Comments on: Five-star treatment for “PHP Solutions” http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jonathan http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9620 Jonathan Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:46:32 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9620 I posted my previous message only 10 days ago (comment 17) and I was surprised with the timeliness of your reply. Shortly thereafter, I went to Friends of Ed and picked up an e-version of your book, "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8". When I have the free time, I just plow through large chunks of the book. I've gotten halfway done in only 2 sittings. What a great book! I'm thoroughly impressed with your writing style. It's the only book of this nature that I've managed to stick with past the first couple of chapters. Every other technical book is littered with show stopping errors that prevent you from proceeding, but "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" is short on mistakes, with any problems already having an errata. Kudos to the very detailed updates for the Apache and PHP software installations. I've only encountered a few hang-ups, but they only deal with situations outside of the books material, like my email settings. (Still can’t get the online forum to auto generate an email.) I’ve never touched Dreamweaver before purchasing this book, and I already feel very capable of proceeding to the end of the book. When I went shopping for Dreamweaver books, I scoured Amazon for reviews on all the titles. The reviews for your book on PHP simply made me want to buy the book. I had a friend in Hong Kong search high and low for copies, but to no avail, that’s when I came here looking for the e-book. (I’m in Mainland China, so English books are in short supply, especially ones of this nature.) I didn’t know anything about PHP at the time. In retrospect, I should have bought a book on ASP, because that’s what my company uses, but I’m not leaving PHP now. I can’t imagine ASP having a book this well written. I’m sticking with PHP, and if you ever come out with any other books, I’ll stick with those technologies as well. I’m a David Powers fanboy now. Just a few more questions relating to your other titles. First your new book, if I don’t have Dreamweaver CS3, can I still work through it using Dreamweaver 8? I can’t imagine dropping $400+ just for the software when this whole web development thing is still just a side hobby to satisfy my need for continuous education. Your Flash book, what is Flash and should I try to get into it? If the book is written half as well as the title I purchased on Dreamweaver 8, I’m sure I can learn it. I just don’t really know much about it. I’m kind of looking for an excuse to pick up any titles that you’ve written. Just some background on my web development goals, I’m an online rpg gamer so I was wanting to build a guild website. That’s where the dynamic stuff comes in, guild rosters and DKP reports. (DKP is just a member’s currency that they spend to buy in-game equipment). Other things I’d like include: a member login, forum, blog area. What other web development technologies can I use to jazz up this kind of site? Sorry for the long post, but feel the amount of praise here is well deserved. Jonathan I posted my previous message only 10 days ago (comment 17) and I was surprised with the timeliness of your reply. Shortly thereafter, I went to Friends of Ed and picked up an e-version of your book, “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″. When I have the free time, I just plow through large chunks of the book. I’ve gotten halfway done in only 2 sittings. What a great book! I’m thoroughly impressed with your writing style. It’s the only book of this nature that I’ve managed to stick with past the first couple of chapters.

Every other technical book is littered with show stopping errors that prevent you from proceeding, but “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″ is short on mistakes, with any problems already having an errata. Kudos to the very detailed updates for the Apache and PHP software installations. I’ve only encountered a few hang-ups, but they only deal with situations outside of the books material, like my email settings. (Still can’t get the online forum to auto generate an email.)

I’ve never touched Dreamweaver before purchasing this book, and I already feel very capable of proceeding to the end of the book. When I went shopping for Dreamweaver books, I scoured Amazon for reviews on all the titles. The reviews for your book on PHP simply made me want to buy the book. I had a friend in Hong Kong search high and low for copies, but to no avail, that’s when I came here looking for the e-book. (I’m in Mainland China, so English books are in short supply, especially ones of this nature.)

I didn’t know anything about PHP at the time. In retrospect, I should have bought a book on ASP, because that’s what my company uses, but I’m not leaving PHP now. I can’t imagine ASP having a book this well written. I’m sticking with PHP, and if you ever come out with any other books, I’ll stick with those technologies as well.

I’m a David Powers fanboy now.

Just a few more questions relating to your other titles.

First your new book, if I don’t have Dreamweaver CS3, can I still work through it using Dreamweaver 8? I can’t imagine dropping $400+ just for the software when this whole web development thing is still just a side hobby to satisfy my need for continuous education.

Your Flash book, what is Flash and should I try to get into it? If the book is written half as well as the title I purchased on Dreamweaver 8, I’m sure I can learn it. I just don’t really know much about it. I’m kind of looking for an excuse to pick up any titles that you’ve written.

Just some background on my web development goals, I’m an online rpg gamer so I was wanting to build a guild website. That’s where the dynamic stuff comes in, guild rosters and DKP reports. (DKP is just a member’s currency that they spend to buy in-game equipment). Other things I’d like include: a member login, forum, blog area. What other web development technologies can I use to jazz up this kind of site?

Sorry for the long post, but feel the amount of praise here is well deserved.

Jonathan

]]> By: Sebastian http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9525 Sebastian Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:45:53 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9525 David, did you think of offering you books in other languages than English? I can imagine that there is also a demand for a German version. If you think this is interesting, just write me a private e-mail. Regards Sebastian David,
did you think of offering you books in other languages than English? I can imagine that there is also a demand for a German version.
If you think this is interesting, just write me a private e-mail.
Regards
Sebastian

]]> By: David http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9518 David Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:59:54 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9518 All the digital versions of friends of ED books are listed <a href="http://friendsofed.com/ebooks.html" title="Go to the ebooks page" rel="nofollow">on this page of the friends of ED website</a>. The list shows the books in the order they were published, with the most recent first, so you'll find "PHP Solutions" close to the top, but "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" much further down. "PHP Solutions" is definitely OK for a beginner, but you might find it better to start with a Dreamweaver book first. If you have Dreamweaver CS3, it might be better to wait a couple of weeks for <a href="/egdwcs3/" title="Go to description of Essential Guide" rel="nofollow">The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS3 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP</a>. It's due to be published on 23 July. The printed version is already at the printers, so the ebook version should be available within the next couple of weeks. "PHP Solutions", by the way, was created entirely on Dreamweaver. The major difference is that it concentrates entirely on hand-coding; it doesn't make use of any of the Dreamweaver server behaviors. I don't display my email address on the website, because I don't want it to be picked up by spammers. Messages posted here or in the foED forum always reach me. All the digital versions of friends of ED books are listed on this page of the friends of ED website. The list shows the books in the order they were published, with the most recent first, so you’ll find “PHP Solutions” close to the top, but “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″ much further down.

“PHP Solutions” is definitely OK for a beginner, but you might find it better to start with a Dreamweaver book first. If you have Dreamweaver CS3, it might be better to wait a couple of weeks for The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS3 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP. It’s due to be published on 23 July. The printed version is already at the printers, so the ebook version should be available within the next couple of weeks.

“PHP Solutions”, by the way, was created entirely on Dreamweaver. The major difference is that it concentrates entirely on hand-coding; it doesn’t make use of any of the Dreamweaver server behaviors.

I don’t display my email address on the website, because I don’t want it to be picked up by spammers. Messages posted here or in the foED forum always reach me.

]]> By: Jonathan http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9516 Jonathan Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:07:24 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9516 On comment 13 by Francisco Cerquella, she says she downloaded both books. Where can I purchase digital copies of your books? I'm particularly interested in "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" or "PHP Solutions". I'm new to dreamweaver and PHP, and i'll be using Dreamweaver to create a website. I'd to know if the "PHP Solutions" book will be readable for a novice if I'm going through the exercises with Dreamweaver. I wanted to write an email but i didn't find any address on the entire website. I hope you'll catch this post in a timely fashion. Jonathan On comment 13 by Francisco Cerquella, she says she downloaded both books. Where can I purchase digital copies of your books? I’m particularly interested in “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″ or “PHP Solutions”.

I’m new to dreamweaver and PHP, and i’ll be using Dreamweaver to create a website. I’d to know if the “PHP Solutions” book will be readable for a novice if I’m going through the exercises with Dreamweaver.

I wanted to write an email but i didn’t find any address on the entire website. I hope you’ll catch this post in a timely fashion.

Jonathan

]]> By: David http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9508 David Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:04:19 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9508 Thanks very much, Sebastian. I'm glad to hear you found "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" so helpful. "PHP Solutions" will definitely take your knowledge of PHP further. However, it's not based on Dreamweaver server behaviors, so it takes you more into the realm of hand-coding. There are some areas of overlap between the two books, but I think you should find plenty of useful new material in "PHP Solutions". Thanks very much, Sebastian. I’m glad to hear you found “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″ so helpful. “PHP Solutions” will definitely take your knowledge of PHP further. However, it’s not based on Dreamweaver server behaviors, so it takes you more into the realm of hand-coding. There are some areas of overlap between the two books, but I think you should find plenty of useful new material in “PHP Solutions”.

]]> By: Milind Parikh http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9280 Milind Parikh Sat, 30 Jun 2007 19:40:35 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9280 Since I respect Caroline's opinion a lot, I will now go to Borders and get PHP Solutions. Since I respect Caroline’s opinion a lot, I will now go to Borders and get PHP Solutions.

]]> By: Sebastian http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-9227 Sebastian Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:00:32 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-9227 David, I am just about to finish your book "PHP for Dreamweaver 8." First of all - thanks you for providing such a good instruction for newbies like me! I am German and I study Web Development at the Montgomery College (near Washington DC, US). Your book is one of the best programming books I read. Actually I normally avoid those books because they can be frustrating if you are a beginner like me. It is sad that the Kollection 3 software is not available anymore. But everything else is a really good help for me to get started creating my own dynamic sites. Do you think "PHP Solutions" would be a suitable book to extend my knowlege in PHP? I will recommend your book on my school! Sebastian David,
I am just about to finish your book “PHP for Dreamweaver 8.”
First of all – thanks you for providing such a good instruction for newbies like me! I am German and I study Web Development at the Montgomery College (near Washington DC, US). Your book is one of the best programming books I read. Actually I normally avoid those books because they can be frustrating if you are a beginner like me.
It is sad that the Kollection 3 software is not available anymore. But everything else is a really good help for me to get started creating my own dynamic sites. Do you think “PHP Solutions” would be a suitable book to extend my knowlege in PHP?
I will recommend your book on my school!
Sebastian

]]> By: Francisco Cerquella http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-4842 Francisco Cerquella Sun, 08 Apr 2007 23:36:24 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-4842 Hi David, After reading your post- it sounded more convincing than the Table of Contents- I couldn't but buy "Php Solutions" I have already read chapters 6 and 7(I want my visitors to upload photographs) and I find them as good as the ones in "Foundation..", especially chapter 6. I downloaded both books. I hope you get same or more money as when they are "physical" books. Will "Php Foundations for flash" ever go virtual? I really feel more comfortable reading an e-book. It's easier to keep it open! Well, David Thanks Francisco Cerquella Hi David,
After reading your post- it sounded more convincing than the Table of Contents- I couldn’t but buy “Php Solutions” I have already read chapters 6 and 7(I want my visitors to upload photographs) and I find them as good as the ones in “Foundation..”, especially chapter 6.

I downloaded both books. I hope you get same or more money as when they are “physical” books.
Will “Php Foundations for flash” ever go virtual? I really feel more comfortable reading an e-book. It’s easier to keep it open!
Well, David
Thanks
Francisco Cerquella

]]> By: David http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-4606 David Wed, 04 Apr 2007 07:06:59 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-4606 Hi Francisco, Glad you like "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8". There is, inevitably, considerable overlap of material in "PHP Solutions" because the second book focuses entirely on hand-coding, so I have to show readers how to do the same things by hand that Dreamweaver automates. Still, there is quite a lot of new material in there, too. "PHP Solutions" covers file uploads, working with the file system to read and write files, generating thumbnails, and creating a lookup table in a database. I'm currently busy writing "The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS3 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP". Most of the PHP material is based on "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8", but well over 50% of the book is completely new, focusing on the new features in CS3, such as CSS management and Spry, the Adobe implementation of Ajax. I'll try to get some details about the book on my site in the next week or so. Hi Francisco,

Glad you like “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″. There is, inevitably, considerable overlap of material in “PHP Solutions” because the second book focuses entirely on hand-coding, so I have to show readers how to do the same things by hand that Dreamweaver automates. Still, there is quite a lot of new material in there, too. “PHP Solutions” covers file uploads, working with the file system to read and write files, generating thumbnails, and creating a lookup table in a database.

I’m currently busy writing “The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS3 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP”. Most of the PHP material is based on “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8″, but well over 50% of the book is completely new, focusing on the new features in CS3, such as CSS management and Spry, the Adobe implementation of Ajax. I’ll try to get some details about the book on my site in the next week or so.

]]> By: Francisco Cerquella http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-4604 Francisco Cerquella Wed, 04 Apr 2007 06:48:25 +0000 http://foundationphp.com/blog/2006/12/09/five-star-treatment-for-php-solutions/#comment-4604 Hi David, I bought "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver" two weeks ago and I think it's the best book on PHP.ever. It's FUN(never thought PHP could be fun) reliable, revealing and encouraging. Thank you! I have looked at "PHP Solutions" table of contents and I think it's quite similar to "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver" so I may not buy it. Are you planning/writing a continuation to "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver"? Thank you again Francisco Cerquella Hi David,
I bought “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver” two weeks ago and I think it’s the best book on PHP.ever. It’s FUN(never thought PHP could be fun) reliable, revealing and encouraging. Thank you!

I have looked at “PHP Solutions” table of contents and I think it’s quite similar to “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver” so I may not buy it.
Are you planning/writing a continuation to “Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver”?

Thank you again
Francisco Cerquella

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