Photoshop Elements 3: The Missing Manual -- Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional photographer, this comprehensive guide will help you become a more efficient, sophisticated digital camera user by understanding all of Photoshop Elements 3's capabilities. Offering page after page of valuable insight, Photoshop Elements 3: The Missing Manual tackles such tasks as fixing image flaws, organizing photos for display, and creating dynamic slide shows and photo emails, with each feature explained in easy-to-understand language. Sample Chapter 4, The Quick Fix (PDF) is available free online.

Python Cookbook, 2nd Edition -- Like its predecessor, the new edition offers solutions to problems that Python programmers of all levels encounter. Updated for Python 2.4, it now includes over 200 recipes that range from simple tasks, such as working with dictionaries and list comprehensions, to complex tasks, such as monitoring a network and building a templating system. With scores of practical examples and pertinent background information, this is the one source you need to build efficient, flexible, scalable, and well-integrated systems. Sample Chapter 3, Time and Money (PDF) is available free online.

Sockets, Shellcode, Code and Porting (Syngress) -- In this groundbreaking book, bestselling author James C. Foster provides cutting-edge detail on how the fundamental building blocks of software and operating systems are exploited by malicious hackers. He provides working code and scripts in C/C++, Java, Perl, and NASL to detect and defend against attacks. The book is divided into five main categories representing the major skill sets required by security professionals and software developers: Coding, Sockets, Shellcode, Porting Applications, and Coding Security Tools.

Windows Server Cookbook -- Written for all levels of users, this practical reference guide offers hundreds of useful tasks for managing Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. The concise, on-the-job solutions to common problems are certain to save you many hours of time searching through Microsoft documentation. Each recipe also includes a detailed discussion that explains how and why it works. Topics discussed include files, event logs, security, DHCP, DNS, backup/restore, and more. Sample Chapter 6, Processes (PDF) is available free online.

Discovery 10.1: Your First Linux Desktop (Mandrakesoft) -- This guide includes the complete Discovery 10.1 distribution on CD, a thorough introduction, and brief tutorials on all of the applications included with Discovery. For those who want to become familiar with the Linux user interface before installing Discovery, the CD also includes Move, a portable Linux version that requires no installation. This is the quickest and easiest no-risk, no-fuss way to switch from Windows to Linux.

Firefox Hacks -- This highly focused book offers all the valuable tips and tools you need to maximize the effectiveness of this hot web browser. It's all covered, including how to customize its deployment, appearance, features, and functionality. You'll even learn how to install, use, and alter extensions and plug-ins. Aimed at clever people who may or may not be savvy with basic programming tasks, this convenient resource describes 100 techniques for 100 strategies that effectively exploit Firefox. Sample Hack 69, Make New Tags and Widgets with XBL (PDF) is available free online (along with five others).

Java in a Nutshell, 5th Edition covers all the extensive changes in Java 5.0. This classic remake has undergone a complete editorial makeover in order to more closely meet the needs of the modern Java programmer. Included among the improvements are more discussion on tools and frameworks and new code examples to illustrate the working of APIs. And, as in previous editions, the fifth edition is chock-full of poignant tips, techniques, examples, and practical advice.

Access 2003 Personal Trainer -- Written in a non-technical and engaging style, this book lets people of any technical level learn exactly what they need to know at their own pace. The book starts with Access fundamentals and then moves up to tables, fields, queries, forms, reports, and advanced topics, like linking information from an external source. Included are detailed diagrams, dozens of task-oriented lessons, and a fully interactive training simulation CD.

PowerPack 10.1: The Full Power of Linux Desktop (Mandrakesoft) -- Mandrakelinux PowerPack 10.1 includes thousands of commercial and open source applications from the most popular to the most advanced, including a complete office suite, multimedia and internet software, and an impressive set of development tools. The accompanying guide includes the complete PowerPack 10.1 distribution on DVD, a thorough overview, configuration tips, and quick references to the system and all the key applications that come with it.

SharePoint User's Guide -- This straightforward guide shows SharePoint users how to create and use websites for sharing and collaboration. Learn to use the document and picture libraries for adding and editing content, add discussion boards and surveys, receive alerts when documents and information have been added or changed, and enhance security. Designed to help you find answers quickly, the book shows how to make the most of SharePoint for productivity and collaboration. Chapter 1, Working with Sites and Workspaces (PDF) is available free online.

MySQL Sessions in iCal -- The third annual MySQL Users Conference, presented by O'Reilly and MySQL AB, will be held April 18-21, 2005, in Santa Clara, California. This conference hosts leading industry keynote speakers, the latest MySQL open source technologies, in-depth sessions and tutorials, and an extensive exhibit hall. And now, you can subscribe to conference information via iCal.

Special Offer: Open Source Programming Certificate Series -- Acquire the skills necessary for a complete understanding of programming using open source operating systems, languages, libraries, and databases. This five-course series covers CGI programming with Perl, SQL database programming, PHP programming, object-oriented programming with Java, and basic Linux/Unix system administration. Upon completion of the series, students receive a Certificate from the University of Illinois Office of Continuing Education. Enroll in all five courses by April 20th and save 40%.

Save on Jolted O'Reilly Titles -- For a limited time, O’Reilly is offering a special 30% discount off our Software Development Jolt Award winners and finalists. And, to sweeten the deal, we’ll even throw in free shipping. The O’Reilly Jolt Award winners are Head First Design Patterns (Product Excellence Award), Better, Faster, Lighter Java (Product Excellence Award), and Hibernate: A Developer's Notebook (Productivity Award). Offer ends April 30th. Share the buzz!

Deploying Microsoft Office Using Group Policy -- Before you deploy Microsoft Office on a big network using Group Policy, you need to be aware of gotchas. In this article, Mitch Tulloch shows you the quickest and easiest way how. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

Batch-Running Word Macros from the DOS Command Line -- Looking for an easy way to run any Word macro, on any number of files, right from the DOS command line? Andrew Savikas shows how to do just that, using Perl, Python, and Ruby, with code samples for each scripting language. Andrew is the author of Word Hacks.

Mind Hacks: Other People -- How do our assumptions about other people, as constituents of our universe, manifest themselves in the deep operations of the mind? In Chapter 10 of Mind Hacks, you'll explore how your very own operating system, the mind, reacts to other people, from processing faces to how emotion is induced. If you like this chapter, read the whole book (and up to nine others) on Safari with a free trial subscription.

Register for the MySQL Users Conference -- The 2005 MySQL Users Conference, presented by O'Reilly Media and MySQL AB, will take place April 18-21, 2005, in Santa Clara, California. This conference, the largest of its kind, brings together experts, users, and industry leaders, offering attendees in-depth sessions and tutorials, an exhibit hall showcasing the latest open source technologies, and more. To start planning your days, visit the at-a-glance program overview.

Opting in to Privacy Problems -- Brian McWilliams looks at yet another way internet users may be putting their privacy at risk. With list brokers now cutting deals with e-commerce sites and internet marketing firms for data that includes home addresses, phone numbers, and corresponding IP addresses, you may be opting in for more than you bargained for when you shop online. Brian is the author of Spam Kings.

Microsoft, Blogging, and Transparency -- Author James Avery recently wrote about his experiences publishing his latest book and how Microsoft bloggers helped him immensely. To James, the benefits of increased transparency through the use of blogs cannot be understated. James is the author of Visual Studio Hacks.

Download Chapters Through Safari -- There are over 2,000 books from the industry's leading technical publishers available on Safari Bookshelf. As the library grows, so does its functionality. Do you ever wish you could download content from O'Reilly books? Just the chapters you want? Now you can, with a Safari subscription. Save time, reduce errors, keep current, and save money. If you haven't yet gone on Safari, enjoy a free trial subscription today.

Customizing Local Security Policies -- Want to harden server security? Customizing the Security Options policies of Group Policy is a great way to go. Mitch Tulloch shows you the best way how. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

A Look at Commons Chain, Part 2 -- In part one of this two-part series, Bill Siggelkow showed Java programmers how certain design patterns help Commons Chain to define and execute sequential sets of steps. In part two, Bill shows how Struts uses Chain to add custom behavior to request processing. Bill is the author of Jakarta Struts Cookbook.