Whether you're a total novice or a programmer shifting to C#, the newest version of this programming language is full of cool features you'll want to use. With its Visual Studio compatibility, C# is the perfect language for building Windows Vista applications. And the 2008 version works with LINQ, a query language with syntax similar to SQL but which simplifies database code and can also write queries on XML files.

For the best basic C# how-to, it's hard to beat "C# 2008 For Dummies." This plain-English guide to programming with C# can have you creating your first console application before you finish Part I. In fact, the basic template you create at that point will be the foundation of many other apps as you move through the book. Along the way you'll get the scoop on organizing your data, object-oriented programming (also known as OOP), and a great LINQ-related feature called delegates and events. You'll find out how toCreate a console application templatePerform logical comparisonsWork with loops and if statementsUnderstand collection syntaxUse interfaces and object-oriented conceptsApply delegates and events, and much more

You'll even gain some rare insight into how to understand error messages you may get when programming in C#. All the code you need can be found on the companion Web site, along with great bonus information that helps you do more with C# 2008. So -- what are you waiting for? Grab "C# 2008 For Dummies" and let's get started

"Save it in the edit" is a common saying among film professionals. Editing makes the difference between boring vacation movies and exciting travelogues...between the whole dull news conference and the highlights on the evening news. Whether you're a budding Spielberg, a proud parent who wants two-year-old Junior's every feat documented for posterity, or a band that wants your music video to rock, "Final Cut Pro HD For Dummies" tells you what you need to know to edit regular digital or high definition video like a pro. It covers the basics of capturing, importing, and editing digital videos, with detailed how-to for: Organizing your mediaNavigating the audio and video Timeline tracks and selecting clips and frames on the TimelinesGetting fancier with split, roll, ripple, slip, and slide editsWorking with audio, including mixing, editing out scratches and pops, and using filters to create effectsUsing Soundtrack to compose a musical score, even if you don't know the difference between horns and stringsApply transitions such as 3D simulation, dissolve, iris, stretch and squeeze, and moreAdding text for captions, opening titles, and closing creditsColor-correcting videoCompositing, rendering, and outputting your final product to tape, CD, DVD, or the Web

Three bonus chapters online go into more depth about rendering, customizing the interface, and managing media so you can refine your skills even further.

"Final Cut Pro HD For Dummies" was written by Helmut Kobler, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, owner of K2Films, and a frequent contributor to Macaddict Magazine. Having this book next to your editing equipment is the next best thing to having him sit next to you and guide you through the editing process.