Customer Reviews

Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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....

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.

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.

The September issue of "Mac Addict" magazine included this book on its "Droolworthy" page, with the comment, "Mac neophytes, this is your bible." I picked up a copy and am glad I did. It certainly helped me learn enough about Mac OS X to finally upgrade. Although it doesn't cover advanced topics, it leaves no stone unturned in its coverage of basic Mac OS X Finder and application operation. A great book! I can't wait to see the "Visual QuickPro Guide" that's due out later this year.

I can't add much to the specific information contributed by the first three reviewers, I only wish to add one additional data point confirming that if you can already spell "Macintosh", you will learn precious little from this book.

It must have been written with an extremely limited exposure to the final feature set for the first shipping version.

Recoup some of the karma I wasted by passing on this book...

This is one of the worst books I've ever read. Every time a topic you would be interested in are discussed, the answer presented as "see our next book, Visual Quickpro Guide". And that is unacceptable. You can't ever learn OS X from this. No way. And I won't buy Quickpro either. Instead, I suggest if you really wanna learn about OS X, check out Mac Os X - The Complete Reference by Jesse Feiler. It contains everything this book SHOULD have had.

Usually I like QuickStart books, but not this time. This guide would be great for a Mac OS Newbie or a beginning computer user. The two things that I was most interested in learning about were barely mentioned in the book. I would have liked to have seen information on networking with OSX and using the Terminal App and CLI. I thought that maybe these subjects would have been at least addressed in an advanced area of the book. I should have saved my money and bought an O'Rielly UNIX book instead.

Bottom Line: A good bood for the new Mac users whose first exposure to a Mac will be with OSX. However, it lacks the detail that experienced or power users might expect

This book appears to be really targeted at those with NO experience with the Mac operating system (OS), and really probably no experience with personal computers in general.

Although it does identify a few of the less obvious aspects of OSX, this book offers little of value to anyone with more than a few minutes experience with OSX and a reasonable amount of experience with previous versions of the Mac OS. As a result, I'm forced to ask why this book was written? It can't really be pointed at the early adopters as by and large they are already very competent in early Mac OSs. Nor can it be aimed at the true beginer as at this point (May, 2001) the true beginner will probably not be interested in adopting OSX given that it has yet to be installed as the default OS for new Mac computers. I suppose that it was written in preparation for those new Mac users whose first exposure to a Mac will be with OSX. As an orientation for new Mac users starting out with OSX, then, this book provides a good orientation and offers a quick and concise overview.

M.Langer knows her stuff. And if you need to bu y a book, this one does does hold your hand and has plenty of screen shots along with words to explain them. However, any one with any curiosity about how or why would need another look at the subject.