Getting my first real speedlite

Hello people.

First topic here at POTN, my English ain't the best so please bear with me .

After been using the Yongnuo YN-460 for awhile now and you can't really calibrate it to the situation (You can only set the strength), so I decided to get a new one. I've fallen in love with the Canon Speedlite 430EX II. How does that sound for a first time speedlite?

I'm not sure if I should get a Cactus V4 or a hotshoe thing, so I can use it handheld? (What is it called anyway?)

Is there any videos so I can learn how to use it? Like a crash course on speedlites . My new thing is to do portrait shots in non-studio settings.

I'll be using it with my 1000D.

Best Regards
N1CK.

strobist.com or try youtube for videos.