CAVEAT: I am not now and will never be a creator of web pages, I am a mom who wanted to be able to comprehend a little more what is being said when geek sons and nephew speak.

Thank goodness I do not have to make my living by using HTML; I would soon starve.  I picked up geek son’s book in the hope that I too might learn a bit of the Hypertext Markup Language which he seems to use with ease.  I have not understood much of what the kid has said from age 12 when he devoured his first computer.

Elizabeth Castro’s  Html 4 for the World Wide Web  discusses in lucid language noteworthy facets of HTML, together with a dialogue regarding Cascading Style Sheets.  I found each chapter to be succinct, and clarifies how to achieve numerous actions including adding multimedia and formatting text, to creating frames, tables, links and forms.

I like best the writer’s usage of a great many samples and illustrations, even this cyberpterodactyl has learned an unassuming command or two.   

Html 4 for the World Wide Web  is a volume projected to guide the greenhorn in learning HTML how-to and how-to go about applying HTML.  For readers who do use HTML or hope to do so to earn their living; Castro has delivered a whole sequence of HTML tools including singular symbols, a Hex color table, with a listing of color codes as well as a list of HTML tags along with how-to’s for using the tools. 

The illustrations created in profusion on each page are meant to strenthen what is being taught.  Diagrams allow Reader’s to see what will take place on the computer as they work.  

Castro’s book depicts how the markup will appear when it placed on the actual Web Page.  I respect the knowledge and persistence I now have better understanding to realize; is an integral for those who create web pages on an ongoing basis. I have watched son work preparing web pages and appreciate that a web page is not created in a flash.

Because Castro offers ongoing examples regarding what will actually appear on the page it is made simple to see what will be fashioned prior to spending a lot of time doing the work only to learn that what is actually produced is not what was actually wanted.

Castro’s graphics underscore the specific segment of the page changed by the specific code.

A chapter titled Extras provides examples for creating passwords to protect a directory; as well as how-to generate buttons for use with tables, in addition to production of other motivating bells and whistles for adding sparkle to the page.

Scripts, are discussed as is the essentials of JavaScript.  Castro even provides tips for how-to encourage the public to visit the page once it is published. 

I found most helpful that the lessons are kept brief, are separated into small, and easily read segments which provide information but not overload.  

 Html 4 for the World Wide Web   includes a Table of Contents; an imperative especially for someone like myself who is older, and/or is not particularly well versed in any computer language.  Castro offers a bit of intro regarding some problem areas which may be expected especially for the novice found concerning HTML. 

And, she then advances to explanation re how to write, start a web page and lay out a page complete with links, images, lists, forms and others of the innumerable bells and whistles which cause some web pages look great, and inviting.  These are the things that the nonappearance of which leaves the page appearing – vanilla- in the words of geek son.

I find myself referring frequently to the index at the back of the book. 

I can see/understand, that for those who do in point of fact work daily with writing HTML, much of the language will in due course become rote, on the other hand; geek son says even experienced web programmers will likely keep a reference work handy.  There are so many commands I can understand it is not probable anyone can commit all to memory.

Readers can begin reading and using the techniques as set down by writer Castro and can continue to progress and gain more comfort and skill as they proceed  through the book from cover to cover.

Html 4 for the World Wide Web might well be used as a reference book  and read topic to topic as needed.

 I like the format and language Castro used in preparing this volume.  It is obvious Castro is well versed in her subject, however rather than talking to those already understand much of the materials; she sets out the lessons in easy, simple to follow, step by step manner. 

Language used is delivered on a level that even a non techie can comprehend, follow what is illustrated and begin to create and use HTML with at least a slight modicum of self-assurance.

I understand, and understood, prior to picking up the book; that HTML HyperText Markup Language is a programming language. 

And, I realize that web pages can be written using this language.

On the other hand, realizing that HTML is the methodology that does add sound, graphics and the like, format text, and create the manner for files to be saved in a format by which most computers can deduce what it is, is one thing.  And on the other hand, being able to do that formatting with confidence is another matter entirely.

 Reading   Html 4 for the World Wide Web  has helped me begin to understand a little of the process a bit better.

 I am finding   Html 4 for the World Wide Web  to be outstanding for a novice such as myself.  Castro deduces no prior understanding of HTML or the Internet on the part of the reader. 

 She begins with simple explanations and illustrations, presents instructions in articulate, succinct verbiage to guide the novice toward creating each component of a web page.  She has followed the precept of all good teachers: take the learner where they are and move them toward what you want them to know/do/understand.

The whole HTML concept is offered as a series of tasks from text, formatting, cascading style sheets, and layout commands.  Particular HTML commands or assignments are represented with one on a page.

 The steps for producing the particular task are listed along the margin while examples are shown along the midline of the page.

 Happy to recommend for cyberpterodactyls and for those who are HTML literate.  

Elizabeth Castro’s  Html 4 for the World Wide Web has a place in the high school computer lab, library and college and public library as well as for the home library for any and all who would like to know more how to tame these machines nearly all of use at some point during our day. 

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Reviewed by Molly Reviews books  molly  martin

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  AMAZON  BIO   Elizabeth Castro -  Biography

I am writer and publisher living in Barcelona off and on since 1987 (currently on). I have written several bestselling computer books about using technology to tell one's story, with and without the support of a large publisher. In 2011 I began to publish books about Catalonia and its upcoming independence in English, including a series of essays by Catalan experts, titled “What's up with Catalonia?” and a book of photographs illustrating the incredible creativity of this eminently grassroots, non-violent, progressive, democratic process called “Many Grains of Sand: A sourcebook of ideas for changing the world, tried and tested in Catalonia”