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Smashing Webkit
The ultimate guide to WebKit from the world's most popular resource for web designers and developers As the default browser for both iPhone and Android, WebKit has become a major player in the mobile arena, offering a wider array of HTML5 and CSS3 support than any other major engine. Written by expert author Jon Raasch, this essential book teaches you how to use WebKit to make web sites more engaging, faster, and more visually appealing. You'll explore the variety of unique interface options that WebKit offers as you quickly discover how to create a unique web experience that provides functionality and entertainment. Packed with best practices, real-world examples, and invaluable advice, this must-have guide explores WebKit's capabilities, recommended techniques, and tips for improving an existing web site. Plus, whenever possible, cross-browser support is discussed for WebKit solutions as well as a wide variety of advanced presentation and interactivity options. This book escorts you through a myriad of ways that WebKit can set your web site apart from the competition.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2011
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October 28, 2012
I have done a modest amount of HTML coding in producing ebooks and also maintaining a largely CMS-driven web site, but I am far from skilled with HTML. I was especially nervous about the implications of HTML5/CSS3 for programming poetry ebooks for the Kindle Fire, so I've been snatching up whatever books I could get my hands on to help get me up to speed. I got this book on WebKit specifically because it had chapters on HTML5/CSS3 that I know I need to know about. Little did I know that I also really did need to know about WebKit. This book was an eye-opener for me.
I have to say, Jon Raasch writes in a very succinct and lucid style, giving the reader important chunks of information without causing bewilderment. I was amazed at how much I didn't know I needed to know until I'd skimmed through this book, thinking I'd get an overview and then come back to specific sections when ready to knuckle down and do some work. This book is structured very well for this kind of consumption. After spending half a day with the book, I have gleaned essential knowledge that will spare me a lot of grief. The author's caveats about the different browsers' handling of HTML5/CSS3 in particular are worth the price of the book. Too, I found Raasch's emphasis on "future-proofing" development while still encouraging readers to dive on in to be especially encouraging.
Raasch gives readers exactly what they need to know to make decisions about how to set up their own testing environment, including whether or not to use emulators or simulators, and he includes important external sources of information and code to allow readers to structure for themselves their own learning curve and work flow based on their specific needs. My needs are going to be different from those wishing to do a lot of multimedia-rich web or app development, so I got more from the chapters on HTML/CSS3 and scalable vector graphics than I did from the Canvas or Developing for iOS and Android chapters. I know these chapters are there for me when I am ready to take ebooks to a higher level.
DH is a retired software developer, and we have a whole bookshelf full of four-inch-thick books on this and that and the other programming tool/version. I've always found that type of book to be too bewildering to work with and far too quickly out of date. Smashing Webkit has given me just what I needed right now: a conceptual framework to imagine from, nuts-and-bolts tools for my workspace, a sense of what I need to do to keep current, some mini-decision trees, and the confidence to jump in and get some work done sooner, not later. Now that I know what WebKit actually is, I know I need to be developing with it in mind. I am very glad I have this book in my library.
I have to say, Jon Raasch writes in a very succinct and lucid style, giving the reader important chunks of information without causing bewilderment. I was amazed at how much I didn't know I needed to know until I'd skimmed through this book, thinking I'd get an overview and then come back to specific sections when ready to knuckle down and do some work. This book is structured very well for this kind of consumption. After spending half a day with the book, I have gleaned essential knowledge that will spare me a lot of grief. The author's caveats about the different browsers' handling of HTML5/CSS3 in particular are worth the price of the book. Too, I found Raasch's emphasis on "future-proofing" development while still encouraging readers to dive on in to be especially encouraging.
Raasch gives readers exactly what they need to know to make decisions about how to set up their own testing environment, including whether or not to use emulators or simulators, and he includes important external sources of information and code to allow readers to structure for themselves their own learning curve and work flow based on their specific needs. My needs are going to be different from those wishing to do a lot of multimedia-rich web or app development, so I got more from the chapters on HTML/CSS3 and scalable vector graphics than I did from the Canvas or Developing for iOS and Android chapters. I know these chapters are there for me when I am ready to take ebooks to a higher level.
DH is a retired software developer, and we have a whole bookshelf full of four-inch-thick books on this and that and the other programming tool/version. I've always found that type of book to be too bewildering to work with and far too quickly out of date. Smashing Webkit has given me just what I needed right now: a conceptual framework to imagine from, nuts-and-bolts tools for my workspace, a sense of what I need to do to keep current, some mini-decision trees, and the confidence to jump in and get some work done sooner, not later. Now that I know what WebKit actually is, I know I need to be developing with it in mind. I am very glad I have this book in my library.
Displaying 1 of 1 review