Macintosh Systems Books

That is what this rather simple book is, a beginning. Having been out of the MAC world for years and, over the past week
back in it, I was expecting more. But I read (or skimmed) cover to cover and found that one week of hands on has brought me to a point beyond this effort.
With 10, 10.2 and 10.3 out already, this book is a bit behind. There are WONDERFUL (and I mean that) links, resources and 'further reads' listed and that is a great part of the text. But for anything beyond basic, I'd go elsewhere or wait for Hart to follow up. More performance issues, some step by step (for instance, updating Macs, bringing across email in a Windows network? How? Something I ran into in replacing older Macs)
Overall a great effort and does simplify. It's a beginning.

This book does exactly what it says it will do: it teaches you how to operate your Mac in a non-Mac world giving many, many practical solutions. It even gives impractical solutions when no practical solutions are available! Published in year 2000, it is a treasure of fresh web links that allow you to get current information on every topic covered. Instead of going into boring, techno-babble the book focuses on giving scenarios of what is trying to be accomplished, such as finding the best way to transfer files between Macs, PCs, and Unix platform machines. Then it provides solutions in general terms naming any hardware or software required to accomplish the task. Finally, it provides a resource list at the end of each topic which includes related commercial, shareware, and freeware publishers, hardware manufacturers, and their web sites. If you are the person in your cross-platform organization or school that other people rely on to provide them answers, this book is a valuable resource!

It's almost weird that a Mac should need a dummies Guide. It's not that they're hard to use: Macs are still THE easiest (possibly the only true) path to computing Nirvana. But it's gotten to the point where there are som many cool things you can do with your Mac that it helps to have someone lay 'em out for you. Which is what this book does, beautifully. Bove and Rhodes have been immersed in Macs forever, it would seem -- at least from the days of desktop publishing, the first "killer app" for the Mac. Now they've taken on the new killer apps -- from the Second Era of Apple Greatness: the Lifestyle Mac. It's all here, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD -- even the Ultimate Cool Token iPod and a large helping of iLife extras (scripts, shareware, troubleshooting -- even production tips for when you and your Mac decide to produce the Great American Independent Film!). Very logical, highly engaging -- it has made me much more productive already, and hungry to get into more ambitious projects.

This was an ideal book for me to review. I never had a Mac before, just unwrapped my laptop a week before I got this book, and had only one file on my computer before starting to read this book. I had also just bought an iPod. I had absolutely zero experience with any of the utilities discussed in the book (as my only file was a text file).
The structure is the same as other "For Dummies" books. Various icons (targets, ribbons on fingers, smoking bombs) are used to emphasize important points. The book is divided into six "mini books", one each devoted to iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iPod (which is not a part of iLife), and an additional chapter with general information on all of the above. The sides of the book have shaded thumb tabs that help with finding chapters more easily. In the front of the book there is a very useful tear-out "cheat sheet" for keyboard shortcuts.
The authors assume the reader has basic skills for using a Mac, such as navigating through menu bars. But even if those are new to the reader, the text is so easy to follow, and the Mac systems themselves are so user friendly, it was quite easy to zip though processes the first time (no practice runs), and have things work right the first time.
The step-by-step instructions are quite concise and simple, and are clearly oriented towards "bread and butter" tasks that the average user would do every day. When more complex issues are discussed, the text describes them in a manner that is relevant to the user. For example, the differences between music encoding formats is described in terms of how one would need to use the various formats, avoiding technical jargon that would not help the neophyte make reasonable decisions on what to use.
I consider myself to be a visually oriented person. When I first fingered through the pages (before actually reading the book), I was initially concerned that there weren't enough pictures showing step-by-step processes though various windows. However, that feeling quickly disappeared, as the text was so clear. In most cases, illustrations were not required.
I am not sure how useful this book would be for those who have experience with a Mac. Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to discuss this with someone with more experience, but it may very well be helpful to an experienced user who is starting to use a specific piece of software (such as iPhoto) for the first time. That, though, may not be enough for the experienced user to buy this book.
For the iPod, there seemed to be some overlap with the user's guide packaged with the device, but to me this was not a significant drawback. However, for the other software packages, it is extremely helpful to have a clear resource in a single book, as opposed to always going online for tutorials and other help.
I found out lasy week that iLife '04 and mini iPods are available--I hope this book is not obsolete before it is widely distributed.

In the rapidly evolving field of digital audio and visual, it's reassuring to have a clearly organized, relatively comprehensive reference work such as this. Nevertheless, far from being exhaustive, the book is a starting point--one, moreover, that will inevitably soon be dated information. For example, the authors' publication date doesn't permit them to consider the latest generation of flat-panel iMacs in their discussions.

Despite the book's length, I'm surprised that some additional paragraphs weren't devoted to matters such as converting analog audio and VHS tapes to video files suitable for burning, or copying, through use of the iMac. The authors begin by assuming you'll be using "Sound Studio" to create audio files, but since their subsequent discussion soon promotes the advantages of using Roxio's "Toast," it's unclear what the advantages of Sound Studio, if any, might be. My question about how to equalize audio frequencies before burning was not addressed. Moreover, it's not explained if either program is capable of automatically creating individual files from a multiple-track analog LP, as is the free shareware "Coaster."

The discussion of "iTunes" is surprisingly brief, containing nothing not immediately observable from using the program. Most disappointingly, the authors do not address the question of memory and disc space. Is it important that virtual memory be turned "off" while recording? More importantly, how many MP-3 audio files can be imported to the iTunes library or stored on the iMac's hard drive without affecting the machine's speed and performance?

As for digital video, I would have appreciated some discussion of converting VHS tape to digital files. One school of thought says to use a "bridge" such as the Hollywood Dazzle; another says the job can be accomplished just as well if not better by most camcorders. Which is right? And if the latter, what particular camera is recommended?

Less talk about how to shoot a good movie and more about the hardware and software would have measurably enhanced the book's usefulness as far as this reader is concerned.

A MUST BUY . . . IF you want to use your iMac to soar, to do magic, and to bring you into new levels of computing. The iMac: what a wonderful machine! It is high powered, low priced, and you can actually USE it with ease - this in stark contrast to the kludgy, unstable WinTel machines that are now referred to as "99% of a Mac." (Don't believe it.) Yet many an iMac owner uses his or her computer for email and a letter or two; and that's fine, though it is a little like using an F-16 fighter for a trip to the market or for crop dusting, maybe.

The iMac has extraordinary power, and that's what this book is all about. It is not the ABCs of the computer that'll explain a double click, but it will lead you with simple language and copious illustrations into our new, digital world of sound, photos, movies, and graphics. It also delves into Web page authoring, networking, and some of the "hidden talents" of the iMac. Mercifully, it is all very understandable. As easy as the iMac is, you're simply not going to reach the next level by trial and error and the Help Screen.

Messrs. Hansen and Miser are qualified experts who have the gift of communication. They are adept at taking complexities (e.g. URL language) and factoring them down for us "regular folks" who have inherent creativity but lack an MIT degree. They really do a tremendous job. With the book, a bit of software, and the funky little iMac, you'll be astounded at what you can do.

Best of all, you could easily buy separate books on iTunes, MP3s, iMovie, digital photography, networking, building web pages, etc., but this one volume will get you well on your way while saving money and shelf space. Later, if you want a "master's degree" in some subject, you can always buy a specialty book.

Two quibbles: I wish Hansen had provided more information on selecting a digital camera. The range of choices and options out there is bewildering and seems to change markedly every day. Second, Miser strongly dissuades you from buying a Digital 8 video camera. Sony markets these, and they have one fabulous advantage. If you have built up a library of Regular 8 or Hi 8 tapes over the years as I have, the Digital 8 cameras are "backwards compatable" and will play these tapes. This means that all your old material can go directly into the iMac in the requisite digital form without first being converted. This, to my mind at least, is a HUGE plus.

Dear David and Philip:

Thank you for a very helpful book. Previously, I have searched for a wide variety of current sources on setting up a Mac server. Your book has already been very useful to my computer lab's elementary student leaders who are learning to set up a Macintosh server. Especially helpful has been the book's links to sites relevant to the various topics.

Themis Drakos, Port Royal Public School, Toronto District School Board Canada

I bought this book with every intention of turning my new Mac G3 minitower into a webserver. The "Cookbook" easily walks new and experienced users through the set-up of a web, e-mail, FTP, and news server, then does more. The authors actually set up their own and list the pros and cons of various software packages, which were mostly shareware. For those of us who don't want to buy OSX, this is the way to go.

This book IS NOT written to be read from cover to cover... it's not a training to book to 'guide' you through Apple's OS. This book IS written as a great reference to show you what the steps are to complete a task.
The book is written so that you can find answers on 'how' to accomplish a specific task. Need to know 'how' to attach a MIDI keyboard? this book will show you the steps. Need to know 'how' to reset the administrator password? This book will show you how.

Why did I buy this book? I've been a PC/Windows user all my life, but finally bought my first Apple iMac. I'm new to the Apple OS, but I understand what I need to do. I just don't yet know how to do it. This book gives me the information to 'get it done' without showing me all the possibilities of a single task.

Who should buy this book? If you already know 'what' you want to do, but don't know 'how' to do it... this book will probably help you with showing you how.

Who should NOT buy this book? If you aren't sure what you want to do, or have more questions on 'why' you should do this (ex. Why do I need iTunes? or What is a dashboard widget?), this book isn't for you.
It doesn't help you understand the Operating Sytem... this book only shows you 'how' to accomplish tasks.

This is the best written book I have purchased to help with my new Apple iMac and its operating system Leopard (10.5). It is concise in detail and explains each aspect of the system in easy to follow steps. It is easy to find the different or revised updates if you are familiar with OS Tiger.
If it has one drawback that would be that it does not cover hardly any of iLife '08 Application. iLife '08 is included free when you purchase the OS 10.5 but you will need some other source to help with this new application.

As a co-author of this book, I want to state up-front that the Editorial Reviewer either never looked at the book or was intoxicated while writing.

We cover the Macintosh version of Microsoft Office and it does NOT include Access, Publisher, or Outlook. It does include Microsoft Entourage (falls somewhere between Outlook Express and Outlook in functionality).

I'm biased, but I think the book does a very good job in the space available of covering Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage (it even has an overview of Internet Explorer).

I turn to a book, especially one that should cover more than the basics and help when troubleshooting, but this one comes up short.

The first time I tried to use a Mac it was Word 3.02 and I bought a book (Cobb Group) that covered the Mac OS, hardware, extensions, everything. Mac Internet Starter kit helped when I needed to go online and do email and use Mozaic and Anarchy, Gofer, etc.

This is "Office 101" to walk you through doing simple tasks. Not trouble-shooting Office, exchanging with Windows users, or error codes, crashes, upgrades, patches, or links to places on the web.

If someone is slightly familiar with earlier versions, there are best off with a short "What's New, Quickstart Guide." If your Entourage won't sync with a PDA, or your message database needs a complex rebuild, the things I look for in a tomb of this size, well, it seemed to come up short.

This book is more for those that are somewhat familiar with the Maya menus or the intermediate user who needs a quick reminder of where something is or how to get started.

This book is a fantastic quick reference tool on how to get some of the Maya features working. Everything from setting up marking menus, changing the interface, overviews of basic and advanced tools, and even an overview on some of the more advanced features like dynamics and fur. If you want to get started on something quick or learn what tools are available and how they can be used, this is the book for you. There are no "tutorials" per se, but it does have little "Try this..." opportunities at many of the feature explanations that get you right into doing something.

The only drawback to this book is that the feature overviews only skim the surface of the program's capabilities. If you want a detailed, deep exploration of something like texturing, modeling or some other feature, this book falls short; but you'd need a half-dozen books to cover that anyway.

I wouldn't call this much of a "QuickStart" guide, because after you read it, you are still wondering how to proceed. It is more of an overview of a lot of the functions contained in Maya, not a "HowTo" guide or tutorial. Most of the Peachpit books have been good to get you up and running quickly, but this one....not so much.

You need not be a SAP R/3 consultant to benefit from this interesting book. In fact, I am not an R/3 expert and have little direct experience with the product. My motivation for reading this book is to better understand ERP in general as it applies to various industry segments, and SAP R/3 and PeopleSoft in particular because of a consulting assignment.

Before reading this book I was under the mistaken impression that SAP R/3 was inflexible and required any company implementing it to completely redesign their business processes to accommodate the software. In many respects this is true. However, SAP has a tagline that "All Industries Are Not Created Equal", which means that a generic solution enforced by an application is not a real solution at all. Using this book I discovered two things: (1) SAP R/3 is a lot more flexible than I heard and can be highly customized using industry-specific solution maps to a number of industries, and (2) the market challenges of the 20 industries covered in this book.

What I like is the consistent way each industry if presented, using a fixed format that discusses each industry's market trends, requirements and solution maps. As a consultant who works across a wide landscape of industries I was able to quickly absorb some of the characteristics of each industry and their key challenges, as well as see how an ERP solution fit within them. Of course, learning about how SAP as a product supports these industries is also useful, and I suspect essential to consultants and constancies focused on this particular product.

The book is a quick read, informative and definitely a worthwhile investment to anyone who is involved in ERP in general and SAP R/3 in particular.

Sorry, but this is more an SAP advertisement for why you should consider mySAP.com, than a reference on what it is. In fairness, the various industry solutions are reasonably well explained, and so is how mySAP.com addresses those industries. But it's really about the level of depth and detail, which is not much in this case. For example, at the end of each chapter, a case study is provided. These, however, are generally a bit vague and "marketing-sounding", while the name of the company or client is often omitted, affecting credibility.

Granted, the whole subject is extensive, however, I was expecting more. It doesn't help that this is a translation from German, which tends to make the reading a bit "stiff" and academic compared to what we are accustomed to in North America.

It is my first book on SAP R/3, it was really helpfull during my college clases.

All of the information is available on-line either in "Help" or SAP's ASAP discs. Does a reasonable job of condesing down to 180+ pages. Targeted towards the first time SAP user NOT experienced users/consultants.

I enjoyed using this book while I mastered the internals of the Apple //E. Although the Apple //E is no longer with us, it was a great machine.