Teach Yourself Web Publishing
with HTML in a Week
by Jim Duber
The title, Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML in a Week, pretty well sums up the content of this text. More than just a primer in HTML (or HyperText Markup Language -- the language used to create pages on the World Wide Web) a large portion of the text is dedicated to a discussion of what distinguishes good HTML from bad HTML in terms of both content and design.
After a general overview of the Web itself, including brief descriptions of several of the more popular Web browsers; Web servers; URLs and home pages, the author proceeds to a consideration of basic elements of writing style that are especially effective in Web-based documents. This is followed by a step-by-step introduction to HTML itself, beginning with the most basic tag elements, through discussion of how to create hyperlinks, and how to integrate graphics and external images, sounds and animations in Web presentations. Mention is made of popular HTML editors and other Web-based utilities, and the text concludes with a discussion of some of the more advanced aspects of HTML, such as writing Gateway scripts, and creating forms and image maps.
The text's strength lies in its careful attention to issues related to the design and content of Web pages, as well as to its detailed discussion of the fundamental HTML tags. The author provides several useful lists of "do's and don'ts" regarding page content and design together with detailed explanation and exemplification of the simpler elements of HTML writing.
The text's weaknesses become apparent in its presentation of some of the more advanced features of HTML -- gateway scripts, forms, and image maps. Here, the instructional details are lacking, as are the examples. What's more, this section is full of typos and other mistakes. It seems as if there was a sudden rush to get the book out, which might explain the lack of clarity encountered in the later sections. Though, in testimony to the benefits of Web publishing (one of which is that information can be updated constantly), the author provides an online list of errata to this first edition of the text.
All in all, it would seem a good match for the beginning "do-it-yourself" student of HTML publishing who prefers not to search the Net for a basic tutorial in writing for the Web. The ABC's of HTML are explained clearly; and, the examples and exercises are instructive and easy to follow. However, those interested in learning more about the advanced features of HTML would probably fare better navigating through the myriad guides that are available online.
Jim Duber
Written: April 2, 1995
Updated: August 11, 1997
(Note: This book has been replaced by several updated versions by the same author.)