Wow and Kool are the first words that come to mind after reading just the Into and Chapter 1.

As a Web Programming Instructor, I am always searching for easy ways to get my students motivated.  Page 2 of Chapter 1 shows an XML and XHTML strict - but the code is so straight forward - that you are not in the least intimidated with the strict XHTML.  To find something students can relate to that gives a solid example of two abstract things - is great.  There is nothing to be intimidated with, the explanations are clear and the web site
- give corrections.  Each chapter offers a lot for each level user.

Chapter 1 is fun for a wide range of web skills:  Web Development, Digital Photographers, Digital Imaging, and more advanced.

Chapter 2 - gives the JavaScript, XHTML developer's lots of detail on what is going on in the script.  Each exercise builds on the previous one, until by the end of the chapter you have a robust program, you can use immediately.

Chapter 3 - adds user input, it begins the discussion of adding to a Database & Ajax.  You have a dialog with the authors of why they did what they did - it's insight to working with a database.  The chapters keep getting richer and draw you in.  You hate to put it down!

Appendix B has a generous 28 page summary of the important API commands, making learning Google Maps API easier.

I am adding this to my Reference Book list and it will defiantly be a required reading for Advanced PHP classes.

Jil MacMenamin
http://JilMac.com