# Calling all web designers/editors. What resources would you recommend? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956 "2009-06-25T16:50:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Weston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8797f3/32.png) [@Weston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weston)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956/1 "2009-06-25T16:50:40Z")
I’ve decided that I want to learn how to build good quality websites. I’m starting from absolute scratch and know nothing about anything to do with websites. Nonetheless, it’s something I want to do. A friend has advised me to start off learning HTML, XHTML, and CSS. I’ve decided to teach myself and I’m looking for some decent books on the subject. The only problem is that the newest books on these subjects in my library are all at least six years old. Am I able to use books that old, or would they be out of date by now? Also, does anybody have any decent online references they would recommend? There are a ton out there but I’m not really in a position to judge which ones are better. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956/2 "2009-06-25T17:04:05Z")
You can start with the books in your library. You won’t see the latest and greatest versions of anything, but the basic ideas underlying HTML and CSS aren’t changing any time soon. Also check out [W3Schools](http://www.w3schools.com/) for some excellent free tutorials. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956/3 "2009-06-25T17:21:09Z")
I’m doing the same thing you are and I’m doing very well with Creating Web Sites, in the “Missing Manual” series, by Matthew MacDonald (Pogue Press/O’Reilly). The edition I have is from 2005, but it seems very current and discusses hosting, Xhtml, css, etc. and blogs, free web development software, etc. There are exercises online. He also discusses using internet advertising, Paypal, etc. No doubt there’s much more current available, but I’m determined to be as cheap as possible learning new stuff after spending $$$ on a degree I can’t get a job in. This is from the library. ---
**Author:** ![Floppy\_Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3bc359/32.png) [@Floppy\_Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floppy_Joe)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956/4 "2009-06-25T19:37:11Z")
In addition to all that, might I also suggest that you learn PhotoShop. I’m pretty good at HTML, and I’m still learning CSS, but PhotoShop has been an absolute mainstay of all my work. Don’t just get a book, either. Sign up for, and if necessary, pay for a good class. Oh, and a little flash work is a handy tool, also. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956/5 "2009-06-25T19:53:52Z")
I have lots of good links to online resources. While I look for the best ones, here are a couple to start you off: [20 Websites To Help You Learn and Master CSS](http://sixrevisions.com/css/20_websites_learn_master_css/) [Getting Started With CSS: 20 Awesome Introductory Tuts](http://elitebydesign.com/getting-started-with-css-20-awesome-introductory-tuts/) [CSS Basics: everything you ever wanted to know about the basics of CSS](http://www.cssbasics.com/) [SitePoint CSS reference](http://reference.sitepoint.com/css) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-web-designers-editors-what-resources-would-you-recommend/500956/6 "2009-06-25T19:59:38Z")
[CSS cheat sheet](http://lesliefranke.com/files/reference/csscheatsheet.html) [HTML Code Tutorial](http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/) [SitePoint HTML reference](http://reference.sitepoint.com/html) [What Beautiful HTML Code Looks Like](http://css-tricks.com/what-beautiful-html-code-looks-like/)