Mac OS 8.5 (Visual QuickStart Guide) [Paperback]

Maria Langer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Visual QuickStart Guide | Publication Date: October 1998

This is the right book at the right time for the dedicated community of Macintosh users. Both new and longtime Mac users will need this clear, visual guide to their new operating system with its significantly overhauled graphical interface. And the affordability of this Visual QuickStart Guide will make it attractive to an informed user base that knows more system updates are on the way.Mac OS 8.5:Visual QuickStart Guide will cover the features introduced in Mac OS 8.0, demonstrating the revised System Software Installer, Extensions Manager, Open Transport (facilitates smoother network connections), Text-to-Speech, File Translation Utilities (working with PC files), as well as covering the Apple Internet Connection Kit. Seasoned Mac author Maria Langer will illustrate the new Mac OS 8.5 features, including new file finding and navigation techniques and the new user interface "Themes."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether you're running an iMac with the latest version of Mac OS or you've just performed a system upgrade on your older machine, you need to understand Mac OS 8.5. This book shows you how to get the most out of your Mac's operating system.

Maria Langer starts with the easy stuff--she shows how to click icons, use menus, and dispose of files by dragging them to the Trash. For that reason, Mac OS 8.5 fits the needs of newcomers to the Mac community. However, she doesn't dwell long on the basics and storms straight ahead through spring-loaded folders, application management, and printing. A large portion of this book explains how to connect a Macintosh running Mac OS 8.5 to the Internet and to LANs. The newest features of the system, including the Sherlock search tool, receive careful coverage.

Mac OS 8.5 features careful design. It's easy to locate the pages that contain the solution to your problem. By turning the book sideways and scanning the tabs on the edges of the pages, you can quickly spot relevant passages. Page design stands out, too--numerous screen shots surrounded by bulleted text nuggets clarify how to get things done in Mac OS 8.5, without requiring you to spend too much time poring over dense prose. --David Wall

From Library Journal

Mac OS 8.5 is the latest operating system available and is a little more difficult to use than earlier versions thanks to myriad new features. Even if former Macintosh users don't have any problems, there will be lots of new users with PowerPCs, G3s, and iMacs clamoring for this book. Langer covers all the usuals: installation, using the new finder and file system, customization, networking, connecting to the Internet, and working with Windows data. Essential for all collections. Williams's classic (The Little Mac Book) likewise has been updated for the popular new iMac. Libraries frequented by students and home computer users might want to buy two and keep one on reserve.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Pr; 2nd edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201353571
• ISBN-13: 978-0201353570
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,179,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maria Langer has been a freelance writer since 1990. She has written more than 75 books and hundreds of articles about using computers, software, and online services. She provides support for her work, as well as new content, on the Maria's Guides website. These days, she also writes about aviation and travel for a variety of print and online publications.

Maria is also a commercial helicopter pilot and owner of Flying M Air, a helicopter tour and charter company based in Arizona. Her company offers tours, day trips, multi-day excursions, and aerial photography services throughout the southwest.

And if that's not enough to keep her busy and out of trouble, she's also a serious amateur photographer. She shows off her best work on her photo gallery, Flying M Photos.

Maria blogs at Eclectic Mind, her personal journal of thoughts and experiences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best computer book I've read, June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mac OS 8.5 (Visual QuickStart Guide) (Paperback)

When I was looking for a new computer I had to decide on the operating system, Mac OS or Windows 98. I read all that I could about both systems and I found Langer's book easy and informative to read. It's not aimed at the complete novice (where chapter 3 deals with using the mouse) but it is advanced enough to give useful tips and advice. I almost bought a Mac but went with the PC instead, but that is a different story. Anyway, if you want to read a great book on the Mac OS 8.5 get this book.