iPod Fan Book -- This compact and beautifully packaged guide is for iPod users who want a quick, fun way to learn all the features and capabilities of the device. It takes readers through the process of loading the iPod with music and then organizing, playing, and even burning those tunes onto CDs and DVDs. The book also discusses ways to use the iPod on-the-go, such as playing it through a car stereo, and shows how to use the iPod as a PDA for storing things like addresses and personal calendars. The iPod is more than a digital music device, it has become a cultural phenomenon and a fashion statement, and this book is the perfect gift for people living the iPod lifestyle

Adobe Encore DVD: In the Studio -- If you're looking for a stimulating way to master Adobe Encore DVD and fine-tune your moviemaking skills, here it is. This full-color tutorial will help you push the limits of Adobe Encore DVD by helping you create highly imaginative designs and projects. Designed for Adobe Creative Suite developers and filmmakers, this book combines practical learning materials and project-based lessons. With this comprehensive tutorial, you'll be able to quickly develop professional-looking DVDs studded with special effects worthy of a Hollywood studio. Sample Chapter 2, Deconstructing DVDs, is available free online.

Modding Mac OS X -- This book uncovers dozens of ways to customize the user interface for both Mac OS X and its applications, using the newest tools. You'll learn everything from hacking the preferences and enabling and disabling plugins to using the Terminal and applications like the Property List Editor to modify files and edit resources. If you're ready to tweak and experiment, create and refine, customize and control OS X and your applications--and have some fun doing it--this is an indispensable guide. Sample Chapter 3, Application Dumpster Diving, is available free online.

SQL in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition -- Written for SQL programmers, analysts, and database administrators, this essential desktop reference documents every SQL command and how to use it in both commercial and open source implementations. It includes the command syntax (by vendor, if the syntax differs across implementations), a clear description, and practical examples that illustrate important concepts and uses. It also explains how the leading commercial and open source database products implement SQL. Get the essential data language reference for the world's top SQL database products. Sample Chapter 4, SQL Functions, is available free online.

Mac OS X Power Hound, Panther Edition lifts the hood on the Formula One-powered operating system and delivers over 500 high-octane secrets in every conceivable category, including the Desktop and Finder, iApps, Mac OS X programs, Mastering the system and Terminal, and much more. Consider this book your pit crew, helping you find easier, faster, and better ways of using Panther and the programs that come with it--and even a bunch that don't. And if you want to become your own master mechanic, the book also includes two rich chapters on Unix, the engine under Mac OS X's hood.

Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop is the ideal guide to JDS: it's clear and direct, but loaded with insights from authors who have spent time working with, supporting, and enhancing the system. The book carefully covers such housekeeping chores as setting up networking, updates, and backups. It enters into great depth concerning the key productivity tools every user needs: email, web browsing, instant messaging, word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations. And it includes chapters and appendices on useful tools and system add-ons. Sample Chapter 4, JDS Networking, is available free online.

XML in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition -- There's a lot to know about XML, and it's constantly evolving. But you don't need to commit every syntax, API, or XSLT transformation to memory; you only need to know where to find it. This powerful new edition is the comprehensive XML reference. Serious users of XML will find coverage on just about everything they need, from fundamental syntax rules, to details of DTD and XML Schema creation, to XSLT transformations, to APIs used for processing XML documents. Sample Chapter 9, XPath, is available free online.

Adobe InDesign CS One-on-One -- Adobe InDesign is widely regarded as the page layout/publishing program for the new millennium. In this book, Adobe-certified expert Deke McClelland guides you, at your own pace, through twelve step-by-step lessons that are packed with entertaining and informative real-world projects. There are more than 500 full-color photos, diagrams, and screen shots, as well as tips and tricks for tapping into InDesign's most powerful capabilities. Also included are two hours of video instruction on CD that will help you master fundamental and advanced concepts, best practices, and techniques.

Building the Perfect PC -- For many computer users, a ready-made system is about as satisfying as a frozen microwave dinner: sure, it works, but it's not exactly what you need or want. Don't accept the assortment of components bundled for your price point; build your own PC. With straight-forward language, clear end-to-end instructions, and extensive illustrations, this book covers a variety of complete systems and their components. Regardless of your experience, you can take control and create your ideal machine. Sample Chapter 1, Fundamentals, is available free online.

Head First Servlets & JSP will help you truly understand the latest version, J2EE 1.4, of Servlets and JSP. You'll learn how to write servlets and JSPs, what makes the Container tick, how to use the new JSP Expression Language (EL), and even some server-side design patterns. Written by the creators of the Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) 1.4 exam, this book will help you pass the exam, talk about Struts at dinner parties, and put Servlets and JSP to work right away.

Save on O'Reilly Books Through Safari -- Safari Bookshelf is the premier electronic reference library for IT professionals and programmers. The online, subscription-based service holds more than 2,000 books from over a dozen leading technical publishers. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can search, read, annotate, bookmark, and download content from the resources you've come to depend upon. You'll also receive a 30% discount when you purchase O'Reilly print books through Safari. If you haven't tried out Safari yet, get a free trial.

Top Ten Tips for Mac OS X Con 2004 -- This year's Mac conference is going to be unlike any event O'Reilly Media has ever hosted. Program chair Derrick Story provides ten tips to help you get the most out of the upcoming Mac OS X Conference in Santa Clara, CA, October 25 - 28.

Building the Perfect Bleeding-Edge PC, Part 1 -- From processor to power supply, Bob and Barbara Thompson have assembled their ideal mix of high-performance components that will run on both Linux and Windows. For everything you need to know to assemble your own high-end PC, check out their recently-released Building the Perfect PC, and for a chance to win a set of top-of-the-line components so you can build your own, enter O'Reilly's Build a Perfect PC Sweepstakes.

Google Your Site for Security Vulnerabilities -- The fact that Google indexes pages you might never have known were public is both good and bad. It's good when you're searching for specialized or esoteric information. It's bad when Google indexes potential security vulnerabilities on your site. Nitesh Dhanjani demonstrates how to use the Google API to help identify your inadvertently shared secrets. For O'Reilly's books and articles related to security, visit security.oreilly.com.

Open Source and FDLs, Part 2: The Open Publication License -- Andrew St. Laurent dissects the Open Publication License (OPL), which was originally crafted for use with software manuals. He also looks at some of the pitfalls you could encounter using the OPL. Andrew is the author of Understanding Open Source and Free Software Licensing.

What's So Java About Sun's Linux Desktop? Sun attracted sharp criticism when it released a tightly integrated Linux desktop distribution under the name Java Desktop System (JDS). In this article, Sam Hiser writes that JDS is not only the very best, most complete, and thoroughly integrated GNU/Linux distro on the market, but it's also a testament to shared values for open standards and competitive functionality. Sam is a coauthor of Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop

Review: Adobe Photoshop CS One-on-One -- Photoshop is an enormous program to master and there are hundreds of "how to" books out there, but this one lets you watch the master as you read and practice. In this Cyber Aspect book review, Julie Smyth writes, "quite often there are two or three ways to do one thing ... so to watch/read the way another professional does things is a terrific learning resource." Well written and chock full of learning materials, the book will appeal to novices, professional designers, and educators alike: Adobe Photoshop CS One-on-One.

Three Tips for Better Digital Photos -- In this CNET Tips piece, Derrick Story offers three simple techniques for improving the quality and storage of your digital photos: avoid red-eye without using the troublesome red-eye reduction mode; automatically apply a common name with sequential numbering to a group of photos with Windows XP; and get bumps-on-a-frog close to your subject for interesting, detailed, and textured shots. Derrick is the author of Digital Photography Hacks.

Hacking PayPal, Part 2 -- Make yourself and your customers happy. Here's a PayPal hack that shows you how to use IPN to effortlessly deliver digital goods to your customers, and another that shows how to set up phony Sandbox accounts to test your code. Get the most out of your online business and transactions with the recently released PayPal Hacks.

O'Reilly Learning Lab: $200 Instant Rebate -- Learning programming languages and development techniques has never been easier. Using your web browser and Useractive's Learning Sandbox technology, the Learning Lab gives you hands-on, online training in a Unix environment. This month, receive a $200 instant rebate (and a Certificate from the University of Illinois upon course completion) when you enroll in any Certificate Series.

Hacking Books with Safari Web Services -- Safari Bookshelf has opened up an API for web services, giving developers programmatic access to its wealth of data. Paul Bausch, a self-proclaimed information junkie, takes a look at the new API and shows how to code a working RSS application so you never have to worry about missing critical information again. If you haven't yet tried Safari, get a free trial subscription.

Build a Perfect PC Sweepstakes -- If you've ever dreamed about having a high-end PC that truly meets your needs, here's your chance. Enter O'Reilly's new sweepstakes, and you could win the top-of-the-line components you need to build your own. And if you're looking for inspiration and detailed instruction on how to pull it all together, be sure to see our new title Building the Perfect PC.

2005 MySQL Users Conference Call for Participation -- From embedded solutions to web and back-office applications, MySQL is everywhere. O'Reilly is teaming up with MySQL AB to plumb the depths of this key technology at the third annual MySQL Users Conference in Santa Clara, California, April 18-21, 2005. If you'd like to share your knowledge with fellow MySQL developers and IT professionals, November 1 is the deadline to submit a proposal.

USA Today's Hot Sites: Digital Media -- O'Reilly's new Digital Media site tops the list of USA Today's Hot Sites. "This fresh site acts as a multi-faceted resource for the digital photographer," with articles to help you master your craft, spotlights on the creative portfolios of your peers, weblogs and books that touch on all aspects of digital media, and a directory of services complete with a user rating system. Check it all out at digitalmedia.oreilly.com.