Mac OS X Version 10.1 Black Book: The Reference Guide for Power Users [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Mark R. Bell (Author), Debrah D. Suggs (Author), Debbie Suggs (Author)

Book Description

Series: Black Book (Coriolis Group Books Paperback) | Publication Date: January 25, 2002

Explores the important new aspects of the newest client version of the Mac OS X, including the operating system's move to a Unix BSD Kernel. Written by the author team of the highly successful Mac OS 8.5 Black Book (Coriolis, 1-57610-304-8). Provides a higher level of detailed information compared to beginner-level The Mac OS X Book (Coriolis, 1-57610-605-5). Helps you maximize the many new features of Mac OS X, including enhanced robustness and full multitasking capability. Provides step-by-step solutions to everyday problems encountered when working with OS X.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Apple's OS X is the biggest leap forward in the Mac experience since the shift to color, but because it is a richer, deeper, and more complex operating system than any previous version, the problems associated with it are proportionally more difficult. The Mac OS X Black Book introduces the new OS X user to the interface, tools, and underlying UNIX core at the heart of this old and new operating system, but more importantly, it illustrates how to troubleshoot many of the common problems that new users are likely to find themselves up against.

The book covers almost everything the OS X newbie needs to know, including installation, tweaking the system for improved performance, compatibility with pre-OS X apps (Classic mode) as well as non-Mac networks, connecting to the Internet, printing, and troubleshooting.

The authors never shy away from the fact that OS X is an operating system based on UNIX, and nearly every chapter has at least some reference to the non-Mac underlying structure. We see this as early as chapter 2, where we are told we can view the text version of the startup process as the Mac boots up by holding down CMD+V. In the chapter covering multiple users, we learn about permissions and the importance of the "Root" account. And we even have an appendix that covers using Terminal and UNIX shell commands.

Does all this mean you need to learn UNIX to use OS X? Not at all. But problems do arise from time to time where it can't be avoided. During those times, it's nice to have a "Black Book" on hand to get you through the rough spots. Good illustrations, a clean design, and an approachable written style make this book one of the more valuable OS X references available. --Mike Caputo

About the Author

Mark R. Bell (Chapel Hill, NC) is a best-selling author of over 22 computer books, articles, and software manuals, including The Mac Web Server Book, The Mac OS 8 Book, Mac OS 8.5 Black Book, The Mac OS 8.6 Book, and The Mac OS 9 Book. He also is a technical editor, contributing author, and technology forum guest speaker. Mark lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife, Virginia.

Debrah D. Suggs (Durham, NC) is a Macintosh specialist in the Office of Information Technology at Duke University. She has worked behind the scenes in the publication of several books, including researching, compiling software, and technical editing. This is her first book as coauthor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Coriolis Group Books (January 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576106063
• ISBN-13: 978-1576106068
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,121,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A beginner book... Not a "black" book..., March 12, 2002

By 

Jayce (Ezanville, FR France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mac OS X Version 10.1 Black Book: The Reference Guide for Power Users (Paperback)

I was looking at a great reference book to go far inside MacOS X....
NetInfo is talked about only half a page !
I just have it on my library and will never open it again... :-/

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mac OS X Version 10.1 Black Book, February 28, 2002

By 

Matt (Evanston, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mac OS X Version 10.1 Black Book: The Reference Guide for Power Users (Paperback)

This is a good book for any user of Mac OS X. It can be very basic in its instructions and descriptions, but can also prove to be a good reference book for the more advanced user. It you are a complete UNIX nerd, skip it and buy a UNIX specific book. This book should answer many of your OS X questions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for Power Users, March 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mac OS X Version 10.1 Black Book: The Reference Guide for Power Users (Paperback)

I find the book informative and well written, but this is not for power users. It contains beginner information and how to use popular 3rd party utilities. The book lacks depth, and Unix shell is in an appendix. If you are looking for a book to explore the unix side of Mac OS X, look elsewhere. If you are looking on how to set up your user environment and are looking for some possible shareware or 3rd party utilities to enhance your use of OS X, then this is for you.

This book is targeted to the wrong audience. It is an intermediate book. I say skip it.

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