Cosmic rain said
I think having read it thoroughly, the author by saying "beginner's guide to WordPress" is saying beginner to the WordPress platform and not to web design/development.
Let me explain my level of understanding before I started reading. I'm 19 and web design/dev has been a hobby of mine for about one year now. I've a reasonable grasp on HTML/CSS JavaScript having spent hours watching free video tutorials and reading two books. I'm able to build a basic website from scratch with the help of past examples and some developing tools like notepad++. I understand JavaScript and because the concepts of PHP are similar to JavaScript, I can make educated guesses on what code does what. These prerequisites and time are enough to get through this book.
Honestly installing WordPress was the hardest part, your first time is confusing for about 15mins. The simple answer to getting through the first chapter is signing up for a basic Dreamhost hosting plan as Dreamhost has a one click install button for WordPress in their web panel. Once you've installed WordPress the rest of the book is a walk in the park.
The first 6 chapters are concerned with working through the layout of the platform, explaining what everything does, and the book does a great job at that. After the 6th knowing HTML, CSS is essential for continuing, moving onto the Chapter 7 it helps to have dabbled in PHP. The book does a great job explaining [HTML,CSS] to WordPress conversion, Which Online blogs I've read could not comprehensively do. If you've got this far you'll be able to go to the end without many problems.
TLDR; to get the most out of this book prerequisites are HTML, CSS, & some PHP, & a dreamhost account.
Anne McIntyre said
I have to agree with the other reviewers. This book is not for beginners. I am an experienced computer user and former trainer, but new to WordPress and blogging. I expected a simple explanation of the steps I should take to get my new blog set up and a clear definition of terms. Instead, there seems to be an assumption that I know what all these terms mean already. The text is more description than tutorial. Not recommended.
Kimberly said
I just received this book today. I was so excited to get it, because I am new to WordPress and don't have any experience. I dabbled with blogger a little bit, but that's it.
I opened the book and I knew at that moment, I was returning it. The text size was way too small. I have never said that about any book and I read a lot of books.
Too much text crammed on each page. I could hardly understand what she was talking about. I am a beginner and if I couldn't even come close to understanding what she was talking about, how is any beginner supposed to. The book wasn't encouraging or pleasing that I wanted to dig more.
Very few pictures too.
Nope I guess I will go back to the WordPress for Dummies page and buy that book instead.
Radegunde said
Beginning WordPress 3 is not for beginners. While the author is no doubt knowledgeable, she could have used help in organizing the material better and explaining concepts more intelligibly. The layout and typography of the book reduce its usefulness: long lines of text, tiny type, few illustrations apart from screenshots, blurry screenshots, no notes or tips (apart from one security tip). It contains some useful information for the experienced, motivated WordPress user. But readers will have to dig hard to find the information needed to create moderately sophisticated sites, such as those that illustrate the opening pages of this book.
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