Book Review::The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web

This book has the whole package: layout strategies, using images, proper fonts, special effects.

If you are doing anything with CSS, this book is required reading. In fact, I can safely say this is my favorite CSS book. Why? While most books cover the technology, this book covers the philosophical and design aspects of the application of CSS.

As a programmer, I feel at home with the standard fare of CSS books. However, there is something missing. The element of design is a core half of what CSS brings to us. An ugly page can be done in CSS just as well as a sliced up table layout. But a well designed page, and a well constructed page as far as markup, is what we all want to achieve in the end, right?

If you are not awate of what CSS Zen Garden is, you are in for a treat. This one site single-handedly converted me to CSS, in one day. It was the last time I ever did a table layout. It shows the power of CSS, where the markup does not change -- a true separation of content and design. Check it out, you won't regret it. If you are not impressed, you must be one of those command-line, hopeless types.

The book takes different posted designs, and describes how they work. It's one thing to see the code, and try to figure out what it's doing. This book explains the concepts, explains the code. It's clear, concise, and a fast read. It also makes a great coffee table addition!

Bottom line: This book is incredible. It brings a more complete appreciation for implementing CSS, it brings the design portion in, and gives it a prominent spot. If you are a designer, you will appreciate what programmers can do to set your creative side free. If you are a programmer, you have the function, now embrace form a bit, and make something extraordinary.

Autism Awareness Month 2008 - TV Networks and License Plates

In case you didn't know, it's Autism Awareness Month. The big news? It is starting to appear that CNN is making the turn when it comes to autism. I love their tagline, "Why is autism still a mystery?" That is a very good question, and I'm convinced it has some very ugly answers. On the good side, Larry King has done a number of very positive shows with parents of autistic children over the past two months. Bravo Larry!

In general, the major news networks have bowed to their drug company advertisers and CDC talking heads, while making parents of autistic children look emotional and ridiculous. By far the worst is CBS. Last year, Bob Wright, former CEO of NBC, found out that his grandson had autism. To his credit, he and his wife began Autism Speaks, which is a fantastic organization. Since then, NBC has been very careful to show parents in a positive light. Now it's CNN.

The second thing I wanted to note was a story about a girl from Kentucky (where I used to live). Natalie Pope, a 17-year old girl scout, will kick off a new autism awareness specialty license plate for the state of Kentucky. Her younger brother was diagnosed with autism, and this was her Gold Award project. This was not an easy thing to do, and I applaud her for it.

The last thing I want to mention is a long running story of frustration. Once again, Dr. Paul Offit, inventor of thimerisol, is being quoted that a mercury/autism link has been disproven "over and over again." In the face of conflicting studies, and the growing numbers of autism, he's sticking to his "story." Why? Offit makes money when thimerisol is used. His entire medical reputation is wrapped up in it. Would you listen to a tobacco executive telling you that nicotine is not additive and cigarettes don't cause lung cancer? Of course not! Then stop reading Paul Offit. One day, I believe he is likely to be regarded by future doctors as a misguided and reckless. He is our modern day Walter Freeman. Freeman was considered an expert, a hero during his life. History is often very cruel, with a ling list of doctors who are today considered monsters. Offit's name, just like Freeman, will one day be added to that list.