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Philip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing (Paperback)

by Philip Greenspun (Author) "Why did the world buy 20 million expensive computers and connect them together? ..." (more)

4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 608 pages
Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers In; illustrated edition edition (1 May 1999)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1558605347
ISBN-13: 978-1558605343
Product Dimensions: 24.7 x 19.8 x 2.9 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 738,813 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Computing and coffee tables go together like chalk and … artichokes, so this excellent volume comes as something of a surprise. There are no pages of closely packed type and dull screenshots here. Instead, expect amusing pictures (including ones of pig racing and Web-savvy dog Alex), well-chosen examples and engaging writing. Drawing on 20 years of Internet experience, MIT professor Philip Greenspun takes an in-depth look at the process of putting content on the Web. The book tackles a variety of conceptual and technical issues, including server set-up, building community, e-commerce architecture and how to learn HTML--in 21 minutes. Though the core of the book is quite technical, Greenspun's straightforward approach and amusing anecdotal style make the guide accessible to potential publishers of all skill levels.

Few introductions to Web publishing match this one in terms of insight, humour and adaptibility. Whether propped on a coffee table or used as office reference, it's sure to provoke interest and conversation. --Chris Russell

Review

"If you want to be a part of where the Web is going, you need to read this book... -Dave Clark, Chief Protocol Architect of the Internet, 1981-1989 This is required reading in my seminar on information design: a wise book on Web design and technical matters by an author with a good eye in addition to good programming skills. -Edward Tufte, WIRED Magazine, June 1998 Your book is the best one I've read about web publishing, bar none. -J. Paul Holbrook, Director, Internet Technologies, CNN

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Why did the world buy 20 million expensive computers and connect them together? Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I learnt a lot and I laughed a lot, 7 May 2002

By	C. C. Williams - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This is quite simply the best book that I've read on the topic. Although there is much technical material (not that I'm afraid of that) Greenspun's witty and didactic writing style manages to turn an SQL tutorial, for example, into light reading. He isn't afraid to tell it like it is: great web sites require programming, WYSIWYG editors and middleware platforms suck, web publishing is far from free. He makes a good case for the software he advocates (TCL on AOLServer talking to Oracle) but there's nothing to prevent you adapting the code to mod_perl on Apache talking to MySQL. Best of all, it is seriously amusing - and you don't often laugh out loud reading a techie book. A few people have complained about the photos and glossy pages pushing the price up; to be honest this book is no more expensive than books with titles like 'Teach Yourself Neurosurgery in 24 Hours' or 'Learn International Law in 21 Days' (you know the sort I mean) and is much better value. People who complained about the binding are quite right, however: it's useless. I could have done with a bit less of the Microsoft knocking as well; they're the biggest, they don't deserve it, live with it, I say. Also, SQL Server is a compelling reason to have a Microsoft box somewhere in your setup - 95% of the power of Oracle, 5% of the price. The faults are minor, however, and don't detract from this great book.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb discussion of web application design and production, 12 Oct 2000

By A Customer

This wasn't the book I expected. Instead of the usual tutorial style of computer book this is an iconclastic discussion of how good web applications work and why. From this discussion Greenspun draws some persuasive conclusion about the best approaches to take when building a real working site.

He is opinionated and this sometimes leads to odd digressions, but these work because of the quality of both his writing and thinking.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand how to build web applications, or indeed software generally.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good advice about why and what you should put on the web, 28 Aug 1999

By A Customer

Philip (Alex is his dog - don't ask) Greenspun has written -the- book on web publishing as far as I'm concerned.

Greenspun focuses on what you should put on the web, and why you should put it up. Topics most folk don't consider. The advice is invaluable to anybody who is contemplating any kind of web site - be it small or large.

There is quite a lot of techy stuff in there, but don't let that put you off. The techy stuff can be skipped over - though Greenspun is not bad at explaining it anyway.

Greenspun has put together some interesting sites that get a LOT of traffic, yet don't come littered with time-wasting bells-and-whistles. He knows a lot about creating useful sites, rather than eye-candy.

If you are creating an information based site, where content counts, then read this book.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Scrap the rest, this is the first book you should read.
I'm a Computer Science student studying for my Masters Degree in Advanced Computer science. One of our courses (Electronic Commerce Technologies) Called for this book as requred... Read more

Published on

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're serious about database backed websites start here!
This is the only truly funny and readable book about any computing subject I have ever read. There is a great deal to be learned from the pages of Philip's book with the added... Read more

Published on 14 Sep 2000 by ashimali@breathemail.net

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on web-publishing
This is a fantastic book. If you are thinking of building a database- backed website (as I was), this has got to be the best book on the subject. Read more

Published on 14 Jul 2000 by andy.bell@rdf.co.uk

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings humanity back to the web
I have only just started reading this book, but from the first time I received it I knew it was something special. Read more

Published on 5 Mar 2000 by Simon Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply essential reading
This is not "HTML for Dummies". Thankfully.

If you were to compose a list of the most influential voices of the Web era, Philip Greenspun would undoubtedly feature... Read more

Published on 16 Feb 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful overview of building a fully fledged web site.
*NOT* a book for learning fundamental skills like HTML, SCRIPTING, SQL, ... but it will inspire you to build a truely amazing web site. Read more

Published on 31 Jan 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for a techie
Having been inspired by David Seigal's Futurize Your Enterprise, I have been looking for complimentary books. Read more

Published on 16 Jan 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent and clear analysis of Web Publishing
Philip Greenspun's book is an intelligent and clear analysis of what decisions have to be made by web publishers. Read more

Published on 9 Dec 1999 by Jeff Davis

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for the serious web page developer.
Sorry, Philip, I did not like your book at all. It certainly is not a book to buy for the person who is wanting to learn how to construct web pages. Read more

Published on 27 Nov 1999 by rmckaig@rmckaig.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
It has given me such a good overview of the entire process without being caught in the technical jargon. Extremely accessible, witty and humourous at the same time.

Published on 22 Nov 1999

› See all 15 customer reviews...

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