Free eBooks For Designers And Web Developers

Nowadays, knowledge isn’t something so hard to get and difficult to possess as in the past, when there was no Internet and you had to go to the library and hope that the book you’re searching for isn’t taken, or you had to study hard and also pay good money for this effort. Nowadays you can find almost everything about anything on the web and, in a few days, you can master the weirdest or most difficult skills.

Maybe for somebody, designing or web developing is something that was always on their ‘to study’ list, but something was standing in their way. Maybe the wish and enthusiasm to learn designing or developing is still there? If so, here are 30 of the best free eBooks that every future or actual designer and developer should read.

Of course there are a lot of tutorials and ebooks out there on the world wide web, but who has the time, in this fast-paced reality, to look for them? Better use that time for learning new techniques, for improving your skills or just studying the basics, if you’re a newbie in this domain. It’s never late to learn something new and interesting!  Here’s our showcase with the free ebooks you’re probably going to  like a lot and that will make your efforts easier and more efficient. Hope you’ll like at least some of them and will start reading right away…

Introduction to Web Applications Development

This 376 page eBook “Introduction to Web Applications Development”, starts with an introduction to the internet, including a brief history of the TCT/IP protocol and World Wide Web. It defines the basic concepts for web servers and studies the case of Apache, the most used webserver, while other free software webservers are not forgotten. It continues with webpage design focusing on HTML and JavaScript. XML Schemas, their validation and transformation are covered as well as dynamic webpages built with CGI, PHP or JSP and database access.

Mobile Apps – Native or Web?

A planning guide for Mobile Marketing and Development Teams.

You probably have a plan to build a mobile app, but you’ve struggled with the basic question – Should I build it using open web standards such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or should I build it as a native app for the devices I want to target?

This is a difficult question and one that requires considerable thought and analysis. To help you wade through the pros and cons, iPadCTO has created this comprehensive list of issues and provided a pros-cons template to quickly begin to quantify your requirements. At the outset, it is important to say that this is not a debate about which approach, native or web, should win in the marketplace. Rather, it is far more sensible to debate on how positive and negative attributes of a particular development strategy will unfold in the context of a specific business requirement. As such, this eBook will focus on an objective to first establish a context, and then apply sensible and rational arguments, either for or against web or native apps.

Along with this free eBook you will also receive a free email newsletter that provides timely guidance concerning iPad in the enterprise direct to your inbox.

Offered Free by: iPadCTO

HTML5 First Look – Free Video Training Tutorials

In HTML5 First Look, author James Williamson introduces the newest HTML specification, providing a high-level overview of HTML5 in its current state, how it differs from HTML4, the current level of support in various browsers and mobile devices, and how the specification might evolve in the future.

This course will be expanded with additional tips and techniques later this year. Topics include:

• Why do we need HTML5?
• HTML5 Timeline
• HTML5 vs. HTML4
• New content tags
• Content models
• The role of “div” tags
• DOCTYPE declarations
• Basic page structure
• CSS3 overview

Along with the free video training tutorials you will also receive monthly offers, tips, and insider information you won’t hear elsewhere—including special discounts extended to newsletter subscribers.

After taking advantage of the free video training, you can access all of Lynda.com’s video tutorials by becoming a member of the Online Training Library®.

Offered Free by: Lynda.com Inc.

The Art & Science of JavaScript – Free 100 Page Preview!

For intermediate JavaScript developers who want to take their JavaScript skills to the next level without sacrificing web accessibility or best practice.

If you’ve never written a line of JavaScript before, this probably isn’t the right book for you—some of the logic in the later chapters can get a little hairy. If you have only a small amount of experience with JavaScript, but are comfortable enough programming in another language such as PHP or Java, you’ll be just fine—SitePoint will hold your hand along the way, and all of the code is available for you to download and experiment with on your own. And if you’re an experienced JavaScript developer, they would be very, very surprised if you didn’t learn a thing or two. In fact, if you only learn a thing or two, you should contact them at SitePoint—they may have a book project for you to tackle!

Offered Free by: SitePoint

Build Your Own ASP.NET 3.5 Web Site Using C# & VB, 3rd Edition!

This comprehensive step-by-step guide will help get your database-driven ASP.NET web site up and running in no time.

Build Your Own ASP.NET 3.5 Web Site Using C# & VB, 3rd Edition is packed full of practical examples, straightforward explanations, and ready-to-use code samples in both C# and VB.

Offered Free by: SitePoint

The PHP Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks, 2nd Edition

A compilation of the best solutions provided to common PHP questions.

The PHP Anthology will save you time, and eliminate the frustration of completing PHP tasks, with a comprehensive collection of ready-to-use solutions. If you’re building web applications with PHP you’ll never let this book out of your site!

Offered Free by: SitePoint

The Beginner’s Guide to Joomla

An Introduction to an Award-Winning Content Management System (CMS).

In this 41 page guide you will be introduced to Joomla which enables you to build Web sites and powerful online applications. Many aspects, including its ease-of-use, extensibility, quick learning curve and templates, have made Joomla one of the most popular Web site software’s available. Best of all, Joomla is an open source solution that is free to everyone. This guide is meant to serve as a guide to Joomla’s basic features and help you install your first Joomla website.

We all have been beginners at some point, so hopefully this guide answers some questions you may have regarding Joomla. Also with this free guide you will also receive daily updates on new cool websites and programs in your email for free courtesy of MakeUseOf.

Offered Free by: Makeuseof.com

Getting Started with Dreamweaver CS5 and Business Catalyst – Free Video Training Tutorials

In Getting Started with Dreamweaver CS5 and Business Catalyst, author Joseph Lowery introduces Business Catalyst, the hosted application for building and managing business web sites, and shows how to add complex functionality by leveraging its integration with Dreamweaver CS5. The course includes tutorials on setting up a Business Catalyst site in Dreamweaver, adding and customizing design elements such as blogs and forums, and employing the Business Catalyst ecommerce features to build an online store. Exercise files accompany the course.

Topics include:

• What is Business Catalyst?
• Why Business Catalyst matters to Dreamweaver designers
• Setting up a Business Catalyst site in Dreamweaver
• Handling downloadable documents
• Styling detail pages

Along with the free video training tutorials you will also receive monthly offers, tips, and insider information you won’t hear elsewhere—including special discounts extended to newsletter subscribers. After taking advantage of the free video training, you can access all of Lynda.com’s video tutorials by becoming a member of the Online Training Library^®.

Offered Free by: Lynda.com Inc.

Package Design Magazine

Each issue of Package Design Magazine is full of the news and information professional package designers need to stay abreast of the latest innovations, materials, and technology driving the packaging industry.

Package Design Magazine features profiles of extraordinary design projects, teams, and processes. Their features present insight into the products, workflow, and the technologies that go into creating the finest packaging in the world. Feature articles cover independent packaging design companies, internal package design teams within consumer product companies, and private label design teams within distribution companies.

Offered Free by: ST Media Group International

Orthopedic Design & Technology

Orthopedic Design & Technology is devoted to the design and manufacturing of orthopedic products.

Their in-depth coverage includes comprehensive feature articles, industry news, trends and technological advances and developments in this fast-growing market segment. Departments and columns discuss new products, services and insights from orthopedic manufacturers and suppliers.

Environmental Design + Construction (ED+C)

Environmental Design + Construction (ED+C), the premier source for integrated high-performance building, is dedicated to efficient and sustainable design and construction.

Published monthly on 100 percent de-inked recycled fiber paper, Environmental Design + Construction provides the progressive architect, designer, specifying engineer and building developer with essential information on the rapidly growing green building industry.

An Idiot’s Guide To Photoshop”

This guide starts right at the very bottom, assuming no knowledge at all, and walks you through all basic aspects in 30 illustrated pages.

Photoshop can be quite difficult, if you throw yourself at it without preparation. You’ve probably got no clue how everyone gets that wizardry done! Don’t despair, check out An Idiot’s Guide To Photoshop. Among other things this guide shows you how to cut out items, remove the background from an image, make an image black and white, add a fake tattoo, crop and merge images, whiten teeth with the dodge tool, remove red eyes, work with gradients, create a water-like image reflection and more. Also with this free guide you will also receive daily updates on new cool websites and programs in your email for free courtesy of MakeUseOf.

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Mastery – Free Video Training Tutorials

In the all-new Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Mastery, the third and final installment of the popular series, join industry expert and award-winning author Deke McClelland for an in-depth tour of the most powerful and empowering features of Photoshop CS5.

Discover the vast possibilities of traditional tools, such as masking and blend modes, and then delve into Smart Objects, Photomerge, as well as the new Puppet Warp, Mixer Brush, and HDR features. Exercise files accompany the course. Recommended prerequisites: Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Fundamentals and Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Advanced. Topics include:

• Painting on a photograph
• Introducing masking
• Making an alpha channel
• The Pen tool and the Paths panel
• Drawing a straight-sided outline
• Photoshop CS5′s blend modes
• Cycling between blend modes
• Placing an Illustrator graphic
• Vector copy and paste options
• Introducing Smart Filters
• Traditional High Pass sharpening
• Canvas texture and brush libraries
• Painting with a predefined custom brush
• The Auto-Align Layers command
• The Auto-Blend Layers command
• Introducing HDR Toning
• Reigning in clipped highlights
• Creating an action set
• Making an action

Along with the free video training tutorials you will also receive monthly offers, tips, and insider information you won’t hear elsewhere—including special discounts extended to newsletter subscribers.

After taking advantage of the free video training, you can access all of Lynda.com’s video tutorials by becoming a member of the Online Training Library®.

Sexy Web Design – Free 71 Page Preview!

An easy-to-follow guide that reveals the secrets of how to build your own breathtaking web interfaces from scratch.

You’ll be guided through the entire process of creating a gorgeous, usable web site by applying the timeless principles of user-centered design. Even if you’re short on design skills, with this book you’ll be creating your own stunning web sites in no time at all.

Picture Perfect: Start Your Own Photoblog

Photoblogs are a means for photographers, both amateur and professional, to share their photography, which serves as a tool for advertising, marketing, or simply a means of displaying your art to an audience.

All of the methods that are listed in this guide require very little, or in many cases no, web design or technical knowledge at all. Rather than mess around with Javascript or Flash solutions, there are far easier options available to put together and maintain a photoblog, fully equipped with a user-friendly content management system. Also with this free guide you will also receive daily updates on new cool websites and programs in your email for free courtesy of MakeUseOf.

How to Set Up an E-commerce Marketing Site for Your Business

Setting up a virtual storefront, also known as E-commerce, is a requirement for a successful business. You can spend a lot of time & money setting up the wrong site but using this guide, you’ll learn everything you would need for a successful site. And to get you started, you will also be provided with several no-obligation price quotes and information from reputable e-commerce marketing providers by phone/email.

However, the process of finding e-commerce solutions can often be overwhelming. First, there is an immense amount of information floating around, and sorting through it all takes time. Most importantly, your business takes on your consumer’s security which requires careful auditing when finding a platform to host. For business owners that don’t speak IT language, it becomes extremely tough to know what you need and what to look for. Comparing e-commerce services are like comparing apples to oranges.

This guide comes with no obligation price quotes from professional and expert e-commerce web design providers – all pre-screened and qualified to best fit your e-commerce marketing needs.

E-commerce Marketing: How To Turn Your Website Into Profit

This buyer’s guide will outline the ins and outs of the e-commerce world, and help you figure out where to get started. You will also receive multiple free price quotes from reputable e-commerce marketing providers by phone/email.

Whether you are starting an e-commerce site to compliment your brick and mortar store, or you are strictly an online company there are many factors you need to consider before you are up and running. This guide will help you navigate your way through every twist and turn en route to a successful e-commerce site design. You will also receive multiple free price quotes from reputable e-commerce web design providers.

There are laws and regulations you need to adhere to, as well as safety precautions to keep your customers safe from security fraud.

This guide comes with no obligation price quotes from professional and expert e-commerce web design providers – all pre-screened and qualified to best fit your e-commerce marketing needs.

Introduction to Web Applications Development

This 376 page eBook “Introduction to Web Applications Development”, starts with an introduction to the internet, including a brief history of the TCT/IP protocol and World Wide Web.

It defines the basic concepts for web servers and studies the case of Apache, the most used webserver, while other free software webservers are not forgotten. It continues with webpage design focusing on HTML and JavaScript. XML Schemas, their validation and transformation are covered as well as dynamic webpages built with CGI, PHP or JSP and database access.

Managing Your Web Site Development for Fast Growing Companies

eCommerce, Website Design, Mobile Apps, Database Design … how can a fast growing company, with limited resources and technical expertise, manage the ever-changing pace of technology that could affect its bottom line? The answers are in this newly-released free guide to Web Development that would review all your options, plus you get instantly matched with highly qualified Web Development companies to receive custom, no obligation quotes.

Maintaining a robust and current online presence for your business may require expertise that your current IT staff does not have. From mobile applications to fully interactive web sites, your company’s growth depends on having knowledgeable resources that you could deploy.

An effective way to address this is through outsourcing web development which is why many companies are relying on the expertise of outsourced companies that can provide top quality custom software programmers to create applications that help drive business growth.

This InsideUp Buyer’s Guide is designed to help you find the best Outsourced Web Development Service provider for your company. Plus, you get instantly matched with highly qualified Web Development Service vendors to receive custom, no obligation quotes.

Getting Started with Dreamweaver CS5 and Business Catalyst – Free Video Training Tutorials

In Getting Started with Dreamweaver CS5 and Business Catalyst, author Joseph Lowery introduces Business Catalyst, the hosted application for building and managing business web sites, and shows how to add complex functionality by leveraging its integration with Dreamweaver CS5. The course includes tutorials on setting up a Business Catalyst site in Dreamweaver, adding and customizing design elements such as blogs and forums, and employing the Business Catalyst ecommerce features to build an online store. Exercise files accompany the course.

Topics include:

• What is Business Catalyst?
• Why Business Catalyst matters to Dreamweaver designers
• Setting up a Business Catalyst site in Dreamweaver
• Handling downloadable documents
• Styling detail pages

Along with the free video training tutorials you will also receive monthly offers, tips, and insider information you won’t hear elsewhere—including special discounts extended to newsletter subscribers. After taking advantage of the free video training, you can access all of Lynda.com’s video tutorials by becoming a member of the Online Training Library^®.

Build Your Own WordPress Site Guide

Everyone has a place on the web nowadays, whether you’re a construction professional, an auctioning vegan, or just someone who wants to be heard. And MakeUseOf’s not talking about Twitter accounts and Facebook profiles, but rather about fully-fledged websites. Tomorrow, you could have yours!

No matter for what purpose, WordPress has proven to be one of the most efficient, most diverse, and most accessible platforms. Creating your own website, even using WordPress, is not something that should be taken too lightly. Inside this guide you’ll find everything you need to know to get your first, second, or tenth website successfully off the ground, ranging from finding a suitable web host and setting up your blog or website, to using an offline blogging client and even designing a simple website banner! Want to learn from the pros, and make your mark on the internet? Then you’re in the right place! It doesn’t matter if you’re an internet newbie or a nerd on steroids, this guide will get you to where you need to go.

Download the Build Your Own WordPress Site Guide now, and read it on your computer today! With this free guide you will also receive daily updates on new cool websites and programs in your email for free courtesy of MakeUseOf.

Drupal 7 Essential Training — Free Video Training Tutorials

Drupal 7 Essential Training shows how to get the most out of Drupal, the Content Management System (CMS) that powers over a quarter million web sites. The course demonstrates how to download and install Drupal, add content and graphics to a site, change layout and design elements, control visitor interactions, and expand the site’s capabilities beyond what’s available in Drupal core. Discussion of established best practices in each step to ensure that a site remains streamlined, secure, and up-to-date. Exercise files are included with the course.

Topics include:

• Getting a Drupal site up fast
• Deciding whether to use Drupal
• Understanding nodes
• Creating new content types
• Modifying image styles
• Selecting and installing themes
• Launching a Drupal site

Along with the free video training tutorials you will also receive monthly offers, tips, and insider information you won’t hear elsewhere—including special discounts extended to newsletter subscribers.

Source: http://designmodo.com/free-ebooks-designers-web-developers/#ixzz1sTimaPVR