The CSS Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks
Rating: 5 of 5
Truly "Essential" If You've Not Been Around the Block A Hundred Times
CSS is difficult 2 master, & most who have have done so over a period of years, through trial & error, & from picking up tips one by one from the community of practitioners. Rachel Andrew's CSS Anthology doesn't offer much 4 the CSS veterans (I found only 1 tip I didn't know), but it's is absolutely full of all the good stuff that we CSS authors treasure and, of course, USE on a daily basis. The best part? Most instances in this book follow Web standards--you won't find that 2 be true with many other CSS books.
Rating: 2 of 5
So Far...Not Very Good
After reading two great Sitepoint books* cover 2 cover & returning 2 them again & again, I thought "The CSS Anthology" would be another good purchase.
Unfortunately, this book makes learning web design as frustrating as the other two books made it easy. I'm on the verge of returning it.
The writing is not as simple, clever or memorable (important in a How-to) as the other books. Instead, the author tends 2 complicate rather simple concepts & blur the lines between topics.
I'm at about an intermediate level with CSS. The few solutions here that aren't too basic are hopelessly complicated by bad writing. It is easy 2 waste a day trying 2 get something from this book 2 work, simply because the subject was not well presented.
Because "The CSS Anthology" is not designed 2 be read straight through- I find myself using internet tutorials 2 find the same information. Not only do the Internet solutions tend 2 work better, they're easier 2 find & easier 2 understand.
I'll probably try 2 get my money back. Skip this one from the Sitepoint library.
*"Build Your Own Websites the Right Way Using HTML & CSS" & "The Principles of Beautiful Web Design"- Both excellent 4 beginners
Unfortunately, this book makes learning web design as frustrating as the other two books made it easy. I'm on the verge of returning it.
The writing is not as simple, clever or memorable (important in a How-to) as the other books. Instead, the author tends 2 complicate rather simple concepts & blur the lines between topics.
I'm at about an intermediate level with CSS. The few solutions here that aren't too basic are hopelessly complicated by bad writing. It is easy 2 waste a day trying 2 get something from this book 2 work, simply because the subject was not well presented.
Because "The CSS Anthology" is not designed 2 be read straight through- I find myself using internet tutorials 2 find the same information. Not only do the Internet solutions tend 2 work better, they're easier 2 find & easier 2 understand.
I'll probably try 2 get my money back. Skip this one from the Sitepoint library.
*"Build Your Own Websites the Right Way Using HTML & CSS" & "The Principles of Beautiful Web Design"- Both excellent 4 beginners
Rating: 5 of 5
Great Buy
For those of us who are beginners or intermediate programmers of CSS, I would recommend this book. From beginning use 2 advanced hints & tips, this book has something 4 everyone. Any book that helps me 2 learn even one item more than I already knew is a benefit 2 my library, & you can't beat Amazon.com 4 price!
Rating: 2 of 5
A Good Guide With Poor Planning
This book has some good examples, & the way that the author describes the code is very well done. I question the overall value of this book, though, because this book is designed with neither the beginner, nor the advanced user in mind.
Ms. Andrews begins her book by making an incredibly quick overview of how CSS works & what it's for, but by no means explains it in enough detail 4 a beginner 2 really catch on. As she progresses through the question & answer format, she will quickly lose whatever intended audience she thought she had: the first half of the book is painfully simple, the second half is too advanced 4 the beginners, & probably too basic 4 advanced users.
It is difficult 2 use the guide as a direct reference because of it's format...an unfortunate problem that comes of the way she chose 2 write this book.
While I do feel that this guide increased my knowledge of CSS, I can't say that the few little tricks I learned were necessarily worth the money I spent on the guide, & that serious users should consider another option.
Ms. Andrews begins her book by making an incredibly quick overview of how CSS works & what it's for, but by no means explains it in enough detail 4 a beginner 2 really catch on. As she progresses through the question & answer format, she will quickly lose whatever intended audience she thought she had: the first half of the book is painfully simple, the second half is too advanced 4 the beginners, & probably too basic 4 advanced users.
It is difficult 2 use the guide as a direct reference because of it's format...an unfortunate problem that comes of the way she chose 2 write this book.
While I do feel that this guide increased my knowledge of CSS, I can't say that the few little tricks I learned were necessarily worth the money I spent on the guide, & that serious users should consider another option.
Rating: 4 of 5
Very helpful book
I am a web designer by career. And when our company began moving into CSS, I thought I'd better find some good books. This one was fantastic. It's filled with a lot of examples & tricks that not only taught me about CSS at a level I could quickly grasp, but it also provided examples that I could actually pull & use in my projects.
I own other sitepoint books such as "The Principles of Beautiful Web Design" & "CSS the Ultimate Reference" & they are all fantastic. I'm beginning 2 think that sitepoint is a great source 4 knowledge. I recommnend this book highly.
I own other sitepoint books such as "The Principles of Beautiful Web Design" & "CSS the Ultimate Reference" & they are all fantastic. I'm beginning 2 think that sitepoint is a great source 4 knowledge. I recommnend this book highly.
The CSS Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks is a compilation of best practice solutions 2 the most challenging CSS problems. The second edition of this best-selling book, now in full color, has been completely revised & updated 2 cover the latest techniques & newer browsers, including Firefox 2 & Internet Explorer 7.
It's the most complete question-and-answer book on CSS, with over 100 tutorials that'll show you how 2 gain more control over the appearance of your web page, create sophisticated Web page navigation controls, design 4 today's alternative browsing devices including phones & screen readers, & much more.
The CSS code used 2 create each of the components is available 4 download & guaranteed 2 be simple, efficient & cross-browser compatible.
This book will show you how to:
Construct robust CSS layouts that work every time. Create sleek drop-down menus using only CSS. Build a professional tabbed navigation system. Replace image-based navigation with low-fat CSS lists. Design smarter, more usable CSS-flavored web forms. Use rounded corners minus the bloated HTML. Allow your visitors 2 select their preferred look & feel. Let the W3C validator do your debugging. Reduce the burden of site maintenance & updates. ... along with 92 other solutions 2 common questions & problems.
It's the most complete question-and-answer book on CSS, with over 100 tutorials that'll show you how 2 gain more control over the appearance of your web page, create sophisticated Web page navigation controls, design 4 today's alternative browsing devices including phones & screen readers, & much more.
The CSS code used 2 create each of the components is available 4 download & guaranteed 2 be simple, efficient & cross-browser compatible.
This book will show you how to:
The CSS Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks is ideal 4 Web designers who would like 2 add sparkle 2 their existing designs, as well as newcomers who want 2 become true CSS masters.
The book can be read cover 2 cover, or referred 2 like a cookbook with 101 different recipies 4 your Website. It's written in an easy-to-follow, consistent format that's well illustrated with plenty of full color screenshots & code examples, providing quick visual cues.
What the Reviewers say:
"This is likely the best book we've seen 4 extending the power of cascading style sheets... The book is an outstanding example of how a code-based, technical manual should be designed & presented... Anyone who uses CSS can benefit from this impressive volume." - The Kleper Report
"If you are looking 4 a practical, hands-on question-and-answer book The CSS Antghology is highly recommended. It is well designed in every respect: visually pleasing, content is well organised, & it is very well written." - PC Update
"Rachel Andrew has done people like me a huge favor by writing this revision... This is another book that I will not only use 2 expand my personal web development skills, but will be one that I expect I will refer 2 frequently as I venture further into more complex web page creation." - TCM Reviews
($25.00)
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