I called Ziff-Davis and they directed me where to get your book. I drove write down and got a copy. I have started writing an html document and am really having fun. I have been using the Open Local... to see what I am doing. It's really fun to see what I can do. You book has helped me to get started, THANKS. If I ever decide to make myself a Home Page, I will let you know so you can see what your book has helped me to do. One question (sounds really dumb I suppose) after I write a Home Page, do I have to pay some access provider to post it? It would need its own URL for others to find it, right? How much can this cost, approximately? Anyway, the book is terrific and I intend to give it some work of mouth advertising.
Larry, I just finished your excellent book: timely and very helpful! Thanks for writing it. You asked for feedback, and here is some. A couple of typos: the semicolons were left off of a couple of the character entities in the Appendix A list: < and > (on p. 113) and à (on p. 114). In Example 7 of Chapter 4, the unordered list for the "International Studies" list shows the expected bullets, but the unordered list for the "International Sites by Map" shows unfilled circles and squares. Whether this is expected or not isn't clear, but the html syntax looks identical so I'm left confused. Some suggestions for inclusions next iteration: 1. include page # references in the Appendix A list of markup tags to refer to where they are discussed in Chapter 2. 2. include discussions about the steps involved in copying prepared html documents from one's Mac or PC up to the server and setting things up on the server side; though no doubt this depends on the specific server, some basic pointers would help. 3. include discussions about maintaining links, particularly in large projects: both how to automate examination of links to external URLs to keep them accurate (are there tools to do this?) as well as keeping links straight when crafting a large project (some form of database; are there tools for this?). 4. include discussions on writing scripts to execute on the server in response to data sent in via forms, or at least sketch out the process and refer to where one can find further discussion on the Web (I hope such information exists). 5. include more discussions on where this is headed: embedding OpenDoc objects, eg (if that is really a direction). We folks not-yet-in-the-know are keen to hear projections from those of you already-there! One final style comment: you cite John December's work as showing particularly good form. However, I find the way his list items produce different and unpredictable behaviors (sometimes launching an ftp URL, sometimes http) to be disconcerting. This isn't uncommon on the Web, but other sites (eg Example 7) tell you when you're getting something other than another html page (eg gopher). All in all, though, your book was *just* what I needed at this point! Thanks!
Larry, I just completed your book HTML manual of style and found it quite helpful. I do have a perplexing question, however. After a form is submitted I receive the data in my mailbox in the format that follows: [computer stuff removed] Did I miss something? Is there a decoding program I need to run it through? Sure, I can figure out the responses, but the task seems rather arduous. Did I do something wrong? Is it possible to set up forms so that they send you nice, clean data? Thanks for your suggestions or pointers to an appropriate source.
Larry, thanks for the HTML Manual of Style. It is short, clear, and complete, and that's a real plus in the Guide to Internet market. As much as you explained Forms, I still can't get the example to work. I'm using Netscape under Windows, and I assumed clicking on the Submit button would fire the name/value string to a program of my choice. I wrote a simple EXE(cgitest.exe) that displayed its command line arguments in a dialog box. This was the line I used to make that happen: <FORM METHOD=POST ACTION=file://localhost/c:/netscape/dev/html/cgitest.exe> Netscape first asks for a viewer, so I pointed it to cgitest.exe. Now it just makes a copy of cgitest.exe in my TEMP directory. I just want to get to the name/value string! Can you help? Thanks,
Larry, we bought your book this weekend and really like it. It is easy to read and easy to understand. To me that is important since I am still a novice in the world of computing. My husband and I are helping our homepage, cei.net, wih their updating etc. Your book has been a godsend. One thing we have been trying to do is set up the page so the icons run across the page with the words either beside or below. We set it all up using netscape and it looked great!! We then pulled up our Mosaic 2.4 and it is horrible. It doesn't look like it did on Netscape. I know from experience and your book that that is to be expected, however, we need a little help here. Does the "HSPACE" command not work on Mosaic but does on Netscape? Also, we were looking at your example on pages 80 through 85 of your book and still cannot figure out how you got the second column. We have discovered another problem trying to convert what we did using netscape to mosaic in that we set up a comment page using <link rev=made href="mailto: xxxxxxx@xxx.net>. It worked fine on netscape but could not be used on mosaic. Is it us, or is it Mosaic? Any help you could give us regarding this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Larry, I just got your book and have worked part of the way through it. It has proven useful to me already. In a future edition I'd be interested in seeing described some of the other tags such as those available in the <HEAD> context. I've been wondering how things like LINK, REL, and REV should be correctly used. I use 'sqhmpro' as an HTML editor and there are numerous tags available that I've never seen used. I think documenting some of the lesser used tags would be beneficial and might also encourage people to use them (particularly as search engines become more sophisticated and can make better use of them). Anyway, just a suggestion. Good job on the book.
I enjoyed your book, HTML Manual of Style. I am now using it to produce some results in the form of a good home page. First a question, then some comments on your excellent book... QUESTION: I am using Windows 3.1 and the Netscape browser. I am working locally off of my local drive D: to develop this home page. I "borrowed" heavily from your example of the NJMUG on pages 74-79. I got my brief first shot to work (hurray!) with the exception of that my .GIF would not load. Here is just a snippet of the non-working HTML .GIF code: [computer stuff removed] By the way, where can I can help on HTML coding on the Internet? I could not find a Usenet group to put this question in. I would much prefer to use a Usenet group and not pester you with questions like this... P.S. Is there a "turn on error messages" mode in Netscape or some utility to help you find HTML coding errors? TIA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ COMMENTS ON YOUR BOOK: Overall I thought that the book was good. It's a good painless place to start learning about and using HTML. If I were to fault it, I would say it was a little too short and brief in spots. I would make the next edition with physically larger pages so that the sample code and screens would always be on facing pages (whenever possible, of course). Here are things that I would like to know more about: o Local drive addressing examples in different operating systems o A discussion of Perl and where it fits in o Pointers on interactive databases with HTML and other tools o The ins and outs of tools to build .GIFs and .JPEGs o Basically, I WANT EVEN MORE INFORMATION... As a consumer, I do want to say that I prefer a printed, paper book over what I'm sure are good Home Page and text file HTML learning tools out on the Internet. It is great to be able to quickly flip past tens of pages and race to the exact spot in the book versus slowly clicking between screens on an HTML page. Needless to say, a downloaded text file is very crude compared to a book like yours. Plus, paper books have figures with great resolution and lots of crisp info on facing pages. So, the bottom line is: Well done and PLEASE give us EVEN MORE INFO!
Larry, My name is xxxxxxxxx. It's about 6:30 in the morning; I haven't been to sleep yet because I've been reading your book HTML MANUAL OF STYLE. . which I bought 3 days ago at the NYU bookstore. I think you wrote a fantastic first book. You are a very generous writer-meaning you treat your readers with respect and intelligence. You are enthusiastic about the subject matter and develop a thoroughly positive tone throughout the book. So thanks. You've just given me what I hoped to gain-and in only 3 days. I do not own a computer-other than this Newton on which I am composing this e-mail message-so your book is of particular use to me since the relatively small amount of time that I will have access to the Web must be optimized. To tell you the truth I have never even been on the Internet yet. My path to HTML began 5 days ago when somebody mentioned it to me at a design studio in Tribeca. (I was working on a Macromedia Director demo-learning more Lingo.) And that one comment about HTML led me to interactivity on the Internet. My mind has not stopped racing since. Well, I owe part of this excitement to you and I am trying to thank you for it as genuinely as possible. I have some ideas about how to clarify some early passages in the book that were difficult for me-not because they lacked logic, but because you assumed I had some information I did not have. I would like to be more specific but I will need to go back through the book and find the parts that struck me as incomplete. You may wonder why I am taking your invitation to write to you with comments so seriously (if you're not wondering then at least I am; I've never written to a person I didn't know before; I don't even write very often to people I do know). But I find I'm taking seriously what I've just learned because I'd like to teach it to others. I would use your book as the text; but I believe some parts could be made more clear in a second edition. Again, I thank you for your work in writing a very useful text and pulling together very timely and diverse examples, Sincerely, xxxxxxxxxx P.S. Should you wish to write to me, please do. Or beep me at 1-***-***-**** and I'd be happy to talk to you.
Hi, i recently bought you book and have found it to be a valuable resource. I have one question about something you did in it. How do you save and print the Web pages out as postcript files thereby having it print all out on one sheet nicely? Thank you for your time.
Larry, I just bought your book and I think it is great. I am using Netscape and am having trouble with a form. When a user hits the "Submit" key I get a message that it is unable to do what I want it to do. I'm sure it is something simple, however I can't figure it out- any ideas? Check out my pages, I am working on. I have been on the "Net" for almost 3 weeks now. My URL is "http://xxx.xxxxxx.com/~xxx/home.html". Thanks for your time!
Got the book in the mail yesterday. I was very pleased with the tone of your reference to the BayCHI homepage. I'll pass it around to the rest of the team. In general, I think you've done a nice job. The book it simple and to the point, and should help the aspiring htmler to avoid some of the pitfalls, and build better pages. I like the clean, simple, writing style, too. Good luck in the bookstores.
Larry, For a first book, it sure seems as if you had written 100's of others. It is very well put together and quite informative. I suggested it to three of my friends when they asked me if there was any good documentation on HTML. I do have one question though. I have been able to utilize some of the HTML+ features but when I tried to use the <table>...</table> function, Netscape wouldn't recognize it. (I am using a DOS/Windows for Workgroups based AST 486DX-2 66.) Could you shed a little light on this for me? Ps: Great Book!
Hi, I've just browsed through your book "HTML Manual of Style". Congratulations, it is a good introduction to HTML. I particulary liked the examples. I will use these to improve my own texts. I had one question on which you can perhaps help me. I would like to know if the image of the US with the links you presented on page 8 of the book is available on Internet. If this is the fact, can I get the location from you? Greetings from Groningen in The Netherlands (Europe),
Hello Larry, I have finally had a chance to sit down and read your book, 'HTML: Manual of Style'... I just wanted to say you did a wonderful job. I am extremely pleased to have been a part of it. Thank you for sending me a copy. I reccomond your book to all of my associates both on a off the net... Keep in touch...
Larry, I purchased your book yesterday and am only 2 chapters into it, but can tell this is exactly what I needed! I am very new to the Web, but intend to create a home page for a desktop publishing business I run part time. I am also a City Councilman in _______, Georgia (pop. 10,000) and I am thinking about doing a home page related to that also.... Anyway, I wanted to thank you for writing a book that normal people could understand and learn from.
Larry: I really enjoyed your book, HTML MANUAL OF STYLE. I have two questions: Is it possible to register hits to your page (if your page is on a providers server)? I haven't seen this, but it would be cool to have a little number at the top that automatically updates itself each time somebody pops in. Also, could you point me toward resources for creating collaborative online databases for MACINTOSH? I'd like to create a form/page for the WWW, then have people add to it, and be able to search its database. What do I need? Can something like FileMakerPro do this (hopefull)? Thanks again.
I have your book and find it to be useful and fairly concise. Well worth the $20.
I just purchased and read your book: HTML Manual of Style. I enjoyed it and found it very useful. I do have a few comments. Some paragraphs have so much information in them that it would have been easier to use bullet lists or subheadings. The section General HTML Principles in Chapter 3 is a good example. A highlighter (actually several different colors of highlighters) came in handy reading this book. I felt like the editing was a little sloppy. Was a spell-checker used instead of an editor? Comments aside, I loved the book and it taught me a great deal about HTML. I'll refer back to it often. Thanks
Am finding your book HTML Manual of Style perfect for learning HTML. Have a need to create a transparent GIF file, but none of my graphics software will let me do it. Do you have some names of software that will allow me to make the background transparent? Thanks.
Larry- Congratulations on the well-deserved success of your book. It is all over the best-seller lists. I am remembering our tour of the computer book section at the Barnes & Noble near your home. How does it feel to see your book there now? Take care.
Larry, I forgot to thank you for writing the concise guide to HTML. It's really valuable and it made it possible for me to create my own home page tree, plus maintain one someone else created for the company where I work, IgT, and let me quickly create an array of web pages that describe the product my company sells to test ATM equipment for which I wrote the software. Please count me as one of your very happy customers.
Dear Mr. Aronson, Wanted to tell you how helpful your book was to me; until I'd found it (the *only* copy at my bookstore), I felt like I was stumbling from front to back. HTML Manual of Style gave me some excellent direction, in a non-tech fashion. You know your audience. I was wondering: Since you make reference ocasionally to the changing nature of HTML, would you consider publishing updates on the 'net? There are pieces of info you make reference to, such as HTML+, which readers might find useful. Just a thought... Sincerely,
Love your book about HTML. I think its really cool.
Just a short note to say how useful I found your book on HTML and what a great ongoing reference source it still is. I have however still not worked out how to get transparent gif's! Kind regards
Larry, just purchased your book at Barnes and Noble. I hadn't realized there were so many (well, 3 or 4) books on html, but looking through them, it seemed like some were more interested in giving directions to web sites. Fine, but I can find those things easily enough; I was more interested in the style of hanging it all together... a stype manual, maybe!! Then, I saw your book. Hmmm. Less expensive (slightly), but MOST important, NOT a big thick thing, NOT an odd shaped book that doesn't fit with anything, but it DID have the essentials of what I'm looking for, a concise reference of putting together pages, hot links, etc. Neat! I have a web home page, but it's behind our firewall so only those here at the company can get at it. Interesting and exciting stuff - put it all together, and viola! It Works! Thanks for your work, your efforts, and your book.
I just bought your book HTML Manual of style and I have to say its a great resource. I'm in charge of coming up with a internet training curriculum and its been valuable resource in setting a test page for my students to connect to. My only question is on page 8 of your book there is a great 3D graphic of the World Wide Web superimposed over a map of the US. Is this is public domain image that I can get from some where or is it proprietary to your book. Thanks for your time and again great book.
I, too, have the Graham text - great stuff. But I bought Larry Aronson's "HTML Style" first. He has seven superb examples of web pages with both the browser display, the HTML code and excellent discussion of the code. Nothing about CGI, tho. But a great book for learning about HTML and the composition of a page.
Larry Just wanted to drop you a quick note regarding your book 'HTML Manual of Style'. Well, where do I begin? I know nothing to speak of about computer programming. I gave up trying to learn BASIC years ago. Using the Internet has thrust me into the Unix world. I have a very rudimentary knowledge of it. I guess you could say I know enough to be dangerous. Now comes the WWW and this new 'thing' called HTML. Seemingly everyone is putting up their own 'home page'. Surely everyone can't be expert programmers. I went looking for a book about HTML and found yours. I bought it last week Thursday and today, Tuesday, put up my own home page, designed and built entirely by myself! You know the nice part? It worked right the first time! THANK YOU, thank you very much! Your book made the whole topic easy to understand. With the clear and simple examples provided for each of the various aspects of HTML, understanding and developing my own page was a snap. Once again, thank you! Sincerely
First, thanks for writing your book on HTML style - it's been very useful and clear. I wanted to ask, however, about a specific point regarding images. You mention on page 50 in your book that it's possible to make transparent GIF images. I could just be incompetent, but I've used both GIFConverter and Photoshop 3.0.1 and can't figure this one out. I can get a transparent background in Photoshop, but in converting the image to a GIF file that gets wiped out. I'd just like to be able to get some text in as a GIF with a transparent background, so that I can use some tricky fonts in the headers of a page, without the white square surrounding the text... Can you tell me how this is done? THANKS