Macintosh Books

Again, hats off to Christopher Lumgair! Another great book for one who is looking to break into design. I got my start in design with "Teach Yourself QuarkXPress", but actually I use this book more. It's great for those needing to learn how to scan line art and contones quickly and a good all around reference. Yes, there are better Photoshop books-but this little guy has more bang for the buck!

I had always wanted to learn design but had no time or money to invest in classes etc. All I had was an iMac and "Teach yourself Quark Express". Although some reviews don't praise this book, I found it to be informative enough to learn my way around the Quark interface and start designing pages. Because large manuals overwhelmed me- not to mention my optimism about breaking into design was not that high, I settled for this cheap little book. Well I'm happy to say that within about six weeks I landed my first design job in NYC and have since mastered Quark and became very skilled in Photoshop and Illustrator. Just six months after reading this book I became a very experienced and employable designer. I have taken many courses in design since then-but my gratitude goes to the author because I never would have done it without this book. This is the only Quark book I've ever owned and believe me, anything a certified Quark instructor has ever showed me I had already learned in this book.

I use Photoshop LE for web pages and photo touchup, and having gotten the program as a freebie with another Adobe package, I'm somewhat allergic to paying ( ) for the typical photoshop manual.

Enter Teach Yourself books. This British publisher has been around as long as I can remember, producing simple and useful manuals for, it sometimes seems, every possible human endevor, and now they're doing excelent comuter books.

This slim volume may not be as exhaustive a reference as some of the 500 page tomes out there, but it's complete, it answered all my questions, and at under ( ) it's a steal

After working with the likes of Paradox, dBase and InfoManager it was a relief to find a database system that was "user friendly". The next trick was finding an after market reference to help me make the most of it. This book does it all! Appropriate for the beginner but not bellow the advanced. Chris Moyer has a top ten hit with this one in the computer reference division.

This is the title to get if you are already familiar with flat database structure and look-ups and now want to understand and harness the power of relational databases in Filemaker. Moyer makes relational database concepts easy to understand with concise, real-world examples; he does not waste your time with a rehash of the Claris Filemaker manual. (I'm using Filemaker 4.0 but did not find Moyer's book lacking in any way). Especially welcomed were his tips on avoiding the classic database design pitfalls. This is the first computer book I have ever bought (and I have stacks of them) where I felt the money was totally worth it. For once, someone has made my job easier.

Claris has done an outstanding job in upgrading Filemaker Pro to version 3.0 but the accompanying manual is incredibly incomplete. Thanks to Mr.Moyer's well written and organized manual, new Filemaker Pro users can quickly get up to speed on this excellent relational database. I found the book easy to follow and the examples helpfull and clearly explained. Moving slowly from the basic to complex topics, Mr. Moyer makes building complex databases understandable, even to the beginner. My only wish is that a disc be enclosed in the book with a few examples of the more complex abilities of this software. It is a book well worth the price and I thank Mr. Moyer for publishing it as quickly as he was able

This is a great book on Golive 6. It is designed so that it starts with the basics and moves through the various aspects of using the program.

It is packed full of pictures, and I found that a big help. It walks you through many aspects of using the program, that otherwise would be hard to figure out.

This book is not for the advanced user, but is a great value for the money.

I really like these Quick Start books. I have a few of them on various topics.

It's arguable whether or not a picture is, indeed, worth a thousand words. It's not arguable that pictures AND a thousand words are the most effective means to communicate the features and methods of any particular software application, especially an application like Adobe's GoLive 6 which excels at filling your screen real estate with windows and palettes.

The Visual QuickStart Guides from Peachpit Press are the perfect blend of text and illustrations, and Adobe GoLive 6 for Macintosh & Windows, Visual QuickStart Guide, is no exception. Shelly Brisbin, an accomplished writer, speaker, and consultant in the Mac and Internet working world for 15 years, does and outstanding job with this book, her ninth, creating a virtual reference work for any serious web designer using GoLive.

The book's cover exclaims, "Teach yourself GoLive the quick and easy way! This Visual QuickStart Guide uses pictures rather than lengthy explanations. You'll be up and running in no time!" Honestly, I cannot vouch for that claim, since I've been using GoLive since it was GoLive Pro in 1997, before it became GoLive Cyberstudio Pro and was then subsequently purchased from GoLive, Inc. by Adobe as it attained the venerable version 3 status. But I would hazard a guess that if you are familiar with basic web design and HTML editing, you could spend an hour going through the first few chapters with Adobe GoLive 6 running on your computer and you would have the basic feel of the program.

If you are fairly new to WYSIWYG web page editors, then you should proceed through chapters three through eight to gain the basic knowledge of all the key features and tools that comprise the GoLive arsenal. For the more advanced user, chapters nine through fourteen explain the advanced page building tools, including the handling of cascading style sheets, one of GoLive's strengths, and multimedia, another strong point that makes Adobe GoLive one of the top choices among professionals. The remaining chapters cover what I consider to be the piece d'resistance of GoLive: it's site management capabilities, including the new site server, and advanced QuickTime and animation support. The only thing I didn't find in this book was an appendix with such useful information as a chart of short cut keys, but then Adobe sends this with the application. Still, it would be nice to have in the event a user has lost theirs.

This book is designed primarily for beginning to intermediate users of Adobe GoLive 6 and is not intended to provide an encyclopedic reference for every facet of the program. But if you, like me, tend to skim over the software manuals, lack the photographic memory requisite for remembering every menu command and configuration option, or just need to get up and running quickly with GoLive, you will benefit by this book. Glancing at my bookshelf with six different GoLive specific texts, this one seems to always end up on top, indicating it's the one I most often refer to.

MacMice Rating: 4 out of 5

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Jeffrey McPheeters
http://

This book does an excellent job of explaining the core dynamics of adobe after effects and some advanced features. But if you are looking for a guide to building effects, this book is not for you.

I've bought this book since I wanted to get acquinted with AE fast. I've gone through every review on Amazon and the local sites and finally went to the store to buy this one.

It appealed to me in the way it approaches the different concepts (not the easiest ones in AE) and explains them clearly, stating examples and using the 'sidebar' method for indepth information.

I have gotten through to page 140 now and I absolutely love it. I use it both as a manual (continuous reading) and for reference (looking up stuff), and it fits both uses.

I am planning to finish it before Xmas and the only thing standing in my way is my REAL job. One note of critic though - the CD is not packed with goodies (make up your mind if that is a good or a bad thing) and besides that, there are few useable thing on it.

But overall, the book alone is worth the - very low, I might add - price.

This book was a great help, Im currently attending the Art Institute of California-San Diego. and this book was recommended for my Motion Graphics class. It has a lot of good tutorials and pointers to do on your own. This book was a great asset to honing my motion graphics skills.

Are you new with After Effects? Adobe After Effects 7 Visual Quickpro Guide for Antony Bolante really gives you fast steps toward learning more about this product. This book gives you a strong base to start a leading career using After Effects.
Antony Bolante in his book considered that the reader is beginner in After Effects. So, he describes each tiny part in an easy to understand way.

The first chapters in the book describe this great program, anatomy and tools. And shows you with examples how to use these tools.
For example, chapter 12 shows all about creating text and text animation. It starts with setting the workspace for text and goes through creating text, editing, formatting, setting text options and describes in details how to get the most out of text animation, starting with making the text follow a path, using text animation presets and creating animator groups.
The last chapter teaches you how to get your work out to the world by using different rendering techniques in After Effects.

I think this book is the best resource for beginner After Effect designers and animators, as it really gives you a big push toward the proficiency of Adobe after Effects.

I've written in the past two years at least three separate how-to articles (here here and here about Apple's automation creation program, Automator. Since the program was introduced with Tiger, I've always looked for ways it can help me automate certain mundane tasks on my computer. Each morning, for example, I can come to my computer with five of my most frequented Web site feeds opened and ready for me to peruse. Thanks to an Automator workflow initiated by a daily iCal launch, I don't have to individually pull up those same Web sites each day in order to view them. Automator and iCal do the work for me. I have about eight other workflows like this that I use on a consistent basis.

Though I wish I were a skilled programmer, I couldn't create a bit of computer or software code to save my life. That's why Automator is a perfect program for those of us who would like to script actions on our computer but don't have the skills to do so. Automator is based on the type of select and drop features that you find in all of Apple's programs. However, I would not go so far as to say that Automator is an intuitive program for basic computer users. While my wife can put together a family newsletter using one of the Apple's Pages's template, she would be at a loss using Automator.

But for intermediate and power users of the the OS X system, Automator is very accessible. And finally, there's a introductory book about using the program that I've been wanting to see published for a while now. Not sure why it has taken Peachpit so long to publish a book about Automator, but it's great that it has.

Automator For Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is part of Peachpit's Visual Quickstart Guide series. Books in this series provide you a nice straightforward introduction to software programs with plenty of examples, illustrations, tips, and recommendations for getting the most out of the programs that a book in the series covers. The author of this book, Ben Waldie, is president of Automated Workflows (www.automatedworkflows.com) which is one of four or five Automator sites that feature tutorials and sample workflows about Automator. He has "developed professional automated solutions for clients such as Adobe, Apple, CNN, and Microsoft." He has authored numerous articles about Automator and AppleScripting and has been a frequent presenter at Macworld Conference and Expo and other events.

Automator For Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard covers all the basics plus a little more. If you have never cracked open Automator, it would probably be a good idea to simply follow one of my tutorials. Have no fear, testing out and playing around with the program will not break or crash your computer. You might discover just how useful Automator and other similar programs can be in saving your time and stress. I won't say that every workflow you create won't have a glitch here and there, but as you keep refining the workflow, you will over time get some things done faster at your computer.

With latest version of Automator in Leopard, Apple includes what it calls a starting points screen to help you get going. However, if you never worked in Automator, I really don't see how the start up screen will help you. You first have to know what you want to do and what actions Automator can provide to help you do it. So it's best to select custom workflow in the start up screen and poke around and see what Automator has to offer.

Waldie's book is mostly a manual run down of the program. He breaks down each all the features and basic process for completing workflows. If you're a beginner in this program, the book might very well be useful. If you're an intermediate or advance user of Automator, I can't see Waldie's book being that useful to you. There are many articles and video tutorials on the Internet that will get you acquainted with Automator, so it's a bit of stretch to say that this book is necessary to learn how to get up and running with Automator.

Fortunately, Waldie's book covers the latest version of Automator, including how to use the much wanted Variable, Loop, Recording features. These features provide users more customization and greater control over workflows. He explains how to set up several workflows (including one that emails birthday birthday greetings, and another one that adds spotlight comments to photos) but sometimes it's not clear why a user would go to the trouble to create a few of the workflows he illustrates in the book. I say this because many of the actions that come installed with Automator are features used in the iLife programs themselves. For example, it would be pointless to create a workflow that simply opens up an application. That can be done manually or when you log in to your computer. However, it might be useful to have an application workflow that opens up two or three applications at the same time when you know you'll be using them together. You can also create another workflow that will close those same three applications at the same time. It sounds simple, but if you're doing something like this a lot, it can be definite time saver.

Waldie includes a list great sources and examples about using Automator with AppleScript and UNIX Commands. Being able to tie together the more advance actions of AppleScript with Automator enables you to create even better workflows. A recent example of this is a AppleScript command and Automator workflow that puts your Mac to sleep by sending an email to it. You can find out to easily do this by visiting Murphymac.com.

Automating and scripting programs may not be everyone's idea of having fun, but if you're using a computer on a regular basis and you're not finding ways to automate your tasks, then you're probably frustrated that your computer has more control over your time than you do. Check out Automator and learn how it can save you some time.

Like many people who make their living using a computer I perform many repetitive tasks. I've dabbled around in Applescript a bit and have managed to make a few scripts that help me but since I'm not really a programmer that is only worth the time if I'm going to use the same script often. Even then, if the sequence task requires only a few steps it doesn't seem worth the effort to struggle with the programming. Enter Automator.

With OS X.4, Apple offered a tool to make automation easier. With OS X.5 it actually is close enough to easy, or could be easy once getting past the intimidation factor. With this QuickStart guide to hold my hand I've actually gotten to the point where I start to think of Automator whenever I need to perform repetitive tasks. The writing is clear and straightforward. I love the visual cookbook format of the series and it works well here. Walde has chosen some useful examples to teach Automator and make it accessible. The learning progression - from simpler to more complex tasks is well thought out. For an introduction to Automator, this book is excellent and will take you as far as possible without having to learn to script with Applescript or a shell language.

Michelle Robinette, a former teacher, explains how to integrate ClarisWorks into the classroom in this easy-to-use reference book. She explains how to utilize each of ClarisWorsks six environments: word processor,database, drawing, painting, spreadsheets, and communication functions, with simple step-by-step instructions that will make your busy life as a teacher more simplified. A few of these instructions include the ability to print certificates, prepare slide shows, customize lesson plans, and create an automated gradebook. In chapter 20, Robinette shares some of her great ideas about how to put your students to work by utilizing ClarisWorks. Robinette recognizes this is a more challenging task when there is only one computer available for an entire classroom; however, she shares some of her suggestions for this all to common situation. A classroom journal, an ongoing story center, and a skill-and-drill review station are three ideas teachers working with a variety of subject areas, and grade levels can get their students to use ClarisWorks. If you are looking for a concise, fun-to-read ClarisWorks reference book, that includes wonderfully witty technology cartoons; this is the book!

In her introduction, Michelle Robinette states that one of her goals is "to write books that serve as useful references - books that you find worthy of a spot on your desktop or beside your computer." Well. this one has a spot on a shelf near my computer, but I don't consider it a "reference". Like Ms. Robinette, I too am a teacher and something of a technology expert - at least among educators. I found the book far to elementary to be useful as a reference - but that doesn't mean that you will. What I'd like to do is pose a couple questions that might help you to decide whether this book is worth the investment, or whether a more advanced book (of the same cost) might be more appropriate.

Are you a complete neophyte when it comes to computers? Or are you at least an experienced beginner? If you have only recently begun to use a computer and are still feeling your way around your Mac or PC, this is an excellent book. If you're already familiar with the basics of your Mac or PC operating system and a word processor, then you just might find Charles Rubin's =The Macintosh Bible Guide to ClarisWorks= a far better investment (even if you use a PC).

Are you a Mac user or a PC user? I am in total agreement with Michelle Robinette that ClarisWorks is a simple, user-friendly, integrated suite that is exceptionally well suited to cross-platform (Mac-PC) environments. It's a perfect choice for schools which have traditionally been 'Mac shops', but are now making a sometimes painful transition to PCs. Unfortunately, the CD that comes bundled with Michelle Robinette's book is oriented mainly to Mac users. Be advised that if you are using a PC, the CD that comes with this book will be of very limited value.

Are you an elementary school teacher or a secondary ed teacher? Michelle Robinette is a technology expert at an elementary school near Atlanta, and the her most useful software and lesson plan suggestions are oriented towards this population and its curriculum. Middle school teachers will still find many of her 'learning links' useful, and may be able to extrapolate appropriate lesson plans from her suggestions, but high school teachers (such as myself) will likely find them much less useful.

Finally, I must take issue with one shortcut suggested in the book, namely, the suggestion to use specialized grading software. ClarisWorks offers teachers a means to master a simple, user-friendly, integrated suite that students will find very similar to the 'flagship office suites' commonly found in the workplace. Teachers should be strongly encouraged to use these applications for their own daily classroom management tasks - like attendance, grading, student and parent database, etc. I seriously doubt whether teachers who adopt Michelle Robinette's suggestion to use specialized grading software for these tasks will ever master ClarisWorks' spreadsheet and database applications and gain the necessary competence to integrate them into their curriculum. There is, after all, no need for teachers to have an integrated suite if all they use is a word processor, drawing tools, and grading software.

PS On July 28, 1997 Claris announced the release of ClarisWorks Office which includes ClarisWorks 5.0.

I cannot believe they want $100 for this commentary on sale. It's about a $30 commentary in my opinion. After consulting this as a technical resource to solve a debate between two other commentaries on Hosea 1:2-9, I found no convincing argument in the passages he gives. I had to read it twice because it is so thick linguistically just to grasp what he was saying.

Having said that, he gives way more than the other commentaries I have on a passage. For example, on the issue of whether God spoke to Hosea or in Hosea to those around him, MacIntosh gives an entire page! For technical details like that he is very helpful.

On the meaning of the term 'prostitute' in Hosea 1:2 his argument is very technical, but may not take into account the typical historical setting.

He gives Hebrew phrases in Hebrew fonts (great if you know Hebrew), but if you have a bit of vision difficulty, you will find the characters hard to see because the Hebrew fonts are small, and the pointers impossible to read.

I would recommend that you borrow this commentary from a library rather than buy it. If it were reasonably priced, I would urge everyone who works seriously on Hosea to get a copy. Otherwise it's a four star book only because of the steep price.

A hundred years ago, the International Critical Commentary was synonymous with the best Biblical scholarship in the English language. Some of these old volumes still have value today. Here is a new volume in this great tradition, the result of 15 years' work by a great scholar. In this densely packed book, made even denser by the use of small print for the more technical sections, you will find nearly everything worth saying about this "minor" prophet. MacIntosh casts a powerful new light on the text of Hosea by showing that many of the hard to understand passages can be explained by realising that Hosea spoke a Northern dialect of Hebrew rather than the dialect of Jerusalem. At a stroke, he clears up difficulties that have perplexed his predecessors for generations and caused William Harper (author of an earlier ICC commentary on Hosea) to propose dozens of amendments to the text; MacIntosh shows that these are mostly unnecessary. However, he does find evidence of some editorial activity and explanatory glosses added by priestly circles in Jerusalem. In summary, this book is hard going, but those willing to persevere will find one of the very best commentaries ever written on a minor prophet, and a book that holds its place among the best commentaries on any Bible book.

This book is wonderful when it comes to telling about different shareware I could load onto my Mac, lots of different tweaks, great humor.

Best of all this book helped me regain sanity, by telling me I could reboot, then click and hold my mouse button down to force-eject a CD when no operating system is installed.

It's still not David Pogue's OS X: The Missing Manual, but I will give Bob LeVitus credit for helping me out on that one!

I've been getting used to OS X Panther for about a month now, making slow, incremental progress with my comfort level and efficiency. I picked up this book yesterday, and WOW, what a difference! In just 24 hours I feel like I'm some kind of power user -- all thanks to this book, which explains how to streamline and customize Panther with cool, focused tips and some well-chosen shareware apps. And it's such a good read -- I love Dr. Mac's clear and easygoing style! I especially like the "What Other Power Users Think You Should Know" chapter. Great stuff!

Big, bountiful, beautiful book. Heavy, hard to get around, huge for transport reference guide. Quite expensive and not very portable... palm pilot version would be nice or quick, pocket reference....

I do locum tenens (temporary) doctoring and when I go on an assignment this is the first book to go in my suitcase. I take it to the office with me in the morning and take it home at night in case I get a question that I need it for. It is clear, concise, comprehensive and as authoritative as any text can be. If you care for or prescribe meds to pregnant or lactating women, this is a "must have".