The problem: Your boss has demanded a database, and you don't know how to create one. It doesn't matter that it's just a simple one (for tracking invoices, inventory, and contacts), or that flexible, powerful software (FileMaker Pro 7) has already been purchased. If you've never created a database before, the task can be daunting. The solution: This low-priced, compact guide! Recognizing that you don't necessarily want or need to know about every FileMaker Pro 7 feature, this focused, four-color volume demonstrates the quickest route to creating a functional, organized database-nothing more and certainly nothing less. Using large color illustrations and a minimum of verbiage, it provides the basics you need to get going without bogging you down with detailed explanations of all of FileMaker's intricacies. It also serves as the perfect jumping-off point for more extensive database exploration-for example, through FileMaker Pro 7: Visual QuickStart Guide.

Writing in a journal is all well and good, but when you're ready to share your musings with the world (and you think the world is ready to receive them!), a blog is the way to go. As the latest phenomenon to grow out of the Web, the blog (or Web log) is a diary with a difference: Rather than speaking to yourself, you're speaking to the world -- and, best of all, the world can talk back! Here to get you started is a low-priced guide to the leading free blog software: Google's Blogger. Using large color illustrations and a minimum of verbiage, this compact, tightly focused guide from best-selling author Elizabeth Castro takes you through each step of the blogging process -- from acquainting you with the interface to setting up your blog, creating your profile, posting email, adding pictures and audio, and using BlogThis to post your blog from anywhere on the Web.

If Mac OS X Tiger has you bewildered, it's time to regain the upper hand with Take Control of Tiger. Rather than have a single overworked author attempt to give you a brief overview of every imaginable topic, explaining none fully, Take Control assembled an all-star team, with each author dedicated to telling you everything you need to know about a particular subject. For each topic, you'll find a concise introduction, detailed explanations, useful tips, and step-by-step instructions, all amply illustrated. Best of all, you can receive free updates to each of the titles in this collection!Aimed at readers just like yourself, who aren't afraid to tinker around a bit to get the most out of their OS, this full-color volume shows you how to customize Mac OS X Tiger to fit your very specific needs. In the guide's four major sections-"Upgrading to Tiger," "Customizing Tiger," "Users and Accounts in Tiger," and Sharing Files in Tiger"-you'll find all the technical help and troubleshooting tips you need to ensure a smooth and speedy upgrade without any corresponding loss in productivity. In short order you'll learn how to create user accounts, take advantage of the new Spotlight search system, set up multiway video and audio conferences, and more.

So you fancy yourself a filmmaker? Here to ensure that you truly are is a simple, to-the-point guide that leads you through the process of creating your very first digital video project with Adobe's brand-new consumer-level video editing software, Premiere Elements ($99). In these pages veteran author and PC Magazine contributing editor Jan Ozer gets right to the point: Rather than explore every option and feature of Premiere Elements, Jan uses project-based instruction and big, colorful screen shots to demonstrates the quickest, easiest, and smartest route to cinematic success. Each short lesson builds on the last as you learn how to capture and import video; add transitions, titles and effects; take advantage of the program's stunning templates; use the program with Photoshop Elements to edit and incorporate still images; and output your finished video to DVD. The book's small size and even smaller price ($12.99) make it the perfect entry point into the world of digital filmmaking as well as the ideal jumping-off point for further exploration.

Scott Kelby and Felix Nelson (the creative team behind Photoshop User magazine) take their best-selling Photoshop Killer Tips books to a whole new level with their update for Photoshop CS2.

Okay, why a book of nothing but tips? Because that's where all the really slick, really useful, and really fun stuff is. It's true! If we're looking through a book and we see the word "Tip" we're all immediately drawn to it, because we know we're about to learn something great.  Maybe it's an undocumented keyboard shortcut, a hidden inside secret, or just a faster, better way to do something we do every day. The only problem with the tips in these books is that there are never enough of 'em.  That is, until now.

That's because this book is packed cover-to-cover, wall-to-wall with nothing but those cool Photoshop CS2 sidebar tips. Every tip is designed to make you work faster, smarter, and have more fun using Photoshop CS2. There are no detailed descriptions of CMYK separation set-ups, or long boring discussions on color management theory. It's just tips--short, sweet, and to the point.

But we've done the "tip" idea one better, because every tip has a full-color graphic to make the tips even more accessible, even more fun, and even easier to use. Most importantly, to get in this book they've got to be "Killer Tips." The kind of tip that makes you smile, nod, and then call all your friends and "tune them up" with your new  status as Photoshop guru.

If you've wondered how the pros get twice the work done in half the time, it's because they know all the tips, and all the tricks. Now with this book, so will you.

Like all of the Visual QuickProject Guides, Retouching Photos in Photoshop Elements takes a task-based approach to teaching the essential elements of the program. Instead of drowning the reader in lengthy explanations about every possible variation, the book focuses on topics every photographer wants to learn. It uses big, color illustrations coupled with clear, concise step-by-step instructions to show the reader how to complete specific projects in a matter of minutes. The book walks readers through the most common—and vexing—problems that confront every digital photographer: flash-induced red eye, blown-out highlights and murky shadows, inaccurate skin tones, and distracting background objects. Chock full of time-saving tips, the book also shows how to share those polished photos with friends and family through email, the Web and online print labs. In short: Everything the photographer wants to know—and not a bit more. 

Adobe Acrobat is nearly ubiquitous in today's office. The IRS uses Acrobat to make tax forms available for download as PDFs, and colleagues use it to share, edit, and review documents and create electronic signatures. It's not a difficult tool to use, but Acrobat's powers are largely untapped by most users. This slim, concise, four-color book is built around a simple, practical project that you can complete using your own content. Each short lesson builds a component of a basic Acrobat project. Along the way, readers will learn how to use Acrobat's editing and reviewing tools, add digital signatures to electronic documents, assemble a PDF slideshow, create a zippy presentation, and more. This bright, accessible guide is a perfect guide for anyone starting out with Acrobat.

Final Cut Pro is a serious tool for serious (usually professional) editors-which means that if you're like most users, you already know the software's interface, are well-versed in editing basics, and are interested in just one thing: going as deep as possible with the software's tools and features. In Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Editing and Finishing Techniques in Final Cut Pro HD 2ed, the post-production and training company, DigtalFilm Tree and award winning video editor Michael Wohl provide you with step-by-step instruction in all of the tasks real filmmakers are most interested in: color correction, advanced editing and effects, offline and online workflows, working with HD and more.

Each chapter in this self-paced, Apple-authorized guide represents a self-contained lesson-with a project to complete, a review section, and bonus exercises to reinforce what you've learned. The accompanying DVD includes lesson files and all the materials you'll need to complete the book's projects for a comprehensive course in Final Cut Pro.

As the first server platform to let Mac, Unix, and Linux users share files and printers out of the box, Mac OS X Server promises to revolutionize the world of network administration (or at least make it a whole lot easier). Here to make sure you don't get left behind is Mac OS X Server: Visual QuickPro Guide. In this task-based guide, veteran Mac expert Schoun Regan shows you how to manage local networks, navigate the Unix file system permission architecture, and administer Internet and Web services. You'll also explore the ins and outs of IP-based file sharing and printing services and learn about all that's new in the latest of Apple's big cats, Panther Server: improved setup, management, and monitoring capabilities; enhanced Windows integration; new workgroup and desktop management tools; and more. Clear, concise language, step-by-step instructions, and loads of visual aids mean that even beginners can get up to speed on Mac OS X Server--quickly and efficiently--with this guide.