Bulletproof Web Design by Dan Cederholm Synopsis Dan Cederholm’s Bulletproof Web Design shows web designers how to inject flexibility into their web designs. It contains several guidelines to help prepare compelling designs for worst-case scenarios, increasing user control and readability for varying text sizes and amounts of content. Each chapter starts out with an example of what the author calls an "unbulletproof" concept — an existing site that employs a traditional approach and its associated pitfalls. The book then deconstructs that approach, noting the pitfalls, then rebuilds it step-by-step using semantic XHTML and CSS. By the end of each chapter, you'll have replaced traditional, inaccessible page components and long-winded code with lean mark up and CSS. The guide culminates with a chapter that pieces together all of the page components discussed in prior chapters into a single page template.
Review 1 To learn CSS, this book is a good starter. Well explained and structured, very clearly shows the steps. However I see weakness in browser compatibility. At least, I often wonder why my page does not look like the one in the book when I have entered everything exactly the same way! The book will actually help web design but you must try several times in order to get the right result. (Posted by Sergei)
Review 2 After his "Web Standards Solutions", Dan Cederholm has delivered an excellent companion piece. In contrast to "Web Standards Solutions" his "Bulletproof Web Design" is consistently illustrated in color, a design approach that helps the understanding of the reader. Dan Cederholm maintains the approach of the simple and elegant. Even with his website and the solutions he presents here and in "Web Standards Solutions", he proves in an impressive manner that its unique style, beautiful design and standards compliance is not exclusive. He takes the reader in by the presentation of his examples. He divides the chapters into: - existing methods - why this is not bullet-proof - the "bulletproof" approach - why this is "bulletproof" - summary of the comparisons, the results and findings What does Cederholm understand here as "bulletproof"? Bulletproof is: - flexibility without compromising the structure or design - the design can adapt, no matter what text size is chosen or how much content is added - the designs are consistent, independent of output media and / or environment All individual solutions, which he presents in each chapter, he then puts together in the last chapter to design a convincing "bulletproof" website design and implementation. If you want to buy only one book this year as far as web standards and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is concerned, it should be this! (Posted by nerdx)
Review 3 I like the style, a refreshing change from the dry academic with a touch of humour, and the book makes an excellent intro to CSS. (Posted by Web Design in Shrewsbury)
Review 4 Excellent structure leads the reader through areas that make up the "ball security" of a website, such as scalable navigation, expandable rows, indestructible boxes up to variable layouts. Specific examples illustrating problems are "taken apart" in great detail and subsequently, the bullet-proof way (for the various browsers) pointed out to the smallest detail, and the specific example reconstructed with leaner code and a strict separation of markup and design. The color aids a quick understanding and the individual steps are very helpful. Many tips and links round out the excellent work. Highly recommended! (Posted by Ivan)