Customer Reviews

Mac OS X Tiger All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies

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This book is said to be seven books in one, and with 744 pages, that's seven fairly small books. However, I look at it a bit different. It's really about four books in one.

Book 1 is the operating system itself. Specifically, it's about how to use the operating system as most users will use it, that is, through the Graphical User Interface of GUI. As such, you might think of Book 1 as being a book on Windows if you're familiar with the Microsoft world.

Book 2 is on the applications that come with the basic operating system. OS X ships with a bunch of software. Not as much as with a typical Linux distribution but with more than comes with Windows. In Book 2 I would include things like surfing the web, networking the Apple, and things like that. You might combine this with Book 1 and say that there are only three books in this book. I don't mind if you do that, but I'm the one writing this review, and I put them separate.

Book 3 is on hardware. It talks about adding all kinds of things to the Apple, from cameras and scanners to printers and tape drives. It even includes things like memory and disk drive upgrades.

Finally, there's Book 4. This begins with the chapter ...And Unix Lurks Beneath. It tells you how to get to the underlying guts of the operating system. It is not a Unix book in its own right, but how to get to the familiar (or not so familiar) Unix things like vi and emacs and perhaps most important (for my needs) Apache. It isn't a book on Unix, but enough to serve as a bridge to a Unix book.

There's a lot of material here, well presented. The MAC OS is easy to use, but there's a lot you won't find without a book like this one.

Excellent source book! Simply laid out, easy to read. Photo examples really help. VERY glad we purchased this after we bought our new Mac.

While this book has a lot of great information, it's very hard for me to sit down and read. Here's an example of a writing style: Under "Quitting Programs" the author writes "If I had a twisted and warped sense of humor, I'd simly tell you to quit applications by pulliiing your Mac's power cord from the wall socket. (Luckily, I don't.) There are, however, more sane ways to exit a program..." If you're like me, and this style drives you up the wall, try another book, because this book has examples like this on every page. It just gets tiring reading past the cute to get to the meat.

I do recommend this book, because it illustrates the easiest way to the learn the basics and plenty advanced tricks to achieve the main goals in the Mac OS X Tiger. It also includes very usefull information about networking, so do not hesitate trying it... good luck!

I am a new Mac user, and this book has been invaluable. It reads easy, & Mark has a simple way of putting things for those who are semi computer illiterate. :) The only thing I'd say is a 'black mark' against this book, is some of the 'humor' in the book wasn't necessary or funny. (i.e. joking about ex-boy/girl friends.) Other than that, i have been pleased with the information that has helped me to navigate the wonders of the Apple system.

The book is concise and informative. A definite plus for a clear path to the proper use of the Mac Tiger program

If you are not really familiar with the subject these all-in-one books can help you get a handle on the subject. Just be aware that the coverage is spread pretty thin. You may need to get another book to get into much detail. Do this too often and the all-in-one becomes redundant.

This is a great book to have on hand.....one that you can constantly be referring to.