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57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Switching to a Mac for Dummies, January 9, 2008
Susan Veatch Golds, Alaskan Apple User Group Member
Product Title: "Switching to a Mac for Dummies"
Author: Arnold Reinhold
Price: $21.99 USA
Publisher/Distributor: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Website: www.wiley.com/wileyCDA/
Pro: This book was constructed so that a non-computer literate could find, learn and use it effectively during the confusing process of switching from a PC to a Mac.
Con:Needed a good light and strong reading glasses to see the figures inserted in the texts. But when following along with your computer it makes it easier. There were some miss allocations. Such as figure 5-1, the current application was being called iChat instead of Finder. In the discussion of IPhoto, the term ITunes was used several times inadvertently. But ignoring that, even I was able to understand how to use the application.
Moose Rating 1-5 (5 highest): 5
The book's real strength is in the step by step organization of the information. It can help you decide IF you want a Mac; what KIND of Mac do you want; and HOW to set the computer up. Once you have made the decision to switch, you are told how to more smoothly transfer your information from your old PC to the Mac. Security issues are discussed. Ultimately, you are informed as to your choices of how to most securely dispose of your old PC to avoid making public your private files. Then it goes on to the specifics of running the computer with all the tricks to master the most from the machine. Including the various programs that are available on the machine, or available on the internet (either free or for purchase) to help you do anything you could dream you would need while using your new Mac. I was able to even easily use the index and go back and read again the specific areas I needed to re-read to really be able to use the information.
I will give you specific examples on how valuable this book has been in the progression of my development as a new Mac owner.
I switched to a Mac Book Pro in June of 2007. The process was very frustrating as I could not even figure out how to enlarge anything I was working on. Coming from a PC, I was used to grabbing any part of the frame work of the program I was working on to make it larger or smaller. The email "page" on the Mac was so small that it was not functional. Asking for help at the store where it was purchased was a joke. The clerk told me that the Mac had such a good resolution screen, that it was fine the image was small. It was also very clear! This was to enable me to use several applications at once. But if I wanted, they could figure out how to reduce the resolution of the screen for me. Obviously, I searched for another clerk. Then I found out about the lower right hand region has small diagonal lines on the Mac that was the ONLY location for expanding the viewing of the item. If I had had this book, I would have saved myself lots of time and frustration!
Since there is no manual with the Mac Book Pro, I tried to figure out how to work the programs alone. Then my husband read in the paper about the Alaskan Apple User Group having a meeting about Internet Security. Since I was not sure what needed to be done, and I was used to having to buy "protection" for my computer, I went to the November meeting. Then I found out that you could also check out programs to learn about the machine on CD's, or you could possibly do reviews of new information. At the December meeting I gained enough confidence that I asked about this book, and found I could do a review on it if I could read it in 25 days. Talk about an incentive to encourage myself to become educated to make my life easier!
Despite the fact that I had advanced past the decision making time of PC versus Mac and had already set up my machine, this book continued to be very appropriate for me in learning how to actually use and understand what I was really seeing in terms of programs and abbreviations. Normally on my PC when I had used the "HELP" functions, I could never describe or use terms that would elicit any proper response from "HELP." I believe that truly computer literate people have an entirely different language. Without this language, you can not ask questions. This is the first time I have read a book "for Dummies", and I feel that I have finally got a chance to ask "the proper question" in order to get the right answer from "HELP."
Chapter 5 : Mac OS X for Windows Users:
This was very important in explaining the difference between "Window's-Speak" and "Mac-Speak". I was really missing the information I got from the "Control Panel", and had not a clue that it was renamed "System Preferences!" The Table 5-1 gives a nice delineation of these differences. The discussion about "Backspace versus Del versus Delete" was enlightening. Delete on the Mac is really delete! If you want to remove the characters in front of the insertion point (blinking line), you merely press the fn (function) key plus the Delete key and the items to the right are deleted. Very logical, but without this book, I would not have had a clue! The use of two fingers tapping on the trackpad, or the choice to use" control and click" to obtain a "Right Click" was extremely helpful when I did not have my external mouse attached to my laptop. The information on the Finder was a little frustrating because it did not initially disclose that the cool "Finder cover-flow view" must only be on the 10.5 (Leopard) version. Since I have trouble looking at the Figure 5-8, it took me awhile to notice I did not really have the 4th choice to click on. I had had the experience of working on many applications and trying to bounce back and forth. To do so, I was trying to click on a portion of the window to bring the application forward. I needed to shrink, expand and try to move them around to slightly different locations to perform the tasks I wanted. On Page 98, I learned how to press the command key plus the tab key. This brings a docking station like display of the applications you are using. You merely press the tab repeatedly until you land on the application you want, and it brings it to the forefront. Then I learned about the "Expose'" with F9 separating the open windows, F 11 making all the open windows "scurry to the edges so that you can see the desktop. Click in the empty desktop so that you can see the Finder." The mere repeating of the button restores your screen how you were using it. Pretty clever! With your discussion on the Time Machine that is available on OSX 10.5 (Leopard) on the ability to do backups significantly impressed me. I had to hire a computer geek to format my external hard drive to do my back ups on my PC. I could never understand the process fully to retrieve data off the back up. With the ease you described, I believe I will seriously consider purchasing the new Leopard program.
Chapter 6: Moving Your Files from Your PC to the Mac:
If I had not read this book I would have been unable to prepare this article in the .txt format as requested. I would have used the TextEdit program with the .rtf format that was the default position. Without reading Page 129, would be clueless, nor would I have known about the clever "secure trash", nor the Disk Utility on my Mac. The latter cleans up my previously used regularly trashed items that could be still floating around in my Mac. Concern over security on my old PC was addressed by this book. Unfortunately, my PC was no longer able to boot up and I could not take advantage of the ideas to move documents over to my Mac. But taking it to a computer store, they were able to get some of the files off even though they could not really get the computer to fully boot. I did learn how to dispose of the remnant of my PC so I have a method to permanently prevent others from taking further information off the computer.
Chapter 7: Switching Application:
In exploring the IWork application, I was trying to access the tour to explore "Keynote and Pages". However, something went wrong and the "tour" did not start. I tried pushing esc (escape) and command + Q for Quit, and nothing helped. I went back to the "magic page" inside the front cover of this book and found the solution! It was command+option+W, and the window that was locked up in front of me went away! Later I was able to take the tour and see what was offered and I found out that there was an extra charge if I wished to use the program I life '06. Since there is now an I life '08 I will obviously wait.
I wish that I had read this book before I bought the Mac version of Office. I was very intrigued with the information that the Mac has ability to write to .doc. Also with the information that you could use websites such as Google for documents and spreadsheets. Even downloading to your Mac with formats such as .doc, .xl, .csv, .pdf, .rtf, etc. provides lots of other options. However, by not having this information before making my choice, I was not able to know what was fully available in order to let go of my habit of using PC paraphernalia.
I have been frustrated not knowing how to view items sent to my email account from my friends who still have PC's. I wasn't sure what application was needed to open the files of .wma or .wvm that were so easily opened on my PC. I was fearful that accepting "application" changes on the emails without knowing what the problem really was. On Page 147, you solved my problem with a free download. I read in the book that the reason the Mac is safer from viruses is that we have to give approval for each change in an application. This is different from the PC as it requires a high level integration of all processes working together. This makes them susceptible to viruses and worms to do their...
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46 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Skip this book: Too Much Useless Info and not enough Useful info., February 3, 2008
I have a traditional love/hate relationship with Dummies books. When I am truly a dummy in the subject, I like their broad overviews. "Switching to the Mac for Dummies" is a new title for the Dummies series and is the first Dummies book by author Arnold Renhold. Generally Dummies books are designed to give you the information you need in a lighthearted way so that the reader doesn't feel intimidated or overwhelmed.
I'm not sure what mark Reinhold was shooting for but he clearly missed it. The book is overwhelming yet inadequate and in some places just wrong! As an example, Reinhold said you can't run Appleworks on newer Macs. That is simply untrue. But why would someone switching to the Mac ever care about older version of Appleworks? Based on the contents of the book, it was more akin to "New Macs for Dummies". Reinhold covered PC to Mac issues as well as Mac to Mac issues. While that's nice, why would a PC user need that info? It creates an information overflow that makes the book harder to read and confusing for new Mac users.
While I realized Reinhold did not intend the book to be funny, I had to laugh at some of the topics he covered. Few users switching to the Mac need to know that back in the 1980s some PCs used MicroChannel Architectures (MCA) and Macs used NuBus. This minutae reminds me of the sketch on Airplane when the air traffic controller is asked how we got into this crisis, and he starts talking about dinosaurs creating oil and people buying expensive cars. Funny on a big screen, but not for a dummies book. That's just an example of the massive overkill of useless information. Is the author prepping people for an appearance on a trivia show?
Too much information isn't that bad so long as critical information is included and Reinhold simply failed to deliver on critical information. In particular I am comparing his book to the Missing Manual series of the same title and the Dummies version seems like a really poor rough draft of the Missing Manual. When people switch computers from either Mac to PC or PC to Mac they are most concerned about their data (including pictures and music), their emails and address book, and their favorites. Reinhold comes up with rather elaborate Rube Goldbergesque style ways of moving the information, but way beyond the skills (or budgets) of the average switcher. He also fails to cover how to convert email from PC to Mac, which is a top question for switchers.
Those topics Reinhold covers well are horribly disorganized and hard to follow with few, if any, illustrations or screen shots. You simply have to take his word for what he's saying and use your imagination. I asked typical "How do I?" question on the Mac and none were covered. A new PC user might be calling Microsoft after reading this book asking for reconciliation.
Sorry for such a harsh review. I'm sure Reinhold knows his stuff and was simply trying to be helpful. Switching is a relatively new topic. Apple had to make a Newton before it could make the iPhone and I'm sure version 2.0 of this book will be much better. Skip this one though.
Pros: Interesting for trivia buffs, might increase Windows sales and Apple returns.
Cons: Disorganized, inconsistent coverage. Hard to read and follow.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Switching to the Mac and reading this book can do you "good", January 10, 2008
SwitchingtoaMacforDummiesreview
Switching to a Mac for Dummies
Strengths: Good solid helpful information on all things Macintosh. Screenshots and illustrations are large enough to view easily. Solid information concerning switching over from a PC to Macintosh and covers all the bases.
Weaknesses: Black and white makes the book appear bland.
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
I have been a staunch Apple/ Macintosh user from the days of Apple 2E. Many of my family have Macs but my son just switched over after having another laptop brand. I was interested to know what my son would ask and want to know like other PC/windows users, as they make the transition to the Apple/Macintosh world.
I particularly was curious about the line in the introducton which talked about Macintosh and Windows/PC similarlies but then said " still there are differences , big and little, that cause problems for the unaware (PC users?)"/.
There is a nice page on the inner front page dealing with top 10 mac hints for windows users and boot option keys which immediately will settle down and have Windows users more at ease..
nice tear out cheat sheets
Six Foolish assumption on Page 2 were interesting.
It is written in black and white. While the size of the illlustrations and screenshots is ample, the noncoloration gives the book a little "bland " feel to it. But as with most of the Dummies books, the non-color books are still user friendly and include additional helpful information to find and learn about in this case Macintosh computers and switching from PCs.
Of course, the review would not be the same without pointing out the other helpful informational icons "peppered" throughout the book. Five icons that are placed throughout the pages. These (Tip; Technical stuff; Warning!; Remember;) serve to include precise additional information that assists along the way regarding the instructions. Through the chapter in the 6 parts, there eare helpful numbered steps to guide you along the way.
Informed switching starts here, Part 1, is a great start for the book.
It is too bad that most PC users are not able to read most of this section of the book. For most people who are thinking about or have just purchased a new mac, they are acquainted with why Apple computers have an advantage right away. There is a nice two page historical outline of the history Apple from beginning to now which some might like to know about and read. (p.18-19)
Part 2, Making the switch, why switch, understanding the mac family and selecting which mac to buy covers the full line of computers and equipment.
Part 3, Connecting hither and yon, covers mac online stuff, newtworking the mac way and being secure (chapter 8). There is a nice section on ethernet configuration for your mac understanding, configuring, connecting routers networking wirelessly and setting up wifi security.
More software , more choices (Part 4 ), the iLife suite stuff, enjoying other mac OSX goodies running windows on Mac is well done. It is a good place to start working with iLife's components. Of course you might need more information and books to cover iLife but at least you have an insight how to get started with iLife which doen=sn't have much documentation.
Part 5, Specialty switching scenarios covers interesting information. Part 6, The part of Tens (adidtional helpful injormation found in many of the Dummies books) is always interesting. In this section the prevalent points concern troubleshooting, cool mac tips and creative ways to use your old PC are found here. Chapter 10, staying secure, is very important, even in the Mac world. I found it interesting that all the information about passwords. Removing data from an old mac will certainly come in handy for those switching from another mac not only a pc. Social and parents control switching, your business to mac-converting files and operating system files and even converting from Linus (p.299) are well done.
There are a host of diagrams and helpful illustrations that deal with running PC windows with your mac. I found the little secton "why can't I run OSX on a Dell ( I thought that Apple should have tried that a long time ago) very interesting.
I like section 6, Parts of Tens, additional helpful information troubleshooting , mac tricks and 10 creative uses for all your old PCs ( there may be some more innovative ideas in here then you think!).
Appendix A, a transition glossary used for speaking and using the right vocabulary helps to focus on needed information In addition, another way to quickly find out what you want to know is there is a helpful index. The top section includes the part and title while on the right top page you know which chapter you are in and the title title.
Conclusion
This book is a solid and indepth guide to learning and knowing all that you need to switch from a PC to your MacIntosh. Despite the drab look of the boo, the helpful illustrations and ample sized screenshots will give you a better visual understanding of using your Mac. This book might even be used by those who are casually use PCs but have Macintosh already. The author covers the material in depth and breadth. Eventhough I am not converting over from a PC, I still found the information informative. This is great book for converts and those using Macs. While it appears visually bland, the text and information are solid. If you are switching this book is a great one to try.
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