Learning Unix for Mac OS X [Paperback]

Dave Taylor (Author), Jerry Peek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

The success of Apple's operating system, Mac OS X, and its Unix roots has brought many new potential Unix users searching for information. The Terminal application and that empty command line can be daunting at first, but users understand it can bring them power and flexibility. Learning Unix for Mac OS X is a concise introduction to just what a reader needs to know to get a started with Unix on Mac OS X. Many Mac users are familiar and comfortable with the easy-to-use elegance of the GUI. With Mac OS X, they now have the ability to not only continue to use their preferred platform, but to explore the powerful capabilities of Unix. Learning Unix for Mac OS X gives the reader information on how to use the Terminal application, become functional with the command interface, explore many Unix applications, and learn how to take advantage of the strengths of both interfaces.

The reader will find all the common commands simply explained with accompanying examples, exercises, and opportunities for experimentation. The book even includes problem checklists along the way to help the reader if they get stuck. The books begins with a introduction to the Unix environment to encourage the reader to get comfortable with the command line. The coverage then expands to launching and configuring the Terminal application--the heart of the Unix interface for the Mac OS X user. The text also introduces how to manage, create, edit, and transfer files. Most everyone using a computer today knows the importance of the internet. And Learning Unix for Mac OS X provides instruction on how to use function such as mail, chat, and web browsing from the command line. A unique challenge for Mac OS X users is printing from the command line. The book contains an entire chapter on how to configure and utilize the various print functions.

The book has been reviewed by Apple for technological accuracy and brandishes the Apple Development Connection (ADC) logo.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In fact, this is an excellent (and very good value) introduction to Unix in all its flavour." IT Training, September

About the Author

is a long time user of the Unix operating system. He has acted as a Unix consultant, courseware developer, and instructor. He is one of the originating authors of Unix Power Tools and the author of Learning the Unix Operating System by O'Reilly.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 2nd edition (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596003420
• ISBN-13: 978-0596003425
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,472,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Computers & Technology > Apple > Mac OS X UNIX

More About the Author

Dave Taylor has been involved with the Internet since 1980 and is widely recognized as an expert on both technical and business issues. He has been published over a thousand times, launched four Internet-related startup companies, has written twenty business and technical books and holds both an MBA and MS Ed. In addition to being a busy writer and blogger, Dave is also a top-rated speaker, sought after conference and workshop participant and frequent guest on radio and podcast programs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too shallow for casual and power users, November 4, 2002

By 

macktheknife (Northern, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning Unix for Mac OS X (Paperback)

"Learning Unix for Mac OS X" is a disappointing effort by O'Reilly to introduce Unix to Macusers new to OS X. While the book succeeds in showing readers some simple commands to navigate through Unix, its coverage is far too shallow. Macusers interested in knowing just the basics will do better with David Pogue's section on Unix in "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual." That section alone probably contains more than 50% of the material in "Learning Unix for Mac OS X."

If you are *serious* about learning Unix for Mac OS X, get a copy of "Mac OS X: Unleashed" by John and William Ray. At +1,000 pages, the book is a doorstopper, but it covers almost everything a Unix power user aspirant would want to know: how to navigate through Terminal, set up an Apache webserver with PHP and MySQL, etc. Again, get "Mac OS X: Unleashed" only if you truly want to unlock the power of Unix in OS X.

In short, whether you are a casual or power user interested in learning Unix for OS X, there are better options other than "Learning Unix for Mac OS X."

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great, succinct book, June 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning Unix for Mac OS X (Paperback)

This is a terrific introduction to the Unix underneath Mac OS X from a couple of authors that know Unix inside-out. With coverage of the Terminal app, shell scripting, aliases, changing your command prompt, how to launch Aqua apps from the command line, and much, much more, I think it's a great addition to your Mac OS X library.

It is less than 200 pages, but, frankly, I found this refreshing, given that I have lots of 700-900 page books that I only read the first 50-100 pages of anyway. The authors haven't been too badly influenced by their longer books either - Learning Unix for Mac OS X doesn't have page after page of useless "history" and "philosophy" in this tome. It's all focused and has lots of helpful examples.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beginners guide to getting into UNIX, August 27, 2002

By 

R. Testani "ghcomics.com" (Bridgeport, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learning Unix for Mac OS X (Paperback)

I am not sure what the other posters thought but this book simply brought you into the world of UNIX. For some reason they thought they were going to learn in-depth UNIX in 150 pages. "Learning UNIX for OS X" is just a small step into learning the command line interface in Mac OS X. This book does not show you architecture of the OS nor advanced commands, Mac OS X Unleashed goes over these in-depth. OR if you want to master the command line, get O' Reilly's "Learning CSH & TCSH". The only real problem I had with this book is that it was an alteration of the already being published "Learning UNIX" book by O'Reilly which I own as well. While this book wasn't a waste of time, quite a bit was identical.