The Internet is dynamic, chaotic, exciting, interesting, and useful, all at the same time. The Web is pretty fun from a user’s point of view, but that’s only part of the story. Perhaps the best part of the Internet is how participatory it is. You can build your own content — for free! It’s really amazing. There’s never been a form of communication like this before. Anyone with access to a minimal PC and a little bit of knowledge can create his or her own homestead in one of the most exciting platforms in the history of communication. The real question is how to get there. A lot of Web development books are really about how to use some sort of software you have to buy. That’s okay, but it’s not necessary. Many software packages have evolved that purport to make Web development easier. Some work pretty well, but regardless what software package you use, there’s still a need to know what’s really going on under the surface. That’s where this book comes in. You’ll find out exactly how the Web works in this book. You’ll figure out how to use various tools, but, more importantly, you’ll create your piece of the Web.
