Platinum Edition Using HTML 4, XML, and Java 1.2
(Publisher: Macmillan Computer Publishing)
Author(s): Eric Ladd
ISBN: 078971759x
Publication Date: 11/01/98

About the Authors

Eric Ladd ([email protected]) is the owner and chief developer for Rock Creek Web Solutions, a Web-based applications development firm in Arlington, Virginia. In addition to his development work, he is a member of the Interactive Multimedia and Web Development faculty at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Eric has worked on nearly a dozen titles for Que, including (with his co-author, Jim O’Donnell) Platinum Edition Using HTML 4, Java 1.1, and JavaScript 1.2, Second Edition, Special Edition Using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, and Using HTML 4.

Eric earned two degrees in mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he also taught fun subjects such as differential equations and complex variables for several years.

Outside of work and writing, Eric enjoys hitting the gym, biking, country dancing, and being dragged around the Metro DC area by his Boxer Zack.

Jim O’Donnell was born on October 17, 1963, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (you may forward birthday greetings to [email protected]). After a number of unproductive years, he went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he spent 11 years earning three degrees, graduating for the third (and final) time in 1992. Currently, he works as an aerospace engineer, building satellites in metropolitan Washington, DC.

Jim has been working as an author and technical editor for Macmillan Computer Publishing for four years, contributing to over 30 books, and lead-authoring (with Eric Ladd) five. When Jim isn’t writing or researching for Macmillan, he can often be found on IRC (under the nick of JOD or HockeyJOD); you can also visit The House of JOD at http://www.rpi.edu/~odonnj. When he isn’t on the computer, Jim likes to run, play ice hockey, read, collect comic books and PEZ dispensers, and play the second-best board game ever, Axis & Allies.

Contributing Author Bios

Michael Morgan ([email protected]) is founder and president of DSE, Inc., a full-service Web presence provider and software development shop. The DSE team has developed software for such companies as Intelect, Magnavox, DuPont, the American Biorobotics Company and Satellite Systems Corporation, as well as for the government of Iceland and the Royal Saudi Air Force. DSE’s Web sites are noted for their effectiveness—one of the company’s sites generated sales of more than $100,000 within 30 days of being announced.

During academic year 1989-1990, Mike was invited by retired Navy Admiral Ron Hays to serve as the first Fellow of the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR) in Honolulu. PICHTR is a spin-off of the University of Hawaii and bridges the gap between academic research and industrial applications. Mike directed the first technology transfer initiatives at PICHTR and helped PICHTR win its first industrial contract. Mike assisted Admiral Hayes in presenting PICHTR and its mission to the Hawaii research community, the Hawaii legislature, and Hawaii’s representatives to Congress.

Mike is a frequent speaker at seminars on information technology and has taught computer science and software engineering at Chaminade University (the University of Honolulu) and in the graduate program of Hawaii Pacific University. He has given seminars for the IEEE, National Seminars, the University of Hawaii, Purdue University, and Notre Dame.

He holds a Master of Science in Systems Management from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Wheaton College, where he concentrated his studies on computer science. He has taken numerous graduate courses in computer science through the National Technological University. Mike is currently a student in the doctoral program at the Center for Leadership Studies at Regent University, where he is exploring the relationship between software processes and organizational theory.

Mike can usually be found in his office at DSE, drinking Diet Pepsi and writing Java. He lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Jean, and their six children.

Melissa Niles is a Web programmer and consultant for ITM Services (http://www.itm.com/). Although she specializes in Web/database access, she has worked for companies around the world, building Web- and Internet-based client/server applications. She can be reached at [email protected].

Acknowledgments

A tome like this does not write itself. It is the result of the orchestrated efforts of many, all of whom deserve recognition. Eric and Jim would like to thank the entire staff at Que that helped with this book. Special thanks go to Jeff Taylor for getting us started and to Tim Ryan and Jon Steever for seeing us through the rest of the process. Also, we would like to thank the cadre of contributing authors and technical editors, without whom this book would be woefully incomplete. Finally, we want to express a special note of thanks to Doshia Stewart, who got the whole thing started, and to Jane Brownlow, for helping to make our time spent working with Que a pleasant experience.

Eric is indebted to many people who provided support and encouragement over the course of the project. Special thanks to Dad, Brenda, Bob Leidich, Tara Bridgman, Mike Crow, John Guzman, Gordon Vivace, Chad Cipiti, Phil Attey, Carolyn McHale, Michelle Keen, Ryan Miller, August Jackson, and Randy Bowers. Also, an extra special tip of the hat to Carol Greco, Emily Stollar, and Frank Kolencik, who helped me through the stressful process of closing on my first home while the writing process was beginning.

Jim would like to thank his family and friends for their support while he worked on this book. He would like to especially thank his roommates, Richard and Darby, the Weekly Poker Crew, Brian, Doug, Stuart, Richard, David, Philippe, and Chris, and his teammates on the DC Nationals. Finally, an extra special thank you goes to Anthony Smith, Jim’s “Marine Corps Marathon Road Crew”… Thanks for being there, Anthony, I couldn’t do it without you!

Dedication

For my sister, Brenda—Eric Ladd

For my little sister, Christine, who always has a smile. Well, almost always…—Jim O’Donnell

Tell Us What You Think!

As the reader of this book, you are our most important critic and commentator. We value your opinion and want to know what we’re doing right, what we could do better, what areas you’d like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you’re willing to pass our way.

As the Executive Editor for the Java team at Macmillan Computer Publishing, I welcome your comments. You can fax, email, or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn’t like about this book—as well as what we can do to make our books stronger.

Please note that I won’t have time to help you with technical problems related to the topic of this book, and that due to the high volume of mail I receive, I might not be able to reply to every message.

When you write, please be sure to include this book’s title and author as well as your name and phone or fax number. I will carefully review your comments and share them with the author and editors who worked on the book.