Book reviews - using the Internet.

Published by Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2001

Paperback, 426 pages
ISBN: 0-07-213028-8
£17.99

This series of titles from Osborne help to guide readers through the subject in question with well laid out, easy-to-read chapters, interspersed with 'How to' and 'Did you know?' panels, notes, tips and cautions related to the subject of discussion. The books are aimed at users with some basic knowledge but who want to get more from the subject.

The title covering the Internet could potentially encompass many aspects of this communications medium, but is divided into 5 sections that cover the 'essential basics'. The first section starts with using browsers and connecting to the Internet. The next section deals with the uses of the web, involving saving documents and images, downloading and installing software, using FTP and multimedia.

The third section of the book covers communication aspects of the Internet, with e-mail, newsgroups, chat rooms, online gaming and trade. With the importance of security also being a big issue, section four discusses issues of privacy, safety and viruses, leaving the final section to cover setting up a website.

In some ways, there is too much to cover here and you can come away feeling that the introduction to some issues, such as web design, is purely an overview and if you want to know about the subject then there are plenty of other books that will be more help. Also, this book takes a balanced view of the different browser and e-mail software options, so making some sections irrelevant if you don't use Netscape or Eudora.

However, for users of the Internet who still want to get the most from it or find some handy tips for valuable shortcuts, this book can be an excellent introduction and quick reference tool to enable improved competence and confidence in 'the wired world'.

For further information visit the McGraw-Hill website.

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Published by Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2001

Paperback, 526 pages
ISBN: 0-07-213273-6
£17.99

There are numerous books about learning to use HTML, but this is one of the best we have found. It will help newcomers start with the basics, or those with some experience can move to more advanced HTML skills, through following the well-structured and illustrated chapters.

Divided into three main sections, the first covers the basics of HTML coding and building a very simple website. The next section then helps to develop issues of style, structure and layout to improve the look of a page. From tables and frames, to Cascading Style Sheets, the coverage enables the reader to choose and develop the format they prefer.

The final section moves into more advanced territory with an initial introduction to audio and video features, animated GIFs, Java Script, DHTML and XML. Throughout the text there are numerous code examples and useful tips to overcome potential problems, while the final sections may not make you an expert in advanced coding techniques, but you can at least understand the basics and get a taste for any further progression, if required.

So if you don't want to learn your HTML skills from reading the numerous online tutorials, this book will be a handy reference to start a website from scratch, or to use as a reference if you are improving your HTML skills.

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Published by Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2000

Paperback, 602 pages
ISBN: 0-07-212575-6
£15.99

If you want to build a website but plan to avoid learning HTML skills, a web page editor is the next best option and Microsoft's Frontpage package has become one of the most popular tools to do this. We still think that HTML - and web design skills - are an important accessory to have, but Frontpage can make the job easier.

This book is quite simply a manual for using Frontpage 2000. It covers all aspects of using the software, from navigating your way around the screens and options, creating a page and a website, adding graphics and sound, to more advanced options. There is a useful section covering specialised sites, such as discussion groups or databases, and the book covers the publishing process and, if applicable, the advantages of Frontpage server extensions.

An Appendix includes some tips and advice about web design, which perhaps comes too late in the book - Frontpage has become the scourge of easy website design which can often create additional unnecessary HTML code within a document.

However, if you using this package and are confident about building a site that meets your needs, if you need a manual that is easy to use, well indexed and including accompanying illustrations of issues covered, this book is worth considering.

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Published by Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2000

Paperback, 532 pages
ISBN: 0-07-212561-6
£15.99

As the author himself comments, how could a whole book of 500 pages be written on Yahoo!? We thought it was just the most popular web directory there is, but it is clearly much more than that! In fact, just half a chapter, covering 15 pages, deals with the search element of Yahoo!

So this book is for addicts and if you're not one already, reading this book and trying out everything could soon turn you into one! Although there is a large emphasis on US-biased uses, the book encompasses all elements of the Yahoo! website and community, from personalising your browser and Yahoo! Home Page, to managing a portfolio, shopping, finding maps and directions, playing games and using Messenger or chat.

As an example of a search engine (directory) turned into web portal and community, this book demonstrates how Yahoo! has done well and achieved 'stickiness'. But if you're not planning to get that involved, don't bother!