Mac OS X Power Tools, Second Edition [Paperback]

Dan Frakes (Author), Sybex (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0782143199 | ISBN-13: 978-0782143195 | Edition: 2

"Dan Frakes' Mac OS X Power Tools is an essential (and approachable) guide for getting the most from Mac OS X."
—Christopher Breen, Mac 911 Columnist, MacWorld Magazine

Mac Expert Dan Frakes' Turns You Into a Power User

The latest version of Mac OS X (v10.3, Panther) is here, and noted expert Dan Frakes has once again worked day and night to discover and document the best ways for Mac users of all levels of experience to get things done. This completely revised and updated second edition of Mac OS X Power Tools provides tips, shortcuts, and step-by-step solutions to equip you with the most essential insights and knowledge. With this book at your side and your Mac in front of you, you'll understand Mac OS X like never before, saving time, avoiding headaches, and transforming OS X into one very productive cat.

Coverage includes:

• Understanding user accounts and permissions
• Taking control of the startup and login processes
• Embracing and extending Finder functionality
• Using the Dock and Dock replacements
• Working with applications
• Streamlining Mac OS and third-party installations
• Making the most of Classic
• Improving Web surfing and network connectivity
• Sharing files and connecting to servers
• Taking advantage of OS X's advanced printing architecture
• Strengthening system security
• Keeping Mac OS X in tip-top shape
• Controlling your Mac remotely
• Taking advantage of OS X's Unix base

Visit the author's website at www.macosxpowertools.com/

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Dan Frakes' Mac OS X Power Tools is an essential (and approachable) guide for getting the most from Mac OS X."
—Christopher Breen, Mac 911 Columnist, MacWorld Magazine

Mac Expert Dan Frakes' Turns You Into a Power User

The latest version of Mac OS X (v10.3, Panther) is here, and noted expert Dan Frakes has once again worked day and night to discover and document the best ways for Mac users of all levels of experience to get things done. This completely revised and updated second edition of Mac OS X Power Tools provides tips, shortcuts, and step-by-step solutions to equip you with the most essential insights and knowledge. With this book at your side and your Mac in front of you, you’ll understand Mac OS X like never before, saving time, avoiding headaches, and transforming OS X into one very productive cat.

Coverage includes:

• Understanding user accounts and permissions
• Taking control of the startup and login processes
• Embracing and extending Finder functionality
• Using the Dock and Dock replacements
• Working with applications
• Streamlining Mac OS and third-party installations
• Making the most of Classic
• Improving Web surfing and network connectivity
• Sharing files and connecting to servers
• Taking advantage of OS X's advanced printing architecture
• Strengthening system security
• Keeping Mac OS X in tip-top shape
• Controlling your Mac remotely
• Taking advantage of OS X's Unix base

Visit the author's website at http://www.macosxpowertools.com/

About the Author

Dan Frakes is a technology writer, shareware developer, consultant, and long-time Mac user. He currently holds the position of Editor at MacFixIt.com, the Web's premier troubleshooting site for Macs, and is a columnist for Macworld magazine. He contributes and writes articles for various other publications. Dan is the creator of InformINIT, the award-winning guide to the Classic Mac OS, and is a speaker at MacWorld Conference, and his Mac OS X sessions are always packed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 2 edition (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782143199
• ISBN-13: 978-0782143195
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,917,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dan Frakes is a respected technology writer and book author, as well as an authority on digital music, the iPod and iPhone, and audio. He is currently Senior Editor and the "Mac Gems" columnist at Macworld magazine, where he's also in charge of iPod, iPhone, audio, and mobile gear. He was previously Senior Reviews Editor for Playlist magazine and Web site; and at various times an Editor, Contributing Editor, and columnist for MacFixIt.com. He is the author of two editions of the acclaimed Mac OS X Power Tools; author of Your iPod Life; co-author of Ted Landau's Mac OS X Help Line; an editor/author of The Macintosh Bible, 9th Edition; and an editor for TidBITS' Take Control series of ebooks. He is also one of the developers behind ChangeShortName, a popular utility for Mac OS X, and he contributes to the TidBITS electronic newsletter.

In addition to owning his own consulting practice, Dan previously worked as a programmer/analyst supporting technology at a major university, and was an analyst at a research and consulting firm where his projects included the evaluation of educational technology policy. He is a frequent speaker at Mac-related events, and is a twelve-year veteran of the Macworld Expo Conference Faculty. He was the creator of one of the very first ebooks, InformINIT, an award-winning guide to the "classic" Mac OS.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comment from the author, September 24, 2005

By 

D. Frakes (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mac OS X Power Tools, Second Edition (Paperback)

As the author of Mac OS X Power Tools, I'd like to make a quick comment, as I feel that M. Christianson's "review" misrepresents this book. As I've tried to make clear in the introduction to the book, it is written for the typical beginner to advanced beginner who is looking to become more of a power user. It covers the necessary basics and then goes well beyond them to help readers truly understand the inner workings of Mac OS X and how to best take advantage of its power and flexibility. However, if you're searching for advanced information on SSH tunneling, key generation, RSA authorization, and similar IT-level topics, this isn't the book for you. Instead, I highly recommend Mac OS X Unleashed by Ray and Ray, an excellent and exhaustive book that covers many of the advanced Unix underpinnings of Mac OS X.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mac OS X Power Tools, 2nd Edition, March 21, 2006

By 

Bill B. Dekking (Salinas, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mac OS X Power Tools, Second Edition (Paperback)

Being familiar with the author's expertise on the subject I found familiar ground, he answered my questions (even a few questions that I didn't know I had) in a way that was understandable and within the realm of my possibility. I would reccomemd the book to all that are not that versed in the new operating system. There are many books on the market and this is my recomendation, you will find yourself referring, and finding, the information it holds. Go buy it!!

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No fluff and made with care, May 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Mac OS X Power Tools, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book IS NOT WIMPY! It's really comprehensive -- there's something in here for everyone, but less for beginners, more for those who are familiar w/ OSX. Author does a good job of differentiating system-configuration variations and his companion web site is icing on the cake.

Very well-written, very well edited, very well organized. Like a piece of century-old furniture, it's hard to find computer books with the overall quality of this book these days.