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New Book by Triangle Web Developer Showcases Dynamic HTML

A Revolutionary New Web Design Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 1999) — A new book by Steven Champeon with David S. Fox, "Building Dynamic HTML GUIs" (IDG Books Worldwide, 1999; ISBN 0764532677) gives Web designers a step-by-step guide to using dynamic HTML — a technology that promises to revolutionize designers' approach to site design, application development, prototyping, and interface and usability issues on the Web. The book is now available in stores and may be purchased online).

DHTML — a blend of HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, and JavaScript — is a relatively new technology, which allows Web site designers to create truly dynamic client-side applications that run in both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer. Until recent developments in DHTML technology, building Web applications, rather than simple collections of static Web pages, was very difficult at best.

"We are on the verge of a breakthrough in the way we think about Web sites," notes Champeon, senior technical consultant with hesketh.com/inc.."No longer discrete events separated by lengthy or merely disruptive calls to the Web server, Web pages will look more like traditional applications, but will be delivered via the network, allowing tremendous control for the developer," Champeon continues. "As the layout engines built into the major browsers become more and more precise, as developers and designers start to flex their wings and work with the potential of the technology, new interface paradigms will arise, blending the more powerful of existing GUI conventions with the navigation-oriented conventions of the Web. The Web as we know it will come to embrace the new ways of enabling users, putting awesome power into the hands of developers and users alike."

DHTML enables Web designers to create a user-configurable interfaces -- in which they can change colors, elements, etc. to suit their own preferences. To illustrate the capability of this new technology, "Building HTML GUIs" includes code that allows people to write Web-based applications that work across browsers and platforms. "We provide an entire sample application in the form of a dynamic poetry game. (http://dhtml-guis.com/game/) to demonstrate how to use the library," Champeon says.

"What this means for designers and developers is that we need to be vigilant when designing applications and Web interfaces, taking into consideration not only layout and color choices, but also the impact of alternate colors and other properties, as well as usability issues," Champeon explains. "The advent of DHTML is just a harbinger of a new phase in the development of design on the Web."

Champeon is a founding member of the Web Standards Project and provides acerbic commentaries at a.jaundicedeye.com. He has provided technical editing on the topic of XML for IDG Books Worldwide and MIS:Press and technical editing for Louis Rosenfeld and Peter Morville's book on Information Architecture for the World Wide Web. Champeon actively participates in and speaks at trade conferences, including Web '98 Cool Site in a Day competition, Web '97, WebExpo, and the CSRI Intranet Forum.

ABOUT hesketh.com/inc.

hesketh.com is a leading Web services firm that punctuates the fast-paced dotcom sphere with distinctive design and development solutions, specializing in vibrant online communities, dynamic dotcom businesses, and high impact corporate sites. A hesketh.com design makes the most appropriate use of Internet technology, from its integration with corporate marketing strategies, to strategic site design and information architecture, as well as cross-platform and cross-browser compatibility. http://www.hesketh.com

ABOUT IDG BOOKS WORLDWIDE, INC

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. headquartered in Foster City, Calif., is a leading global knowledge company featuring a diverse portfolio of technology, business and how-to books and computer-based learning tools, including the best-selling ...For Dummies®, ...Secrets®, Teach Yourself®, 3-D Visual® and Cliffs Notes(tm) brands. IDG Books Worldwide has more than 700 active titles plus translations in 36 languages around the world.

More information about IDG Books Worldwide is available from the company's SEC filings (Nasdaq: IDGB) or by visiting its World Wide Web site, http://www.idgbooks.com. Information about our ...For Dummies® and Cliffs Notes(tm) brands can also be found at http://www.dummies.com and http://www.cliffs.com. IDG Books Worldwide is a subsidiary of International Data Group, Inc. a leading global provider of information technology media, research, conferences and expositions.

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