250 HTML and Web Design Secrets

by Molly E. Holzschlag

• ISBN13: 9780764568459
• ISBN10: 0764568450
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This value-priced guide by one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women on the Web delivers 250 solutions, workarounds, tips, and annoyance-busters that Web designers won't find anywhere else Offers 500 pages of insider techniques to improve workflow and efficiency, save development time and money, and increase search engine rankings and site traffic, whether designers want to enhance an existing Web site or build a state-of-the-art site from scratch Covers topics such as HTML, XHTML, CSS, graphics and multimedia, cell phone and PDA accessibility, content development, tools, usability, information architecture, globalization, and site redesign Molly Holzschlag is a steering committee member of the Web Standards Project (WaSP) and spokesperson for the World Organization of Webmasters, as well as a frequent lecturer at industry conferences and the author of twenty-five previous books

Author Biography

In the world of Web design and development, <b>Molly E. Holzschlag</b> is one of the most vibrant and influential people around. With over 30 Web development book titles to her credit, Molly is also a noted columnist, speaker, and educator. <p> As a Steering Committee Member of the Web Standards Project (WaSP), Molly works along with a group of other dedicated Web developers and designers to promote open standards for the Web. She serves as an advisor and spokeswoman for the World Organization of Webmasters. Molly speaks regularly at conferences in addition tot teaching and developing curriculum for a number of colleges and universities, including the University of Phoenix, New School University, and Pima Community College. <p> Many recognize Molly from her Column &#8220;Integrated Design.&#8221; Which appeared in the much-missed <i>Web Techniques Magazine</i> for three years, and from sister publication <i>Webreview.com</i>, where Molly served as Executive Editor for a year during the best of the San Francisco dot.com era. Molly has been honored as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women on the Web. For more information about Molly, drop by at www.molly.com/.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xvii
Introduction	xix
Part I: Tools, Planning, and Content	1	(112)
Chapter 1: Setting up a Master Toolbox	3	(32)
Web Browsers	5	(3)
Choosing a Code Editor	8	(3)
File Management with FTP	11	(1)
Telnet and SSH	12	(2)
Validation Tools	14	(2)
PNH Toolbar	16	(1)
Sidebar Reference Panels	17	(1)
Bitmap Image Programs	17	(4)
Vector Image Programs	21	(1)
Web Animation Utilities	22	(2)
Screen Capture Utilities	24	(1)
Rename Utilities	25	(1)
Tag Strippers	26	(1)
HTML Tidy	26	(1)
Compression Utilities	27	(2)
Audio and Video Players	29	(1)
Plug-Ins	29	(1)
SVG and SMIL Support	30	(1)
Software for Security and Safety	30	(2)
Collaborative Communication Software	32	(1)
Summary	33	(2)
Chapter 2: Managing Your Web Project	35	(16)
The Challenge of Web Project Management	36	(2)
Toward Consistent Organizational Structure	36	(1)
Creating Industry-Wide Standards for Web Project Management	37	(1)
Fixing Disparities in Problem-solving Approaches	37	(1)
Selecting the Project Manager	38	(1)
Defining the Budget	39	(1)
Identifying Goals	39	(1)
Determining the Stakeholders	40	(1)
Determining Market Needs	41	(1)
Identifying Roles and Responsibilities	41	(2)
Creating a Project Workflow	43	(1)
Listing Creative Tasks	44	(1)
Clarifying Technical Tasks	44	(1)
Defining Administrative Tasks	44	(1)
Listing Marketing Tasks	45	(1)
Addressing Quality Assurance Concerns	45	(1)
Setting Milestones	46	(1)
Getting Signoff Throughout the Process	46	(1)
Encouraging Collaboration	47	(1)
Managing Scope Creep	48	(1)
Summary	49	(2)
Chapter 3: Architecting Your Information	51	(16)
What Is Information Architecture?	52	(1)
Sites Big and Small, New and Old	52	(1)
Organic Growth and the Web	52	(1)
Performing a Content Audit	53	(1)
Determining Hierarchies of Content	54	(2)
Defining Technical Infrastructure	56	(1)
Determining Naming Conventions	57	(2)
Site Mapping	59	(1)
Understanding Wireframing	60	(1)
Developing Prototypes	61	(1)
Creating User Pathways	62	(1)
Creating Archive Systems	63	(1)
Considering Frequency of Updates and Redesigns	64	(1)
Setting Site-Wide Standards	65	(1)
Developing a Site-Wide Style Guide	65	(1)
Summary	66	(1)
Chapter 4: Making Sites Usable and Persuasive	67	(26)
Create Consistent Branding	68	(1)
Determining Primary Navigation	69	(2)
Secondary Navigation	71	(1)
Grouping Navigation by Like Items	72	(2)
Iconography and Language Use	74	(3)
Managing External Links	77	(4)
Direct Access to Site Features	81	(2)
Placement of Critical Information	83	(1)
Consistent Placement of Elements	84	(1)
Drop-Down Menus	84	(1)
Pop-Up Windows	85	(2)
Consider Tabbed Navigation	87	(1)
Provide Orientation	88	(1)
Date and Time Formats	89	(1)
Cost-Controlled Usability Testing	90	(1)
Summary	91	(2)
Chapter 5: Creating and Managing Fantastic Content	93	(20)
Finding Your Voice	94	(1)
Clarifying Site Purpose	95	(1)
Text and the Computer Screen	96	(3)
Writing Effective Paragraphs	99	(1)
Varying Pace	100	(2)
Removing Extraneous Information	102	(1)
Using Tables to Organize Data	102	(2)
Using Lists to Simplify Ideas	104	(1)
Using Headers Meaningfully	105	(1)
Applying Style Standards	106	(1)
Avoiding Problem Grammar	107	(1)
Understand Copyright!	107	(1)
Extending Copyright with Creative Commons	108	(1)
Protecting Intellectual Property with Trademarks	109	(1)
The Role of Patents on the Web	110	(1)
What Is Digital Rights Management?	110	(1)
Exploring Content Management Systems	111	(1)
Summary	112	(1)
Part II: HTML, XHTML, CSS, and Accessibility	113	(156)
Chapter 6: Crafting Pages with HTML	115	(28)
Is HTML Easy?	116	(1)
HTML is a Markup Language	116	(1)
Face the Changes	116	(1)
Document Conformance	117	(1)
Author to the Specification	117	(1)
Validate the Document	118	(1)
Create a Markup Style and Stick to It	118	(1)
Understand Document Types and Language Versions	119	(3)
Use DOCTYPEs	122	(1)
HTML is Root	123	(2)
Use [head] and [body] Appropriately 124
Always Use [title] 125
Manage Character Sets	125	(2)
Author Documents Structurally	127	(1)
Use Lists to Enhance Structure and Readability	128	(3)
[em] and [strong] versus [i] and [b] 130
Know your Document Tree	131	(2)
Elements, Tags, and Attributes	133	(1)
Intrinsic Events	134	(1)
Special Characters	135	(1)
Limit Color Names to Standard Colors	136	(1)
Avoid the font Element	136	(2)
Avoid the center Element	138	(1)
Avoid All Deprecated, Obsolete, and Proprietary Elements and Attributes	138	(1)
Use Elements as They Were Intended	139	(1)
Restrict Use of Tables	140	(1)
Restrict Use of Frames	141	(1)
Validate, Validate, Validate!	141	(1)
Summary	142	(1)
Chapter 7: Moving Ahead with XHTML	143	(24)
About XHTML	144	(3)
History	144	(1)
Goals of XHTML	144	(1)
XHTML Versions and DTDs	145	(2)
So Is XHTML Better?	147	(1)
Choose a DTD	147	(1)
Avoid the XML Declaration	148	(1)
Use Correct XHTML DOCTYPEs	149	(1)
Add the Namespace to Root	150	(1)
Implementing Style in XHTML	151	(1)
Adding Scripts in XHTML	152	(1)
XHTML and Case Sensitivity	153	(1)
Quotation of Attribute Values in XHTML	154	(1)
Managing Nonempty Elements	155	(1)
Terminating Empty Elements	155	(1)
Managing Minimized Attributes	156	(1)
Entities and XHTML	156	(1)
alt Attribute Required	157	(1)
Understand Well-Formedness	158	(1)
Proper Nesting of Lists	159	(3)
DOCTYPE Switching	162	(1)
Enclose Inline Elements in Blocks	163	(1)
name Becomes id	164	(1)
The target Attribute is Unavailable in Anchor	165	(1)
Summary	165	(2)
Chapter 8: Style Tips for Type and Design	167	(42)
Learning CSS	168	(1)
When to Use Linked Style	168	(1)
When to Use Embedded Style	169	(1)
When to Use Inline Styles	170	(1)
Importing Style	170	(1)
Understand the Cascade	171	(1)
Work with Inheritance	171	(2)
Be Aware of Specificity	173	(1)
Creating Multiple Link Styles	174	(3)
Link Effects	177	(2)
CSS Borders and Border Styles	179	(2)
Gaining Space with Padding	181	(1)
Understanding Type Sizing Options in CSS	182	(1)
Type Effects	182	(4)
Styling Lists with CSS	186	(2)
Using Lists for Vertical Navigation	188	(2)
Using Lists for Horizontal Navigation	190	(1)
Spice Up Forms	191	(2)
Add Visual Effects to Data Tables	193	(2)
Using Background Graphics in CSS	195	(1)
Image Replacement Techniques	196	(2)
CSS-Based Text Mouseovers	198	(3)
Text and Image Mouseovers	201	(1)
Dynamic CSS Menus	202	(3)
Rounded Tabs	205	(1)
Sliding Doors	205	(2)
Cool Rules	207	(1)
Summary	207	(2)
Chapter 9: Laying Out Pages with CSS	209	(34)
CSS Layout Basics	210	(1)
Two-Column Layout, Positioned Left Navigation	211	(1)
Float-Based Layout	212	(2)
Nested Float	214	(4)
Three-Column Layout	218	(2)
Vertical Centering in CSS	220	(6)
Ordering DIVs for Backward Compatibility	226	(1)
@import for Graceful Degradation	227	(1)
CSS Hacking Strategies	228	(2)
The Box Model Hack	230	(1)
The High Pass Filter	231	(1)
The Mid Pass Filter	232	(1)
IE 5.0 Windows Band Pass Filter	232	(1)
IE 5.5 Windows Band Pass Filter	233	(1)
Opera Hacks	233	(1)
Understanding CSS Media Types	234	(1)
Alternate Style Sheet for Print	235	(1)
Alternate Style Sheet for Small-screen Media	236	(1)
Alternate Style Sheet for Projection	237	(1)
CSS Best Practices	237	(4)
Summary	241	(2)
Chapter 10: Adding Accessibility Features	243	(26)
What is Web Accessibility?	244	(3)
The Advent of Accessibility Challenges	244	(2)
Accessibility and Law	246	(1)
Accessibility and You	247	(1)
Describing Visual and Aural Content	247	(1)
Providing Alternate Content	247	(2)
They're NOT alt "Tags!"	249	(1)
Use the title Attribute in Links	249	(2)
Using the abbr Element for Abbreviations	251	(1)
Using the acronym Element for Acronyms	252	(2)
Understand the accesskey Attribute	254	(1)
Index Link and Form Controls Using tabindex	255	(1)
Group Form Selections with select and optgroup	256	(2)
Add fieldset and legend to Forms	258	(1)
Using the label Element with Forms	259	(1)
Summarize and Caption Data Tables	260	(3)
Consider Using Skip Links	263	(2)
Making Frames Accessible	265	(1)
Testing with Accessibility Validators	266	(1)
Testing with Lynx	267	(1)
Testing with Screen Reader Software	267	(1)
Summary	268	(1)
Part III: Designing Sites for Long Term Success	269	(110)
Chapter 11: Sophisticated Visual Design	271	(22)
Visual Design and Site Intent	272	(1)
Defining and Maintaining Your Brand	272	(1)
GIFs and JPEGs: Still Your Secret Graphic Weapon	273	(3)
Refinding the Lost Promise of PNG	276	(2)
GIF Animation Do's and Don'ts	278	(1)
Image Maps: To Use or Not to Use	278	(1)
Make the Most Out of Text-Based Type	279	(1)
Combine Graphics and Markup for Effective Typography	280	(1)
What Is White Space and Why Do I Care?	280	(2)
The Importance of Proximity	282	(2)
There's No Such Thing as Web-Safe Color	284	(1)
Making the Most Out of Web Color	285	(2)
The Symbolic Meaning of Shapes	287	(1)
The Psychology of Color	287	(1)
Color and Culture	288	(2)
Color and Gender	290	(1)
Color Tips	290	(1)
Exploring Scalable Vector Graphics	291	(1)
Summary	292	(1)
Chapter 12: Spicing It Up with Dynamic Content	293	(36)
All about Scripting and Rich Media	294	(3)
JavaScript, ECMAScript, and DOM	294	(2)
Using Rich Media	296	(1)
Providing the Current Date	297	(1)
Doing Popups Properly	298	(3)
Randomize Images and Text	301	(6)
Open a New Window Without target	307	(2)
Check for Plug-Ins	309	(1)
Text Size Switching	310	(5)
Style Sheet Switching for Visual Design	315	(2)
Dynamic Menu Systems	317	(2)
Forms Validation with JavaScript	319	(1)
The Trouble with applet, object, and embed	320	(2)
Adding Flash and Complying with Standards	322	(1)
Adding Audio	323	(1)
Adding Video	324	(2)
About Digital Storytelling	326	(1)
Summary	327	(2)
Chapter 13: Keeping Sites Fresh and Engaging	329	(24)
Use Personalization	330	(2)
Offer Useful Information and Applications	332	(2)
Provide Random or Frequently Changed Features	334	(1)
Add a Weblog	335	(2)
Consider Weblog Commenting Systems	337	(1)
Offer Site Registration	338	(2)
Consider Cookies to Track Usage	340	(1)
The Power of Polls	341	(2)
Add Discussion Groups	343	(1)
Use Web-based Chat	343	(3)
Refresh Your Page Style Regularly	346	(1)
Style Sheet Switching for Customization	347	(2)
Add Search Technology	349	(1)
Aggregate Content	349	(2)
Summary	351	(2)
Chapter 14: Improving Site Ranking and Managing	353	(16)
About Web Site Marketing	354	(2)
Now Focus Is on Structure and Content	354	(1)
Avoid Unscrupulous Marketing Techniques	355	(1)
Targeting Keywords for meta Elements	356	(1)
Writing Effective meta Descriptions	357	(1)
Using Targeted Words in Headers	358	(1)
Using Keywords in Text	359	(1)
Keeping URLs Short and Relevant	360	(1)
Solicit Reciprocal Links	361	(1)
Consider Affiliate Programs	361	(2)
Use Opt-In E-mail Newsletters to Drive Traffic	363	(1)
Run Regular and Seasonal Promotions	364	(1)
Learn More About Web Ads	365	(1)
Add Sponsored Links	366	(1)
Search Engine Submission	367	(1)
Don't Forget Offline Promotions!	368	(1)
Summary	368	(1)
Chapter 15: Dealing with Growth and Redesigns	369	(10)
The Importance of Server Logs	370	(2)
Develop a Regular Assessment Cycle	372	(1)
Ensure Scalability	373	(1)
Manage Content Growth	374	(1)
When to Redesign	374	(1)
Map Redesign Projects and Timelines Carefully	375	(1)
Express Upcoming Changes to Audience Members	376	(1)
Re-Evaluate Long-Term Goals	377	(1)
Summary	378	(1)
Part IV: Appendixes	379	(20)
Appendix A: Demystifying Service Provision	381	(6)
Appendix B: Overview of Application and Database Technology	387	(6)
Appendix C: Helpful Reading, Web Sites, and Resources	393	(6)
Index	399