I’ve got several older site point titles (Simply Javascript, CSS designing without tables, Javascript anthology, CSS anthology), and was wondering if the new HTML 5 book is worth getting. Is it supported? Its been a while but I think I can get back into the swing of things, but don’t want to be buying everything under the sun. 
It’s a good book but the problem is that html5 is not supported in IE 8 and below as well as legacy versions of other browsers. The only way to make pages in those browsers work is by forking and hacking them with the aid of Javascript. In my mind, it’s too early yet to deploy html5 on (most) public sites. Many people already make use of it, though, with the downside that visitors without JS enabled will get a less than decent—and sometimes disfunctional—site as the new html5 elements, and thus their styling will be ignored entirely, those who use legacy browsers will have the same result as the shivs are only catered to IE users, and the latter will get pages that load considerably slower due to the increased work the browser has to do to serve the pages.
Oy, that was a run-in sentence…
It is a good book when used as an introduction(my case) to css3 and html5. I must say though, that most of what i have learnt so far about this has come through my own ideas and goals with my own projects + google. Although the book created some inspiration and understanding too, it was a broad outlook on everything in general. Not too much detail about anything. Like i said… An introduction. (introduced me to modernizer too!)
I do agree with kohoutek too. Its nice to see these things, but for me its creating quite a bit of a problem when you think of the useability of it… Ie Html 5 forms? Unless you really know whats going on with jquery and modernizer, and even still, you’re doomed to a mix and match site when it comes to cross browser compatibility.
I see that you did not mention anything php related? That would be a good start in my opinion.
Good point! Ok, so I’m assuming that most of what I already have is still usable. Great! As far as PHP goes NOW what would you recommend in terms of SP books?
I only have one SP book relating to php “Build your own Database Driven Website using PHP & MYSQL” Although i kind of had the feeling that i was thrown in the deep end (being an utter noob) I managed alright with it, and can tell you that i still use some of the code from that book in various projects i have started so far
Php is really a LOT of fun… (my opinion)
And yes, what you know already is definately still good. Just read up on where things are going, because they going that way fast 