Macintosh Books

Programming/scripting is not natural for me! It is hard work. This is the third book on AS 3.0 I've tried. The other books did not work for me. I need a book that will tell me what to do in a very elementary manner. I can then put it in context. For example:

1. This is how you script interactivity in a button (code)
2. This is what it is doing
3. This is what the various segments of code mean
etc.

This is the way I learned HTML. I looked up the code to do a given item. Over time if morphed into a thorough understanding of what HTML is and how to do it. This book enables me to do something similar. It takes basic AS 3.0, shows you how to do it then gives the information so you can put it in context. I'm relieved and grateful to find a book that allows me to construct the learning in a way that best fits me. THANK YOU!

This book has taught me sooo much already! If you want to learn how to use flash, this is the book for you!

This is a great guide that will give you step by step instructions on how to use Adobe Flash CS3 professional. You'll learn how to make Flash animations to add great multimedia to your websites or just games for local use.

A major upgrade to the previous editions and a must for any serious web design professional.

I love the Visual QuickStart Guides. This book has easy to follow lessons which are great for beginners. Professional refers to the more robust version of Flash not the skill level of the reader. I have combined this book with some video tutorials which is ideal for learning actionscript fast.

Este ocarte de capatii a medicinei interne

HARRISON'S is synonymous with clinical books that worth their weights in gold. This 15th/ed CD-ROM maintained that tradition. It adds the much-needed portability to some 2700-paged heavyweight. However, the air-tight use-restrictions attached to the ...price is simply suffocating. I wish that the publisher had relaxed a bit!
Overall though, there were compensations. The CD contents are superb: far better than what the textbook versions offer. Anyone with interest in medical science should give it a try. It is elaborate and easy to understand. The excellent chapters on pharmacology and infectious diseases are particularly worth mentioning.

This is a masterpiece. It is the best book I have known till date

HARRISON'S is synonymous with clinical books that worth their weights in gold. This 15th/ed CD-ROM maintained that tradition. It adds the much-needed portability to some 2700-paged heavyweight. However, the air-tight use-restrictions attached is simply suffocating. I wish that the publisher had relaxed a bit!
Overall though, there were compensations. The CD contents are superb: far better than what the textbook versions offer. Anyone with interest in medical science should give it a try. It is elaborate and easy to understand. The excellent chapters on pharmacology and infectious diseases are particularly worth mentioning.

I have been reading Harrison's Medicine right from my residency. Its a fabulous book one can refer to as an undergraduate or postgratuate student. However for a practitioner one would prefer to have little more stress on management details. Adding audio to CD of the same book will make it more useful.

Mukund Baheti Consultant Neurologist Nagpur- 440 012 India

It's been a LONG time since OWB reviewed a book--- that's because there just haven't been any worth reviewing--- until now! Don Rittner's "The iMac Book" (The Coriolis Group...) is a treasure-trove of internet information, so-much-so that you'll keep the book real handy, even if you're not ready for the iMac!

Don has published more than 12 books on science, computers, and the

Net. His writing style is user-friendly, matter-of-fact, down-to-earth and easy-to-follow (i.e., "Get The iMac Book!"). We like it so much we keep it right next to the old PC!

In 10 chapters, the book gives readers a solid foundation on the operation of the iMac and the Internet, from a complete description of the iMac itself to a laundry list of websites that will turn you and your machine into an internet tiger! (Again, take note, even if you are using a PC, the information in Don's book is a cut above anything you could surf for and sort through and hope to find on your own! This book is written in non-technical language and covers a wide variety of topics including how you can actually run Windows programs on your iMac!

When you take your new iMac out of the box, Don's book will prove invaluable (maybe they should pack a copy with each iMac shipped) as he walks you through the most common problems associated with the iMac and how to correct them. There's a chapter devoted to troubleshooting that names some of the many online tech support Web sites that will help you if you get into trouble while offering the best maintenance tips for keeping your iMac healthy and sound.

"Throughout this book I direct you to a variety of places on the Internet to obtain resources for making your computing experience a pleasant and productive one. I also have created an area on my Web site, The MESH - Inside Cyberspace...that links many of these resources. Feel free to use it, and please let me know how it can be improved. You can reach me at drittner@wizvax.net, or themesh@global2000.net."

Don ordered his first Macintosh in January, 1984. Soon after receiving it, he and friends started Macintosh Enthusiasts Club of the Capital Area, (MECCA), one of the oldest Mac User Groups in the country, which he still runs. In 1985, he became a columnist and User Group Editor for Macazine, an early national Mac magazine writing for Apple user groups and in 1988, he was the user group editor/columnist for Mac Horizons, another national Mac magazine. He has written for numerous other national magazines over the years. In 1988, he created MUG News Service, a computer news service that reaches half a million Mac users worldwide. Today, Don writes a weekly computer column for THE RECORD newspaper (Troy, NY).

"The iMac Book" is an invaluable resource for anyone new to computers or to the Macintosh platform. This new book written by long time Mac community member Don Ritter, with contributions from Guy Kawasaki, covers an incredible breadth of topics ranging from setting up and Internet connection to running alternate operating systems on your iMac.

Keeping the "i" in iMac as a major focus of the book, "The iMac Book" offers comprehensive information about how the Internet works, how the iMac interfaces with the 'Net, a guide to the Macintosh on-line community, and how to do effective research with your iMac. Did I mention that it has scores and scores of excellent links? I may be a bit biased, but I found their link to the Apple Wizards website to be most valuable indeed! :)

Computer newbies will love "The iMac Book" for its down-to-earth language and explanations of common Macintosh problems. Basic troubleshooting techniques will empower new Macintosh users to feel comfortable with and in control of their computers.

Despite my raves, I was initially disappointed that one important, yet technically intimidating topic was left out of the book. The topic in question is taking the iMac apart in order to upgrade RAM or VRAM. Sure, dismantling the iMac is a task that is best suited for the more adventurous, but it is not so daunting that it cannot be accomplished by your typical iMac owner. I asked author Don Ritter about this concern, and he informed me that he had in fact, planned to include such a section, but unfortunately the Mac website that was compiling that information was unable to meet the publisher's deadlines.

All told, I strongly recommend this book to all beginner through intermediate iMac users. Even if you aren't a beginner, "The iMac Book" with its attractive Bondi-Blue hardcover, translucent dust sleeve, and archive of resources is the perfect addition to anyone's library or Apple literature collection.

The iMac Book is the dream reference tool for anyone with an iMac from Apple Computer, Inc. Whether you are a new computer user or a die-hard Macintosh (Mac) user, you will learn how to get the most out of your iMac. You will quickly learn how the iMac works, how to run Mac and Windows 95/98 software and how to connect the right peripherals to your iMac. The author also tells you how, in literally a matter of minutes, you can be connected to the Internet and using your iMac for research on any topic. Chapter 7 provides a gold mine of information on how to effectively use the Internet for research.

The iMac Book is the complete technology and cyber culture resource on Apple's new iMac for beginning computer users. You will learn how the Macintosh Operating System (Mac OS) works, as well as your option to run more than 30 other operating system on your iMac, including Windows 95/98. Additionally, you will discover how to troubleshoot problems, choose upgrade paths, add paths, add peripherals, and increase your computer memory by yourself.

The author shows you how easy it is to get on and surf the Internet and find resources to build your own Web page. You will be guided directly to thousands of Macintosh-related resources on the Internet, such as Web sites, mailing lists, software archives, live chats, newsgroups, and to sources that provide the latest Mac news and product updates. This book is written in a non-technical style and is designed to elucidate and educate, not intimidate.

Don Rittner ordered his first Mac in January 1984, and received it the next month-the same month he started Macintosh Enthusiasts Club of the Capital Area (MECCA), one of the oldest Mac User Groups in the United States, which he still runs. In 1985, he became a columnist and User Group Editor for Macazine, an early national Mac magazine for Apple user groups. In 1988, he was a columnist for Mac Horizons, another national Mac magazine. He has written for MacUser, MacWeek, Online Access, and other national magazines.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Formerly Business Development Manager with KPMG, Azlan is currently Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. He holds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from the University of Westminster in London.

Forget that previous "review." Obviously this fellow has a problem.

I have been teaching introductory computing for 20 years on both Mac and PC platform. I recommend this book to students of Mac AND PC users.

I recommend it to my students.

As a Mac user, the book excels in discussing the virtures of the iMac. As a regular PC book it excels on info about the Net. In fact, it is the best intro to the Net. Chapter One is really the only chapter specific to the iMac. The rest of the chapters can apply to any computer. The examples and URL's are all Mac related true, but on how to use a computer to conduct research on the Net, this book is invaluable.

If you bought the iMac Book expecting to find a little more on the "how the iMac works" type of information, you might be a little disappointed. This stuff is dealt with briefly, but most of the book is focused on getting on-line and what to do once you're there. And that's fair enough-after all that's what the iMac is all about.

The iMac Book is an excellent reference work for using your iMac on-line. But if it's more technical stuff you need on how your little coloured beastie works, then iMacs for Dummies is probably a better buy.

I have used this series of books for a long time and they are excellent. This book is easy to follow and has a good deal of diagrams and pictures to help you learn both of these excellent applications. I have used this book with people new to iMovie & iDVD and those with a lot of experiences. I highly recommend it.

Having quicky tired of Vista, I took the plunge and bought a Mac laptop. This was one of the first books I bought for the Mac.

Author Jeff Carlson does a great job explaining the basics of movie-making with iMovie. Although I've quickly stepped up to Final Cut Pro (although very cool, iMovies is pretty limited), I still find myself referring back to this book from time to time.

If you're new to Apple computers and like to shoot movies, then this book is a must have!

Happy Filming!

Peachpit's Visual QuickStart Guide series is one of the best how-to series out there for beginning to intermediate computer users. In this book, the author does a great job of explaining the basics of video, giving readers a solid base of information for what follows. From there, he explains how to create your own movies and DVDs using the two video components of Apple's iLife '08 software package.

While most of the book sticks to the step-by-step approach that's part of the Visual QuickStart Guide style, I found the general information about lighting, cameras, and movie-making invaluable.

No, I'm not a video expert -- but if I were, I don't think I'd be using iMovie. This book is right on target for the iMovie/iDVD audience.

Apple overhauled iMovie for its "2008" release (actually revealed in 2007), and Jeff Carlson did the same for his book. I found iMovie '08 rather mystifying at first, because of how differently the program handles tasks that I've been using iMovie to handle for years. But Jeff's book helped me sort it out.

iMovie '08 also doesn't play very nicely with iDVD '08, and Jeff's book provides the necessary missing information (Apple left it out) for better using the two programs together. (iMovie '08 is really oriented towards YouTube and online, not burning DVDs.)

I do almost no video editing, but when I had to dive into iMovie recently, Jeff's book was a big help. The Visual QuickStart Guide approach of explaining a single task per page, with steps accompanied by screenshots, was just what I needed to import a movie taken from my digital camera, superimpose a title, add some scrolling credits at the end, and publish it to my .Mac Web Gallery. Sure, that may sound like simple stuff, but when you've never used a program before, it's helpful to have explanations of what to drag where. The only problem now is that I saw instructions for doing all sorts of other cool things in the book that I'd love to try, but there are absolutely no instructions for finding more time in the day to play with iMovie.

I have a double feeling with this book. At one side, it is overwhelmingly structured and give the uninitiated a good understanding of the SAP approach. At the other side, you have a feeling of 'hunger' at the end to have more indept knowledge of the ERP system. It is too provisional and will not help to much in "solutionising" ERP specific problems. But if want to get familiar with terminology and general ERP project management, you have the right intro book.

It is a good book for the neophyte or someone who is considering implementing or in the beginning stages of an implementation. Actually, it is a terrific choice if you fall in this group.
If you are looking for an in depth analysis of the system, or a user manual, then forget about it, it is excessively simple in these aspects.

Even if you do not have any idea on what is involved in implementing SAP, this book will bring you upto speed, very fast.

I picked this book up when I was asked last month (post-Y2K) to evaluate and give a detailed plan for implementing SAP quickly! This book provided me with all the answers and I was able to give a credible presentation to our VP operations. It blends the business and technical issues perfectly.

I am now using it to guide us (almost everyone has a copy!) through the SAP project using ASAP.

In passing I must mention author's interpretation on the technological advances in past century including Internet as sliding and/or altering space time is simply amazing. I had never ever thaught it that way; read it, it is stunning!

Refer to this book for any ENTERPRISE related issues as a whole. There is lots of useful info. and advice here.

Although SAP is out of spotlight since lat year, everone knows there are lots of SAP projects out there, both new, upgrades etc.; without refering to any particular SAP project, this book distills a lot of practical details and wisdom from numerous SAP projects. It should be useful not only to key-users, consultants and, of-course, Project Managers but also for anyone presently evaluating ERPs vis-a-vis e-commerce, CRM projects etc. Now that the hype has gone out of ERPs, Kale's book will put ERPs in perspectives vis-a-vis other areas & dev. in IT/ IS like the latest CRM, SCM, Enterprise Portals, NetMarkets etc. Read this book to understand why ERP will continue to be the essential backbone for all businesses.

Comprehensive and also good as ready reference for any SAP implementation.

Information as a Resource for the Enterprise! Much surprise is being expressed at the current spurt in productivity indicated by the booming US economy. Its no paradox. As per the author, this is because the latest enterprise systems like SAP enable leading companies in the economy to use information as a tangible resource. And, this resource is usable many times over, simultaneously; that is where the productivity is coming from!

This book is replete with numerous insights and unique perspectives on many issues relevant to implementing SAP within your organization. Here is a gem for the CRM efforts: "From zero defects to zero defections". Succinctly, this typifies the major shift occuring from the focus on production/ manufacturing to the customer relationships in the new era of the 'customer triggered' enterprise (another novel idea from the book! ). As mentioned by others, there are few typos that could have been avoided.

If you want to clue on to the NEW Enterprise --get hold of this book for many more unique perspectives, ideas and concepts for your ERP-driven enterprise.

Not to go against the curve here, but I must say this book is a complete waste of money. Any idiot can figure out half of the "secrets" mentioned in this book. The author also wastes about half of the book explaining how to do such mundane tasks as installing itunes and charging your ipod. DO NOT BUY YOU CAN FIND ALL THESE ANSWERS ONLINE WITHIN MINUTES.

I've bought 3 other iPod books. Two were to basic but had some goodies and one was a "waste" in my opinion.

The iPod & iTunes book by Kirk REALLY adds to my knowledge base and shows he KNOWS(!) the iPod and iTunes. He goes beyond a simple product manual and tells you HOW TO GET THINGS DONE.

I highly recommend the book and ask why it took so long to come out.

Thanks Kirk!

Let me say this straight out - computer books are pointless, they are either of the 'for dummies' variety, printed versions of a manual [presumably to encourage software piracy] or for techies by techies...THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT! Why? Well because the author loves music and he talks about music throughout, he [and other guest] even review music and after all what is the iPod about but love of music and the freedom to have your music where and when you wish...sure it is a clever device, clever design, etc. but leave the technical stuff for people who love technology and the design for those for whom the packaging is the thing - for the rest of us we have music. Clearly the book isn't just a compilation of reviews that might have appeared in NME or Rolling Stone [or Relix] but the appreciation of music, the passion to try and get people to try different types of music runs all the way through the book. Yes it does all you might expect from a book on the iPod [and iTunes]|: it guides the user from basics to advanced tweaks [mercifully more advanced than the this is a button, this is a scroll wheel, type of 'for dummies' stuff], but never more than a few pages go by and there is another section on some record or artist.
Grateful Dead, Brian Eno, Joy Division, Durutti Column, Steve Reich, Bill Evans - all here.

Now if I have one suggestion to the author it is to apply his technological knowledge and love of music to the wider subject of online music sharing and downloading. That will be a second 'computer book' worth buying.

Anytime someone can make learning how to make software and hardware interesting and fun its worth a read.

After purchasing an iPod and struggling to make it do what I knew it was supposed to do, I scoured the book stores for a book that would show me the way. I found Kirk's fun and intuitive approach (very Mac-like) to be perfect. As a long time Apple user, and often times under utilizer of software (because I hate to read manuals). It was refreshing to find someone that gets it, and writes a book for those of us that need a little humor with our how-to. Check out is webpage too.

Another added plus... I e-mailed Kirk for a little extra help, and to my amazement he responded, timely too. With the many iPod and iTune books out there, this is one to be by your side while the others stay in the store.

Whether you just purchased an iPod or have had one for years, you NEED THIS BOOK! This book is the true "Missing Manual." I have bought and returned a lot of books regarding my beloved iPod. This book covers it all in one book. I haven't seen anything like it, and believe me, I have been looking!

You think you know everything about iPods? Want to know how to "do something?" This is your book. I say this because I considered myself a intermediate expert (if such a term exists) helping my friends set up both their iPod and iTunes, fielding ongoing questions, suggesting cool accessory websites, etc, but this book showed me some stuff.

Got an iPod? Get the book!

Learn that you can do more with an iPod(tm) Shuffle than just uploading songs and listening randomly. If you have a Shuffle, you might want to start with this little 90 page soft-bound book. It is compact (5.9 x 6") and beautifully designed. There are all color images or screenshots on almost every page. One feature that I found very handy was the color coded chapter tags on the left hand side of the pages. On the right side listed the chapter you were in making finding things easier.The red part of the cover is actually a separate piece and I found myself using the ends as a bookmark. No big deal but nonetheless a useful feature.

The book handles all the basics in an easy to understand manner. The chapters range from getting started, all about iTunes, playlists, using your Shuffle as a Pocket USB Drive, cool stuff for your Shuffle and Troubleshooting. Extras include how to make CD covers in iTunes, burning playlists to CD or DVD, making celebrity (or different moods) playlists, and publishing your own playlists in iMix in iTunes.

You do receive a little 29 page (paper) User Guide with your Shuffle that walks you through the basics quite adequately but if you want to know and do more, then this inexpensive iPod Shuffle Fan Book is for you. The chapter on iTunes and the music store was very comprehensive, as was the listing of Apple's and various other web sites about iPods. It gives a new owner a good place to start. I was totally blown away at the power in the little Shuffle. I was equally impressed with this little book. Many aspects of the book will still be relevant if you upgrade to a Nano or larger iPod. Buy the book...it's cheap at $9.95 and makes good quick reading so you don't have to wade through pages and pages to get an answer. Information is presented in a comprehensive and fun manner! I recommend it heartily.

This is the book that Apple should have included with the Shuffle. It is a great and simple source of information.

I've owned the iPod Shuffle for about a year, and find it's the best model for people who want to use their iPods while they jog or work out. It has enough memory (even at the low 1/2 gig end) to store a days worth of music, and can either play songs in order or do the whole shuffle random thing. Controls are very intuitive, and it's easy to operate. This book is great for people who need instructions. The actual manual that comes with the Shuffle is short and not too in-depth, and this book is a good replacement for new Shuffle users who are unfamiliar with the product. But people looking for some "Shuffle secrets" like how to jump to the beginning or end of a playlist by a couple of button moves won't find these hacks here. That's my only gripe. The book is cheap, cute, but really doesn't go in to the secret world of all the little tricks this thing can do. You'll have to search the Web for that part.

Are you thinking about getting an iPod Shuffle, have an iPod Shuffle or maybe you just wanted to learn a little more about the world's littlest iPod without having to wade through a book five times the size of the Shuffle itself? If you are, this book is for you! Author Jude Biersdorfer, has done an outstanding job of writing a great book on how to use the iPod Shuffle.

Biersdorfer begins by explaining how to work the iPod Shuffle and how to make digital music file in iTunes. Next, the author specifically shows you how to use iTunes to get digital music files for the iPod Shuffle. Then, Biersdorfer shows you how to transfer the digital music files. The author continues by playing with playlists. In addition, the author next focuses on ways of using the iPod Shuffle to carry files. Biersdorfer also discusses iPod Shuffle accessories. Finally, Biersdorfer tells you where to find more information about the iPod Shuffle and where iPod fanatics like to hang out on the Web so you can drop by and find out all the latest iPod Shuffle news.

In this excellent book, Biersdorfer goes well beyond the brief booklet that comes inside of your Shuffle box and explains in complete detail how to use an iPod Shuffle. According to Biersdorfer, "life is random, but learning how to use your iPod shouldn't be!"

The "iPod Shuffle Fan Book" is an outstanding guide for anyone that wants to get the most out of their iPod Shuffle! From discussing what makes the iPod Shuffle truly unique compared to its bigger cousins to getting music on your Shuffle to playing music throughout your house to all the neat stuff you can buy for your iPod Shuffle, this book is for you!!

In a nutshell, this book is for anyone that wants to learn all the different great ways they can use their iPod shuffle and how to make this great little product all that much better. If you are heavily experienced in using portable music players you probably wouldn't find it as useful, but for the novice to amateur iPod person, this guide is a great companion and makes a great gift!

***** RECOMMENDED

The iWorks'05 Missing Manual is truly a missing manual for Apple Computer's word processor/page-layout software and presentation software Keynote 2. If you are in a hurry to use either Pages or Keynote 2 or a very visual learner, I would recommend looking into a different manual. In the 379 pages, this book has a lot of detail on the two programs which is truly a manual. You can easy skip to the sections you need and do not have to read the entire book to use it. The author has chapters in both Pages and Keynote 2 and are very basic. In the beginning of some of the chapter he lets the reader know you can skip the chapter if you are experienced user. At the end of the book the author gives you resources to help you go beyond the book for additional help and ideas for using Pages and Keynote 2.

Pages

The book covers the basics of word-processing in case your are new to computers and word processing. The book then covers the layout features to Pages. The author gives you advice on different fonts and layouts. He covers why you would use certain fonts in the headers and body of the text. In addition the book covers creating tables, charts and working with objects. Objects include text, pictures and graphic in your document and how to place them in the document.

The author also covers how to use iTunes, iMove in Pages and why you might not want to use Pages to add in iTunes and iMove in to your document. He recommends using Keynote 2 instead. The book also covers exporting Pages to other word processors such as Microsoft Word and publishing the document to a web. The author also gives you example of what will happen if you export to various programs from Pages.

Keynote 2

The book covers the basics of how to develop and give a presentation in case you have forgotten or have never given a presentation before.

The author also spends some time on using Keynote 2 with laptops. He covers the reason why you might want to consider purchasing the PowerBook over an iBook. For instance, iBooks can only perform video mirroring which shows the same image on the screen as the external monitor and PowerBooks can be used in the dual-display mode which can show a different image than the PowerBook's screen. Keynote 2 can display to your audience the normal view of your slides on the external display and on your PowerBook you can show the current slide and the next slide, a speaker's notes, a clock, and time.

The book also goes in to using iTunes, iPhoto, and iMove with Keynote 2. They all integrate nicely together. The author also covers exporting Keynote 2 files to other formats. He discusses exporting to Microsoft PowerPoint, into a PDF, and into QuickTime in case the machine you are using does not have Keynote 2. The book also discussed how to publish a Keynote 2 presentation on a website.

I would recommend this book as a manual for Pages and Keynote 2. If you want use the program right way I would look for another manual if you are not willing to put some time in to the necessary reading.

Jim Elferdink's iWork 05: The Missing Manual covers Pages and Keynote 2 as it provides all the basics of how to create documents and produce presentations with iWork's latest, powerful features. Mac users receive a solid reference which will appeal to beginners and advanced users alike: particularly appealing when covering such new functions as Keynote, which has gone through a major update to make it a formidable competitor to PowerPoint. Business users, especially, will find iWork 05: The Missing Manual an essential reference to maintaining professional standards.

The learning curve for Pages can be steep if coming from Word or new to word processing all together. (Actually, it's probably less frustrating if your new altogether.) That's not Pages fault. I think Pages is actually quite intuitive. It is just different than Word, and in my opinion, far superior. This text does a great job explaining Pages' ins and outs, and also offers great tips that will help when using Pages in projects. The tips captions give the text a real hands on feal. It is written from the perspective of someone who really uses and enjoys Pages, not just a lifeless manual like the one that comes with iWork. (Though the one included in the box serves as a good reference.) I have't read the section on Keynote, as I do not have a need for it. Great Book, and still very useful even if you are an 06' user.

Would you like to create documents with classy and colorful Pages templates that make you appear like you have the art department on your payroll? If you would, you're in luck! Author Jim Elferdink, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that introduces iWork '05, a brand-new software suite that'll eventually replace the venerable but aged AppleWorks.

Elferdink, begins by showing you how to create a basic document. Then, he covers everything you need to know about formatting your documents and introduces you to Pages' built-in spell checker. The author continues by describing how to use Find & Replace, an editing tool that can make short work of sifting through long documents. Next, he shows you how to lay out pages. Then, the author guides you through table and chart creation and formatting--starting with tables. The author continues by exploring the next step in the life of a Pages document: delivering it from your computer into the hands and in front of the eyeballs of your intended audience. Next, he shows you how to make your own templates so you can add them to Pages' built-in templates roster. Then, the author shows you how to plan, prepare for and deliver a better presentation. He also shows you how to build a basic presentation. The author continues by showing you how to add to your slides everything from text boxes and pictures, to tables, charts, and fancy transitions. Next, he shows you how to import presentations created with PowerPoint or AppleWorks, so that you can continue editing with Keynote. Finally, he shows you how to customize Keynote.

You'll find in this most excellent book, step-by-step instructions for using every Pages and Keynote 2 feature, including those you may not even have quite understood. This book's also designed to give you a thorough grounding in planning and pulling off effective presentations enhanced by Keynote.

The mini manuals out of the box were ok, but this book is great. I was able to finish a project that was "stuck". The beauty of the book is that it explains terms and ideas without being a "beginners" book. A lot of detailed ideas to use and apply to your projects or just how to use the program more powerfully. iWork is a great little program (less than 80 dollars) that is made even better with this book.

This book deals with the most difficult stage of getting into UNIX: the beginning. If you at the beginning you may find this course to be helpful Linux and UNIX for a beginner training suite, 4DVDs + 2CDs includes 4 Unix Academy Certifications ed.2008
UNIX as probably any other operating system is a system: it means it is complex and not easy to comprehend. This book is very nicely, didactically organized and facilitates the transition from subject to subject.

OS X UNIX is amazingly friendly and accessible. Some people who had never used it before type commands and work with the operating system directly as a "cool guys" in movies! This book is very helpful and well written and it is serves as a very nice reference. I have followed advice in someone's review and paired this book with that "UNIX Essentials" DVD I found here on Amazon and it is complete UNIX course recorded. This book and a video they contribute one another greatly. The book is very particular about the subjects that related to OS X and because there are some differences between OS X and other UNIXes it is nice to have a book that deals with it.

I was one of the people that winced when Mac made the leap from O9 to the unix based OSX. The "old" command line did nothing for me in the early 80's and I didn't truly fall in love with mac until the GUI interface and the mouse came along. Once I was forced to make the move to OSX I began to hear about all these powerful unix commands and things you could do beyond the scope of aqua from my IT friends. It intriqued me enough that I picked up Learning Unix for Mac OS Panther. It was a true eye opener. In no time at all I was using the terminal for ftp, I even had Pine (a unix email program) configured and was speedily browsing the web with Lynx (the unix text-based browser).

The book is clearly written, and a breeze to use. I usually buy about one software book a month, but this is one of the few that has become dog earred, filled with marginalia and rife with stickie notes. It is a great starting point for anyone who wantes to learn more about the unix underpinnings of Panther. It's like learning about a whole new, previously unseen, side of your mac.

As with many books, I often flip immediately to the back to look over why the publisher thinks that I should read have this book. In the case of Learning Unix for Mac OS X Panther, by Dave Taylor & Brian Jepson, the statement which caught my eye was that this "compact book provides a user-friendly tour of the Mac's Unix base for the uninitiated."

As for being new to the Anchorage Apple User's Group (AAUG), allow me to introduce you to my background. I have been a fan of Apple computer's since my first computer, an Apple IIc, twenty years ago. Since then, I have stayed with Macintosh, through the SE, SE/30, IIci, and my trustworthy beige G3. Since arriving in Anchorage in October, I upgraded to a Powerbook G4 and I've been in heaven ever since.

At the same time, I've worked (reluctantly) with Unisys proprietary systems, MS-DOS systems, Windows 95-present (and I even have XP operating on my Powerbook, by way of Virtual PC), and Sun's workstations. Through working on Sun's unix based operating system (Solaris), I began to know some basics of what unix is all about.

I had heard that Apple had made OS X revolutionary through its version of unix as a basis for this new operating system. And I had even read a little about some tricks and treats available to the "everyday" user of the Mac, but I was still reluctant and hesitant to do anything with something titled (so appropriately, I thought) as the "Terminal."

And one more note prior to discussing the book itself ... this book is for the uninitiated, but be warned, I believe you need to have a serious interest in learning the unix operating system. Gratefully, for those of you who love the Mac for what you can do, not what you "have" to do, you can remain blissfully unaware of any of the unix which runs so very well hidden, out of sight, and out of mind.

But, since you've stayed with this book review thus far, I assume you have some interest in what exactly is going on "underneath it all", on what makes Panther such a great operating system. So, I recommend you read book. It is an ideal starting point for the uninitiated. I highly recommend it both as a "how to" and a "reference" book.

Dave Taylor and Brian Jepson, the authors, start off by explaining "Why unix?" This first chapter helped me a good deal, even though I had already used a version of unix on another platform (the Sun workstation.) The overview and history of how unix grew as an operating system, and how it came to be on the Mac was very interesting. Additionally, the starting point (the Terminal application) was explained succinctly; similar to how a train station is known as a terminal, the authors helped me get on the path to successful learning of this unix stuff.

As the book progressed into the file system and file management, I found myself frequently switching between having the book in hand, and the Terminal up and running on screen with the computer in my lap. And doing exactly as the title described ... I was learning unix for Mac OS X Panther.

A part of the O'Reilly series, the authors follow in a familiar pattern with just enough instruction, including practice assignments, balanced by shared experience and cautious warnings. I found myself spending about one hour on each chapter, and going back and forth practicing some of my newly acquired talents and skills.

By no means do I consider this book to have made me very smart, but it allows me just enough confidence to continue and look into other parts of how unix works in the Mac world, including using this operating system to help make life better. I even find myself wanting to get into one of the related books in the series, Mac OS X for Unix Geeks.

Ce livre donne l'occasion au nouveau utilisateur de Mac OS X de comprendre les dessous de OS X qui sont sembleble au système Unix.
Recommandé.

Very good intro book here. Some of the basics were amazingly basic, but after the first few chapters, there was some serious meat to chew into. I commend this highly, especially to those new to the Mac fold (and to us old Mac dogs trying to figure out this *nix stuff).

Best bet is to play with your Mac while reading. Nothing beats hands-on while you are learning. Can't wait for the rest of the Apple Certification stuff to come out.

beware, that you need to review the material with a mac os x computer infront of you (in fact that is what they advise you to do). but the most important thing, is to try out a lot of stuff yourself. especially when working as a non admin user in os x. this is not all too well covered in the material.
all in all i passed the exam, and the book played a major role in helping. the tech notes at the end of the chapters were a big help too. do not forget to read also another book on os x.

Just took and passed the exam. Spent about three days reviewing the material in this book, as well as the notes provided by Apple on their web site. I thought that the book did a very good job covering the test material, though could have spent some time discussing network connectivity to windows systems.

All in all, a very good review for the exam. Covered about 90% of what was tested on the exam. Highly recommended for anyone preparing for the test.

The book is good for passing the exam and getting acquainted
with Mac OS X.
You'll do fine on the test by reviewing the book. Definitely
plan on reading another book after you pass to gain advanced
knowledge of OS X as it doesn't even try to go beyond the scope of the test.
(which is ok! Pass the test now, get a job, master the material later.)

This study guide is well written and superbly organized. I feel that I'm ready for the exam! If you're not using Mac OS X now, please get a copy, you'll never want to go back to Classic. With some experience with X, and this book, you'll be well prepared to move forward in getting your ACTC certification. I only hope that the author's next book is Mac OS Server Essentials Exam Cram. I'll order it the minute it is announced.