Mac Answers! (Paperback)

by Bob Levitus (Author), Shelly Brisbin (Author), Robert Hansen (Author), Guy Kawasaki (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Half the battle in solving a Mac OS problem is expressing what the problem is in the first place, something that novices can't always do readily. Mac Answers does double duty by first describing problems and then providing solutions for them. The risk, of course, is that the authors won't have addressed your particular bugbear exactly. But it's likely, considering the depth of the coverage, that a scan of the index will turn up a reference to something that will help you. Once you've located an entry on your problem, you'll find that the writing is clear and includes enough procedural details that you'll be able to straighten things out quickly.

A typical question asks why GeoPort modems that work fine under Mac OS 8.x suddenly fail when Mac OS 9 is installed. The authors quickly explain the reason for the failure (Mac OS 9 doesn't include Apple Telecom, which drives GeoPort modems) and tell you how to solve it (by taking Apple Telecom from a Mac OS 8.x CD-ROM, or by downloading it from the Web). The explanation lacks some detail, though--there's no specific URL (just a site name) and no reference to particular folders on the CD-ROMs. Still, Mac Answers will help you solve most minor and mid-grade problems. It'll also help you learn terminology and Mac OS concepts so you'll be better able to use more advanced reference resources. --David Wall

Topics covered: Problems beginning and intermediate users of Mac OS 8.x and Mac OS 9 are likely to encounter and how to fix them--specifically, storage devices, printers, networks (including AirPort), Internet connectivity and applications, the System Folder's contents, and file management.

Product Description
Find answers fast to the question you need to know about - how to set up, use, configure, optimize and have fun with your Macintosh computers. Coverage will include iMac, iBook, OS 9. OS 9 will have over 50 new features including: QuickTime 4 with its new streaming capability; new, much improved Sherlock has a much-improved interface, with tabs for specialized kinds of Web searching; new keychain feature lets users manage passwords and encryption keys within a single control panel; improved Apple Remote Access tools allow anyone with Mac OS 9 to set their computer up for remote login; multiple user login lets you create profiles for multiple people on the same Mac. Great for families; software update control panel allows users to automatically find and download system software automatically; new sprockets and games--basically, sprockets, allow a Mac to support more gaming devices and technologies.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 462 pages
• Publisher: Osborne Publishing; 2nd edition (December 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072123990
• ISBN-13: 978-0072123999
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,676,226 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Ragu...it's in there!, May 19, 2000

By A Customer

Bravo, Bob! I read this book from cover to cover and didn't do anything else until I finished. Not only is this book written with honest advice for the practical consumer, but it also reviews all the various peripheral options, storage media, upgrade options, networking, and anything else you can possibly do to your Mac. Includes very practical advice on how to maximize your Mac's speed and performance in an efficient way. All the features of the Mac are explained for the functional user. My favorite part--at the end of the book, there is a whole reference section of web sites for shareware, freeware, tech support, buying online, hunting for graphics and fonts, gaming, etc. The sites are, according to the writers, the best on the web. When I visited some of these tech support sites, I appreciated this book even more--many of the site developers who were providing support online have terminated their services because they weren't getting the financial support they needed and they were devoting all their energy into helping other Mac users. This book is a wonderful reference; even advanced users will pick up some tips. Keep in mind that if you need some troubleshooting advice for a serious hardware problem, you're likely not to be able to get online at all where you can usually find the advice for free--that is if you can find someone kind enough to help. Buy this book, and keep it handy--"it may save your Mac's life one day."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too basic, October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mac Answers! Certified Tech Support (Paperback)

The book despite the title doesn't delve any deeper into mac troubleshooting than the troubleshooting guide that comes with the computer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT FOR POWER USERS, May 12, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mac Answers! Certified Tech Support (Paperback)

Disregard the foreward by Guy Kawasaki that this book is the "...most comprehensive book about the Mac available". The material in this book seems to be targeted mostly toward beginning to moderately knowledgeable users. If you are a Mac administrator or other professional looking for an advanced reference, look elsewhere. Actually, I'm not sure where to look myself; most of these books are largely underpowered. Where does a Macintosh expert find answers to the really tough dilemmas encountered in a large, mixed platform, production environment? Definately not in this book. However, If you're a new computer user or a Mac convert, I would recommend this selection. I do respect Bob LeVitus as a Macintosh authority, but again, this book is too simplistic in it's contents and writing style. It's definately not worthy of the second half of it's title, "Certified Tech Support".