The Elements of Hypertext Style

This is a plain-spoken guide to hypertext concepts and Web page design. Pfaffenberger rather wisely doesn't set out to teach HTML code: he accepts that this is being done everywhere else at the moment. Instead, he concentrates on issues of page layout, navigation, and Web site structure. However, he does advise readers to acquire a grasp of the basics of the code, if only to tweak those baffling instances of mis-aligned tables and indents which just don't work.

He discusses the philosophy of hypertext in a realistic manner, and all his advice is grounded by pragmatic considerations. Does the site give users rapid access to information? Do the links follow logical paths? He offers plenty of screenshots of successful sites. His advice is generally sound, even though at times the style becomes that of the vacuum cleaner salesman.



However, he also argues that pages should have sophisticated layout to make a good effect, and many readers will feel frustrated because he doesn't show how it's done. Those pages with multi-layered graphics and panels of text which seem to float above the page surface may look good, but they're not easy to produce without advanced coding skills and a well-above-average knowledge of graphics.

And therein lies the weakness of this production. It is full of wise observations, but thin on instruction of how to actually perform the basic design work. Very sensibly he doesn't clog up his advice with too many details - though I found his 'tips and tricks' the best part of the book. But it's not really good enough to say "Make your pages like this!" without demonstrating how it can be done.

In fact the book is as thin on its own style as on its content. As someone who has Pfaffenberger's excellent Que Dictionary of Computer Terms always ready to hand, I was a little disappointed. Rather a lot of white space (there are less than 200 words per page) is devoted to what could be said in half the acreage. This has all the hallmarks of a quick production. There are sub-sections of one paragraph, and sometimes a paragraph of no more than two or three sentences. All the big margins and 48 point headings do not ultimately disguise a lack of substance.

Fortunately it's reasonably good value at its current price - UKP 14.95 or US$24.95 (and up to 30% off at Amazon). There are two appendices, a good index, a list of hexadecimal color codes [UK users, get used to the spelling for the sake of your coding] and a descriptive HTML reference guide to which I feel I shall be returning. Don't be put off by the terrible cover design.