Textpattern Solutions: PHP-Based Content Management Made Easy Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Textpattern Solutions: PHP-Based Content Management Made Easy? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Textpattern Solutions: PHP-Based Content Management Made Easy. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Textpattern Solutions: PHP-Based Content Management Made Easy ReviewI've been waiting a long time for this book.
Textpattern is a free, open-source content management system that is lean, flexible and powerful. Until now, the only resources for learning to use it were the various web pages: FAQs, reference wiki, the forum, etc. They are all valuable and responsive (the forum is very active, and I've seen a new answer to my question posted on the FAQ page the next day), but we "book learners" needed, well, a book.
That book is here, and it is excellent. At almost 400 pages plus a 100-page tag reference, there is plenty of material. It's very well-written and easy to read (if you're interested in using, learning or trying Textpattern).
Sections 3 and 5, with the conceptual understanding and the three website examples, are probably my favorites. Since I'm not a programmer, the chapter on writing plugins seems a bit over my head.
The only change I'd suggest would have been to move chapter 6, "The Textpattern Model," up front as the second chapter. This conceptual overview would help to understand "what" and "why," and some of the software's capabilities, before diving into the installation and setup process.
I wholeheartedly endorse this book as an essential introduction, manual and deskside reference for Textpattern in particular, and building dynamic database-driven websites in general.Textpattern Solutions: PHP-Based Content Management Made Easy OverviewIn modern web development, there is a big focus on using frameworks and other reusable code to build up web sites, rather than writing everything from scratch. Textpattern is one such framework, allowing it's users to build up standards-compliant professional web sites using PHP, MySQL, and CSS, with only a basic knowledge of the underlying technology. It's also open source, so free to use.It has become very popular, with tens of thousands of downloads to date, and is used on some high profile sites, such as that of Senator Ted Kennedy (tedkennedy.com.)We are proud to present the first book dedicated to Textpattern development, written by 5 experts. It takes the reader right from the basics of the subject such as installation, right up to advanced subjects like writing plugins. It also includes case studies and reference sections.

Want to learn more information about Textpattern Solutions: PHP-Based Content Management Made Easy?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

HTML5: The Missing Manual Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy HTML5: The Missing Manual? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on HTML5: The Missing Manual. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

HTML5: The Missing Manual ReviewI have mixed feelings when it comes to this book. At some point it is entertaining and can teach you the basics of HTML very well, however, it is too basic for a professionals or semiprofessionals. Topics covered within the book are well explained, it covers basics of the HTML 5. You will find here information regarding new tags, new ways of input validation, progress bars, sliders, video embedding, audio embedding, managing the canvas, working in offline environment, etc. If you are not sure whether this book is for, ask yourself question, where you put yourself. Do you start your adventure with HTML? Or maybe you are HTML veteran? If you are about to begin your experience with HTML 5, this book sounds like a good read. At the very beginning, Matthew lays down the basics of the HTML 5. You literally build a simple HTML page by extending it step by step. Second chapter gives you the overview of how to create a structure of the page, how to use new tags and what to avoid (especially the old markups). I really enjoyed part four, where details related to forms are laid down - how to create them, how to validate values, how to provide users with input suggestions - entirely at the browser's side. Video and audio related section will shade some light in terms of the variety of video/audio codecs - there are few of them, and they can make you confused, believe me. Another great benefit is that you get CSS explained by examples rather than by definition. However, you may fell slightly disappointed if you are looking for a CSS reference.
I like the style of the book. It is really simple written, at least that's what I think. You shouldn't have any issues with following what Matt tries to explain. Keep in mind, however, that this book is rather brief overview of HTML 5 rather than comprehensive HTML 5 reference. Great plus for Matt for putting lots of references to external resources and for really impressive examples. You will be guided how to find them at the very begging of the book.HTML5: The Missing Manual Overview
HTML5 is more than a markup language—it's a dozen independent web standards all rolled into one. Until now, all it's been missing is a manual. With this thorough, jargon-free guide, you'll learn how to build web apps that include video tools, dynamic drawings, geolocation, offline web apps, drag-and-drop, and many other features. HTML5 is the future of the Web, and with this book you'll reach it quickly.

The important stuff you need to know:

Structure web pages in a new way. Learn how HTML5 helps make web design tools and search engines work smarter.
Add audio and video without plugins. Build playback pages that work in every browser.
Draw with Canvas. Create shapes, pictures, text, and animation—and make them interactive.
Go a long way with style. Use CSS3 and HTML5 to jazz up your pages and adapt them for mobile devices.
Build web apps with rich desktop features. Let users work with your app offline, and process user-selected files in the browser.
Create location-aware apps. Write geolocation applications directly in the browser.


Want to learn more information about HTML5: The Missing Manual?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

HTML & CSS: The Good Parts (Animal Guide) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy HTML & CSS: The Good Parts (Animal Guide)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on HTML & CSS: The Good Parts (Animal Guide). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

HTML & CSS: The Good Parts (Animal Guide) ReviewI bought this book at the same time as Javascript: The Good Parts, hoping that it would teach me the most useful parts of CSS and HTML without being too verbose. That is exactly what the Javascript book did, but this one proved almost useless in that respect. Rather than present the important parts of CSS and HTML in a logical and comprehensible fashion, this book instead gives a lot of wordy advice apparently intended for people who already know HTML and CSS. Reading some of the glowing reviews on Amazon leads me to think that perhaps it's not worthless, but just misnamed. Perhaps a better name would have been "Essays on HTML and CSS Style." I'm not qualified to write a review of that hypothetical book. But if you are hoping to learn CSS and HTML, I don't recommend buying this.HTML & CSS: The Good Parts (Animal Guide) Overview
HTML and CSS are the workhorses of web design, and using them together to build consistent, reliable web pages requires both skill and knowledge. The task is more difficult if you're relying on outdated, confusing, and unnecessary HTML hacks and workarounds. Author Ben Henick shows you how to avoid those traps by going beyond the standard tips, tricks, and techniques to connect the underlying theory and design of HTML and CSS to your everyday work habits.

With this practical book, you'll learn how to work with these tools far more effectively than is standard practice for most web developers. Whether you handcraft individual pages or build templates, HTML & CSS: The Good Parts will help you get the most out of these tools in all aspects of web page design-from layout to typography and to color.

Structure HTML markup to maximize the power of CSS
Implement complex multi-column layouts from scratch
Improve site production values with advanced CSS techniques
Support formal usability and accessibility requirements with tools built into HTML and CSS
Avoid the most annoying browser and platform limitations


Want to learn more information about HTML & CSS: The Good Parts (Animal Guide)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (2nd Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (2nd Edition)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (2nd Edition). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (2nd Edition) ReviewWhen I started browsing Amazon for a CSS book appropriate for a beginner, I was overwhelmed by just how many there are out there! I read all the reviews and such, but could not really determine any major difference between the books or figure out which ones were `better than the others.
I decided that in order to make my decision I was going to have to flip through the books a little myself before purchasing. I took my little list to the local bookstore, gathered all of them up, and plopped down on a couch. I flipped through about 6 different books including Designing with Web Standards, CSS Core, CSS Cookbook, Beginning CSS, both Eric Meyer books, and of course, Stylin' with CSS.
I really didn't expect much from this book, I kind of grabbed it as an afterthought, or "might as well..."
I spent a good hour or so browsing the table of contents, reading bits and pieces of each book to get a feel for the author's style. I have to say I was not impressed with most of these, particularly the Eric Meyer books that so many people seem to swear by. My decision came down to Stylin' With CSS or Designing with Web Standards by Dan Cedarholm.
I chose Stylin' with CSS for several reasons. For one, Charles Wyke-Smith has a great, easy style of writing and explaining the concepts behind the rules of CSS. CSS is not overly difficult, but there is a learning curve and Wyke-Smith breaks it down into plain English. Secondly, the organization of the book is probably the most logical among the CSS books. It is not a reference book, as there are thorough explanations, but it is organized like a reference- by topic, in a sensible order. This makes it not only easy to follow the first time around, but makes it much easier to jump back to as a reference when needed. The quick reference chart in the back also comes in handy, and this book stays next to my computer at all times. Lastly, the page layout of the book is also visually appealing. It's not a picture book, but it doesn't look like a dictionary either. There's just the right amount of helpful images and screenshots, as well as colored text to differentiate code from explanations.
This book is the best that I can recommend for getting started in CSS. I can honestly say that my purchase was the best $20 I've ever spent on web design.Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (2nd Edition) OverviewCascading Style Sheets enable you to rapidly create web designs that can be shared by hundreds or even thousands of web pages. It accelerates development cycles by centralizing text and layout information for easy editing and updates. This book teaches you everything you need to know to start using CSS in your web development work, from the basics of marking up your content and styling text, through the creation of multi-column page layouts without the use of tables. Learn to create interface components, such as drop-down menus, navigation links, and animated graphical buttons, using only CSS (no JavaScript required). Discover how to design code that works on the latest standard-compliant browsers, such as IE7 and current versions of Firefox, Safari, and Opera, while working around the quirks of the older ones. With a mastery of CSS, your web design capabilities will move to a new level, and everything you need to know to get started and build your skills is right here in this book. You'll be stylin' in no time!

Want to learn more information about Stylin' with CSS: A Designer's Guide (2nd Edition)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites ReviewI a big fan of books that simplifies technology and provides useful (not comedic) illustrations. I picked up this book and read it cover to cover within a few hours. It reads well and has few dull moments. Isn't that amazing for a Standards book?! Seriously, I'm astonished with how much funner tech books are these days. I almost view them as novels than 'work manuals.'
Obviously, if you're looking for a dry implementation book this is not the right choice for you. I would say this book is made for those who need a refresher, those who are curious, or the management type. I'm a developer myself, but I'm more of a 'convention over configuration' type. I rate this highly and compare it closely to the excellent "Bulletproof" series.Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites OverviewAfter learning the language of design, how does one effectively use standards-based technologies to create visually strong Web sites? The full-color Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites gives developers a peek into the process of the best designers in the world through the work of high profile, real-world Web sites that made them famous. The book focuses on deconstructing these top-tier large-scale sites with particular attention given to deconstructing CSS.

Want to learn more information about Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps: Create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web Standards (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) (Voices That Matter) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps: Create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web Standards (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) (Voices That Matter)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps: Create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web Standards (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) (Voices That Matter). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps: Create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web Standards (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) (Voices That Matter) ReviewI purchased this book to learn how to program with NimbleKit for the iPad and iPhone. Let's just say that I am very impressed. I know HTML and JavaScript, so this book is a refresher on the code I already know. Yet with HTML5 there are definitely some new things to learn.
NimbleKit is used within Apple's own Xcode programming software. Yes, you read that correctly.
What do I like about this book? It discusses everything from starting to program an application using NimbleKit to submitting it to the Apple iTunes App Store. Since purchasing this book I have created an application for a music group (being released in early March), and I am planning on releasing a lot of educational software in the near future. Since I am going to be a high school History teacher next year I have a lot of apps that I would like to make for my future students (and anyone else that appreciates educational apps).
If you are wondering how to make iOS apps using HTML and JavaScript get this book.The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps: Create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web Standards (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) (Voices That Matter) OverviewIf you are a designer who knows HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you can easily learn how to make native iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps—and distribute them worldwide via the App Store.When combined with an Objective-C framework, web standards can be used to format and style content for iOS, using native controls and behaviors for an authentic Apple user experience.The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps shows how to create apps using NimbleKit, the Objective-C framework featured on the Apple Development Tools web site. With it you'll learn how to:
Download and install the free software for creating iOS apps

Use Xcode to manage project assets, test apps, and package binary files

Implement standard iOS elements and behaviors for familiar Apple mobile user experiences

Enhance your app designs with HTML5 and CSS3

Build a foundation for designing web apps that can be delivered to other smartphones and mobile devices


Want to learn more information about The Web Designer's Guide to iOS Apps: Create iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps with Web Standards (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) (Voices That Matter)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web ReviewIf you've already picked up the basics of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and want to see what is *really* possible, check out The Zen of CSS Design by Dave Shea and Molly E. Holzschlag (New Riders). This is a unique book...
Chapter List: View Source; Design; Layout; Imagery; Typography; Special Effects; Reconstruction; Closing Thoughts; Index
This book covers the topic of CSS in an unusual fashion. Dave Shea came up with the idea for a web site called csszengarden.com. The basic premise is to have a standard HTML file, complete with class and id tags that can not be changed. The goal is to then use a CSS style sheet to apply unique styles and graphics to the page, resulting in some stunning visual displays of web design. But the basic thing to remember is that the page content doesn't change, just the CSS design file that's applied to it.
Shea and Holzschlag take some of the more unique designs that have been submitted and use them to explain various CSS concepts and techniques that can be used to push your design efforts beyond the ordinary. The techniques are very well documented, as well as giving explanations on what will and will not work in the major browsers due to differences in CSS rendering. Since so much of the design is driven by choices in graphics and typeface, you'll also be exposed to quite a bit in the way of design concepts, how to choose and render text, different graphic formats, and so on. While none of the information would be considered a complete reference work on any given subject, you do have enough information to apply the technique and continue on from there if necessary.
In addition to being a book to teach technique, it also does a wonderful job in providing inspiration. If you're looking for ideas to create a site that stands out, a leisurely perusal of the pages (or of the website) will offer up endless ways to reach that goal. "You can do that?" will be a phrase that escapes from your lips on a number of occasions.
Beautiful, instructional, and inspirational... This should probably be the second or third CSS book you buy once you buy a tutorial and/or a reference guide. A recommended read...The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web OverviewProving once and for all that standards-compliant design does not equal dull design, this inspiring tome uses examples from the landmark CSS Zen Garden site as the foundation for discussions on how to create beautiful, progressive CSS-based Web sites. By using the Zen Garden sites as examples of how CSS design techniques and approaches can be applied to specific Web challenges, authors Dave Shea and Molly Holzschlag provide an eye-opening look at the range of design methods made possible by CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). By the time you've finished perusing the volume, you'll have a new understanding of thegraphically rich, fully accessible sites that CSS design facilitates. In sections on design, layout, imagery, typography, effects, and themes, Dave and Molly take you through every phase of the design process--from striking a sensible balance between text and graphics to creating eye-popping special effects (no scripting required).

Want to learn more information about The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardista's Approach Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardista's Approach? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardista's Approach. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardista's Approach ReviewHTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions reads like a textbook, and it should: the authors are both lecturers at the University of Ulster at Belfast, and have worked to create web development courses that use the most modern standards-based techniques for creating well-crafted websites. This approach makes the book and excellent choice for a newcomer to website coding, and is one of the best, most up-to-date examples I have seen of the details of creating standards-based websites from scratch.
The first several chapters are dedicated to HTML and an explanation of why good semantic markup is important for organization, accessibility and search engine optimization. Each chapter builds on the last and provides details about every HTML tag and why you would use them. There are no hands on, step-by-step examples, but each chapter does include several code examples with matching browser screen shots, and a "homework" assignment at the end where the reader is challenged to apply what they have learned. There's even a chapter on setting up your own domain name and uploading your website to a server.
The remainder of the book is dedicated to the art of using carefully crafted CSS styles to transform plain HTML into a well-designed web page. Although web designers already familiar with CSS might not find anything new or unique here, a new designer unfamiliar with Cascading Style Sheets will find an excellent presentation of the proper process for building up a stylesheet. Basic typographic principles, multi-column layout schemes, and creative use of background images to solve unique design problems are covered with solid code and appropriate examples.
Those looking for advanced CSS ideas or new standards-based approaches to creative techniques won't find them here, but those looking for a solid foundation in the correct, most up-to-date methods for building modern websites will benefit from this book.HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardista's Approach OverviewHTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardistas Approach taps the huge market of nascent Web designers and guides them through the process of creating Web sites and pages from scratch. Each chapter includes a lesson exercise and this book can be used as both a text and self-paced tutorial.

Want to learn more information about HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardista's Approach?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional Review"Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional" by Simon Collison is the perfect book for newcomers to CSS and for those slightly more-experienced CSS designers who need a soup-to-nuts review.
The book is very well organized, easy to read, easy to digest, and well edited. The progression of chapters is logical, as the book flows from CSS mechanics to layout and design concepts. Topics are covered completely yet succinctly; at just over 400 pages, this is not a typical, bloated computer book. Coverage is complete, however, and nothing seems to be left out. There's a very useful, 15-page CSS reference guide in the appendix, and URL's for many third-party articles and examples are provided throughout the text.
Collison's writing style is relaxed, clear, and appropriately humorous. He even tells you (often -- he's English!) when's a good time to grab a cup of tea. He presents complex topics very clearly, using progressively built-up examples to keep thing clear. Learning CSS from a designer like Collison is so much better than learning it from a programmer, because the designer will teach you why, when and how to apply certain styles, while the programmer will only teach you how; Collison accomplishes the former with aplomb.
The case study in the final chapter is really excellent. Despite the very professional appearance of the sample site, every technique used to create it is indeed covered in the preceding chapters. (If you want to get an idea for how much the book will teach you before you buy it, skim through the last chapter or download the accompanying files from the publisher's website. It's impressive.)
I have only two negative criticisms -- and these are minor. The downloadable files found on the publisher's website are poorly organized, with all the code snippets for the entire book stuck into a single, long text file and with the sample images stored in a separate directory hierarchy from the sample HTML files. Most of the screenshots in the book are shown with browser decorations (title bar, tool bar, etc.), which when added up waste a lot of space that could have been used to include a couple of advanced topics or to decrease the book's cost. But as I said, these are minor criticisms that are far outweighed by the stellar quality of the book -- and the problem with the downloadable files is something that could possibly still be corrected by the author.
In summary, I highly recommend this book, particularly for CSS beginners or novices, but also for CSS-savvy coders who need to re-learn CSS from a design-oriented perspective, as well as for slightly more-advanced designers who need a broad, quick review. I've sampled at least a half dozen CSS books recently, and "Beginning CSS Web Development" is FAR AND AWAY the best.Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional Overview

Want to learn more information about Beginning CSS Web Development: From Novice to Professional?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...