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HTML for the World Wide Web (Visual QuickStart Guide) by Castro, Elizabeth (1996) Paperback
"Perhaps the best-written HTML tutorial ever." This book occupies a unique spot in my opinion. It's "the competition." All other HTML/Web page learning or how-to books are trying to knock the crown from this book's head. While it may not be for everyone, it just does such a superb job that it defines the field. Congratulations, Elizabeth.This is what I could classify as a true intermediate or advanced book. Elizabeth Castro doesn't waste time or steps trying to teach a newbie how to click here or create a text file. In fact, so much is assumed that this really can't be called a beginner book at all. So, if you know what you're doing or what you want, this book will serve you well.The whole HTML thing is broken down into formatting, text, layout commands, cascading style sheets--the whole nine yards. Then individual HTML commands or tasks are illustrated one to a page. The steps fall down the outside of the page; illustrations line the page's inside.While this is all a great way to learn HTML, I can still find room for improvement--though not at the expense of the format. For example, a reference or tear-out card would have been handy. And some topics, especially JavaScript, are glossed over too quickly to be useful. From personal experience, I know that some topics, such as FTP, could use even more hands-on examples.If you "get it" when it comes to computers, and are ready to do some down-and-dirty HTML coding (and I'm not talking lame-old FrontPage here), this book will teach you the basics in no time. It will provide a firm foundation upon which you can easily build your Web pages for the future. --Dan Gookin
Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
5 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Castro
71Ìýbooks24ÌýfollowersStudied Spanish, Catalan, and Basque at University of Pennsylvania and University of California at Berkeley. Moved to Barcelona in 1987, found job in computer company translating documentation and software. Started Página Uno in 1990: publisher of Mac related books in Spanish. Moved back to US in 1993 to edit 5th edition of The Macintosh Bible. Wrote first edition of HTML Visual QuickStart Guide in 1995, now worldwide bestseller with more than 1 million copies sold in many languages. Also written books on Perl/CGI, XML, Blogger, iPhoto.
Most recently, wrote EPUB Straight to the Point, and accompanying miniguides, to help people publish ebook versions of their books.
Most recently, wrote EPUB Straight to the Point, and accompanying miniguides, to help people publish ebook versions of their books.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 20, 2022
Not reading this book costs hours in tinker time.
I like to tinker around with new codes to see if I can learn their pattern or logic before reading. This time it backfired on me. Several places I could have saved time from rewriting and designing the site were pointed out in this book. The most glaring (and I hate to admit it) boo-boo was pointed out on page 41 where it says that word processors have a "save as HTML" option and do not use it. The code kept disappearing on me and I thought it was either bad syntax or a bad word processor. It never dawned on me that this option was for converting word documents to HTML.
I like Elizabeth Castro’s attitude about using individual HTML descriptors in place of CSS. It makes more sense to have control need the object. CSS has a COBOL-like attitude in having everything laid out in a section separate from the code. The bottom-line HTML is the lowest common denominator and can be used in any situation. And this book is the clearest on how and why to use it.
I like to tinker around with new codes to see if I can learn their pattern or logic before reading. This time it backfired on me. Several places I could have saved time from rewriting and designing the site were pointed out in this book. The most glaring (and I hate to admit it) boo-boo was pointed out on page 41 where it says that word processors have a "save as HTML" option and do not use it. The code kept disappearing on me and I thought it was either bad syntax or a bad word processor. It never dawned on me that this option was for converting word documents to HTML.
I like Elizabeth Castro’s attitude about using individual HTML descriptors in place of CSS. It makes more sense to have control need the object. CSS has a COBOL-like attitude in having everything laid out in a section separate from the code. The bottom-line HTML is the lowest common denominator and can be used in any situation. And this book is the clearest on how and why to use it.
August 4, 2007
There are far newer versions of this book out now, but this is the one I own. Elizabeth Castro does an amazing job of explaining things step by step while not dumbing it down at all. This book assumes you already know what all the parts of your computer are, you're pretty comfortable using it, and you understand the concept of programming in general. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to write raw HTML code, or even just wants to tweak something generated by an editor.
June 24, 2011
A good book on HTML hand coding, a helpful guide with step by step instructions along with examples. Many books on this topic don't offer examples or step by step instructions. If you can't afford Dreamweaver or other expensive web creating applications, this title is extremely helpful. I keep using this as a reference tool.
July 27, 2011
Well... I read this book back when HTML was useful other than for making small text formatting changes. I still think it is useful to learn some basic coding so you can resolve situations where your "new do it all" programs get stuck.
January 25, 2013
I coulodn't agree more with the other reviewers.. this book has most anything a person would ever need to know to create Web Pages. It's written logically with lots af great examples so the commands are easily understood. A really nice book to have!
November 12, 2007
Heeeeey, this books is out of date.
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October 31, 2008HTML 4 for the World Wide Web, Fourth Edition (Visual QuickStart Guide) by Elizabeth Castro (1999)
August 9, 2009
Very practical book. Everything I tried in the book worked, and I cant say that for a lot of HTML books. The section on scripts was very useful.
October 29, 2010
I have been recommended this book from a friend but have yet to actually read it. I really want to start learning html and I think this book will really help me understand the language.
January 25, 2012
Good book... very helpful
February 23, 2012
I used this as a text in teaching Web Communication at College of Notre Dame. The students found it very accessible. It made me a permanent fan of Elizabeth Castro's web-related books.
Want to read
October 9, 2012it is good for me to design wed site
June 25, 2013
The best starter guide on HTML I've come across
August 1, 2013
The format is interesting, instruction on the left page and detailed coded examples on the right page. Very useful for those starting out with XML
February 1, 2015
Back in the late 90's anyone who was working on computers read this pretty much
October 16, 2016
Read this many years back to help me make my first website. It worked! A clear, good guide to designing with HTML and CSS.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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