Resources for Web Publishers

This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but to provide some guidance from reliable sources.

Learn HTML

• GettingStarted.net-- contains lessons on HTML and interactive practice sessions.
• WebMonkey for Kids-- the lessons are geared for children, so they are a good way for beginning designers to master basic concepts.
• Writing HTML-- the web site allows you to download lessons and information rather than working online. It also answers some basic questions like "how do I get my pages onto my web site?".

Web Development -- for more advanced web designers

• Yale Style Manual-- This reference is a must-read on basic design principles. It focuses on how people read web pages, web site navigation, and the challenges of creating web sites which are cross-platform. It is now available in print as the Web Style Guide: Basic Design Principles for Creating Web Sites by Patrick Lynch.
• WebMonkey.com-- one of the most reliable, up-to-date resources on the web. Not only does it cover HTML but back-end technologies such as databases.
• WebReference-- like WebMonkey, this site covers recent technology as well as providing references to web design standards.
• HTML Help-- a collection of references and tools for the web developer.

Accessibility & Usability -- Web sites should be accessible by all users, including those with disabilities. Additional benefit - a web site accessible by someone with disabilities is also accessible by someone using a PDA.

• Illinois Web Accessibility Standards(pdf version) - fromIllinois Technology Office
• Vischeck- shows you what your web site looks like to someone who is color blind
• Accessible by Design- an excellent article from Digital-Web detailing how to design for accessibility and easy to follow instructions.
• Section508.gov- official policy information from the federal government and guidelines for implementation.
• UseableWeb.com-- provides more information about how users access information about web sites.
• WebAIM-- a federal grant with the goal of assisting those in post secondary education to create web sites that are accessible to those with disabilities

Web Tools

• HTML Code Validator -- validators review your HTML code and notify you of any errors. Correct HTML code insures better cross-platform accessibility of your pages. Validating your code is one of the most important steps you can take when designing a web site.
• Lynx Viewer-- Lynx is a text-based web browser, and using this web version will give you a general idea of what visually impaired people will be viewing when they visit your pages.
• Metatag Builder-- metatags are often used by search engines to better identify the content of your web pages.
• Dreamweaver Reference List

Server and Back-End Information

• Introduction to Server Side Includes
• UNIX for Web Developers
• The UNIX Reference Desk
• CGI Programming 101
• Databases
• MySQL
• PHP

Web Design Theory and Practice

• Digital-Web
• A List Apart
• Web Developers' Journal
• Web Word
• Graphics IQ
• Web Page Design for Designers
• Search Engine Placement Tips

Print References-- The following books are not intended for beginners. Beginners can usually find all the information they need on the web.

• The Art & Science of Web Design. Jeffrey Veen. New Riders Publishing, 2000.
• Web Design in a Nutshell. Jennifer Niederst. O'Reilly, 1999.
• Webmaster in a Nutshell. Stephen Spainhour and Robert Eckstein. O'Reilly, 1999.
• Web Navigation: Designing the User Experience. Jennifer Fleming and Richard Koman. O'Reilly, 1998.
• Information Architecture for the World Wide Web. Louis Rosenfeld and Peter Morville. O'Reilly, 1998.
• Visual Quickstart Guide: Unix. Deborah S. Ray and Eric J. Ray. Peachpit Press, 1998.
• Learning Perl. Randal L. Schwartz and Tom Christansen. O'Reilly, 1997.
• CGI Programming with Perl. Scott Guelich, Shishir Gundavaram, and Gunther Birznieks. O'Reilly, 2000.