I don't get the people who see this as a milestone. It's more like a millstone around the neck of web designers and developers. I think it did more to widen the gulf between designers and developers than help us work together. Leaf through this online or in a library, glean what you can from the few techie tips that are still worthwhile, then put it down. If you're a web developer or architect, you won't get much out of it, and if you're on the design or business side you will only get the wrong idea about what web site design is all about.

"A classic book on web design.", Though somewhat dated, there is still good information in this classic book on web design. The website is also packed with information and it has recently been updated with up to date content among other nice features.

Check it out at: www.killersites.com

"Good guidelines", This book doesn't teach you html. You should already know html before you buy this book. This book teaches you how to design good looking web sites. Personally, I don't think this can be taught. There are many examples of good and bad sites, before and after sites, but the old saying, "Can't teach an old dog new tricks" goes when it comes to art and design. Fortunately, these things are very subjective. What is bad to me, may be good to you. But in the end, there are only so few that really deserve to win a bikini contest.

"Pretty outdated", I bought this book and sat down to read it with great excitement, but that feeling has gradually dimmed as I get further into it. It does have the occasional handy tip, but mostly it's too outdated to be of any great use. Most of the sites he uses as examples of killer sites are not so great by the standards of today, and at least one that he uses as a major worked example in his gallery section as a site he created, has since been redesigned by other designers and is totally different. I'm just glad I picked it up cheap. It's definately a book that's well overdue for a revision.

I skimmed through it last night and was let down in a big way. I was hoping this book would tell me something I didn't know or at least be a useful reference book to sit next to my computer. Unfortunately, this one isn't a keeper. I'll have to continue my hunt for a decent design book.

"This is a historically important book for web design", If in about 5-10 years, someone chose to write a book about the development of web design, this book would rank at or near the top. This is probably the book that truly unleashed the so-called second-generation concept of web design on the world, for better or worse. Do you want to know about how to use tables for layouts, use transparent 1-pixel GIFs as spacers or "shims" to keep everything from getting wobbly, and how to use GIF-text images in conjunction with actual text to make your page look just the way you, the designer, want it to? All those techniques are explained here in great detail, with lots of examples, plus you can look at the companion website for source code.

Of course this second edition came out in 1997 - and now it's 2000, and many of the techniques he explains are outdated. Current-day standards advocates, usability experts and the like deplore the kinds of methods described here. Yet, probably most of the "designed" websites out there that are not using just the latest techniques or the the other extreme - just using plain-looking text layouts - are using at least a few of the techniques detailed here. So if you are new to HTML and web design, and you want to know how to make your pages look like much of what's on the web right now, this book is a must. "HTML Magic", which covers the much of the same material, is also recommended.

"Be very careful when purchasing this book", This book should be called "Creating Killer web sites WITH Photoshop 4". The techniques are made for Photoshop 4. If you do not use that program do not buy this book as it is expensive. Secondly the advice on web site creation from the book is outdated and out moded. Even the author has recanted and said that the way web design is out lined in this book IS NOT the way to go. He flip flops and totally does a 180 in his new book "Secrets of Succesful web sites". Therefore this book is 1) expensive 2) oudated 3) over rated 4) a waste of time and money 5) by the authors own admission- flawed Skip it....

"Still cutting edge after all these years", David Siegel is truly a master of this craft. Despite flames by his obviously narrow-minded, envious detractors, Siegel's message is this: unify graphic and informational content in a way that will amaze your clientele and keep them coming back for more.

This book sets the standard for thinking "outside the box." If you are a minimalist, or prefer the latest in Flash/Shockwave over-the-top design the book is equally relevant. It is not about "design your site exactly like this," but an inspiration to spark your own creative juices.

Don't be scared off by Siegel's nay-sayers. Take the book for a test drive. You won't regret it.

"Good as a reference, not a primer", I agree with most of the reviewers who stress Web content over style and who criticize the design practices in this book. This doesn't mean that "Creating Killer Web Sites" is a bad book, it just means you should extract the useful parts of it without being compelled to design fluffy, image oriented sites.

I found this book useful because it provided some very helpful tips about Web graphics, color pallets, PhotoShop, etc., which any Web designer needs to master. I found a lot of Siegel's design concepts creative and interesting, but--guess what--I avoided them like the plague. In professional and personal site building I have always had to produce clear, reasonably elegant sites without superfluous imagery. Based on my professional and personal experience, not to mention exposure to other reviewers--I think that's what most people look for in a Web site.

Use this book for its many helpful graphic tips, and enjoy its creative ideas. But don't take its site building concepts too seriously.