I’m in the middle of reading the book Deliver First Class Websites: 101 Essential Checklists written by Shirley Kaiser and published by SitePoint Pty. Ltd. It was released in July and I was lucky enough to snag a copy at a discounted rate by being a reader of a select few of their great books to date (Build Your Own AJAX Web Applications, HTML Utopia: Designing Without Tables Using CSS, 2nd Edition & The CSS Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks). These books are realist-based writings for “developers of today” by “developers of today” that, at times, must break out of “purist” conventions of web development. This book certainly emphasizes the use of standards (usability conventions, markup, etc), but does it with the knowledge that client needs are sometimes the final say without being damned for it.
The book mentions that it is intended for developers, designers and project managers of Websites, but it is intelligently written to be a useful tool for the client as well. The setup of the book is: topic introduction followed by checklists, checklists and more checklists with the language used being relatively basic enough for the non-technical. It also provides a ton of references for more information (the second most valuable reason for owning this book).
The author, Shirley Kaiser, is a 10 year veteran in the web design field and although her website isn’t the most spectacular from a design sense, it does hold up to her preaching in all other aspects. The book is expertly reviewed by Ian Lloyd who holds his place in the industry by being a passionate developer himself and WaSP Steering Committee member and active on the Accessibility Task Force as well. Technical Direction is handled by Kevin Yank, also the Technical Director of SitePoint, so “the goods” are in there.
I will let you know when I finish my reading and provide some more in-depth insight or just do as I say and go get this book for yourself. I have received no endorsement for this testimony.
I am still looking for the downloadble checklists though – hmmm.
Hmm – I just got a $10 voucher from sitepoint for purchasing DHTML Utopia, and I was looking for another interesting book to read – I might just have to pick this one up.
I am not sure about the ‘purist’ statement though. I think that any good developer can incorporate something to meet standards, usability, and accessibility – for any needs the client may have. Through the use of CSS, XHTML, and Javascript (unobtrusive) – you can accomplish many different tasks. Now, if it involves a client wanting to do something because they think its cool – or because their competitor has it – I would stop working for them. I would obviously not be the person for the job. Web developers need to STEP up and educate their clients. I dont walk into my dentists office and tell him how to do his job. I tell him what I know, and he profesionally does his work. Same with any other business. I wouldnt tell a construction worker how to build my house, just because I saw it on my neighbors house – they are the professionals – let them do their job in the right way.
Too many web developers shy away when clients tell them to do something – YOU are the professional, and as such have a right to educate them that using flash for their navigation menu isnt a good idea, embedding all of their images in text might not help, and that simply duplicating someone elses website simply wont make their site successful.
I could go on…but for now I think I will just buy the book and check it out
Thanks for the review!