July '08 Issue:

• > Monthly Memo: A note from the editor
• > Unlock the power of the iPhone 3G
• > Save a Tree -- Go Electronic!
• > Mental fitness tips for your brain
• > We're wondering...

New Releases

• JavaScript: The Missing Manual
  By David Sawyer McFarland
  First Edition July 2008

• Google Apps: The Missing Manual
  By Nancy Conner
  First Edition May 2008
• > More titles

Buy 2 Books, Get the 3rd FREE!

Buy two books from oreilly.com and get the third free by using discount code OPC10 in our shopping cart. All orders over $29.95 qualify for free shipping within the US.

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Monthly Memo

A note from the editor

By Peter Meyers, Missing Manuals managing editor

A quick search on Amazon for "JavaScript" turns up around 7,500 results. So why on earth are we publishing, later this month, JavaScript: The Missing Manual? Three words: David Sawyer McFarland. Author of the perennial bestsellers Dreamweaver CS3: The Missing Manual and CSS: The Missing Manual, David is one of those rare individuals who not only understands brain-bending technical topics, he's a born teacher -- a whiz at helping others learn what he already knows.

He's also no slouch when it comes to crafting new teaching approaches to topics that already appear to be well covered. His CSS book distinguished itself in a crowded marketplace by helping readers master this powerful design tool without bogging them down in needless technical minutiae or ever forgetting the real-world goals most Web site designers have.

In his new book, he helps get readers up to speed quickly with JavaScript basics and then turns his attention to tasks that most people actually want to accomplish: manipulating images, building sophisticated and interactive Web pages, designing powerful forms, and so on. (Take a look for yourself; we've posted an advance preview of the book. It's a 1.2MB PDF file.)

It's books like David's that prove the power behind the Missing Manuals formula: it's not what we cover, it's how we cover it -- that's what has earned us a loyal group of readers. If you're in the market for a JavaScript book, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Pre-order your copy today.

Unlock the power of the iPhone 3G

David Pogue is back with the thoroughly updated iPhone: The Missing Manual, Second Edition (August, 2008) and Missing Manuals is offering you a special package!

Pre-order iPhone: The Missing Manual, Second Edition and save 70% on the digital bundle and print book today. Here are the details:

• Print Book/Electronic Bundle $32.49 - SAVE 70% on the book when you buy this bundle. The PDF is available on or about July 22nd, with the EPUB and Kindle-compatible Mobipocket formats available a couple weeks later.)
• Print Book $24.99 - Available mid-August
• Electronic Bundle $24.99 - The PDF is available on or about July 22nd, with the EPUB and Kindle-compatible Mobipocket formats available a couple weeks later.)

Whether you're taking the plunge on July 11 or are thinking about upgrading, this is the book to read!

Save a Tree -- Go Electronic!

We're pleased to announce that two Missing Manuals -- covering Windows Vista, and Facebook -- are now available as downloadable PDFs. Great for searching, friendly on the environment, and completely DRM (copyright lock) free, our PDFs are a perfect way to build up your eBook library.

And later this month we're also releasing these same three titles in both EPUB and Kindle-compatible format. So whatever kind of portable reading gadget you use, we've got you covered. Best of all, if you buy the PDF now, you get the other two electronic formats free. Order your copy today.

Mental fitness tips for your brain

So what can you do to keep your brain in its best working form? There may be no way to dodge bad genes, bad luck, injury, and disease, but studies of brain aging consistently identify a few characteristics in old-aged but nimble-brained people. Here are a few practical guidelines to follow if you hope to become a quick-witted fast-talking 90-year-old cribbage shark.

Read Tips

We're wondering...

Have you switched from other guidebooks to the Missing Manuals series? If yes, what made you switch? What is it about Missing Manuals that you like? Let us know: emailus@missingmanuals.com

FREE GIFT: Answer our monthly question and receive a free gift. The first 10 responders will receive a free copy of "Your Brain:The Missing Manual" (value: $24.99).

(NOTE: The Missing Manuals will provide one copy of "Your Brain: The Missing Manual" to the first 10 individual responses received before July 31, 2008. Winners will be notified via e-mail and must respond within 10 days via e-mail. Be sure to provide us with your US shipping address.)