computers and internet

Usually skeptical about books promising to teach technical subjects "the quick and easy way," this one seemed different so I decided to take a chance. Very glad I did. Though I have been using Dreamweaver to design and manage several websites for about five years, there were always some things that never looked or worked quite right, especially in browsers other than Internet Explorer. I got home from the bookstore, sat down in front of the computer, and checked the index in Ms. Castro's book. Five minutes later, first problem solved!

Even with powerful software like Dreamweaver, it's important to understand basic HTML code and behavior. Being able to tweak the code oneself is the most reliable way to ensure your site runs and looks the way you want it to. This is where Castro's book really shines, even for quasi-technophobes like me. The instructions are remarkably clear and are really step-by-step, sometimes keystroke by keystroke. The sidebar examples are well done and very useful; (X)HTML conventions are explained in layperson-friendly language. And somehow Ms. Castro manages to inject some personality and liveliness into what can sometimes be so deadly dull.

For anyone who hasn't taken a course in (X)HTML or otherwise worked with it extensively, this will be a highly useful guide.

Not much time is wasted in steps trying to teach someone on how to click here or create a text file.

The whole HTML subject is broken down into tasks: formatting, text, layout commands, and cascading style sheets. Then individual HTML commands or tasks are illustrated one to a page. The steps fall down the outside of the page and colorful illustrations line the page's inside. All pages feature step-by-step instruction, tips, troubleshooting advice. A good book for novices and a reference for experienced users. The books strength is the visual approach it includes with screenshots and code examples. The book takes an easy, visual approach to teaching HTML, using pictures to guide you through the software and show you what to do.

The book presumes no prior knowledge of HTML, making it the perfect introduction for beginners. I enjoyed the book and I hope you will too!

This book is extremely helpful for those who, like myself, are easily confused and boggled by web help books that assume genius level readers. Using this book as a reference is its most valuable assest to me...it's so easy to look a topic up and find info on it. And the website they give you to see the examples from the book posted live is a big help as well.