Internet Books

This is the first book on the internet I read that did not confuse me with terms I do not understand.

I like this book because it is easy to read. There are lots of examples.

What I like about this book is that the specific software that the authors talk about are included in the cd-rom that comes with the book. I do not have to search for these utilities on the internet.

As a meeting planner who is just now trying to find my way in cyberspace, I find this book extremely helpful. It is written in a language that meeting planners can understand. It uses illustrations from the meeting industry.

There are many books on the internet out there. But it is difficult for me to apply the technical concepts to what I do. This book tells me exactly what to use for what job function.

This is two books in one. The least interesting of the two is a brief tutorial on HTML and Javascript with descriptions of content development packages such as Dreamweaver and Flash. While the explanations of HTML, Javascript and the software are fine, there is nothing that cannot be found in greater detail in many other books. What makes this book stand out is the second of the two books. It includes interviews with some of the leading and most creative builders of web content. Their answers and explanations of their creative strategies are inspirational and should be required reading of all students of graphic arts.
By far, the most outstanding part of the book is the pictures. The publishers spared no expense in the quality of the pictures and they are clear, plentiful and demonstrate the design points made by the interviewees. They demonstrate how good graphic design is done and give all designers a goal to aspire to.
There are two parts to quality graphic design, the ability to code and the ability to push the right aesthetic buttons. The second is the hardest, but not to these people. These are some of the best examples of graphic design that I have ever seen.

HTML & WEB ARTISTRY 2
AUTHOR: Natalie Zee/Susan Harris
PUBLISHER: New Riders
REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades

BOOK REVIEW: After three days of reading and re-reading HTML & Web Artistry 2, the sections that contained the most useful information were the HTML Quick Reference List found on page 322 and Style Sheet & JavaScript Reference List found on page 332. Coming in a close second, are ones called Case Studies that also contain very useful information such as web-safe palette, style sheets. Quick Time, page loading, Flash, sound loops seamless transitions and pre-loading and layers. The Case Studies Chapters end with a Summary of the chapter and URLS used.

The format of the book has highlighted boxes with tips and notes, the same as many web specific book formats are using. There are graphics through out the book to show examples of those subjects being discussed.

Many of the chapters were done in a question and answer format and were specific to the people being interviewed. It seemed more like a promotional piece for their shop than an instructional book on HTML and Web Artistry. Granted, you can always get a bit of information by reading what others have done but this wasn't what the title of this book lead one to believe it would be.

The two reference chapters and these Case Studies make this a viable book from which to learn something.

If you are designing (or want to begin designing) dynamic, media rich web pages using DHTML, Dreamweaver or Macromedia Flash this book will give you technical tips and a plethora of design ideas.

Be aware that the material is focused on aesthetics, usability and effective use of multimedia more than on the technical aspects. For the accomplished designer and coder this book will provide enough examples of well thought out design from which you can create sites with your own spin. The less technical reader may be frustrated by the emphasis on design instead of detailed instructions on how to develop and implement the ideas and examples in the book. However, even for that audience this book offers valuable information. Specifically, it's easier to learn how to code and perform technical tricks than it is to make a usable web site that uses advanced tools to their best advantage.

What I like about the book is the blend of art and technology in the subject matter. For example, the chapters on color and type opened my eyes to just how significant these can be (I am a more technical reader). I also learned much about user interface design and navigation, even though I've always paid attention to these for the web sites that I've developed.

Overall, for accomplished technical users this book will give insights into the interface design aspects of web sites, and for the accomplished designers it will provide useful technical information about Flash, Dreamweaver and popular multimedia formats. It will not, however, teach web development in the technical sense, and may overwhelm beginners who are more concerned with learning the basics.

Well, I may not be THAT seasoned in web design business, but after 7 years of pushing the boundaries of HTML, sometimes succeeding, sometimes screaming, it is refreshing to know similar struggles are out there and that things are coming around for designers.

Susan and Natalie have presented a beautifully illustrated, sometimes humorous, and informative look into the latest offerings for Web Designers. Taking real life examples they weave throughout the fine lines between designer and developer settling in a cozy spot where one person can wear both hats.

Tips that may seem obvious at first, are useful and tested, and offer insight for both novice and seasoned designer. (for example, I love the idea of taking snapshots of the world around us to create new color palettes)

Simple enough to understand, but spiked with fancy flourishes, HTML & Web Artistry 2 is an inspiring read that offers plenty of jumping off points for those with enough hunger to do so.

I've had this book for 3 years and still pull it off the shelf for occasional reference. My copy has been beaten to death from having loaned it to so many beginners because it gives a perfect walk through of the three main aspects of web programming: design, layout, and interactivity.

The CDROM itself is packed with useful tools and examples, and the writing style is at times way too entertaining for a technical book.

I owe my career to this book: this is how I took the step up from making simple home pages to planning & building professional web sites.

Thanks guys...

Excellent, well written in English, for the non-programmer. I don't have the time nor desire to "learn it all." This book was a great deal of help to me.... brought my basic site to the "next level" without having to spend thousands of dollars for a programmer.

Clearly written in plain English, a rarity in computer books. Aside from teaching design, the writers have some sense of site usability - another rarity in computer books. It was the first HTML book I read, and I have no regrets in buying it.

I think that Ian Bell very aptly describes how to use the tools of H.T.M.L. The descriptions even without viewing the cd are very concise and enable you to visualise how to. The cd helps to see how the code is written but I found Mr. Bell's writing to not need the cd to understand. Good for all levels. An enjoyable book

Finally, an HTML book that is written with real,useful, coherent examples and explanations. I've wanted to learn HTML in a hands-on fashion without all the garbage...This book is it. Well worth it. I have a complete understanding of HTML and all the in and outs too. By the time I was done with the book, I had designed an entire web site...no hassle.

Not enough books take this hands-on approach, but this Workbook format really works! Gets you started immediately, although some of the earlier material is elementary if you have any experience at all with HTML. But the task-based exercises are key to finding the task you need to complete! I also have the Definitive Guide, which is decent as a reference, but this book is more hands-on, with excellent hands-on examples that can also serve as a great reference, and it's much more fun to learn with. Highly recommend it; I'm off to look for more Workbooks like this to beef up my Web programming skills.

If you are interested in web page design and don't know here to begin you might want to take a look at this book. What you'll find is that the author's have broken down HTML and web pages into a format that allows the reader to learn at a pact that's comfortable and easy.

Starting off this 320-page book is basic HTML layout including tags, the head section and comments. The creating and organizing of web pages are broken down into topics like lists, images, links, both internal, external and bookmarks.

Continuing on the topics of formatting the page with fonts, colors, backgrounds and sound are covered. You then move into the world of tables, CSS, and finally frames. You have over 60 labs to work with and learn from and there are review questions to aid in you studying.

With and wealth of examples to learn from you have just about everything you need. What the author's might want to include in the next version is a cd-rom with HTML editors, utilities and practice files. Overall this book is a great value for the money.

Finally, an HTML book that is written with real,useful, coherent examples and explanations. I've wanted to learn HTML in a hands-on fashion without all the garbage...This book is it. Well worth it. I have a complete understanding of HTML and all the in and outs too. By the time I was done with the book, I had designed an entire web site...no hassle.

The great thing about this book is that all the tasks are broken down into (mostly) two-page sections and the organization lends itself to being a great reference book.

PLUS - the information is current and easy to follow.

highly recommended for any web developer.

What I like about this book is the building approach used. I teach html and web design. Rob's layout allows me to quickly find information needed for classroom work and show the students how and why it works. I will have this book with me in the classroom from now on as an easy to use reference, not only for me but students to.
Mel Rose

What a great pickup this book has been! As someone who has worked with html at the code level for many years, I picked this up with the intention of honing my CSS skills. After reviewing the topics I already felt comfortable with so as to make sure I was doing things correctly, I was able to quickly get up to speed on the topics that most interested me.

Arranged so that skills build progressively through the book coupled with clear, bold page headers it is simple to flip through and easily find any section you are looking for. I especially like the way the author broke down large topics into smaller, scalable sub-topics that are clearly explained on two pages, eliminating the back and forth page flipping that some authors make necessary.

In addition to covering the most basic of html and CSS, the author doesn't shy away from introducing more advanced uses such as alternate-use style sheets and even the creation and implementation of RSS feeds.

This isn't a `dummies' book that tries too hard to be clever and jokey, it is a serious resource that quickly and clearly gets to the point while avoiding the dryness that some books fall prey to. I've never picked up a Wiley Press book before but will definitely consider them in the future.

This is a really great book for learning XHTML, CSS, and related web technologies. I like how comprehensive it is, covering topics that are mostly ignored by other HTML books like search engines, CSS hacks, and common pitfalls. Jam packed with very useful, well presented, and up to date information, you will get your moneys worth on this one.

Extremely well written, clear and to the point. Easy to follow guidance for uneasy parents whose children seem so at-ease with computer technology.

If you've been leery about going on the Net, read this book to set your mind at ease. But if you've already been blithely surfing among cookies and spam, this book will scare the pants off you. The section on Internet privacy at work (e-mail and web surfing) changed my behavior overnight. So did the sections on how to protect children: I'm a grandmother and I'm making sure my daughter reads this book.

This book starts the job in outlining Internet privacy issues, but 'Life and Death on the Internet' by Keith A Schroeder finishes the job. I think both books go hand-in-hand. This book outlines the issues clearly and 'Life and Death on the Internet' gives several step-by-step outlines to put privacy into effect. Both books are probably the two best Internet books of the year!

Attorneys filing lawsuits for invasion of privacy claims and other like matters appreciate educated persons who are able to understand the delicate balancing of privacy and convenience on the Internet.

This book is a true eye opener for those interested in protecting their most valuable asset - their individuality and privacy.

Great collection of marketing essays chock full of good-tasting morsels of educational marketing advice baked to perfection. I recommend a "must read" for amateur and veteran educational marketers alike. George Halo, National Sales Manager, Curriculum Administrator

This is a very useful book. There are no wasted words; every paragraph has at least one nugget of important information. I know of no other book that brings so much on this subject together in such a compact package. I am recommending it enthusiastically to our members. Robert Goodman, Publisher, Silvercat and President, San Diego Publishers Alliance

It was a joy reading this book because it got my creative juices flowing. This is a book full of IDEAS you can put to work immediately to improve marketing and product development. Ideas for catalog development. Ideas for making direct mail and telemarketing more effective. Ideas for improving market research. Ideas for making the most of your trade show investment. Ideas for creating new product and improving existing product. Plus an extensive section on Web site development. And all of this was tailored for the education and library markets

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, i-Tips 2000: The Insiders' Guide To School & Library Marketing, Kathryn Kleibacker, Linda Winter, and Carol Ann Waugh successfully collaborate to present authors and publishers with an invaluable, indispensable, authoritative, practical and innovative "how to" guide to successfully publicizing and marketing books to school and community libraries. Every aspect of promoting and marketing to libraries is covered including K-12 market trends; the emerging home school market; library market trends; product development strategies; internet marketing strategies; traditional marketing strategies; and concludes with predictions for 2010. Soundly researched, informatively presented, i-Tips 2000 is "must" reading for any author or publisher considering marketing to school and community libraries locally, regionally, or nationally.

There are hundreds of new books about Internet published every week. How many of them will be yet interesting after a year or less ? Really few of them. Well, this book of Kendra Bonnett has been written in 1999 (3 year ago, an eternity for the Web) and it is still very useful (and pleasant) to read, like a very good wine and like a little classic. So I trust to Kendra Bonnett and I elected this book as my small breviary on building web sites (this is my work). Of course she cites some technical solutions (mainly IBM solutions) used in 1999. But this isn't a technical guide. "An IBM Guide .." is a book about what you have always to remember when you build and manage a web site, in 1999 and now and - I suppose - in 2010 too. It is written savvy. So thanks to Kendra Bonnett. I wait for her next book.

Of the hundreds of books that will be written about how to do business on the Internet, the first question you have to ask yourself is: Who was this book written for? Clearly, this is a book for people who have almost no experience with the Internet and ebusiness. That is a niche that is not well filled out there.

If you had a one person business and wanted to start selling on-line, you could use this book to organize your efforts and become more successful. It has a good step-by-step approach that will take you where you need to go. When I was starting up on the Web four years ago with our business, this book could have saved me a lot of mistakes, lost time, and wasted money.

On the other hand, if you are already a heavy Web user and know what you like, you are beyond most of the advice in this book. At the same time, I found myself getting good ideas that I might not otherwise have gotten for my business as I read the book. That doesn't happen for me with a lot of the Internet books I read. So, you might want to skim it even if you think you are in pretty good shape.

The book's main weakness for beginners is that it states some hard-to-execute principles without a lot to help you do them. For example, you are encouraged to think out of the box (differently than you think now). This is hard for anyone to do, and there isn't a lot of support for how to do that.

There is only one reference to IBM's services in the book, and that is handled in an even-handed and low-key way. You are told to get some help in this area, and IBM is mentioned as one possible source. I thought this was well handled.

Good luck with creating your Internet-based irresistible growth enterpise!

While there's certainly no shortage of hype about the Internet, there is a scarcity of clear, effective information about how companies are executing successful Web strategies. If you're confused about how to carve a niche on the Internet, or if you're overwhelmed by the complexity of the dauntingly dubbed "e-commerce initiative," An IBM Guide to Doing Business on the Internet offers a helpful starting point. With concrete examples and clear language, author Kendra R. Bonnett takes readers through a link-by-link plan for launching an effective Web site. She dutifully defines jargon and appropriately focuses on customer needs. As a result, this book won't appeal to hard-core geeks, but it does have plenty to offer readers whose Internet knowledge is at the novice or intermediate level. We at getAbstract.com recommend An IBM Guide to Doing Business on the Internet to executives who, when it comes to the Internet, just don't quite get it - but want to.

At last! Someone has written a book about how to really create a presence on the internet and actually make money (i.e. other than going public). Now that the dust (and hype) has settled a bit around e-commerce, the author has unearthed several businesses that are actually doing it right. If you're looking for a guide book to get your business up and running on the net, this is it! No B.S.--practical advice and real world examples. Even if you're business is on the net, get this book anyway--its full of great tips. Well written, too!

Very good service, compared to the delivery date book, there was no inconvenience. It is also a very interesting book for the development of ideas for your good content and graphics samples

This is a pretty good book. I would of named the book, The Animated Short - A blueprint for creating your own animated short. As that is what this book is.

I have spent the last few years studying this material on my own. Buying writing books, going to seminars, buying directing / acting / filmmaking books, all to learn the various topics necessary to begin creating a 3d animated short.

This book would of saved me quite some time, before I talk more about what this book is, I think it is important to say what it is not.

This book covers no 3d package. It does not show how to model for animation, the best rigs for different situations, what type of render works best, workflows on setting up a small render farm to render out your animation. Guidelines on what resolution your render should be, ideas for light placement, etc. This book does not cover the 3d aspect of this.

In a way that is a good thing, if it did, the book would be dated, and isolate many people who are interested in this topic. It is unfortunate that the topics are not mentioned, as it would be interesting to hear different approaches, but what it does cover is fantastic, and I will share my insights with you.

The main format of the book is this:
Introduce a topic (acting)
Tell the audience some tips on how it relates to your 3d short, give you some good ideas to impelement on your own current shorts, give a background.
Then recommend (usually 5) books on the subject (and these are really good books that are recommended, I have most of them, and can attest to their usefulness)
Followed by an interview after a summary with a person working in the field (really good material here as well)


What this book covers is the following:

Chapter 1 - Story background and theory. Here they give ideas on creating a story, and some pretty useful advice. As with all chapters in here, the topics covered are only to whet your appetite, you do need more information, and the books chosen here (and the dvd) are quite good.

Chapter 2 - Building better context - tips and ideas to consider while still in the design stage of your project

Chapter 3 - Acting - how you need to learn acting, the basics, and more

Chapter 4 - Building character and Location - ideas for designing your characters

Chapter 5 - Building Story - Tools and tips on making a better story

Chapter 6 - The Purpose of Dialogue - I think you can figure this one out

Chapter 7 - Storyboarding - Thoughts on making storyboards - this is a pretty good chapter, and covers a huge amount of this topic

Chapter 8 - Staging - Really good stuff, but a tad to short.


So, am I glad I got the book? Yes. I wish it would of come out years ago, as it would of saved me from buying some books that did not help at all.

Is this everything you need to know? No. The book does not cover creating scripts, it doesn't introduce simple formats or formulas, It does not cover ideal times for animations (though it does say 3-5 minutes) It would of been great for some kind of generic structure for this kind of time frame. 5 minutes does not allow much story to be told. Most scriptwriting is 1 page per minute. I was really hoping for more information on this, but this book does not cover it in enough detail for me.

This book would of been "MUST HAVE" material, if it had followed the making of a 3d animated short, even leaving off the 3d aspects. From story development, from the concept art phase, all the way to setting up the shots, then showing the final piece (as that is how the book is structured). One sample, all the way, would of made this book 10x better.

This book does not cover voice acting. I really thought this would get mentioned, it did not. You should research this yourself, as it is important.

Sound design is another topic missing from this. It does not discuss this in any length. We need advice on creating ambient music, sound effects, scoring your film, and again changing voices.

The book is a pretty short book. At around 250 pages, it is a very quick read (It will take you around 2-3 days, as the topics are interesting, and the book is well written (save several glaring editing problems). I enjoyed reading the book, I was hoping for more, but I cannot knock the book because of it.

I think this is a book anyone interested in this topic should have. I also think anyone considering buying this book should know, it will only lead to you buying more books. As you need more books. You are making a film, it is supposed to be very difficult, and it is. But with the help you get from this book, it will make your R&D Much quicker.

I really hope more authors will tackle this topic, and hopefully in more depth. I wish they would of mentioned some 3d topics (Ideas on set design, poly counts, rigs, lighting) but you can get this information other places.


I hope this review was helpful for you. I have bought many new books the day they came out, and usually the ones with no reviews scare me (especially the ones with "fake" reviews, which you can always tell). That is why I made this review so long. I want people to really know about this book prior to making a decision. The main thing being, this book is a blueprint, with a small lecture on each topic. It will save you tremendous time, but it is not the only book you need. It is the map to take along your journey.

I also want people to know that the book does not cover your normal 3d topics. This book is more of a project overview, and assumes you know how to model, animate, texture and rig. I think this book has the making of the type of book to build a course off of in college.

The bonus dvd includes "MANY" useful features. An acting video, many shorts, among other things. It is a great all around package, and should help your formulate some great ideas. This is why I give the book 5 out of 5, even though it does not cover all the topics (nor does it claim too), I am glad I own the book, and I think most others will be too.

I'm an animation student who found the registration deadline had passed, I got this book so that I could continue learning even though I am not enrolled in classes.
what I got was much more than I had expected and I am learning so much. though the book doesn't cover everything it mentions in great depth, it does give you enough information to get by, as well as references if you want to learn more.
because of this book I have found myself coming up with ideas for short animated films, and beginning the production process. I am eager to use the material taught in the book. the content on the included DVD is very helpful as the book uses the DVD for examples frequently, making learning much easier.

great book for someone who wants to learn about the animated short.

I'm not an artist but I found this book "Ideas for the Animated Short" by Karen Sullivan, Gary Schumer and Kate Alexander, a fascinating read. I am involved with theatre and so really loved chapter 3, entitled "Acting: Exploring the Human Condition". I never would have believed how vitally important this process is for a good animated film. Having the tools of good acting at your finger tips, being given examples of how to transform these tools in a very real fashion and then applying them to the drawing board. Realizing that "images create emotion" is a powerful starting point in which to reflect truth. Naming and describing the essential elements for a scene; incorporating the psycho/physical technique and being able to portray "iconic moments" all contribute to a film that although animated is real. This book is amazing!

I bought this book for my niece as a shower gift because she and her fiancé are paying for their own ceremony and reception. I flipped through it before giving it to her and I was amazed at how much information the author managed to fit into one book. The chapters seem like they can stand on their own even without the lists of URLs at the end of each chapter, but my niece really liked the feature. So far she's gotten a lot of great ideas from this book and she's already startedbuying things for her wedding (online, of course!)

iDo is the book I wish I had had for my own wedding... Christa Terry does a great job covering all the bases of planning a real live wedding using the huge and sometimes bewildering array of options available online these days. The book is rooted in real world experience, both the author's as well as the some other couples who agreed to act as case studies.

Like most things wedding-related, the packaging and marketing is aimed at women, but there's a lot of stuff for grooms in there as well. The whole thing is written in a funny and down-to-earth style and is a good read on its own.

Thorough, on-point, and sensitive, this book contains all the information an engaged couple would need to plan their perfect wedding. Whether your budget is $100 or $100,000, whether you want to buck tradition or savor it, and whether you have two months or two years to plan, the advice in this book will help you immensely. Every chapter is loaded with links to help you find what you're looking for; vignettes from women who used the advice given; historical background on the traditions in question, and ideas for alternatives to those traditions; and the basics on etiquette surrounding the concepts themselves.

The writing style is accessible *and* enjoyable, with a happy and light-hearted tone -- and rightfully so! I've read too many wedding-planning guides that were forceful, intense, and loaded with unrealistic expectations of the happy couple. This one is genuinely HAPPY for the reader, and lets you know right in the beginning that every section is flexible to the point of optional, so that you feel comfortable using anything, everything, or nothing of each idea.

All in all, I would (and have already done so!) highly recommend this book to any engaged couple. By the time they're done reading it, they'll have already saved 10% of their wedding budget by not needing a wedding coordinator!

Having just gotten engaged two months ago (yay!), I've been scouring bookstores and the Internet for advice on planning a simple yet elegant wedding on a shoestring budget (yikes!). I had already set two rules for my wedding: (1) no one will go into debt for it, and (2) no one will dress like a fairy princess (unless they want to). Unfortunately, most of the books I read were aimed at the women who had expensive, fairy-princess weddings in mind and were written as if anyone planning a wedding was willing to take on the year-long equivalent of a part-time job.

Enter Christa Terry's iDo. I'd read Christa's writing on the popular blog "Manolo for the Brides" and, impressed by her ingenuity, decided to take a chance on ordering this book. It has two advantages that put it head and shoulders above every other wedding guidebook I've read so far. First, as the title promises, the book presents online tools to find almost every wedding resource you could ever need. Christa has combed the Internet and come up with sources for planning timelines, budget calculators, party equipment suppliers, photographers, even videos to teach you how to do the foxtrot for your first dance. Like a good teacher, Christa does not tell you what to do but shows you how to find the information to make your own decisions.

This leads me to the second great strength of the book: it encourages personalization and emphasizes the individual, rather than the "traditional" (a loaded word) element of weddings. Unlike the guides that make assumptions--often expensive ones--about the size and style of your wedding, iDo takes a "blank slate" approach. Christa points out the difference between the necessary and the optional and in so doing challenges many of the expectations exploited by the billion-dollar wedding industry.

There are a only couple of things that I wish iDo had done differently. The first is the format in which URLs are presented. For pages that are deeply embedded within Web sites, the book simply copies entire URLs and presents them, in all their incomprehensible glory, on the pager. This leads to the printing of some lengthy URLs that would be impossible to retype without some serious back-and-forthing between page and screen. Why not just list the homepage and give directions on how to navigate to the subpage?

Second, I occasionally found the sheer volume of information overwhelming. I'm sure that some of this is the inevitable result of the topic matter and the intent of the book. However, from a book that often points its readers to search engines in one form or another, I would have liked a little more guidance on how to filter data and craft useful search parameters.

Bear in mind that these criticisms are very mild in relation to the overall excellence and usefulness of this book. It is not--and does not claim to be--the only resource you'll need. As far as printed wedding planning guides go, however, it very well may be the only one you need to buy. Happy hunting!