How to Use This Book

There are several ways to go through this book, and the best way for you depends on your situation. Here are five recommended options. Pick the one that matches your needs:

"I need to get some text on the Internet today. Then I can worry about making it look pretty later."
- Read Hour 1, "Understanding HTML and XHTML."
- Read Hour 2, "Create a Web Page Right Now."
- Read Hour 4, "Publishing Your HTML Pages."
- Put your first page on the Internet!
  (Total work time: 24 hours)
- Read the rest of the book, and update your pages as you learn more HTML.
"I need a basic web page with text and graphics on the Internet as soon as possible. Then I can work on improving it and adding more pages."
- Read Hour 1, "Understanding HTML and XHTML."
- Read Hour 2, "Create a Web Page Right Now."
- Read Hour 7, "Creating Your Own Web Page Graphics."
- Read Hour 8, "Putting Graphics on a Web Page."
- Read Hour 4, "Publishing Your HTML Pages."
- Put your first page on the Internet!
  (Total work time: 48 hours)
- Read the rest of the book, and update your pages as you learn more HTML.
"I need a professional-looking business web site with an order form right away. Then I can continue to improve and develop my site over time."
- Read all four hours in Part I, "Your First Web Page."
- Read Hour 17, "Web Page Scripting for Nonprogrammers."
- Read Hour 18, "Gathering Information with HTML Forms."
- Read Hour 7, "Creating Your Own Web Page Graphics."
- Read Hour 8, "Putting Graphics on a Web Page."
- Read Hour 9, "Custom Backgrounds and Colors."
- Put your pages and order form on the Internet!
  (Total work time: 812 hours)
- Read the rest of the book, and update your pages as you learn more HTML.
"I need to develop a creative and attractive 'identity' web site on a tight schedule. Then I need to develop many pages for our corporate intranet as well."
- Read all four hours in Part I, "Your First Web Page."
- Read all six hours in Part II, "Building Practical Web Pages with HTML."
- Read all seven hours in Part III, "Creative Web Page Design."
- Put your pages on the Internet and your intranet!
  (Total work time: 1218 hours)
- Read the rest of the book, and update your pages as you learn more HTML.
"I need to build a cutting-edge interactive web site or HTML-based multimedia presentationfast!"
- Read this whole book.
- Put your pages on the Internet and/or CD-ROM!
  (Total work time: 1824 hours)
- Review and use the techniques you've learned to continue improving and developing your site.

It may take a day or two for an Internet service provider to set up a host computer for your pages, as discussed in Hour 4. If you want to get your pages online immediately, read Hour 4 now so that you can have a place on the Internet all ready for your first page.

No matter which of these approaches you take, you'll benefit from the unique presentation elements that make this book the fastest possible way to learn HTML.