user6544: I want to give my project a simple web GUI to change config options. I know I could get a shield and write some horrible HTML in C but I'm wondering if there is a better way. Is there another IC I could get to help with this? What's the recommended solution for an embedded web server?

user12054: I'm currently using the ESP8266 modules. They are available for little money on eBay and the like and they provide a pretty nice Wifi-Module. You can even (and I would recommend that) be programmed by the Arduino IDE using some clever core that a few people built here: https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino
Using that you got a Wifi-Server built into the delivered Libraries that can provide basic functions. It can also output files from an SD card if available, there is an example for that.
Aside from that the module has a lot of Flash and you might not even need the Arduino if you don't need a lot of I/O, if you need a lot of I/O then you might want to communicate across a serial link. You will need to make sure to lower the voltage for the ESP, either use a 3.3V Arduino or build a level converter between the Arduino and the ESP, like this: http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/mosfet-voltage-level-converter
It's not as easy as using a Wifi-Shield but it's very cheap to use.

user13382: The Arduino in combination with a wifi/ethernet module will not give you a lot of options to work with. There are currently no libraries that will give you features like including stylesheets, AJAX or websockets. If your project allows it, due to the number of I/O pins you need etc: replace your Arduino with a ESP8266
If you want to produce something fancy: go with the ESP8266. Getting everything setup and working will be a bit harder than with the Arduino, but it will be worth the effort. You can program it in Lua, but that will only give you access to some basic functions. Just write your program in C like you did on the Arduino. There is a thing called Sming framework which allows you to import Arduino libraries with only changing in few lines of code. The Sming framework also includes a HTTPserver with AJAX, websocket, POST/GET, pre-processing, and style/js-file inclusion features.
The web framework is easier than it is in most webframeworks for the pc! The hard part is installing the toolchain and uploading your first bit of code, but once you've got that done it will be easy to figure out the rest. The Sming framework also contains examples for everything you think of. 
If you are planning on buying an ESP8266 I recommend you get a few. The basic ESP-01 cost around $2,40 on ebay, but get a fancier one too with a few extra IO pins. I have also got a development version which can be programmed with a USB cable. It is really usefull for developing your program since you don't have to connect a USB-serial device every time just plug a USB cable. When I think my program is done, I upload it to a more basic and replaceable version of the ESP8266 and fix it in my project.
So a summary: It will be harder to figure everything out, but once you've got everything done it will be worth the effort! Here are a few links:
This will show you the power of a ESP8266:
ESP8266 oscilloscope with websockets video
The Sming framework:
Sming framework github repo

6544: <p>I want to give my project a simple web GUI to change config options. I know I could get a shield and write some horrible HTML in C but I'm wondering if there is a better way. Is there another IC I could get to help with this? What's the recommended solution for an embedded web server?</p>
 12054: <p>I'm currently using the ESP8266 modules. They are available for little money on eBay and the like and they provide a pretty nice Wifi-Module. You can even (and I would recommend that) be programmed by the Arduino IDE using some clever core that a few people built here: <a href="https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino</a></p>

<p>Using that you got a Wifi-Server built into the delivered Libraries that can provide basic functions. It can also output files from an SD card if available, there is an example for that.</p>

<p>Aside from that the module has a lot of Flash and you might not even need the Arduino if you don't need a lot of I/O, if you need a lot of I/O then you might want to communicate across a serial link. You will need to make sure to lower the voltage for the ESP, either use a 3.3V Arduino or build a level converter between the Arduino and the ESP, like this: <a href="http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/mosfet-voltage-level-converter" rel="nofollow">http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/mosfet-voltage-level-converter</a></p>

<p>It's not as easy as using a Wifi-Shield but it's very cheap to use.</p>
 13382: <p>The Arduino in combination with a wifi/ethernet module will not give you a lot of options to work with. There are currently no libraries that will give you features like including stylesheets, AJAX or websockets. If your project allows it, due to the number of I/O pins you need etc: replace your Arduino with a ESP8266</p>

<p>If you want to produce something fancy: go with the ESP8266. Getting everything setup and working will be a bit harder than with the Arduino, but it will be worth the effort. You can program it in Lua, but that will only give you access to some basic functions. Just write your program in C like you did on the Arduino. There is a thing called Sming framework which allows you to import Arduino libraries with only changing in few lines of code. The Sming framework also includes a HTTPserver with AJAX, websocket, POST/GET, pre-processing, and style/js-file inclusion features.</p>

<p>The web framework is easier than it is in most webframeworks for the pc! The hard part is installing the toolchain and uploading your first bit of code, but once you've got that done it will be easy to figure out the rest. The Sming framework also contains examples for everything you think of. </p>

<p>If you are planning on buying an ESP8266 I recommend you get a few. The basic ESP-01 cost around $2,40 on ebay, but get a fancier one too with a few extra IO pins. I have also got a development version which can be programmed with a USB cable. It is really usefull for developing your program since you don't have to connect a USB-serial device every time just plug a USB cable. When I think my program is done, I upload it to a more basic and replaceable version of the ESP8266 and fix it in my project.</p>

<p>So a summary: It will be harder to figure everything out, but once you've got everything done it will be worth the effort! Here are a few links:</p>

<p>This will show you the power of a ESP8266:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ISbmQTbjDI" rel="nofollow">ESP8266 oscilloscope with websockets video</a></p>

<p>The Sming framework:
<a href="https://github.com/SmingHub/Sming" rel="nofollow">Sming framework github repo</a></p>
