HTML5 is the longest HTML specification ever written. It is also the most powerful, and in some ways, the most confusing. What do accessible, conte...
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reviews
Jun 27, 2011
Andrew
rated it: 
This is the first eBook that I've read cover-to-cover. The publishers say that they want the books to be short enough to digest on a plane flight from New York to Chicago. (More on their innovative publishing model here.) Their claim holds up. I plowed through this on my iPad before even getting out of bed for coffee one morning. When I was done, I understood all the important elements of HTML5 that distinguish it from previous web standards. But more than that, I was entertained. Keith is a sm
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Jul 09, 2010
Nitya
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I had pre-ordered this book and received it yesterday - it took me just over an hour (the duration of my commute into NYC) to zip through it. Based on this, my quick review.
The book is a slim 86 pages. Given the amount of detail in the HTML5 spec, this may seem lightweight. And in fact the author does spend the first 2 (of only 6) chapters discussing the history and process behind the creation of this spec - which further unsettled me. BUT.... once you get to Chap 3 (Rich Media) thro More...
The book is a slim 86 pages. Given the amount of detail in the HTML5 spec, this may seem lightweight. And in fact the author does spend the first 2 (of only 6) chapters discussing the history and process behind the creation of this spec - which further unsettled me. BUT.... once you get to Chap 3 (Rich Media) thro More...
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Oct 20, 2011
Jeff
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A useful introduction to the power and the pitfalls embedded in HTML5. The historical synopsis of HTML5 and its predecessors is both succinct and enlightening, and possibly one of the funniest I’ve read.
While Keith expertly handles where to get started, he’s also quick to point out where to get off. Some aspects of HTML5 are not for every browser. Yet. Some still have hoops to jump through ‘in committee’ and others require fallbacks, which are also covered in light detail.
Beyond the in More...
While Keith expertly handles where to get started, he’s also quick to point out where to get off. Some aspects of HTML5 are not for every browser. Yet. Some still have hoops to jump through ‘in committee’ and others require fallbacks, which are also covered in light detail.
Beyond the in More...
Aug 18, 2010
Corey
rated it:
Excerpt from "What I've Been Reading - HTML5 for Web Designers."
"As a Web guy whose exposure to HTML and CSS has come exclusively from the routine hacking of free WordPress templates, HTML5 for Web Designers dives into the subject at my level - highlighting the changes and features of code that could change how the Web is organized and developed. Even better, it does so in a way that's akin to the 'spreading the gospel' model of Web talk - 100% devoted to letting the More...
"As a Web guy whose exposure to HTML and CSS has come exclusively from the routine hacking of free WordPress templates, HTML5 for Web Designers dives into the subject at my level - highlighting the changes and features of code that could change how the Web is organized and developed. Even better, it does so in a way that's akin to the 'spreading the gospel' model of Web talk - 100% devoted to letting the More...
Jul 15, 2010
G. Jason
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Really decent, quick overview on what's to come with html5. (Finished it in about 2 hours) Covers much of the basics and what we can and cannot do so far. Billed under A Book Apart, "Brief Books for people who make websites.", this book is exactly that. Enough information to et your feet wet and ready to jump in to learn more.
This is also one of the first books on html5 to make it to the market as well.
Nicely designed, however a big quark that drives me a bit More...
This is also one of the first books on html5 to make it to the market as well.
Nicely designed, however a big quark that drives me a bit More...
Mar 30, 2011
Stephanie
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This is a wonderful book. It doesn't attempt to teach you HTML from scratch. It's intended for people who've been working with HTML for a long time and just need to know what has changed in HTML5. It's concise, readable, and informative. Best of all, it's funny. Jeremy Keith writes about web design with obvious affection, even when it's exasperating: "Internet Explorer has special needs." "It would be inaccurate to say [the XHTML 2 spec] was going nowhere fast. It was going nowher
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Mar 24, 2011
David
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I had previously read 'Introducing HTML5 by Bruce Lawson, so I knew the main details and issues surrounding HTML5 implementation. When I heard Jeremy Keith was writing a book, I was excited, as I found him to be an incredibly engaging writer.
This book is a quick breakdown of the most important features of HTML5. What it isn't, is a thorough reference guide.
It is a great introduction for beginners, as it is brief and concise. I'm not entirely sure how much advanced HTML5 u More...
This book is a quick breakdown of the most important features of HTML5. What it isn't, is a thorough reference guide.
It is a great introduction for beginners, as it is brief and concise. I'm not entirely sure how much advanced HTML5 u More...
Jan 04, 2012
Dgilz
rated it:
Il a un format "livre de poche", mais il a tout d'un grand !
Les informations sont précises et pratiques. Certe, il se limite aux balises HTML5 propres à la mise en forme de pages web, mais il n'y a pas tromperie car c'est annoncé dans le titre. Si j'avais encore des doutes sur l'utilisation de l'HTML5, ils ont été balayés en 2 jours de lecture.
J'ai apprécié l'historique de HTML, et l'humour de Jeremy Keith (assez bien traduit, même si ça tombe un peu à plat en français)
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Les informations sont précises et pratiques. Certe, il se limite aux balises HTML5 propres à la mise en forme de pages web, mais il n'y a pas tromperie car c'est annoncé dans le titre. Si j'avais encore des doutes sur l'utilisation de l'HTML5, ils ont été balayés en 2 jours de lecture.
J'ai apprécié l'historique de HTML, et l'humour de Jeremy Keith (assez bien traduit, même si ça tombe un peu à plat en français)
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Mar 27, 2011
Erik
rated it: 
I have been writing HTML for a long while and I'm familiar with the glacial pace of the W3C. For that reason I simply ignored the ongoing progress toward version 5 of HTML.
I should have waited longer. This book was well written and easy to understand for those with a basic understanding of HTML as it is now. Unfortunately a lot of the whiz-bang features working their way into HTML5 aren't supported well enough to implement. A lot. Reading this was kind of like propping your friend up More...
I should have waited longer. This book was well written and easy to understand for those with a basic understanding of HTML as it is now. Unfortunately a lot of the whiz-bang features working their way into HTML5 aren't supported well enough to implement. A lot. Reading this was kind of like propping your friend up More...
Jul 13, 2010
Trey
rated it:
Well worth a read, and it's quite easy to finish in a sitting.
While some of the descriptions of the semantics of past and future tags had me talking to the book out loud in a mild rage (That's what semantics are for, right? Rage?), I think we can all agree that this book is the easiest way to get up-to-date with the current state of the hottest technology on the web. I feel like I now understand (or will once I continue to reference my sticky-note arrows) the new structural (and " More...
While some of the descriptions of the semantics of past and future tags had me talking to the book out loud in a mild rage (That's what semantics are for, right? Rage?), I think we can all agree that this book is the easiest way to get up-to-date with the current state of the hottest technology on the web. I feel like I now understand (or will once I continue to reference my sticky-note arrows) the new structural (and " More...
Apr 04, 2011
Ben
rated it:
I am very excited for HTML5. My experience with web design began in March 2004. I was young(er than I am now), and I decided to make a personal website on GeoCities. It was a gaudy affair that reflected my lack of design skills and made use of notorious elements like <marquee>. In the years that followed, I learned about web standards and accessibility. Now my websites still reflect a lack of design skills, but at least they're accessible! So I'm happy that HTML5's specifications are being
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Dec 22, 2010
Brian
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A quick overview of the development of web markup standards provides the perfect context for this guide's goal to draw designers into the HTML5 mindset. Too little of the spec is currently supported by browsers so far to make an exhaustive reference (which this is not) of much use to most if not all designers. However, Keith gives examples of the new markup becoming available and explains its motivating principles in order to help designers start thinking in HTML5 in preparation for the transi
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Dec 18, 2010
Cory
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A rare reference book that is successfully short enough to read cover-to-cover while engaging and teaching you the entire time. It won't replace more comprehensive materials but it provides the right level of context and information to help explain what this HTML5 business is all about and highlight many of the key features, tools, and best practices. As a programmer I wanted more information about the ways HTML5 changes web applications, but that's not the intended purpose of the book.
Aug 01, 2010
Dave
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First of all, this book is beautifully designed.
But more importantly (or is it...), it was an incredibly helpful read on how to start using HTML5. I really enjoyed the chapter on Semantics (Chapter 5), where Jeremy Keith talks about the nitty gritty details about what the difference between an article and a section is, and other pressing issues I know everyone else has been worrying about too.
I have a feeling this is going to be a useful reference book for years to come.
But more importantly (or is it...), it was an incredibly helpful read on how to start using HTML5. I really enjoyed the chapter on Semantics (Chapter 5), where Jeremy Keith talks about the nitty gritty details about what the difference between an article and a section is, and other pressing issues I know everyone else has been worrying about too.
I have a feeling this is going to be a useful reference book for years to come.
Jul 22, 2010
Brian
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While this is a rather short read for the new HTML5 specification, it does help make it easier to understand what is coming with HTML5. After all, Jeremy Keith wrote it, A Book Apart published it, and it's format is right inline with A List Apart.
It doesn't take long at all to get through, and I recommend that any developer with a little bit of free time sit down and read it. You won't be disappointed.
It doesn't take long at all to get through, and I recommend that any developer with a little bit of free time sit down and read it. You won't be disappointed.
Aug 22, 2010
Daniel
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Great introduction to what HTML5 is and how to start using it today. Having heard the term HTML5 tossed around a lot over the past year this book finally presented it in a concise and useful format. This isn't a technical deep dive but instead clearly outlines what HTML5 adds and provides plenty of links to find out more. Definitely spend the hour a quick read through requires.
Jan 16, 2012
Michele
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I think this would have been a good book for me to read when it first came out, but now it provided no new information or techniques that I do not plan to ever use. It did validate one thing that bothers me. I always wondered why it was not more efficient when calling for scripts and css (so much text that could be cut down). I guess the developers were thinking as I have.
Nov 03, 2010
Zlatan
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I really don't want to be a party pooper, but I must say that I learned more about HTML5 by reading a couple of blog articles on the subject here and there. The only new things I actually learned is that the anchor element can now act as a block-level element, some new form features, the function of the "scoped" attribute, and the new content models.
I would suggest you to save your money, and instead find some online sources on HTML5, or just read Mark Pilgrim's free e-book More...
I would suggest you to save your money, and instead find some online sources on HTML5, or just read Mark Pilgrim's free e-book More...
Jul 18, 2010
Tom
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Great quick read summarizing the history of HTML, its philosophy, and the major additions to the spec that web designers would care about: semantics, web forms and rich media.
Being a software developer by trade, I was hoping for a bit more, but this book does a great job of getting one started on the HTML5 path. It takes about an hour to read, so you really can't lose.
Being a software developer by trade, I was hoping for a bit more, but this book does a great job of getting one started on the HTML5 path. It takes about an hour to read, so you really can't lose.
Aug 18, 2010
Jessica
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Great information about HTML5 as relevant for designers: what's different, what's new, how to implement, how to ensure compatibility. The tone is casual but informative, and Jeremy Keith obviously knows his stuff. Be aware that this is a slim volume - if you're looking for an in-depth, dirty-hands guidebook, you'd be better off with something else. But for a designer looking to get familiar with HTML5, this is a good place to start.
Feb 10, 2012
Ryan
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The book is MUCH shorter than the spec. The author has a clear writing voice, and explains things well. Unfortunately, I'm a geek and was involved in the HTML5 Working Group for a little while, so I already knew most of what the author was talking about. On the up-shot, I was able to read this on a single flight from Omaha, NE to San Jose, CA.
Aug 18, 2010
Guilherme
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Excellent book with the main information you need to start transitioning your websites to HTML5. Very easy to read and very informative, a great start for A Book Apart series.
You can read this in one or two sittings very easily, and even so it comes packed with useful and practical information. Obviously not The source for HTML5 info, but it's the best starting point. Highly recommended.
You can read this in one or two sittings very easily, and even so it comes packed with useful and practical information. Obviously not The source for HTML5 info, but it's the best starting point. Highly recommended.
Sep 28, 2010
Susan
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Meant for reading through with only about 80 reading pages, this is a great book for those looking forward to HTML5. Not a ponderous reference, but an introduction with history, arguments, along with code samples that always remind you of standards. A great first HTML5 book to have in your digital library.
Dec 27, 2010
Toon
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This is an excellent introduction. No in-depth technical overview, but if you know your (X)HTML, that shouldn't be necessary.
Well-written, with a humorous undertone. Easy to understand, obviously written by someone with a lot of hands-on experience in building websites with and for real people.
Well-written, with a humorous undertone. Easy to understand, obviously written by someone with a lot of hands-on experience in building websites with and for real people.
Aug 23, 2010
Hinch
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In HTML5 for Web Designers, Jeremy Keith presents a well considered and elegantly worded overview of the world's most important markup language. This is a short book. It treads lightly across the surface of this complex specification, distilling several of the key changes and additions that have been introduced since HTML 4. This is not a reference guide. The book aims to deliver a taste for what's on offer; a treat that will inspire you, and then point you in the right direction. It's easy to d
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Dec 27, 2011
Heather
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Practical, funny, and easy to follow volume which gets into the good stuff about HTML5 while sparing us, thank goodness, from the contentious bickering over specs and standards. (See also: Judean People's Front vs People's Front of Judea).
You'll be coding within minutes.
You'll be coding within minutes.
Feb 23, 2011
Jess
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This was a really good primer on HTML5, and a little bit of the history of HTML evolution in general. I wanted just a quick explanation of what was new to HTML5 and this was exactly that, but written in such a way that it flowed well and was entertaining and informative.
Oct 21, 2010
Geoff
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Well-written, approachable, and engaging look at the deltas between previous web markup languages and HTML5. A good primer for the semi-technical and technical alike, and contained in scope to HTML5 itself. A must for anyone who touches any part of the web design process.
Jul 14, 2010
Shane
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Keith offers a clear and concise understanding of the changes and additions within the HTML5 specification. He also offers real-world examples of these elements, showing how HTML5 is not a new specification, but an evolution of what we already know.
Dec 04, 2011
Jodycb
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This was a quick read with lots of good information. I have a much clearer understanding of what HTML5 means in terms of the work I do and what I should do to take advantage of it going forward. It's practical and funny. I'm glad I bought it.
