Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide) [Paperback]

Maria Langer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201709007 | ISBN-13: 978-0201709001 | Publication Date: April 18, 2001 | Edition: 1st

In early 2001, Apple plans to release a new operating system called Mac OS X (pronounced "ten"). The system software is based on technologies Apple acquired when it purchased NeXT software, Steve Jobs' former company. Mac OS X is built on Unix, so it will give Mac users the power, stability, and security of that modern OS. But it will use a revamped version of the Mac interface, so users will have an intuitive user interface on top of a high-powered Unix system. Mac OS X will also be tailored to work as a client for Apple's server software, Mac OS X Server, so Mac OS X will appeal to network administrators in schools and businesses. Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide provides step-by-step instructions for learning Mac OS X, taking an easy, visual approach. Beginners and professionals moving up to this new version of the operating system, can quickly learn to use the features and capabilities of Mac OS X. Detailed explanations of how to install, set up, configure, and use the OS are covered, along with instructions on how to use many of the applications Apple that will ship with the new OS.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Apple's Unix-based, industrial-strength operating system, OS X, is the biggest change ever faced by the Mac community. OS X looks different, feels different, offers new and different features, and is an order of magnitude more complex than any previous Mac operating system. Maria Langer's Mac OS X Visual QuickStart Guide from Peachpit Press is designed to quell the fears of those apprehensive users who are looking to make the switch, or have just switched and find themselves lost in a new world.

Starting with the best way to prepare your computer for OS X, and working it's way through installation and the interface changes, this book covers almost every basic aspect of the new operating system. Navigating with the new Finder, application basics, hooking up to the Internet--it's all here, in simple, concise terms.

If the book has a flaw, it is that only the bare basics are covered. Everything presented is clear and thorough, but there is not enough material. There is nothing about access rights, logging in or logging out, or getting around basic issues that might pop up. The book lays things out as they should be but offers little advice for those times when something goes wrong.

Since Mac OS X ships with minimal hardcopy documentation, the Mac OS X Visual QuickStart Guide is an ideal companion for the new user making the switch. There is plenty of information here, presented clearly and with countless screenshots. For the brand-new user looking for a well-illustrated manual, this is the one that Apple should ship with OS X. --Mike Caputo

From the Back Cover

The wait is over for Mac devotees: The radically redesigned Mac OS X is here. Because OS X is Apple's first all-new operating system since 1984, it doesn't matter whether you're a beginner or a longtime Mac user. You need Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide to walk you through this thoroughly modern OS and its liquid Aqua interface. In Mac OS X: VQS, veteran Mac author Maria Langer takes an easy, visual approach, giving you detailed, step-by-step instructions and plentiful screenshots on everything you need to know to install, configure,and use the OS and the software that comes with it. For those upgrading from the previous version, a special section showcases the similarities and differences between Mac OS X and its predecessor, Mac OS 9.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1st edition (April 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201709007
• ISBN-13: 978-0201709001
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,427,853 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

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One Reeaally Basic Book, May 7, 2001

By 

readmore "will read for food" (Arlington, TN United States) - See all my reviews

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

Having installed the new Mac OSX and finding it somewhat more complex than previous systems, I wanted a basic book to explain its workings. This book was the first to hit the stores, and promised to start with the basics of the new OS. And it does, in spades. It tells you how to click the mouse, and (I'm not making this up) that the little keys on the keyboard are for entering data. Halfway through the book, it's revealed that the new components in OSX will be discussed in the sequel, "OSX Visual Quickstart Pro" or some such. If you've never seen a computer before in your life, by all means buy this book....

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too simplified to be of any use., May 3, 2001

By 

Greg Storey (Orange County, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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

I really like the Visual Quickstart line but this particular volume is not worth the money unless you have never, ever, used a Macintosh in your life. I was looking for a resource that would take me beyond changing icons, or setting the date and time of OS X. The power of this new operating system goes beyond the GUI and I felt this book should have at least addressed some of the basic features of the Terminal and Apache web server.

I will say that Maria Langer has written an excellent introduction to the Macintosh environment but if you have used a Macintosh since verion 7.1 of the operating system then this book is of no use to you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the first time Mac user., April 20, 2002

By 

Gordon (Winnipeg, MB, CAN) - See all my reviews

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

Summary

Labelled pictures along with clear and concise step by step instructions for navigating MacOS X and its basic applications makes this book ideal for first time Mac users or first time computers users with Macs.

Intermediate or advanced Mac users will find this book too elementary for their needs.

Details

This book covers 3 core topics, system configuration, navigation and how to use the bundled software.

System configuration covers the installation of MacOS X, system and printer configuration and Internet setup.

Navigation deals with file management, Sherlock and Finder.

Discussion of bundled software first deals with a general overview of menus and basic features common to all software. A single chapter focuses on using a few applications such as Address Book, Preview and the Quicktime player. A full chapter is dedicated to using TextEdit.

Instructions on how to accomplish tasks are presented in clear,simple checklists. Small "tip" sections provide further explanations of topics.

The checklists are usable and straightforward to follow.

Sharp screen shots of dialogs and menus are included to help the user work through the checklists. Screen shots are clearly labelled to help the reader learn the technical names of GUI elements.

Numerous screen shots provide ample visual examples to help guide the user through a checklist.

Keyboard shortcuts are listed when applicable.

Personally, I think this is a great visual guide for first time users of Macs as well as first time computer users.