For me, the most useful thing to take away from this book is not necessarily the blah about web standards coding techniques (there are better resources for that), but the techniques for planning a website, such as listing out in plain language what you want the website to do.
I provide advice to small businesses about websites, and its rare to find one that has even has a basic requirements list, never mind a structured, budgeted website development plan that is regularly reviewed and updated by management.
Most small businesses regard their websites as either a tacked on extra, or as something for the in-house geek to deal with.
Most of them don't need a website. They'd be better off with listings in business directories such as Kellysearch and Yell.com.
Those that have a real need for a website should be using a cheap, web-based content management system that spits out standards compliant code, not training in Dreamweaver, Frontpage (gah!), Contribute, et al.
Textpattern hacked to include a WYSIWYG editor would fit the bill nicely. Implement that with 12 months support for £1000 and you've got clients.
Slashdot Mirror
Another book for the (ant) pile is Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities and Software by Steven Johnson.
For me, the most useful thing to take away from this book is not necessarily the blah about web standards coding techniques (there are better resources for that), but the techniques for planning a website, such as listing out in plain language what you want the website to do.
I provide advice to small businesses about websites, and its rare to find one that has even has a basic requirements list, never mind a structured, budgeted website development plan that is regularly reviewed and updated by management.
Most small businesses regard their websites as either a tacked on extra, or as something for the in-house geek to deal with.
Most of them don't need a website. They'd be better off with listings in business directories such as Kellysearch and Yell.com.
Those that have a real need for a website should be using a cheap, web-based content management system that spits out standards compliant code, not training in Dreamweaver, Frontpage (gah!), Contribute, et al.
Textpattern hacked to include a WYSIWYG editor would fit the bill nicely. Implement that with 12 months support for £1000 and you've got clients.
Adam Polselli's 2005 Color Forecast should sort you out there. Mmm. Purple.