The Non-Designer’s Web Book (2nd Edition) by R. Williams & J. Tollett (Peachpit Press)(Reviewed by Fred Sabin, President, NJCC)
Have you ever wanted to know how a web page is designed, and how and why it works? Or did you ever want a web home page of your own, but not know how to do it? Or did you ever want a copy of only parts of a web page, but not know how to eliminate the rest of it? I’ve had these and other web page questions, and now I’ve found all the answers in very simple terms in one place … “The Non-Designer’s Web Book” by Peachpit Press!
The “bottom line” for this book is that it is “COMPLETE” (covering everything you would want or need to know about web page design); “SIMPLE” (well written and illustrated for newbies with no prior design experience required); and “EFFECTIVE” (allowing you to create or modify web pages easily and efficiently).
When I was in school it was standard practice to “underline” or “yellow highlight” key data or concepts when reading a book, so you could quickly review or find the information at a later date. Many people still do the same today by printing a hard copy of a web page and then “highlighting” it. Instead, what if you “cut and pasted” the information into another document? Or, better yet, how about just “deleting” the parts you don’t want and saving (or printing out) everything you do want? This can easily be done once you understand how web pages are designed, and you can recombine text (with multiple fonts and colors) with graphics, backgrounds, layouts, etc., to save the information you want in the way you want it! One big word of warning, however, is that web pages of others are usually copyrighted, and you must follow all copyright laws and requirements in what you do with these web pages!
The main reason you would want and need this book, however, is to create and design your own web page for posting on the Internet! There are many software programs that will allow you to do this, but this book goes well beyond the “mechanics” of just putting content on a page. Anyone can write a book or paint a picture, but you will immediately know which ones are “good” or “bad” … and the few “excellent” ones that stand out above the others. The question is: “How can I design something good, and/or make something I did even better?” This book answers that question!
What looks “good” (or “bad”) and why? What options are available to make it better? What is layout, and basic design concepts? How do you interface with and navigate a web site? What are the differences between file formats, graphic specifications, typography, etc.? How can I …? Why should I …? What if? How do I test or fix …? How do I upload …? How and why should I register …? These and many more questions are answered by this book!
Want to know more? Go to “http://www.peachpit.com” and check out the details under “Titles A-Z” (with this book at “http://www.peachpit.com/books/catalog/71038.html”). Still need more info? Ask me at one of our NJCC Meetings.
Pricing: The list price for this book is $34.99, but NJCC members may purchase “The Non-Designer’s Web Book (2nd Edition / Copyright 2000)” at a 20% discount (or 40% discount for 11 or more Peachpit Press books sent to the same address). User Group discounts are explained on the Peachpit Press website, or call 1-800-283-9444 and identify yourself as a NJCC User Group Member. |
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