It is extremely pleasing to walk into a high street bookshop and pick off the shelf a book which is almost entirely for Mac users. This book is a case in point. Approximately 90% of the book is devoted to the Mac and designing Web pages on the Mac. Indeed the only way in which to design Web pages. It is believed that up to 65% of Web sites worldwide were built with Macs; an astonishing yet reassuring figure. The book is about designing Web pages. It advises against HTML scripting and goes for the far more intuitive Mac feel of what you see is what you get - well almost. It strongly advises the use of WYSIWYG programmes such as Claris HomePage, Adobe PageMill and NetObjects Fusion. It is intended for those from beginners to intermediate Web designers. The book is not too zealous in its Macness but it is obvious from the way that it is written that it is very pro-Mac. It is very helpful with a myriad of hints and tips. It is also very amusing each chapter opens with a pithy statement and riposte for example:
"It's the World Wide Web", he said.
"What's it do?" I asked.
"I don't know," he said. "They haven't finished it yet."
It begins by explaining all about the World Wide Web (WWW), how to break down an URL, how to search the WWW and how browsers work. It then has a section on how to make Web pages with some screen shots of PageMill and HomePage as well as some of the HTML. Many of the example pages are part of Robin Williams' Web site. It tells you about organising files and signing uo with a Service Provider. Incidentally it is not the actor - it is in fact a she.
There is a section which points out bad design on Web pages worldwide. You are advised against centring text and graphics - left alignment is the flavour of the book.
The book explains a good deal about the use of colour and it points out the advantages of online media compared to print media. There is a section on making gifs and also on animation.
The hints and tips are wonderful. One suggestion is to make a gif which is large, one pixel by one pixel and to place it on the page which precedes it. As the person goes to the page the gif will load much sooner as it has already come down on the initial page. This is one of many excellent suggestions.
This, all in all, is an excellent book. The one drawback is that there is no accompanying CD-ROM. Every individual and every organisation with a Web site should have a copy. It costs about £18 and is available in the UK from Peachpit Press.
"A well balanced book, informative and full of Macishness - a must buy for the WYSIWYG motivated"
