Writing a comprehensive book about a topic as large as HTML is a daunting task. As my business partner, Jimmy Tam, often says, “Don’t let anybody tell you that HTML is easy.” This is more true than any of us would like to admit. Even though I have taught HTML for years at UCSD Extension, written numerous articles on the subject, and been involved in the construction of dozens of corporate sites, I am just as guilty as anybody else of underestimating the details and complexities of the language when you get beyond layout. The specifications aren’t perfect, documentation varies between browser vendors, and there is a great deal of misconception and oral history floating around the Web. Worst of all, it’s acontinuously moving target. The HTML 4.0 specification represents a significant
change in the flavor of HTML from previous versions. With the potential rise of a new form of HTML in light of XML, more changes are in the offing. I and many others tried as hard as we could to clarify everything to the best of our understanding. I would like to thank those who made the extra effort to try to make this more than just another HTML book.