Customer Reviews

The Mac OS X Tiger Book

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Some authors are great technical experts; some are suberb communicators; some are hillariously entertaining. Mac iconoclast Andy Ihnatko puts it all together here with hands-down the most well-balanced, useful and entertaining book ever written on a Mac operating system. Ihnatko takes the real-world approach to which most authors strive, but kicks it up several notches to unprecedented levels of creativity, good fun, and just darn good information. Covering everything from customizing the Tiger interface to networking, security, using Tiger's built-in apps, creating widgets with Dashboard, automating operations, and everything in-between -- Ihnatko presents information in a totally unique, totally fun manner. The sidebars appearing throughout the book are both witty and enlightening, as are his "20 Questions From My Aunt Estelle." Even if you buy one or more other Tiger books, this is one you've GOT to have in your library. In fact, this should be bundled with every Mac. Okay, I'll stop gushing now. Nice work, Andy.

Andy Ihnatko has written a terrific book on Tiger, and, unlike many computer books, it does not give you a major headache and brain fade when you read it. It's a very accurate, thorough guide to Mac OS X "Tiger," but it's also a lot of fun to read. If you're a Mac fan, or want to be one, you need to get this book.

All computers, even the Mac, have gotten too complicated to use well without a little help. Andy is a master at explaining things in an interesting way - but still explaining them clearly. Some other computer books are like having your evil geeky cousin teach you stuff, laughing at every mistake you make, or sitting there in silence while you get a panic attack. This book is like having an old friend come over on Saturday afternoon with chips, dip, and your favorite beverage, then guiding you gently into the world of Mac and Tiger.

Andy excels at showing you how to do all the basics on the Mac, then moves on to show you the really incredible stuff that makes the Mac so fun to use. Tiger +Andy = fun. Fun is not what usually results when you open a book on Saturday afternoon in hopes of actually doing something new on a computer.

You may need a sense of humor to really like this book. If you don't have one, you might get one from reading it. Whether or not you have one, you'll become a better Mac user by reading and using this great book. I'm really glad I bought it.

I was using Mac OS 9.2 until a month ago, when I finally upgraded to a completely new and unfamiliar operating system. This book made OS X Tiger clear and understandable and it helped me solve a few problems too. All this while keeping me amused and laughing. Pracitcal and funny....Who could ask for anything more? Definately worth having in your library

Andy Ihnatko teaches not only the tyro Mac User,but us OLD hands(I do mean Old) easy cool stuff to do with this newest of the Macintosh cats.He makes you realize that you are really a geek at heart,and that you can really unleash Tiger's wonderful new things like Dashboard,with its widgets,or Spotlight,the amazing searcher-to mention a few.
This book looks intimidating,because it's BIG and shiny.It is extremely easy to use-even for former Windows Users.It's obvious that Andy understands them.
His writing is not only clear,but clever and FUNNY!When I get frustrated with computer complexity,I know I can get some laughs while looking for Andy's unfailing help.

I honestly tried to read this book. But the author suffers from Diarrhea of the Mouth.
Andy is a wiz with his Macs, but don't expect him to offer up concise advise. I have thrown the book across the room on several occasions, only to pick it up later and AGAIN try to glean some information from his CONSTANT diatriabes about, well, everything not related to useful information. I'm sure Andy is a blast at parties, and cleans up at Trivial Pursuit... But, If you want a good, solid, easy to read OSX book...

This is not the book for you.

I can't imagine the pre-edited version... I shudder at the thought.

I tried to read this book, and can't get through all the humor. I'm looking for real meat and, but I can't seem to wade through all the chatter and jokes. I think I'll give up and resell it and find another book on Mac OS X Tiger. I buy a lot of "how to" books and and usually enjoy them, but this has to be one of the less helpful ones I've bought. I used to enjoy his 1-page magazine articles, but a whole book is too much!

I read this book because it's just damn fun. When's the last time you read a book from cover to cover? (Okay, I read the Macintosh Bible all the way through once. I'm not proud of it, and please don't tell anyone.)

And it's funny! Yes, a funny computer book. I kept interrupting my wife to read her little bits, to the point where I started annoying her greatly. Only on the Mac can you combine Operating Systems, humor, and marital dysfunction?

If you have a passing interest in the Mac, buy this book. Highly recommended.

(The full review is <a href="http://www.neilfein.com/2005/07/megasupermacbook-read-with-cold-dr.html">here</a>. )

I recently picked up Tiger and am very pleased with this book, which definitely breaks some new ground in user-friendliness and originality. I wish that all computer book authors could write like this.

Excellent reference. The simplicity of the explanations are perfect for the novice and still detailed enough for advanced users. His humor makes for easy and enjoyable reading.

Great book. I found the author's instructions and tips on using Automator especially clear and useful.