Hey everyone.
i am getting into web design and wanted to know if any of the books they sell in the stores are actually worth reading/cost. i know basic html but know nothing about css and php. would like to create a myspace type site eventually. What would be the best rout for expanding my knowledge of web design for these types of sites?

Here is a tutorial I found VERY helpful when I first started.
http://inobscuro.com/tutorials/read/25/

Some of the books are good. You have to read as many reviews as possible. My first book was "Codin for the web" to learn php. It is short and pretty easy to understand. It is more of an introduction as it doesn't go too deep into certain things. "Learning PHP & MySQL" (o'reilly) goes much farther though I was unhappy that so much of it used the Pear framework.

Getting a good grasp on security will be very important when you are dealing with a site similar to Myspace where users have so much control. All it takes is one opening for a hacker and there will be trouble.

I know its a big investment as some of these books are $50. Some will say there is no need for books but I reference them all the time or read them when I am away from my computer.

There are definitely good books in the stores. Which ones depends on what you want to learn and how you learn best. I've taught myself web design through a combination of books, online tutorials, and mostly by actual doing.

i would have to agree with books. I have spent many a train journey reading, you can learn so much when your bored!

google...I found heaps of good info on there

Hello Mike,

Personally I don't do well purchasing books to learn, a few years back I purchased a JavaScript book (the latest) and it was clear as mud for me. I want to add that is me personally, others do very well by book reading, you will need to find out what works best for yourself.

I learned by doing and visiting here at Webmaster Talk, a wealth of knowledge community. Also by visiting here:

http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp

My advice would be to take on one project at time, you know HTML, perhaps move on to CSS or Javascript, otherwise it could be greatly overwhelming to take everything on. Hope to see you around the forum!

I love learning by example with books that more or less talk to you like a actual person :] so I would not go with O'reilly personally. I am a huge fan of Wrox press.

When I started I actually got Hacking Myspace from Extreme Tech xD and it teaches you practices of CSS, and some HTML, its very basic, but it worked.

Then I picked up a real book that was definitely worth the coin (50.00$USD)
it was The XHTML, CSS, and XML Bible 4th Edition. Absolutely amazing book, and it makes one hell of a reference too. It shows you practices, no nos', extensive coverage on tags, their attributes, and a bunch on CSS2. Mind you CSS3 is coming about for new browsers so try and learn that, but focus on gettin the basics first!

Another book I would reccomend for everyone to read would be CSS mastery 2nd edition. Of course you need to learn CSS first though. I don't know how many times I say it but, CSS is a must :]

Other books (not exactly coding) I would reccomend for you later in your study would be:
Don't Make Me Think 2nd Edition
Designing with Information
Web Designers Idea Book
PHP Bible
Java Bible
and Designing with Standards 2nd Edition.

I would definitely get The XHTML, CSS, and XML Bible though, it is a great book.

Other resources may include:
http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp
http://www.developertutorials.com (they have nice guides, tips and more)
http://www.css3.info/

I hope you find this useful good luck learning, feel free to ask any questions if you have any!

Originally Posted by dljstudios

Here is a tutorial I found VERY helpful when I first started.
http://inobscuro.com/tutorials/read/25/

Thank you very useful info me