Tips cover a range of topics: type, layers, blending modes, Web graphics, color correcting, selections, and much more. They include undocumented shortcuts (like Shift-Delete to bring up the Fill dialog box) and so many why-didn't-I-know-this-sooner hints (like typing d, s, or c when in a Save dialog box instead of the respective buttons). Each tip can shave a few seconds to several minutes off of your work time, and impress friends and colleagues to boot.

Scott Kelby is a funny guy, but his writing isn't filled with the obnoxious kind of silly jokes that clog up text and make it take that much longer to get to the important information. Instead, he puts the jokes in out-of-the-way places like section headings and chapter intros. And, as opposed to most other books, these jokes are actually funny--a kind of snarky, Mystery Science Theater 3000 kind of funny. For example, he writes, "Is this book for you? Are you kidding? This book is so for you that it secretly freaks you out."

And that's true. Anyone with even the most basic knowledge of Photoshop will feel a zing of excitement when they start reading these gems. You'll think, "Gosh, what a great idea. What will they think of next? A whole box of donut holes? Just the muffin tops?" And even though Kelby recommends reading this in front of your computer, Killer Tips will also come in handy in other rooms where people enjoy reading material while, ahem, sitting for short periods. Why waste a minute when you can learn how to make a "reusable diagonal guide"! --Angelynn Grant