Customer Reviews

The Little Imac Book

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After purchasing 4 other iMac books, I took someone's recommendation to try Williams' approach. It did the trick: it presented computer/iMac literacy in accessible step-by-step tutorials and clearly told me what to do and what not to do. Previously, the combination of my ignorance and impatience resulted in nothing but crashes, hung programs, and Luddite sentiments. This book forces you to slow down and learn. The author's sequence of lessons is logically conceived, and the style is neither forced nor patronizing. For the next stage, I may go back to the Pogue books (Dummies series), as the author covers more ground and in a zestier style. But I wish I had saved myself some time and money and started with Williams.

This book is SO great...although I am thoroughly familiar with IBM PC's, I opted to purchase the iMac in August 1999, and with the help of this little book, it's been wonderful! This took me from opening the box, to installing, to surfing, and even educated me on some basics I "thought" I already knew about computer "stuff". My husband, a novice, has really grasped a lot in a short period of time by reading chapter by chapter (trust me, it's quick and easy reading). A definite recommendation for anybody purchasing the iMac (unless you're an expert already).

Robin Williams' books have won a score of industry awards, and reading this book will show you why. Robin writes "for the rest of us." Jargon is broken down so you and I can understand it.

I have been using, teaching and consulting on the Macintosh for more than 15 years. I was the editor of the well-known Mouse Droppings newsletter for seven years. When I recommend a desktop Mac, I recommend Robin's Little Mac book. When I recommend an iMac, I recommend this book. I always tell people they NEED this book.

Robin knows Macintosh computers better than almost anyone I know. In addition she is a superb writer who knows how to make her subject interesting.

Oh yes, and contrary to what another reviewer has said, when you use a Macintosh computer you are NOT typing. You are type setting. And yes, Robin is correct, you NEVER use two spaces at the end of each sentence. Using two spaces is the mark of a rank amateur. So take my advice, not that of someone who does not know about modern typography.

While you are at it, look up all of Robin's book titles and buy every single one which relates to something you do on a computer. You will never regret it!

Of course it is only fair that I reveal that, like any Macintosh user who has ever met Robin, I am in love with her. Read her book and you will fall in love, too. I have been writing professionally for 52 years. I wish I could write just like Robin. She is a hard act to follow.

This book would be great for someone brand new to the macintosh world and has the new flat panel iMac. The authors have another book The Little Mac OS X Book which has about 400 more pages of info about OS X, while this book goes into much more detail about the programs the iMac ships with, like iPhoto,AppleWorks, ITunes etc. There are tutorials on doing basic spreadsheets,word,paint and drawings and it is explained in a very informative and fun manner, so that you know HOW to use ALL the features of your new mac and when you want to know more they tell you where to find that information. The book is very easy to read and it is fun to read.

Kudos, again, to Robin Williams! She has taken information that can be intimidating to intelligent computer novices and made it utterly accessible! The tone is warm and humorous. The layout masterfully draws the eye to the material. And the content is substantive. This is not a book for dummies. It's a book for intelligent novices who want to have a little fun along the way. If you want a big clunky four-door touring sedan, buy somebody else's book. If you want a two-seater convertible, get "The Little iMac Book!"

If you're new to computers, like I am (and a rather large group of my friends), you'll love Robin's Little iMac Book for several reasons. It's small enough to get you started without being intimidating. When you need more information, her Little Mac Book fills in more information than you'll ever need. Her talent for teaching and presenting information in a manner that's enjoyable and understandable actually makes reading a computer book fun and productive. Robin's book tells me what I need to know without making me feel like a "dummy." I'm not interested in being a computer guru--I just want my Mac experience to be fun, educational and rewarding. And that's exactly what this book is.

This book is WAY too basic for most computer users. I would even think it is too basic for computer beginners; eventually, you're no longer a beginner, and this book will have NOTHING for you.

But, if you know someone who's been living in a hole for the last twenty years and has never worked with ANY computer, it is a well-organized introduction to the iMac. And, it's not as gratingly nerdy as the "Dummies" books.

Almost like Mr. Pouge's "The iMac For Dummies", yet shorter and simpler to read. The book is not just for "dummies", but also for people who know how to work a computer. "The iMac For Dummies" is mainly for individuals who don't even know how to turn a computer on, and "The Little iMac Book" is for people that do, people who know a little more about computers.

This compact volume is cute and does explain some things. But there isn't a clue as to how to execute an elementary maneuver such as changing your internet browser or your preferences. Furthermore, the book seems to be a hasty patch-up job using material from earlier MAC books by the same author. I would urge readers to look elsewhere for printed help with the iMAC computer.

"The Little iMac Book" is wonderfully non-threatening for beginners, and even experienced users will find some helpful hints in its pages. The book has a beautiful layout and is quite entertaining. It even manages to look iMac-like. I loved the author's use of humor. The book begins by introducing the reader to the Mac OS and proceeds on to what one can do with an iMac. Chapters cover using a web browser and AppleWorks, an integrated application suite. My mum recently bought an iMac and, being a novice user, found this book to be very helpful. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone with an iMac, novice and expert alike.