Simplebits, Now on Paper!
I first came across Simplebits while searching for a layout solution to a job that meant real money to me. I came, I read, I learned. Dan Cederholm's site, especially its Notebook section, has since become a regular destination of mine.
I couldn't contain my glee when Rob handed this title over to me.
Which Web Work Wins?
Although they inhabit the same realm, Solutions is a very different creature from Jeffrey Zeldman's similarly titled Designing With Web Standards. The latter is a broad-reaching treatise on the benefits and philosophy of standards. The former is an indispensible field guide to keep at your side while you face your daily web-design woes.
Indeed, the two Web Standards books make an ideal pair for your personal Standards curriculum. Most telling is the forward penned by Jeffrey Zeldman, and the video plug in his WEB ESSENTIALS 04 keynote. For a broader grounding, I humbly suggest reading Mr.Zeldman's book first.
Eminently Practical
I've called Solutions a field guide, but cookbook would also be appropriate. The book offers code, code, and more code. The book doesn't slow down for any editorial commentary, although there is an abundance of pun headers peppered throughout.
Each lesson is a sequence of progressively advancing techniques tackling the same problem. This format will take you from pre-standards hacks to CSS syllogisms in no time.
The book is brief by any standard – Mr.Cederholm's penchant for puns seems to be infectious – but will earn its keep from repeated readings. Keep those simple bits coming!
Dan Cederholm made a name for himself with the standards-compliant redesigns of Fast Company and Inc. He's also the man behind the brilliant studio and resource Simplebits.com.
Web Standards Solutions - Dan Cederholm - Friends of Ed / Apress Publishers ; ISBN: 1590593812