Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML (4th Edition)

  Author:    Terry Felke-Morris
  ISBN:    0321530195
  Sales Rank:    5347
  Published:    2008-01-11
  Publisher:    Addison Wesley
  # Pages:    736
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 9 reviews
  Used Offers:    14 from $59.50
  Amazon Price:    $66.96
  (Data above last updated:  2009-01-01 22:11:01 EST)
  
  
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Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML (4th Edition)
  
KEY MESSAGE: Using Hands-On Practice exercises and Web Site Case Studies to motivate readers, Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML includes all the necessary lessons to guide students in developing highly effective Web sites.

Key topics include: The Internet and the World Wide Web; XHTML Basics; Configuring Color & Text with CSS; Visual Elements & Graphics; Web Design; Page Layout with CSS; More on Links, Lists & Layout; Tables; Forms; Web Site Development; Web Multimedia & Interactivity; E-Commerce Overview; Promotion for Web Developers; A Brief Look at JavaScript. In the Fourth Edition, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are introduced earlier in the text. Both XHTML and CSS topics receive increased prominence, and are integrated throughout the text. Ethics and accessibility issues receive increased coverage, and a new Design Activities supplement offers hands-on design projects to supplement those presented in the text.


For all readers interested in Web design.
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 15 of 15                 
  
  
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12-18-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Web Development Review
Reviewer Permalink
This is an excellent book to learn XHTML with CSS (the new standards of HTML). Very good for people who've had no prior experience in HTML, and for people trying to update their skills using XHTML and CSS. Everything is very clear, and makes perfect sense. Even though its a technical book, its friendly layout attracts the reader. But it does have typos, I've found over a dozen, but the reader can easily correct them with the knowledge gained from this book. It introduces programming near the end of the book such as JavaScript, PHP, Flash, etc.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-12-27 08:09:47 EST)
08-28-08 4 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Introductory Web Design Book is Good Preparation
Reviewer Permalink
The Felke-Morris is a good starting point for wanting to know how to develop/design web pages. I would recommend it for people wanting to learn how to start designing web pages.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-12-22 07:25:39 EST)
07-26-08 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Excellent Book for Beginnng Web Design Course
Reviewer Permalink
This is an excellent textbook for a beginning web design course. The hands-on exercises encourage active learning. The Student Files provide solutions to these so that students can self-assess their progress. There are four case studies that continue throughout the book that provide opportunities for students to apply their newly-learned concepts and skills. What really sold me on this textbook is the way it integrates XHTML, CSS, AND accessibility!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-08-29 07:49:01 EST)
07-22-08 5 3\3
(Hide Review...)  GREAT Book For Beginning Web Designers
Reviewer Permalink
Great book! It was easy to learn to design web pages with XHTML and CSS with all the hand-on examples and practice exercises in this book. This college textbook presents XHTML, CSS and web accessibility techniques, explores web design best practices, and even includes web promotion techniques for web designers! The companion website has links to useful websites and updates to the chapter. I highly recommend this book for web design or web development courses.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-08-07 07:34:50 EST)
07-19-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great Intro to XHTML and CSS!
Reviewer Permalink
Great book! It was easy to learn to design web pages with XHTML and CSS using this book! This college textbook has lots of examples and hands-on practice exercises. The book has a companion website at webdevfoundations.net that has lots of useful links, extra info, and updates. I highly recommend this book!! The author did a great job starting me out with a basic foundation in web design concepts and skills I'm continuing to use!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-23 06:59:29 EST)
07-13-08 1 2\6
(Hide Review...)  If It's not O'Reilly, It's Crrrrrrraaaaallllp!
Reviewer Permalink
Basically, if you're going to buy a tech book, 95% of the time, just go find the O'Reilly book and you're set - you'll learn, you keep it on the shelf as a reference, and you'll use it until, most likely, the subject dies off (although my Pocket Perl guides still get daily use.) What does that have to do with this book, you ask? Forced to buy it for a class so that a lazy instructor could use it for lessons and not have to put together course material, this thing is slow, poorly written, full of mistakes (and on the fourth edition no less!) and once I'm done with the class, will be worthless - if I can't sell it for probably 20% of the outrageous price it was new, I guess I'll start a fire next winter with it, because it provides almost nothing that would make you want to keep it as a reference at all. It's really just a class outline with study sections, homework and assignments for students, for instructors who are too lazy to want to actually put effort into teaching a class. Really, even if it was $10 is wouldn't be worth reading, but at the price, it's just yet another sad example of "academic publishing" where you pay a high price for a book that you should only buy if forced for for school (as I have) and then hope, nay... pray, that you may be able to get at least a tenner or Jackson back, if you're lucky, because it's mostly worthless as a textbook, and when the class is done, it's not even worth the paper wasted to print it. Avoid unless you've no other choice... or if you have absolutely not the slightest clue about the subject and want to buy a book that will make you feel like an expert when you're done - until you try to get a job or use what you're "learned" and Reality slaps you down hard and you realize this doesn't even begin to plumb the depths of a very deep, hard-to-grasp and rapidly changing subject. The author should be embarrassed.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-23 06:59:29 EST)
06-18-08 1 0\3
(Hide Review...)  Don't Waste Your Time!!
Reviewer Permalink
WASTE OF TIME
This book is a complete waste of time and it will sap your joy. You will learn far more with almost any other book. It is poorly written, the editing is non-existent, the educational constructs are poorly formed, the B.S. content is over the top, and the typos are serious enough to sabotage your web pages. In fact, the educational tone seems designed to sabotage your understanding of what you already know. Most of the details in the book are common sense and yet presented as ultra-orthodox truths from antiquity, as when the author refers to 10 years ago as "the last century."

LACK OF INFORMATION
The presentation of information is difficult to follow because the pages are clouded with stylistic jargon ripped-off from other publishing companies which have maintained a fine reputation for educational success because they know how to educate. To see successful authoring, go to any book store and see how many books there are in the following series: DUMMIES, IDIOTS, VISUAL, MADE SIMPLE, VISUAL QUICKSTART, or MICROSOFT PRESS. These series are designed to educate, empower, and inform. This book is designed to obfuscate.

STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE
For instance, take a look at the cover of this text book (as posted here on Amazon) and you will see a paint roller. This is the author's special icon to let you know you are still reading the same book. Section after section you see a paint roller, to open a section and to close a section. Apparently Web Design is colorful. Other icons, such as FAQ's are just "cute" but useless, because they are not FAQ's but just page decorations. Font decoration is random, extra spacing is random, and highlighting is random.

SUGGESTIONS
What the book needs is a table of contents that is useful, and a glossary so the book can be used as you read it. The index is skimpy (the most important part of the book) and each preview section and review section is non-usable. If you read as much as I do, I know that you have a method for learning, and for most people that method involves: Preview, Skim, Read, Review, and then use the book as a reference. This book does not have previews (more like hopeful affirmations) does not have reviews (except to tell you you're done with the chapter, ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT encourage skimming (the pages are meaningless jumbles of jargon) and the reading sections, when available, are short, and punctuated by meaningless faux-FAQs, comprehension-testers, points to ponder, and other monotony breakers, instead of real information. There is no way to review later because the book withheld active, authentic learning in the first place. You cannot even save this book as a reference because the tables are incomplete and incoherent, and the appendixes are poorly organized.

SUCCESSFUL OPTIONS
If you are required to use this book as a text-book for a class, just drop the class. You are smarter than that. Google the words "web design" and you will get all of this information for free! You don't need THIS book, just get a good book. The problem is, if your instructor requires THIS book then you will spend all of your time doing examples and not learning XHTML and CSS.

YOU CAN DO IT!
If you don't have other time-demands in your life then this book can walk you step-by-step through some ideas about web programming, but it will treat you like a Junior High School student. If you ARE a Junior High School student then you are WAY TOO SMART for this book. This is a text-book written for Junior College students who want to get a job, and their school is designed to make it hard to graduate. This book will not prepare them for a job. It only weeds out the students who don't have the guts to finish the course. If you want to be weeded out you won't make it as a programmer. If you want to be a programmer you won't put up with this book. If you really want to learn for fun, then get one of the other books listed above. Don't even buy this one for $.01 plus shipping. There's nothing in it worth looking at.

EDUCATION
My Bio and Bias: I am a doctor who teaches medical school, I have been programming computers for over 35 years, I am a life-long learner, I am a professional teacher, and my students would not put up with this book, nor would they put up with me if I required this book. My students, my peers, my friends, and most importantly, you...do not deserve this kind of condescension.


(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-17 07:15:50 EST)
06-18-08 1 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Don't Waste Your Time!!
Reviewer Permalink
WASTE OF TIME
This book is a complete waste of time and it will sap your joy. You will learn far more with almost any other book. It is poorly written, the editing is non-existent, the educational constructs are poorly formed, the B.S. content is over the top, and the typos are serious enough to sabotage your web pages. In fact, the educational tone seems designed to sabotage your understanding of what you already know. Most of the details in the book are common sense and yet presented as ultra-orthodox truths from antiquity, as when the author refers to 10 years ago as "the last century."

LACK OF INFORMATION
The presentation of information is difficult to follow because the pages are clouded with stylistic jargon ripped-off from other publishing companies which have maintained a fine reputation for educational success because they know how to educate. To see successful authoring, go to any book store and see how many books there are in the following series: DUMMIES, IDIOTS, VISUAL, MADE SIMPLE, VISUAL QUICKSTART, or MICROSOFT PRESS. These series are designed to educate, empower, and inform. This book is designed to obfuscate.

STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE
For instance, take a look at the cover of this text book (as posted here on Amazon) and you will see a paint roller. This is the author's special icon to let you know you are still reading the same book. Section after section you see a paint roller, to open a section and to close a section. Apparently Web Design is colorful. Other icons, such as FAQ's are just "cute" but useless, because they are not FAQ's but just page decorations. Font decoration is random, extra spacing is random, and highlighting is random.

SUGGESTIONS
What the book needs is a table of contents that is useful, and a glossary so the book can be used as you read it. The index is skimpy (the most important part of the book) and each preview section and review section is non-usable. If you read as much as I do, I know that you have a method for learning, and for most people that method involves: Preview, Skim, Read, Review, and then use the book as a reference. This book does not have previews (more like hopeful affirmations) does not have reviews (except to tell you you're done with the chapter, ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT encourage skimming (the pages are meaningless jumbles of jargon) and the reading sections, when available, are short, and punctuated by meaningless faux-FAQs, comprehension-testers, points to ponder, and other monotony breakers, instead of real information. There is no way to review later because the book withheld active, authentic learning in the first place. You cannot even save this book as a reference because the tables are incomplete and incoherent, and the appendixes are poorly organized.

SUCCESSFUL OPTIONS
If you are required to use this book as a text-book for a class, just drop the class. You are smarter than that. Google the words "web design" and you will get all of this information for free! You don't need THIS book, just get a good book. The problem is, if your instructor requires THIS book then you will spend all of your time doing examples and not learning XHTML and CSS.

YOU CAN DO IT!
If you don't have other time-demands in your life then this book can walk you step-by-step through some ideas about web programming, but it will treat you like a Junior High School student. If you ARE a Junior High School student then you are WAY TOO SMART for this book. This is a text-book written for Junior College students who want to get a job, and their school is designed to make it hard to graduate. This book will not prepare them for a job. It only weeds out the students who don't have the guts to finish the course. If you want to be weeded out you won't make it as a programmer. If you want to be a programmer you won't put up with this book. If you really want to learn for fun, then get one of the other books listed above. Don't even buy this one for $.01 plus shipping. There's nothing in it worth looking at.

EDUCATION
My Bio and Bias: I am a doctor who teaches medical school, I have been programming computers for over 35 years, I am a life-long learner, I am a professional teacher, and my students would not put up with this book, nor would they put up with me if I required this book. My students, my peers, my friends, and most importantly, you...do not deserve this kind of condescension.


Be well, Be happy, and live well for the future.


Brian
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-19 07:44:51 EST)
06-03-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  The Great College Save
Reviewer Permalink
I saved 50% on my purchase of a book in excellent condition and it even had a useable link to the online account for further instructions for my college web programing;the campus bookstore was behind in ordering two weeks into the class. I am very happy once again with my amazon used and new book purchases.Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML (4th Edition).This book is great for serious beginners of web programming; it is up-to-date with the lastest markup language and css rules.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-18 07:27:26 EST)
02-12-08 5 3\5
(Hide Review...)  Great Hands-On Approach!
Reviewer Permalink
We use this book in a community college course for both online and face-to-face classes. The students really like the hands-on approach with examples, practice exercises and case studies. The 4th Edition of this popular textbook integrates XHTML and CSS topics so students learn from the beginning how to use both XHTML and CSS to configure text, color, and page layout. There is also excellent coverage of web design best practices, accessibility, usability, and Web standards. A bonus is the textbook's companion website at webdevfoundations.net that has a page for each chapter with chapter links, additional information, flash review puzzles, iPod review quizzes, and chapter updates.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-03 07:22:32 EST)
02-12-08 5 2\4
(Hide Review...)  Great Hands-On Approach!
Reviewer Permalink
We use this book in a community college course for both online and face-to-face classes. The students really like the hands-on approach with examples, practice exercises and case studies. The 4th Edition of this popular textbook integrates XHTML and CSS topics so students learn from the beginning how to use both XHTML and CSS to configure text, color, and page layout. There is also excellent coverage of web design best practices, accessibility, usability, and Web standards. A bonus is the textbook's companion website at [...] that has a page for each chapter with chapter links, additional information, flash review puzzles, iPod review quizzes, and chapter updates.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-22 07:27:38 EST)
02-12-08 5 2\4
(Hide Review...)  Great Hands-On Approach!
Reviewer Permalink
We use this book in a community college course for both online and face-to-face classes. The students really like the hands-on approach with examples, practice exercises and case studies. The 4th Edition of this popular textbook integrates XHTML and CSS topics so students learn from the beginning how to use both XHTML and CSS to configure text, color, and page layout. There is also excellent coverage of web design best practices, accessibility, usability, and Web standards.
[...]
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-21 07:35:45 EST)
02-12-08 5 2\6
(Hide Review...)  Great coverage of Web accessibility & Web standards!
Reviewer Permalink
Comments from reviewers of this book:

"The layout of Felke-Morris's text is excellent. I have always
disliked texts with crowded pages, distracting sidebars, and many colors. Felke-Morris' text focuses the student on salient content and uses color, text boxes, and the like to enhance and emphasize, rather than distract. Felke-Morris' hands-on exercises are something my current text does not even have. I really like these exercises because they give students a chance to learn and practice small chunks of material before applying the knowledge to a larger project."

"Great coverage of web accessibility standards!"

"Great inclusion of ethical issues and accessibility tips (these are areas that I do find myself supplementing with our current text)."

"Superior aspects of Felke-Morris include:
--Inclusion of web site pages and/or addresses that have been referred
to in the text as either examples of techniques, or places to find more information, or used as a part of the end-of-chapter section on Web Research. These are a real strong point of the text.
--Use of the same four example sites through the text as end-of-chapter Cases. As each chapter is completed, each site is enhanced using the current chapter's skills and concepts.
--The inclusion of Hands-On Practice and Web Research sections."
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-03 07:22:32 EST)
02-12-08 5 2\4
(Hide Review...)  Great Hands-On Approach!
Reviewer Permalink
We use this book in a community college course for both online and face-to-face classes. The students really like the hands-on approach with examples, practice exercises and case studies. The 4th Edition of this popular textbook integrates XHTML and CSS topics so students learn from the beginning how to use both XHTML and CSS to configure text, color, and page layout. There is also excellent coverage of web design best practices, accessibility, usability, and Web standards.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-20 07:19:05 EST)
02-12-08 5 0\4
(Hide Review...)  Great Hands-On Approach!
Reviewer Permalink
We use this book in a community college course for both online and face-to-face classes. The students really like the hands-on approach with examples, practice exercises and case studies. The 4th Edition of this popular textbook integrates XHTML and CSS topics so students learn from the beginning how to use both XHTML and CSS to configure text, color, and page layout. There is also excellent coverage of web design best practices, accessibility, usability, and Web standards.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-05-20 07:19:05 EST)
  
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