Sitepoint

Sitepoint’s CSS Anthology Reviewed

It is universally agreed that it’s a better way to code, but CSS can be a headache for web designers.

Now there’s an alternative to endless tweaking and frustration – a practical guide to solving problems with CSS.

Find out more about Sitepoint’s hands-on problem solving approach in my review!

Note:

The CSS Anthology–101 Tips, Tricks and Hacks – Sitepoint

If you’re anything like me, you learned CSS on the job. I’m sure there are plenty of books out there about the theory and structure behind CSS, but at the end of the day it just needs to work.

Therein lies the beauty of The CSS Anthology. Rather than drone on about details and discipline, this book cuts to the chase with solutions to problems every web designer has faced.

The book starts with a brief but sufficient overview of CSS, then plows into over a hundred problems solved and design-extending ideas. If carefully guides you through the nuances of browser compatibility (including Safari, Firefox and other Mozilla browsers) and introduces some interesting new CSS applications.

A couple examples from the book include changing indentation on bulleted lists, removing borders from tables using CSS and building CSS drop-down menus.

This guide is more like having a seasoned coder on-call, pleasantly anal on standards but conscious of the need to get it done. In the place of lectures, you’ll get real help.

If you haven’t already guessed, I really liked this book. Its approach is very refreshing. If you feel like CSS is a club you were never invited to, this book will fix that.

As far as downsides go, I’m drawing a blank. I don’t think this one is going to make it to my book shelf – it’s staying right next to my Mac.

Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it, you can download 4 chapters in PDF from the books site here.

“The CSS Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks” is published by Sitepoint and written by Rachel Andrew.

MSRP is $39.95, get it at Amazon for $27.97.