Web Site Design Made Easy

Rating:
Summary: HTML Dictionary with humor
Review: After thinking it over and over again if I should do my very own website, and if I should just learn to do it by myself because it would have been either too expensive for a professional webmaster or too much to ask from one in the family (trust me, working with family doesn't work!); I finally decided: the heck with it, I shall learn it and do it all myself. The first book I chose to study from for my high-tech adventure is actually a textbook currently used in many web design schools. Dennis Gaskill's "Website design made easy" is just that. Gaskill is a professional webmaster who really knows his trade. You'll be shown not only how to build a basic page, but also given the technique to create more advanced websites that include the use of Javascript, CSS, frames, tables, etc. Even though the book doesn't really delve into these more specialized languages, we do get help on their basics and, at the end of the book, there is a list of online resources one can go for help.

Something I did find boring about the book is that Gaskill expresses, right from the beginning, that he does not endorse any of the HTML editing programs (such as, for instance, Macromedia Dreamweaver), and this is the reason why he explains how to build a website from scratch. In this way, you are taught ALL the codes to do everything manually in HTML, something that I believe is good to know - especially if you run into problems while using Dremaweaver; although in this day and age to believe that a new student of the subject will eventually do it this way and without the help of one of the major software programs available seems to me kind of naïve. I would still recommend this book, since if you don't know anything about building websites the task can look daunting. But do not despair, Dennis Gaskill is here to make it easier for you and, with his own brand of humor spread throughout the book it is actually a fun ride to hang on to. You can even practice your new learned talents with the quiz and the exercises at the end of each chapter, where that last question is always a joke (e.g.: How many web designers does it take to change a light bulb?)

Overall, a fine book you'll keep referring to again and again, especially when you need to check on your code. Only one question remains: being Gaskill, as he calls himself, a professional graphic designer as well as a webmaster; why would he approve such an awful layout design for the printing of his book?

Rating:
Summary: A real friendly reference book!
Review: Boogie Jack, a.k.a. Dennis Gaskill has done a SUPERB job of writing a book that reads just like a friend is talking to you. Yet it covers all the basic HTML and etcs., without inducing the smallest yawn, whilst being a very practical guide that you can follow and see your results straight away.

I bought it because I already "knew" him from his "Almost A Newsletter" and "Nutty Net Tutor". He's a great and funny guy, so I knew this would be fresh and different. The book lived up to all my expectations and beyond with it's logical and fun approach.

I am no newbie to raw HTML, but I kept reading things and thinking "Gee, that's a good idea" or "Duh, why didn't I think of that?". If you are an expert, you'll still get a lot from this book. If you are new, you'll learn without pain and drudgery. It is just great. Well done Booj!

Rating:
Summary: Web Design Really IS Easy!
Review: I have read many books on designing web sites. Most of them are as confusing as dusty old text books. I have always wondered why learning new things has to be so difficult. It's always as if you need a teacher at your elbow so you can ask questions. But learning how to build a really, really good web site is easy with author Dennis Gaskill at your side. Yes, he is right there showing you the way with his new book, "Web Site Design Made Easy." It is easy to read, and easy to learn, and it's down right fun. Dennis not only leads you step by step, but he plays games along the way to see if you are paying attention. He has a wonderful, if not a bit twisted, sense of humor.

"Web Site Design Made Easy" is a joy to read. It answers all the questions, and clears up the mysteries. It starts out with simple HTML and carries you through many complex designing tricks and takes you all the way to optimizing for search engines and shows you how to upload your site to your server.

You will learn it all with this book. I don't know how he did it, but this book really does cover it all, right down to the little details that I always wanted to know. There are color charts, ascii character charts, html tag charts, trouble shooting guide, and a really great glossary. Everything is extremely well laid out, comprehensive, and fun.

It's no wonder to me why Dennis's own web site has won so many awards. I highly recommend this book. Its the only one you need.

Rating:
Summary: Web Site Design Made Easy
Review: I teach web design and until now have been relying on material that I wrote to teach HTML coding. This is the first book on HTML coding that I have found that actually covers the code in a logical, progressive manner.

Most books give you "fill-in-the-blanks" projects rather than teaching how to "build" a web page using HTML code. This book presents the material in an easy to follow, well-exampled format. The fact that it is spiral bound is also a plus in useability as well as workability.

It begins with a basic Introduction to HTML and slickly progresses thru the primary tags, formatting text, adding links, images, image maps, sound and video. It also covers frames, forms, style sheets and even rudimentary JavaScript code. Then it moves on to FTP, site promotion, and basic design theory. Then the author caps it all off with some great reference charts. And all in less than 400 pages!

Each chapter has a quiz and an exercise at the end so it can very easily be used in a classroom as a teaching tool. But it is so comprehensive and thorough that it will satisy anyone's taste for a good reference on HTML.

This book is a MUST BUY! I highly recommend Web Site Design Made Easy - it's even better than what I had written (and mine is pretty good!)

Rating:
Summary: The best HTML book I've ever read!
Review: If you're a web design newbie, then this is the book for you. Finally there's a book that puts web page designing in plain English, rather than some techie jargon. It takes you step by step from the bare basics to some of the more advanced techniques in a way that's actually easy to understand. Plus, the author goes beyond telling you how to make a website work, but also gives practical advice on how to make it good. On top of all that, the book is well written with plenty of humor that makes it not just informative, but also fun to read. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Good, intelligent book about web design
Review: This is a great book for beginners but I am learning a lot although I've had several years experience creating web sites.

I like the complete examples -- I don't have to guess when I follow his clear and easy to follow instructions. Dennis writes in a friendly, approachable style. He offers down-to-earth practical advice on creating a quality, solid web site. A bonus are addresses to his own web site and other sites where you can get free high-quality graphics, subscribe to newsletters, take tutorials and read all kinds of useful and interesting material.

I like the nifty references in the back. He has a trouble-shooting section in the appendix that is excellent. For example, he tells how to fix that annoying blue tick that can occur after a link. The solution is simple but the blue tick drove me wild for months until I found out how to fix it.

The spiral bound design is excellent, too. It is wonderful to not have to prop the book open and weight it down with heavy objects so the pages will stay open while I'm trying some of the techniques -- less typing mistakes if I can actually see what I'm supposed to be doing. It is such a great idea I don't see why more web design books aren't made that way.

Another quality of Dennis Gaskill's book which is more difficult to put into words is the thoughtful way he approaches web design. He never forgets the aspect of dealing with other people in a courteous, honest way on the web.

Folks, buy this book. It's a keeper. I hope Dennis Gaskill writes more.

Rating:
Summary: Thanks for Making it Easy, BoogieJack!
Review: Whether you are a beginner or an experienced web designer, you are likely to find something of value in this book. The information is presented in an easy-to-follow and easy-to-implement structure that walks you through all the steps needed to create and publish your website. Dennis even provides design tips to help the technically-competent-but-graphically-challenged! And, he provides lots of links to other useful websites as well as to special places on his own website... where he has provided even more tips, tools and techniques.

I wish I’d had this book when I first taught myself HTML – it would have shortened my learning curve incredibly, and with Dennis’ sense of humor, I would have had a lot more fun! With all these tips for designing, coding, promoting, and maintaining your site, and the added reference and troubleshooting charts, online resources, glossary, index and multiple screen shots, maybe it should be retitled, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Creating Your Website, But Didn’t Know How to Ask!”

Originally I was going to pass the book on to my daughter who is just now learning webdesign, but it’s just so doggone useful I think I’ll have to get her her own copy! (P.S. Go visit his site – you’ll get a sense of the quality of this book when you look through the many tutorials, graphics and ezines he already offers for free! And be sure to check out his Background Magic program, too.)

Rating:
Summary: Thanks for Making it Easy, BoogieJack!
Review: Whether you are a beginner or an experienced web designer, you are likely to find something of value in this book. The information is presented in an easy-to-follow and easy-to-implement structure that walks you through all the steps needed to create and publish your website. Dennis even provides design tips to help the technically-competent-but-graphically-challenged! And, he provides lots of links to other useful websites as well as to special places on his own website... where he has provided even more tips, tools and techniques.

I wish I’d had this book when I first taught myself HTML – it would have shortened my learning curve incredibly, and with Dennis’ sense of humor, I would have had a lot more fun! With all these tips for designing, coding, promoting, and maintaining your site, and the added reference and troubleshooting charts, online resources, glossary, index and multiple screen shots, maybe it should be retitled, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Creating Your Website, But Didn’t Know How to Ask!”

Originally I was going to pass the book on to my daughter who is just now learning webdesign, but it’s just so doggone useful I think I’ll have to get her her own copy! (P.S. Go visit his site – you’ll get a sense of the quality of this book when you look through the many tutorials, graphics and ezines he already offers for free! And be sure to check out his Background Magic program, too.)