The Web Server Handbook

This book is very well written in terms of showing you how to set-up your own server. Step by step instructions makes it easy to follow and topics covers everything from choosing your hardware to running cgi/perl scripts. Also the CD-rom has most of the software necessary to get your server up and running. An excellent book to have.

The Web Server Handbook was a big help in uderstanding the whole process of creating dynamic Web pages and then setting up a server to deliver them. One of the most important things I learned from this book was that you do not have to buy a lot of expensive hardware and software--or be a programming genius-- to set up a Web server. This should be a big help to small businesses and nonprofits,students, hobbyists, and others who want to control their Web environment but can't pay $100,000 to have someone else set it up. As someone who *will* be paying others to help me set up a site, I found the book invaluable in understanding specifically what the work is that they are doing, and to be able to participate more knowledgeably in getting a site that works the way I want. This book was different from many of the other Web creation books I've read, in that, it is not exclusively tied to one company's software applications or one operating system. It allowed me to look at the differences between the Mac, PC, and UNIX Web worlds. It also gave me an introduction to CGI and PERL. In contrast to some of the other books in the field, it doesn't assume heavy programming background to understand these tools. Finally, a word about tone: the book's style is upbeat and engaging, and encourages you to dive into trying new things. I have found it a good read, and a great all-around reference.