I'd suggest first contacting your local inspection department to get the local requirements as these are what rules. They'll inform you as to how deep the peirs need to be sunk in order to avoid frost heave in your area. Pouring concrete into sonotubes and attaching the wood portion of the pier to the top of it with a bracket is the best way to go if building a deck that attaches to your house.
Using pressure treated wood for the foundation and joist is the way to go and I can't stress enough to use a composite decking material for the deck boards and rails instead of wood. Yes, cedar and redwood look nice but the maintenance required is a ton to keep it looking that way.
Below is a good website that'll give you the scoop on the how too's of deck building:
http://www.decks.com/
And here's a good site that shows how the local codes really dictate what's required.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/decks/
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