Books, Publications, and Tools You Can Use

Worthwhile Web Site/Page Creation Books in Print

Cascading Style Sheets

A review of Cascading Style Sheets: Designing for the Web
A review of Web Designer's Guide to Style Sheets

Web Graphics

A review of Designing Web Graphics 2
A Review of The Windows 95 Scanning Book

HTML and Web Site Design

A review of Raggett on HTML 4: HTML Publishing on the World Wide Web
A review of HTML 4, Unleashed, Professional Reference Edition
A review of Multimedia and Hypertext: The Internet and Beyond
A review of Universal Web Design
A review of HTML: The Definitive Guide
A review of Teach Yourself Web Publishing With HTML 4 in 14 Days (2nd Ed.)

Writing

A review of The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual
A review of The Writer's Legal Guide
A review of The Chicago Manual of Style/The Essential Guide for Writers
A review of Elements of Style
A review of Roget's International Thesaurus
A review of On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
A review of Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (10th Edition)

On-Line Tools and References You Can Use

Cascading Style Sheets: Designing for the Web

by Håkon Wium Lie and Bert Bos, Paperback, 256 pages, Published by Addison-Wesley, 1997, ISBN: 020141998X

An elegant and comprehensive technical guide to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS-1) written by the lead developers of the W3 Consortium's style sheet project, Lie and Bos. They provide a powerful, yet (mostly) easy-to-use method for authors and designers to create aesthetically pleasing effects using vanilla HTML.

Each chapter focuses on a specific element or elements in an HTML document and how CSS allows one to alter the appearance of the elements. The chapters are clear and concise, though advanced topics can be a bit daunting. Nonetheless, useful examples are helpful as well as nice to look at. In a short period, one should be able to suggest renderings of HTML with lively Web typography and refined layouts and design in ways not previously possible simply with HTML alone.

The only criticism is that more examples of complex CSS designed pages would have been appreciated. Nevertheless in my opinion, it is a useful, authoritative, introduction to the why and how of CSS, and worth the price of admission.

Moreover, to keep readers updated on the subject, a Web site has been set up by the authors at http://www.awl.com/css.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Web Designer's Guide to Style Sheets

by Steven Mulder, Paperback, 362 pages, Published by Hayden Books, 1997, ISBN: 1568303068

A quick introduction to the benefits of style sheets, plus a step-by-step guide through the entire style sheet syntax, followed by techniques on using style sheets effectively.

Also discussed are the CSS support and pitfalls you'll experience from the leading Web browsers, as well as: 1) tips to improve your Web design skills; 2) tips on creating style sheet templates that look good in supporting browsers while rendering legibly in non-supporting browsers; and 3) tips on updating existing pages to style sheet based design.

You'll also get a CD-ROM containing style sheet templates you can use as is or modify, and a Web site exists to keep you up-to-date on browser support.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Designing Web Graphics 2

by Lynda Weinman, 2nd Edition, Paperback, 500 pages, Published by New Riders, 1997, ISBN: 1562057154

A comprehensive book on making web-specific imagery and media including charts and references on image compression, cross-platform compatible color, pricing guidelines, copyright information, equipment and software suggestions, hybrid-safe color creation, PNG, Web TV specifications, digital watermarks, PNG transparency, client-side imagemaps, scanning tips, GIF animations, Photoshop 4.0 tips (adjustment layers, etc.), sound, movies, and typography.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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The Windows 95 Scanning Book

by Luisa Simone, Paperback, Published by John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 319 pages, ISBN: 0471115827

For beginners through advanced users (on all platforms, not just Win 95), a practical, comprehensive, detailed, and clear book, using a Q&A format coupled with illustrations, on how to get better looking and more efficient scans

The book also includes information on how to differentiate between image types and how to select the proper scanning settings to obtain the best-looking and most efficient results.

Chapters include: "Scanning Made Simple"; "Anatomy of a Scanned Image"; "Preparing to Scan"; "Scanning Line Art"; "Scanning Text"; "Scanning Continuous Tone Photographs"; "Analyzing and Enhancing Gray Values"; "Manipulating Color Values"; "Scanning in 3-D"; "Using Scanned Images"; "Sources for Scanned Images"; "Importing and Exporting Scanned Images"; "Editing Scanned Images"; "Printing Scanned Images"; and "Color Matching and Calibration.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Raggett on HTML 4: HTML Publishing on the World Wide Web

by Dave Raggett, Jenny Lam, Ian Alexander, Michael Kmiec, Paperback, 464 pages, Published by Addison-Wesley, 1997, ISBN: 0201178052

Released in December 1997, one of the most up-to-date and authoritative books in print on HTML. It offers readers expert and insider advice on taking advantage of the new HTML 4.0 capabilities for publishing on the Internet.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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HTML 4, Unleashed, Professional Reference Edition

by Rick Darnell, Paperback, 1000 pages, Published by Sams.net, 1997-98, ISBN: 157521380X

A comprehensive reference and instruction guide to HTML 4.0 theory and practice. The book also covers Dynamic HTML, cascading style sheets, Extensible Markup Language (XML), the new recommended way to embed objects and scripts, HTML 4.0's advanced forms capabilities, frames, and table enhancements.

An example of the material included in two chapters is as follows:

Creating Widely Accessible Web Pages

This chapter summarizes the techniques and approaches used to make web pages without sacrificing their presentational sophistication while at the same time making them accessible to people with physical disabilities. In light of the new W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative, the chapter focuses on considering Web authoring from an accessibility standpoint.

Strategies for Indexing and Search Engines

For most users, search engines are one of the most important Web tools for locating a page/site. For Webmasters, they are one of the most significant sources for generating traffic and creating visibility. Read this chapter to learn about luring search spiders, efficient keyword strategies using META keywords and descriptions, and creating search-friendly HTML.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Multimedia and Hypertext: The Internet and Beyond

by Jakob Nielsen, Paperback, 480 pages, Published by Ap Professional, 1995, ISBN: 0125184085

A thorough look at hypermedia user interface design with illustrated examples of hypermedia systems, in particular the Internet and HTML. To back up his user interface claims, Nielsen provides examples coupled with empirical evidence. Once you know HTML, it will help you understand the principles of designing useful hypertext and, therefore, a good book to read before starting your next Web site/page.

Chapters include: "Defining Hypertext, Hypermedia, and Multimedia"; "An Example of a Hypertext System"; "The History of Hypertext"; "Applications of Hypertext"; "The Architecture of Hypertext Systems"; "Hardware Support for Hypertext"; "Hypertext on the Internet"; "Coping with Information Overload"; "Navigating Large Information Spaces"; "Hypertext Usability"; "Multimedia Authoring"; "Repurposing Existing Content"; "The Future of Multimedia and Hypertext".

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Universal Web Design

by Crystal Waters, Hardcover, 450 pages, Published by New Riders, 1997, ISBN: 1562057383

How to design a site for both optimum appearance and accessibility. Waters provides principles for designing for the widest possible audience -- for example, for people with disabilities or equipment restrictions. She provides alternatives with examples showing how to widen the reach of a site without losing its excitement.

The accompanying CD-ROM includes design tools, tutorial files, conversion and compression software, and more.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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HTML: The Definitive Guide (Nutshell Handbook)

by Chuck Musciano, Bill Kennedy, 2nd Edition, Paperback, 552 pages, Published by O'Reilly & Associates, 1997, ISBN: 1565922352

This accurate guide (complete through HTML 3.2) is full of examples, sample markup, and practical, hands-on advice to help you to learn how to insert images and other multi-media objects, create links and searchable documents, design forms, and to create effective Web pages with either elementary or advanced features.

Despite the completeness of HTML 3.2 support in the book, it includes little support for HTML 4.0. But it does provide information on Cascading Style Sheets.

Chapters include: "HTML and the World Wide Web"; "HTML Quick Start"; "Anatomy of an HTML Document"; "Text Basics"; "Rules, Images, and Multimedia"; "Links and Webs"; "Formatted Lists"; "Forms"; "Tables"; "Frames"; "Tips, Tricks, and Hacks"; "HTML Grammar"; "HTML Tag Quick Reference"; "The HTML DTD"; "Character Entities"; and "Color Names and Values".

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML 4 in 14 Days: 2nd Ed.

by Laura Lemay, Hardcover, 1176 pages, Published by Sams, 1997, ISBN: 1575213052

A classic, complete, and accurate text with nearly all the information you'll need through HTML 3.2. The 2nd edition still has limited HTML 4.0 and limited Cascading Style Sheet support, however.

Chapters include "Getting Started in Web Design"; "Understanding the Web Environment"; "Web File Formats"; "Low-Bandwidth Graphics"; "Hexadecimal Color"; "Browser-Safe Color"; "Transparent Artwork"; "Background Tiles"; "Rules, Bullets, and Buttons"; "Navigation-Based Graphics"; "Web-Based Typography"; "Scanning for the Web"; "Layout and Alignment Techniques"; "Animation"; "Sound"; "Interactivity"; and "HTML for Visual Designers".

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual

by Norm Goldstein (Editor), Associated Press, 6th Edition Paperback, 336 pages, Published by Perseus Pr, 1998, ISBN: 0201339854

Information you'll need about the world today including the correct names of countries and organizations, language to avoid, when to use brand names, spelling, punctuation (there is no period in Dr Pepper), grammar, abbreviation, capitalization (Popsicle and Dumpster are, tollhouse cookies aren't), hyphenation (none, surprisingly, in ball point pen), and frequently misused words.

Plus you'll find sections on business writing, sports writing, how to guard against libel, and a guide to journalistic copyright and fair use.

Countless newspapers and other publications base their style guides on this manual. Once you see what's available in this book, you will too.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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The Writer's Legal Guide

by Tad Crawford, Tony Lyons, Revised, Paperback, 303 pages, Published by Writers Digest Books, 1996, ISBN: 0927629135

A quick and easy to read reference for writers trying to untangle the law as it relates to the profession. The book encourages writers to think in a business style, while covering topics such as copyright protection, contracts, syndication, agency contracts, taxes, grants, and dispute resolution.

It answers nearly every legal question a writer will have. Using real examples and analysis of relevant case law, it covers how to deal with publishers, agents, and collaborators; copyright (from protection to fair use and infringement); electronic rights; defamation, privacy, publicity, and misappropriation; contracts (including rights, permissions, advances, and royalties); packagers and self-publishing; magazines, newspapers, and syndication; censorship and the First Amendment; income taxes; estate planning; and grants.

Chapters include: "The Business of Writing"; "Copyright: Gaining and Keeping Protection"; "Copyright: Registration and Deposit"; "Copyright: Works for Hire and Joint Works"; "Copyright: Infringement, Fair Use, and Permissions"; "Copyright: Past and Present"; "Other Rights of the Writer"; "The Limits of Expression"; "The Freedom of Information Act"; "Contracts: An Introduction"; "Negotiating Book Contracts"; "Magazines and Syndication"; "Dramatic Productions, Films, and Television"; "Electronic Rights and New Media"; "Agents and Agency Contracts"; "Collaboration Agreements"; "Packagers"; "Vanity Presses and Self-Publication"; "Taxes: Income and Expenses"; "Taxes: Beyond Schedule C"; "The Hobby Loss Challenge"; "The Writer's Estate"; "Grants and Public Support for Writers"; and "How to Avoid or Resolve Disputes".

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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The Chicago Manual of Style/The Essential Guide for Writers

by Editors and Publishers (14th Edition), Hardcover, 921 pages, Published by U of Chicago P, 1993, ISBN: 0226103897

Recognized by scholars, universities, publishers, and editors as the definitive authority in style and usage. You'll discover how to deftly avoid the split infinitive, and how to format your manuscripts to impress any professor or editor. A weighty reference tome for those who are serious about working with words: writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, publishers, and students.

You'll be rewarded with (sometimes-excruciating) detail about the pickiest rules of punctuation, typesetting, academic references, and spelling. If, however, you are interested in (or your readers care about) the differences between hyphens, en-dashes, and em-dashes, or if you want to know how to include Portuguese quotations in your writing, "The Chicago Manual" is the (perhaps the only) place to look.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Elements of Style

by William Strunk, E. B. White, 3rd Edition, Hardcover, 85 pages, Published by Allyn & Bacon, 1979, ISBN: 0024181900

You probably have other references on composition, grammar, word usage and misusage, and writing style. This little book, however, will answer any of your questions much more quickly.

Find out when to use (and not to use) commas, which words to avoid, how to divide paragraphs, and how to pare your writing down.

A compact and lucid handbook that should be a daily companion for anyone who writes.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Roget's International Thesaurus

by Robert L. Chapman (Editor), 5th Edition, Hardcover, 1168 pages, Published by HarperCollins, 1992, ISBN: 0062700146

When your word processor's thesaurus doesn't have what you are looking for, look in here. Contains more entries (325,000 entries in 1,073 categories) than any other thesaurus. Based on the original categorization of Dr. Peter Roget, words are grouped to provide quick and easy comparison of synonyms, antonyms, and related words.

The definitive and indispensable thesaurus.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser, 6th Edition, Paperback, 320 pages, Published by Harperreference, 1998, ISBN: 0062735233

If you want your writing to be read, read this book. Whether you write about science, business, sports, travel, or humor, it will give you a fresh viewpoint.

The author's theme is simplicity. He opines: 1) most uses of adjectives and adverbs just add clutter; 2) never commit anything to paper that you wouldn't actually say; 3) write under the assumption that the reader knows nothing (not to be confused with assuming the reader's an idiot).

A box full of tools for creating clear, simple, and strong writing.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (10th Edition)

Hardcover, 1600 pages, Published by Merriam Webster, 1998, ISBN: 0877797099

When your word processor's dictionary doesn't have it and you can't afford the money (or shelf space) to get the Oxford English Dictionary, look to this dictionary. Only 3.5 pounds, but comprehensive. It contains clear and concise definitions and brief etymologies. Few words are not covered (160,000 entries). Also it includes a "Handbook of Style".

The best (and best selling) among dictionaries -- the one to reach for first.

The book above is available on-line at a discount at Amazon Books.

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On-Line Tools and References You Can Use

W3 Consortium HTML and CSS Specifications & Recommendations

HTML 4.0 Recommendation, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS-1) Recommendation, HTML 3.2 Recommendation, HTML 2.0 Specification, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS-2) Draft

HTML

Web Authoring FAQ - Web Design Group, Frequently Encountered Problems: HTML - WDG, The Other HTML FAQ, Learning HTML 3.2 by Examples, Style Guide for On-line Hypertext - WDG, Bare Bones Guide to HTML, Web Authoring HTML Usenet Group

Cascading Style Sheets

Guide to Cascading Style Sheets, Netscape 4.x Style Sheet Known Issues, Style Sheets MS IE (unsupported), CSS FAQ, CSS Browser Support, Jakob Nielsen's Effective Use of Style Sheets, Cascading Style Sheet Pointers, Style Sheet Usenet Group

HTML Validators/Linters & CSS Checkers

W3 Consortium validator, WebTech Validation Service, Kinder/Gentler Validator, WDG Style Checker, Bobby Accessibility Check Up, Doctor HTML Spell and Efficiency Checker, Lynx Text-Only View of Your Web Page, Lynx FM View, Link Checker

Writing Tools

Bartlett's Quotations - The original, 1901 version of Bartlett's Quotations, at Columbia University's Bartleby Project.

Strunk's Elements of Style, A Simple Rhyming Dictionary, MLA Style Citation of Electronic Sources

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We'd like to help you get the most from your Web page(s). If that's what you want as well, contact me, Stephen Traub at straub@shore.net. If you're undecided, see my background information or see comments from those we've helped, then contact me. I guarantee that you will be satisfied with the results.

Stephen Traub

P.S. Thanks for stopping by. We appreciate your visit. While you're here, check out some Free Web/Internet Software, The Mispelled Misspelled Word of the Week or our Animated GIF and Java(Script) Test Page.

| Web Page Re<p>air (Front Page) | Widen Your Web Site's Audience | Design Multi-Browser Pages w/o Being Bland | What You See is Not What Others Get | Comments From Those We've Helped | Free Web/Internet Software | Resumé of Stephen Traub | Mispelled Misspelled Word of the Week | Animated GIF and Java Test Page |

Copyright © 1996-98 Web Page Re<p>air, Newburyport, MA. All rights reserved. Authored and by Stephen Traub (straub@shore.net) a member of . This document, located at: http://www.shore.net/~straub/wprtools.htm, was last updated August 2, 1998.

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