Mac OS X Tiger: Missing Manual by David Pogue
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Book Reviews of Mac OS X Tiger: Missing Manual
Book Review: CATCHING THE TIGER BY THE TAIL
Summary: 5 Stars
The Tiger version of Mac OS X only builds on the successes of previous Mac OS X versions. Author David Pogue has done an outstanding job of providing intermediate to advanced Mac users with a book that is very concise, technical in depth, contains many useful examples and provides tutorials.
Pogue begins by prompting you to look at folders and windows. Next, the author shows you how to organize your files, folders, aliases, etc. ... into a Mac OS X Home folder. Then, he offers a way to find and open files by using Spotlight (the start feature of Tiger (Mac OS X)) in a fast and efficient way. The author continues by showing you how to use and control the most dramatic elements of Mac OS X. In addition, the author next deals with getting accustomed to the way programs, documents and dashboards relate to each other in Mac OS X. He also shows you how to flip back into Mac OS 9. The author next leads you through a broad range of data-exchange mechanisms. Next, the author introduces you to Automator and AppleScriipt. Then, he guides you through the entire System Preferences program, panel by panel. The author then presents a conciese crash course on how to use free programs. Next, he discusses CDs, DVDs, and iTunes. Then, he introduces you to the concepts of accounts, firewalls and security in general. The author continues by explaining how Apple designed a networking system that was simple enough for the laptop owner who just wants to copy things to a desktop Mac when returning from a trip, yet secure and flexible enough for the network designer at a large corporation. He next tackles printing, faxing, fonts, graphics, ColorSync, and the new desktop slideshow. Then, he covers the creative pursuits of creating and using sound; as well as, playing and editing movies. The author next shows you how to find your footing and decide whether or not you like the feel of Unix. He then offers guided tutorials for performing more specialized tasks--some of which you can't do in the Finder. Next, he shows you how to hack Mac OS X. The author continues by showing you how to set up broadband connections that are always on. Next, he discusses the ins and outs of the Mac OS X mail and address book. Then, he tackles the motley crew of Safari, iChat and Sherlock one by one. Finally, he explores the various advanced methods of manipulating your own Mac from the road, including remote access technologies like long-distance file sharing, FTP, SSH, and virtual private networking (VPN).
With the preceding in mind, the author has done an excellent job of providing an all encompassing manual that should have originally accompanied Mac OS X version 10.4. At the end of the day, he has accomplished in this book, what most would consider impossible--providing the reader with: coverage of new Tiger features in depth; standard Mac features that contain more tips and tricks; clever uses for old ideas; and, greater context borne of the passage of time.
Book Review: Another Pogue Winner
Summary: 5 Stars
The Missing Manual Tiger by David Pogue
Just the Appendixes C and D make this book worth the price...They tell Mac (Appendix C) and Windows (D) folks where things are in Tiger versus their previous operating system.
It covers the new features in detail: Spotlight - what's the keyboard shortcut to open spotlight; how to search when you only know part of a word (usable also in text edit). He explains how to set preferences, how to keep certain items private, changing sort order, etc. Then he goes on to explain how to use the Find command (you can do much more detailed searching using Find).
Dashboard is another new Tiger feature that is covered in great detail. Dashboard is triggered by pushing the F12 key, but I have a laptop and F12 is the eject key, However by holding down the Fn key AND F12 I can open Dashboard. Did you know that you can refresh widgets by holding command and clicking R, open more than one copy of a widget and open the widget bar with the command = keystroke? Each of the 14 standard widgets are described in detail. He mentions a shareware program that will let you have a widget open while you're using another program. Do you share your computer? Learn how and where to install widgets so they're available to everyone, or just to you!
Another major item Apple features in Tiger is Automator. This lets you build a series of actions just by dragging tiles in the right order. Remember AppleScript that let you build instructions for a repetitive task? This is a simpler version. For the average user, one of the more useful actions might be in Safari to get text from a web page, or make a list of all the URLs from a web page, or the combine PDF files.
Security has been improved. Don't know what a firewall is, let alone how to configure it? Pogue explains this is layman's terms. Don't know what the Root account is? Don't mess with it, but understand it and learn how to activate/deactivate it ( it comes on page 455. Need to understand permissions and be sure they're set correctly -he has pages of data on how to do this. During a download, when Tiger says "this contains an application, do you want to continue?" you can expand that box to see what program it refers to, thus preventing spyware from being downloaded. In addition, if you are installing, it will also ask for permission. In addition to the Secure Empty Trash, Disk Utillity can super erase ALL free disk space. Don't want the people who share your computer to see where you've been surfing (make that present a surprise), turn on Private Browsing in the Safari menu before you begin.
Since this book is over 800 pages, I can't review all of it for you. However, I find it an INDISPENSIBLE Macintosh tool. I always find the answer I need his Pogue's books!
Book Review: The Best Tiger Manual -- Stand up and applaud this book
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading this book, I felt like I had to stand up or at least applaud. It was really a masterpiece: extremely comprehensive, easy to understand, expertly organized. The missing manual series by O'Reilly claims to be "The book that should have been in the box." This book is to computer manuals what iPods are to digital music. Powerful, yet easy to use
The book is designed for someone who has never used Tiger before and is not all that familiar with the Mac either. Unlike a dummies book, he doesn't talk down to you and respects the fact that you can learn things if shown how to use them.
This book doesn't just cover Tiger, but also covers the iLife application suite: iMovie, iDVD and iTunes. In fact, I really don't consider this just a Tiger manual. It's really a iMac User's Guide, covering pretty much every aspect of your new Macintosh. Have a problem with your Mac not working right? There's a great troubleshooting section at the end of the book.
The index and table of contents is well organized so you can focus on the sections you want to learn more about. For example, if you don't use classic applications (most people don't) then skip over the section. Finding out how to burn a music CD or setting up your email was very easy to find and understand. No aspect of Tiger was left unexplained. The book even explains how to use the voice recognition software..something I've never played with but always wanted to learn how to use
Personally, I thought the coverage of Mac to PC and PC to Mac networking was great, since so many people live in mixed computing environments.
The major complaint I think some people might have about this book is it's big. Over 800 pages can be a bit intimidating. I showed it to a customer and their response was: " I thought Macs were so easy to use?" Even though it is easy to understand and find the information you want, I wouldn't suggest it as the first manual to a new Mac user. I still think Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger: Peachpit Learning Series by Robin Williams is the best beginners book for Mac users. She really walks people through every step with bright colorful pictures.
The ideal user of this book is someone who understands the basics of Tiger and their Mac but says "I don't think I'm using my Mac to it's full potential." After reading this book, they'll have a complete arsenal to understand any aspect of their Mac.
Pros: The ideal book for Tiger users: complete, detailed, and easy to understand
Cons: Not designed for brand new users with no previous Mac experience, the amount of information may seem overwhelming
Book Review: Invaluable for experienced PC users
Summary: 5 Stars
Reviewer: Chuck Thomas, Bowling Green Area Microcomputer Users Group
Having recently switched from PC-only to being a Mac and PC user, I was anxious to see if this 514-page book would ease my transition and continue to be helpful for some time. It far exceeded my expectations and has proven to be invaluable.
The introduction begins with a clear list of the advantages of switching to Mac: `What the Mac OS Gives You' and "What it Takes Away." (The latter section actually lists advantages like the lack of viruses!) In the first chapter entitled, "How the Mac is Different," the authors describe each feature of the Mac OS and, wherever possible, relate that difference to the windows action, command, or location.
The second chapter provides a thorough description of windows and icons, the third acquaints the user with the Dock, Desktop, and Toolbars, while the fourth chapter completes the introductory material with extensive coverage of Programs and Documents, including different OS views, running older programs, and installing new programs.
The rest of the book is devoted to clear and extensive descriptions of four areas: 1) A chapter on each of the software products that ships with OS X 10.4 (Tiger), 2) Hardware on the Mac, including disks, memory, monitors (including dual monitors), printers, modem, etc., 3) Other topics like networking with PCs & other Macs, utilities that ship with Tiger, the firewall, etc., and 4) Installation & Troubleshooting, which is a short chapter due to the reliability of the Mac and the simple procedures for installing software in OS X.
Following these chapters is a very helpful appendix entitled "The Where Did It Go? Dictionary," which describes how each feature of Windows can be accomplished with Tiger. The second appendix describes the procedures for running Windows on a Mac in either dual-boot or parallel mode.
The writing style is informal, clear, and consistently focused on describing the Mac's features from the viewpoint of a Windows user. The book uses a logical format, bold sub-headings, and occasional, gray textboxes containing useful tips. There are frequent, screen shots to illustrate OS X features under discussion, but they are not overdone. Finally, the Index is very complete, thus allowing the reader to use the book as a reference tool. As a result, I found it remarkably enjoyable and easy to skim the book, reading in depth the things that were new, skimming the familiar parts, and saving some topics for a later time--when I'm ready to network, to tackle them.
Book Review: The Missing manual is missing no more!
Summary: 5 Stars
Mac OS X Tiger Edition The missing manual:
This is another outstanding book by David Pogue. This is a much easier read then most technical books that are usually fairly dry reading. This book covers everything that comes with Tiger in great and easy to follow detail with an appropriate number of images for the topic. Chapter one starts with logging into the Mac to organizing your documents to setting system preferences and troubleshooting the Mac and everything in between including Hacking your Mac. The book moves through it's chapters in a nice chronological order.
All of the applications that come with Tiger are covered in good detail. Dash board, creating widgets, Spotlight, Apple remote desktop, Sherlock, iTunes, iSync, iChat .Mac, Safari RSS for internet feeds, Automator, iDVD, iChat, iPhoto, iCal, iMic, iMovie, iDisk, iSync and iTunes, Apple Script and Image Capture to name a few.
Creating user accounts is covered along with file and directory permissions, configuring the user environment and user preferences, passwords and other elements of security.
The books also covers the various aspects of networking including Apple Talk, Rendezvous, Bonjour, IP configuration, Bluetooth, firewire devices, hubs, firewalls, terminal, SSH and routers.
The book arrived three days ago and I have been looking through the book and sitting in front of my Mac and have found that everything in the book is accurate.
For those that are coming from a Microsoft Windows environment there is a nice section on Windows keyboard commands and how they translate into Mac keyboard commands. It also covers things that you are used to seeing in Windows like Control Panel, My Computer, Network places, modem properties and other things and what their equivalents are in Mac. Basic UNIX is also covered as it applies to the terminal session. It also talks about the reasoning behind going to the Intel processor.
There are a lot of great books covering Tiger but I think that this is the best that I have seen. I pre ordered this book four months ago and it was worth the wait.
In summary this is a great book for all levels of end user for the truly novice (just came from Windows) users to the advanced user. The books intended audience is not stated but this is a book that is a 5 star book for the novice to intermediate user and a 4 star book for the advanced user.