:
Summary: Superb for Beginners.
Review: Well worth getting as your first ASP book.
| 
