A list of books I liked enough to buy, rather than just read cover-to-cover while sitting at Borders. My favorite computer books on web design as well as Java, C, C++, Photoshop, CGI, Perl, programming, and web site promotion.

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HTML: The Definitive Guide ~ Ships in 2-3 days

Musciano and Kennedy
I like this guide best, even though there are free ones on the net, because it tells you the rules for what is compatible and will look good across the different browsers and resolutions. So when I break those rules, at least I know I'm doing it. I paid $32.95 but it's always cheaper here Discount varies, follow the link

Mastering Web Design ~ Ships in 2-3 days

John McCoy / Paperback / This is a really good book on web design. Almost good enough that I don't regret paying so much for it. Published 1996, so it isn't "state of the art" but it teaches you basics that you can "think with" to figure out your own style.
I paid $34.99 ~ here it's $27.99 (20%)

Web by Design: The Complete Guide - Molly E. Holzschlag; Paperback ~ Ships in 2-3 days

I really bought it for the web safe color palette with the hexadecimal values. However, there is good basic design here.
List is $49.99 (it's a hefty book!) ~ here it's $39.99 (20%)

Using CGI ~ Ships in 2-3 days

Dwight and Erwin
If you are in the middle land of programming (took the classes, got the A's, don't have a real programming job), then this is just your level book. It explains things well but doesn't assume you need to be told what a computer is. Borders asks $59.99 but I was able to pry this out of my friend Mark's hot little fist after whining failed to get it away from him. I use this one a lot. I'd have broken down and paid money for it if I had to. Discount varies, follow the link

Photoshop 4 Complete ~ Usually ships in 24 hours

by Kate Binder (Editor), Ted Alspach(Editor) List: $49.99
I had the idea all my life that I wasn't good at art. Yes, I know that's a subjective evaluation. :) I am learning that I can do some things that I like in this medium. Price: $39.99 ~ You Save: $10.00 (20%)

Guerrilla Marketing Online : The Entrepreneur's Guide to Earning Profits on the Internet ~ Usually ships in 2-3 days

by Jay Conrad Levinson, Charles Rubin List: $14.00
Price: $11.20 You Save: $2.80 (20%)

C++ Primer Plus ~ Ships in 2-3 days

Stephen Prata
A little too easy after taking C but it comes with a CD and you get to practice on line. I recommend it because I haven't found anything better but I'm less enthusiastic about it than the other books on this page. I paid $34.99 for the book and the CD. Discount varies, follow the link

Learning the MFC++ Classes ~ Ships in 2-3 days

Shirley Wodtke
This was a great book for the transition from doing that car wash program in C++ on the VAX to doing my first GUIs on the job. It is not an exhaustive list of the classes but it was a great start and explained the basics of Windows programming somewhat before it got using the MFCs for the same thing. I paid $49.99 at Borders before I knew better.Discount varies, follow the link

Guerrilla Marketing With Technology : Unleashing the Full Potential of Your Small Business ~ Usually ships within 24 hours.

by Jay Conrad Levinson List: $15.00
Price: $12.00 You Save: $3.00 (20%)

Java - How to Program ~ Usually ships within 24 hours.

Dietel and Dietel
These guys are incredibly corny. But this was the text we used at SBCC and it worked really well, especially since I would rather program than go to class. Good assignments for working on on your own. The first chapter belies the statement that the target audience is people who've never programmed. Skip that. Price: $53.00

Data Structures in Java ~ Usually ships within 24 hours.

Thomas A. Standish
Data Structures. What else is there to say? But you have to learn it eventually and this presentation is better than bearable. Data structures are like learning your times tables for programmers. You just have to settle in and do it. Price: $49.95

Beyond HTML ~ Usually ships within 24 hours.

Richard Karpinsk
XML, DHTML, bells and whistles. Use this book to build a web site that will frighten the neighbors. Price: $22.36

Poor Richard's Web Site

Peter Kent
"Geek-Free, Commonsense Advice on Building a Low-Cost Web Site." Practical advice for getting on the net on a shoe string. Discusses domain names and where to host your website, style vs. function, basic design guidelines, web marketing, banners, click throughs, some simple cgi walk-throughs (not geek-free but he tries), and gives HTML basics. Also discusses autoresponders and how to use email for advertising without turning the net into a free-for-all. Highly recommended for beginners but even the Internet savvy have something to learn here. ~ This link goes to the author's website = he'll give you a 15% discount and one-year guarantee. You can read part of the book online there.
Regular price is $37.95 ~ here it's $32.26

Adobe Photoshop 5 How-To

by Richard Lynch
A 5 star book. Covers layers, actions, channels, filters, color modes, image size, scans, and much more. Paperback

Creating Killer Web Sites, 2nd Edition

by David Siegel
Every chapter has been reworked, redesigned, and is a continuation of the first book, with more valuable information and more illustrations. Paperback

Designing Web Graphics 2

by Lynda Weinman
Covers everything from basic HTML to animation techniques in Macromedia Director and tutorials for the latest release of Adobe Photoshop. Paperback

Secrets of Successful Web Sites

by David S. Siegel
Insider secrets of managing a Web project. Expert advice on cost/benefit analysis, contracts, rights issues, and marketing. Paperback

MacWorld Photoshop 5 Bible

by Deke McClelland
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced users. Covers working wonders with layers to customizing graphics for the Web, and everything in between. CD Rom edition. Paperback

Photoshop 5 for Windows and MacIntosh

by Elaine Weinmann, Peter Lourekas
A QuickStart Guide to Photoshop 5 for graphics beginners. Step-by-step instruction and exact keyboard and mouse operations. Illustrated. Paperback

Photoshop 5 in Depth

by David Xenakis, Sherry London
Intermediate and advanced users of Adobe Photoshop 5 for Macintosh and Windows. Covers creating, editing, and outputting images for print, the Web, and multimedia projects. CD Rom edition. Paperback

Year 2000 Solutions for Dummies

by Kelly C. Bourne
Explains what types of computers will be affected, how to prepare for it, Test PCs to determine whether they are compliant, and more. Paperback

3D Graphics and Animation : From Starting Up to Standing Out

by Mark Giambruno
Learn the basic concept of 3-D design, and proceed to creating simple and complex objects. Paperback

3D Creature Workshop


by Bill Fleming
A 5 star book. Create monsters, action heroes, and more by using LightWave 5.5, 3D Studio Max 2.0, and Animation:Master 5. Paperback