CSS3: The Missing Manual

Missing Manuals

by David Sawyer McFarland

CSS3 lets you create professional-looking websites, but learning its finer points can be tricky—even for seasoned web developers. This Missing Manual shows you how to take your HTML and CSS skills to the next level, with valuable tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions. You’ll quickly learn how to build web pages that look great and run fast on devices and screens of all sizes.

The important stuff you need to know:

Start with the basics. Write CSS3-friendly HTML, including the HTML5 tags recognized by today’s browsers.

Apply real-world design. Format text, create navigation tools, and enhance pages with graphics.

Make your pages lively. Create eye-catching animations and give your visitors attractive tables and forms.

Take control of page layouts. Use professional design techniques such as floats and positioning.

Look great on any device. Craft websites that adapt to desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers.

Get advanced techniques. Use CSS3 more effectively and efficiently, and ensure that your web pages look good when printed.

Genres: Programming, Design, Technology, Nonfiction, Website Design, Reference, Software

648 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

David Sawyer McFarland is president of Sawyer McFarland Media, Inc., a Web development company in Portland, Oregon. He's been building Web sites since 1995, when he designed his first Web site: an online magazine for communication professionals. He's served as the Webmaster at the University of California at Berkeley and the Berkeley Multimedia Research Center, and he has helped build, design, and program numerous Web sites for clients including Intuit, Macworld.com, and Playlistmag.com, among others.

In addition to building Web sites, David is also a writer, trainer, and instructor. He's taught Dreamweaver at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, the Center for Electronic Art, the Academy of Art College, Ex'Pressions Center for New Media, and the Art Institute of Portland. He currently teaches in the Multimedia Program at Portland State University. He has written articles about Dreamweaver and the Web for Macworld magazine, CreativePro.com, and MX Developer's Journal.

Reviews

[Irina Lukyanenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Материал излагается в доступной форме, поэтому эту книгу можно смело рекомендовать абсолютным новичкам.
Лично мне понравились: Часть 3 и Часть 4.

[Tiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as reference books go, this one was easy to follow and clarified the exact questions that I went into this with, so that's pretty much all that I could ask for from it. If I were a beginner, I think I would have found this book a lot more helpful than I actually did. Overall, I thought it could have been a little more interesting to read (I know, but I actually have read a few that really entertained me) but the zip file of tutorials makes it worth the price. Also, the resources listed in this book were excellent and I would recommend it, even if only for those.

[Umma]

Still trying to master css...

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What you do not have in this book?

I have a good collection of “missing manual” books. But as much as I like the series, I let each book stand on its merit.

I am familiar with David Sawyer McFarland and also have “CSS: The Missing Manual.” My most indispensable book, however, is HTML5: The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald.

I am just now diving into this book and trying the examples. But it looks like a very worthwhile acquisition. I am not that fluent in CSS3 but with the help of this book and a little pilfering of code, I hope to be.

I suggest that this book is a good addition even if you feel that you know it all as it may explain something in a new light.

I did not have any earlier editions to tell want was improved or corrected.

[Emin Altan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitabın basıldığı zamanlarda CSS2 kullanılıyor olmasına rağmen CSS3 speklerine de yer vermiş. Bulunduğu vakit düşünülürse örnekler ileriyi görerek hazırlanmış bu güzel bir şey. Fakat kitabın yazıldığı zaman itibariyle CCS3 property'lerin çoğu browserlar tarafından desteklenmiyordu. Buradan yola çıkarak CSS property bilginizi güncel tutumanız gerekiyor. Keşke CSS grid ve flex layout tasarımlarına da yer verseydi. Kitap bence orta düzey CSS bilgisine sahip okurlara hitap ediyor. En az CSS box model konusuna hakim olmanız gerekiyor.-Bu arada box modeli gayet güzel ve anlaşılır anlatmış özellikle position konusu gayet iyiydi.- Her bölümün sonunda örnekler var bu da kendinizi sınamanıza yardımcı oluyor ayrıca kitap içerisinde external linkleri de es geçmeyin bakın derim resource olarak faydalı olabilir.

[Anton Antonov · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read from a decade ago.

Even though I have neither done any front-end development in the last three years nor intend to return to it, I found the book entertaining at the time.

It introduced me to building responsive designs and covered the fundamentals of formatting, styling, and layout.

However, it lacks cohesion, making it difficult to follow. Instead of a comprehensive guide, it reads more like a collection of random tips and trivia.

[Russell Libonati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book was well written and very helpful. Someone commented that it wasn't really an HTML 5/CSS3 book, but really an HTML4/CSS2 book. I disagree. With this book I was able to create an HTML5 compliant website.

The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because often it's the details that catch you out when you are trying to get something to work. I still found myself consulting the web to find what I needed. There were lots of links in the ebook, so perhaps that is expected, but I would have preferred to find the answers there. Also, there was no mention of how to do a secure guest book, which I was hoping to find. There were a couple of other minor things missing. All in all, it was very good and I would have given it 4.5 stars.

I should say that the book was nearly perfect for someone of my skill level, that is not a novice, but nowhere near an expert either.

I highly recommend the book.

[Tom Panning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to CSS in general and CSS3 specifically. I'm a software developer, but anyone who is familiar with HTML could follow this book. In some places, it seemed like an earlier draft of the book might have been aiming to become a "Head First" book (corny jokes, etc.). Everything the book is demonstrated in working examples. The book walks you through each example very explicitly (down to telling you to press enter to go to the next line), which can get old and explains the high page count. But it's easy enough to skim through those parts if you know what you're doing, and if you mess something up you can always read it more carefully and dig yourself out. If I was in a lecture or watching a video tutorial that was this verbose, it would probably drive me nuts, but in a book you can always skim and skip.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful Content

I'm one step closer to understanding now. This has been a very helpful resource. Very understandable and not as intimidating as I first thought. The information is a bit dated, understandable considering this field is constantly evolving, but 95% is relevant. Highly recommended for anyone getting into front-end web design.

[Volodymyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as CSS refreshment and overview of new CSS 3 features. A lot of examples/tutorials and detailed explanations makes it a good CSS tutorial in all senses although there are few not described CSS properties.

[Skippy Mclizard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent introduction, but if you're used to reading about computer science, the 'type this, then type this at this point in the file, then save...' type of handholding is a little brutal. Most likely an über noobs delight by the same account.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive, though didactic for my needs.

[Mihai Cristescu]

o carte buna, must have.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference that includes CSS3.

[Cathy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Information Technology Tools and Applications course
Clearly written, plentiful examples, and included tutorials

[Anon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books to help you with CSS3