Book Description

Photoshop Elements 3, Adobe's more accessible version of its flagship product, Photoshop, opens the door for amateur photographers, business users, students, and home users who want professional-looking images for their print and Web projects.

Photoshop Elements 3 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide uses task-based lessons to show readers how to capture photos from traditional or digital cameras, reduce red eye, correct color, work with layers, erase backgrounds, create photo-illustrations and Web graphics, simulate painting and drawing techniques, apply artistic effects, and more. Longtime graphic designer and digital imaging expert Craig Hoeschen provides concise, step-by-step instructions and plenty of screenshots to help users look up just what they need to know, while an eight-page color gallery shows off sample filters, effects, and plenty of retouching and compositing examples for additional inspiration.

Customer Reviews (2)

My first choice for a manual replacement
The Visual Quickstart series is, in my opinion, the best replacement for a manual, or for those excuses for a manual that appear in software boxes. The Photoshop Elements book fits that need to a T.

The numbered steps take you through each of the operations, and I've yet to find an error or omission in any Quickstart book I've read. The reason that this book doesn't get five stars is that Photoshop Elements is a difficult book to fit in the Quickstart format.

In writing a dual-platform book, author Craig Hoeschen faces the problem that a large part of the program (the Windows Photo Organizer) only shows up in one version. It is possible to work without the Organizer, but most Windows users will adopt it, so then there's the problem of looking for what you consider the basics only to find they're in the last chapter of the book.

Many programs need no explanation of how to use them in terms of what you need to do at the meta level - there aren't books such as How to Write a Novel in Microsoft Word. It's assumed that once the user learns the difference between the program and the traditional way of doing things (like MS Word versus the typewriter) then no more help is necessary.

But Photoshop needs lots of project-based instruction, and although Craig Hoeschen makes a good stab in a chapter called Creative Techniques (and in many instances through the rest of the book), you really need another book to help with this (which is why I bought Jennifer Fulton's "Photoshop Elements 3 in a Snap"). Then I found the book to extend Photoshop Elements called "The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 3" (by Richard Lynch) which came with a CD that added many useful features to the program.

So the Quickstart Guide can't deal with all your Photoshop queries. It will satisfy your needs for an easy-to-get-to guide for many program operations, but you'll need other books to get the most out of the program. All these books are good, but be warned that no single Photoshop Elements book will show all you need to know.

Good Format, Good Writing, Good Book
I like the format of the Visual QuickStart Guides. Generally speaking, the pages are divided into two columns. The outside column has a headline explaining what the page is about and text to describe how to do it, and perhaps include a bit of explanation or a Tip. The inside column has a screen shot of what the monitor should look like as you do that particular operation. This is combined with an index that directs you to the page based on what you need to do.

I find that this approach works very well for me. I also happen to like the writing style that Craig Hoeschen has. He seems to pick just the right level of detail that I want to start doing some function.

This particular book is on Photoshop Elements, version 3. Version 3 has some nice extensions to the older versions of Elements, but if you've used Version 2 you probably don't need this book to pick up the differences. If you're new to Photoshop Elements, this is an excellent place to start. ... Read more

Book Description
LightWave 3D 7.5 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide is the fastest way to get up and running with NewTek's robust and powerful 3D modeling and animation program. Rather than force you to sit through pages of theory and long, drawn-out tutorials, this task-based reference lets you skip right to the topics that are giving you trouble. While advanced designers will appreciate this flexibility, beginners shouldn't feel like they're getting in over their heads. The book also includes brief explanations of popular 3D theories and concepts at the start of each chapter as well as total coverage of the LightWave 3D working environment. Straightforward and concise, LightWave 3D 7.5 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide relies on short, step-by-step how-tos and ample screenshots to explain how to create simple and advanced animations, work with vertex maps, edit geometry, render projects, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Muy educativo
Siendo como soy un principiante sin mucho tiempo libre. Este libro te quitara todos los miedos con el programa. Te dara la valentia necesaria para ponerte a experimentar, y probar las diferentes herramientas.
Muy recomendable.

Great starting point to learn Lightwave
Good one! This book guides you step by step on everything (Modeling, Layout, Rendering and many more). At first I thought that Lightwave was very complex but when I finish the book I found out that it's simple, very easy to work and you can do amazing things in no time. This book also serves as a reference resource once you're working with the software.I highly recommend this book to beginner-intermediate users. ... Read more

Book Description
When the last edition of The Macintosh Bible was published Mac OS X was still in its infancy, the full suite of free Mac iLife apps had yet to appear, and the idea of switching from a PC to a Mac was still considered heresy by most Windows aficionados. Obviously, a lot has changed: Here to address those changes is the 9th Edition of the most comprehensive Mac resource on the planet. Offering an expanded chapter on digital media, a new appendix on switching (not just from Windows to Mac OS X but from earlier Mac OS versions as well), an increased focus on the newest (and newly mature) OS X versions, and brand-new interviews with Mac luminaries (at the end of each chapter), this completely revised volume offers something for Mac users of all stripes and skill levels. Leaders of the Mac community address every aspect of Mac use here, packing in hundreds of tips, trivia, sidebars, and other goodies along the way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A useful reference
The strengths of this book are the tips to getting yourself out of trouble. The interesting part of this book are the interviews with the major players in the history of the MAC. Gives a chance to those people to voice their opinion of the state of the MAC.

Not Quite Everything You Need to Know, but Almost
There are four major parts to this book:
. Looking at the Mac, which talks about the Mac in general from an overview of the operating system to storage systems and printing.
. Getting Productive which walks about common business and personal applications like word processing, databases and spreadsheets.
. Getting Creative, all about graphics, web design and HTML, after all, the Mac is reknown for its capabilities in the graphical area.
. Extending your Reach, reaching out for the internet, for networks and even working with Windows machines. This part also has a chapter 'Switching to the Mac from Windows.'

In a bit over a thousand pages the authors have room to cover nearly every aspect of working with a Mac. This book covers the standard everyday tasks that you're likely to do on a Mac. From here, of course you can go on to more specialized programs if that's where your job lies. For instance in the graphics area, iPhoto, which is supplied with all new Macs is covered. But if you're a graphics professional you probably want some more professional. And the book talks about the professional level packages such as Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, ACD Systems Canvas, Macromedia FreeHand, Corel Painter, and others. It doesn't cover these in detail, but at least talks enough about them to get you started on deciding which is best for your needs.

This book is, as the title says, the Bible of the Mac. It doesn't contain everything there is to know about the Mac (if it did you couldn't lift it) but it certainly contains enough to get you well started.

I found it very useful
I recently had an excellent opportunity to try out this book as I made the switch from the PC to a new 15" PowerBook G4.This is the type of book that very few people probably read from cover to cover.Rather they would read it as a resource book when they are having troubles or questions.As I made the change from one OS to another I found myself going to the book eleven times.Two of those times the book didn't answer my questions.But for the most part I learned what I needed to know each time.

If you are about to make a switch or are having issues with your Mac I would recommend this book to you. ... Read more

Book Description

For database software, FileMaker Pro has always been almost shockingly easy to use. However, somewhere along the way it also became incredibly powerful-so much so, in fact, that's it's no longer about just creating small-scale relational databases. If you're ready to move beyond the basics and take advantage of FileMaker Pro 7's advanced features, this task-based guide provides the key. By applying the same visual approach, step-by-step instructions, and concise explanations employed by the popular Visual QuickStart Guides to complex topics like creating and managing links between fields in multiple tables and employing the advanced security features to define which fields are editable by different user categories, this handy guide represents the most efficient way for experienced FileMaker users to take their skills to the next level. By the end of the volume, you'll be creating custom databases, using advanced querying features, and managing huge volumes of complex data (text, video, images, audio, PDFs, and more) with FileMaker Pro 7!

Customer Reviews (2)

Good intermediate book
I found this a very useful adjunct to Stars and Child's book Learn Filemaker pro 7.Agree with the other reviewer that the screen shots are too small to read at a comfortable distance.Also unlike Stars' book the examples are not real tutorials.For me, I found the explanations clear and help me understand filemaker better.Would place SAMS Learn filemaker pro in 24 hr very low inmy choice of books for learning filemaker.It hindered my learning more than helped.Filemaker IS NOT a easy program to master.It takes time, diligence, lots of references and help from others.Avoid going it alone if possible.

So-So
This is another UNvisual QuickPro Guide from Peachpit Press:the screen shots are way too small and must be viewed outside in bright sunshine.At about half-off list price, a case can be made for purchase, if you're a FileMaker junkie (like me).It's (unfortunately) intermediate level, not advanced (as it claims). It covers indexing options, conditional valuelists, textstyle functions, mass update of serial numbers, script parameters, bulk e-mail, importing with scripts, and communicating with a Palm. ... Read more

Book Description
As the first server platform to let Mac, Unix, and Linux users share files and printers out of the box, Mac OS X Server promises to revolutionize the world of network administration (or at least make it a whole lot easier). Here to make sure you don't get left behind is Mac OS X Server: Visual QuickPro Guide. In this task-based guide, veteran Mac expert Schoun Regan shows you how to manage local networks, navigate the Unix file system permission architecture, and administer Internet and Web services. You'll also explore the ins and outs of IP-based file sharing and printing services and learn about all that's new in the latest of Apple's big cats, Panther Server: improved setup, management, and monitoring capabilities; enhanced Windows integration; new workgroup and desktop management tools; and more. Clear, concise language, step-by-step instructions, and loads of visual aids mean that even beginners can get up to speed on Mac OS X Server--quickly and efficiently--with this guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Nice addition to my OSX UNIX library
OS X UNIX is amazingly friendly and accessible. Some people who had never used it before type commands and work with the operating system directly as a "cool guys" in movies! This book is very helpful and well written and it is serves as a very nice reference on OS X server. I paired this book with that "UNIX Essentials" DVD I found here on Amazon and it is complete UNIX course recorded and this book and a video they contribute one another greatly. You improve the reading and by reading you improve what you have seen. OS X server is most advanced and easy to manage UNIX server ever. It is a culmination of all efforts for all UNIX system managing software I ever encountered.
The book is very particular about the subjects that related to OS X and because there are some differences between OS X and other UNIXes it is nice to have a book that deals with it.

Panther Server Skillset
The manual has covered the basic setup of the entire suite of services, plus a slew of other utilities that help manage server settings.The author has done good work in organizing the book for services.I use it as reference for many server jobs.I am thankful for the concisewritten reference.

A welcome addition to an OS X Server library
I've been waiting for a solid introduction to OS X Server book for some time and have long thought that the lack of such a book was a significant gap in many publishers' stables. Happily, this book filled that gap for me.

As is the style of the other Visual QuickPro Guides, the book is filled with very clear, step-by-step instructions. These lead you through the configuration of each service and are accompanied by a huge number of screen shots so that you can see where you are and easily match up what's happening on your screen. It could be argued, however, that this approach is too repetitive at times, with all the detailed steps and screenshots of getting to a certain point before moving into the meat of how to do a new topic. I suppose this is valuable if you use Server infrequently and pick up the book as a reference text the odd time that you need to make a change, but if you read multiple sections as an intro to what's possible then you'll probably want to skip the first few steps of each new section you get to.

As far as content goes, the book covers essentially every topic you can think of, and also provides many useful tips sprinkled throughout to help you configure and manage your server. The downside of this breadth of coverage is that many topics seem to provide just enough information to be dangerous, but not enough to really "teach" you about what everything means. I was hoping that the book would provide more explanation as to what each of the different options means and does, and provide more recommendations as to why I might choose one option over another. In the DNS chapter, for example, it mentions "A records" and "PTR records," but doesn't explain what these are or how to choose which records you need (yes, there is a valid counterpoint to this, see the next paragraph). Another example is the choice of logging options - it would be helpful to more clearly indicate this process and why I might want to choose one level of logging versus another. A brief primer on how to read the logs would also be valuable.

In the book's defense on the breadth issue, the title is "QuickPro Guide," suggesting that it'll be enough to get you going, while spending relatively little time on detailed explanation. The book does fulfill this objective, but I just think that additional explanation would make the book even more valuable and reduce the need to reference other networking and server books to get a basic background. In those cases where there is a call for more detail than "should" be provided in this particular book, quite possibly such as my DNS example above, the book should provide a weblink or two or recommended reading suggestions for more information. Perhaps it's a matter of focus and the book should choose to either be oriented to beginners and provide them with enough information to enlighten them or else tell them where to find foundation references first, a set of prerequisites say, and then concentrate on a more experienced audience.

A couple of final thoughts includes a caveat that the structure seems a bit disorganized, with some key topics being put off. For example, security is pushed to the end of the book, as many other books do as well, although at least parts of the chapter would be useful closer to the front, such as the creation of private keys, which is relevant to securing Web services, sending and receiving email, etc. Another suggestion for a future edition would be the inclusion of a flowchart of the key tasks that you need to do when setting up a new server from scratch. The book gives good advice in this regard, but it's all text-based. A graphic to lead off the Intro or first chapter as a jumping off point would be great.

Overall, I did find the book very helpful, but more as a reference tool than a learning guide. If that's what you're after then look no further, but otherwise be prepared to do some additional reading - of course, it's unrealistic to expect one book to do it all anyway. I am looking forward to O'Reilly's soon-to-be-released Essential Mac OS X Server Administration book.

NB. I accessed the book via safari.oreilly.com - an excellent service I might add (if you're not the type of person who needs to feel the paper).

Content good, but too late and disorganized.
The book is not bad, but it only handles "simple" stuff, if I dare call any computer administration simple.

People entering server administration should, first off, be those that are already considered power users or geeks by the majority of their coworkers. Such a person will already know the truly simple stuff, have acquired bits and pieces of more advanced knowledge, but need considerable direction on the concepts and issues of server administration. On this latter point the book is, unfortunately, far too sketchy, and some things are, I feel, a bit too sketchy for this sort of audience.

I should point out, too, that the famed Macintosh ease of use is here somewhat of a hindrance. I.e., the Xserve and Mac OS X Server setup is deceptively easy, to the point that bad setups are easy to do. Was Unix administration always intentionally hard, in order to "idiot-proof" it? One has to wonder... Given this problem, the book screams out for an introductory chapter on what issues there are in setting up a server, what possible solutions are, what the implications pro and con of each of these choices are, what setups are prerequisites for others, and so forth. The wet-behind-the-ears administrator could then create a flowchart of needed tasks, which this proposed introductory chapter could then reference for details.

Furthermore, the book's organization leaves much to be desired. I should think that security issues should be set up first, not relegated to a late chapter as in this book. DNS is handled in Chapter 3 I believe, yet there are items with dependencies on DNS that are described in earlier chapters. It would make sense to describe setting up user templates before users are actually set up.


For my part, I've already read the book twice and am now proceeding with my 3rd read-through, taking notes as I'm going as to what I need to do and in what order. I'm also taking notes on the files that will be modified as I'm doing this, so that I can take care to back up their original versions. This kind of information is thankfully in the book but unfortunately not stated up front in each section. This (i.e. "read the book through before starting any work") should appear as an instruction in the first chapter.

As to detail, one example relevant to our own situation (and likely many others') should suffice. Having already set up a web site, we wanted to set up the Xserve so that web requests go to the off-site web service while email is sent to the Xserve. The basics can be accomplished with Apple's GUI tools, but the details have to be done by hand in the text-based configuration files. Granted, books can be bought on DNS and BIND; but I don't really want or need a library of 10-12 books on all aspects of Unix administration.

One Great Book!
After reading through this book, I had no trouble at all setting up a small office server with mail & web services.Schoun Regan has written a book that is easy to read and easy to follow.I hope that an update to this book is written right after Tiger is released. ... Read more

Book Description
Covers Mac OS X Panther and its bundled applications in detail, while handling more challenging topics such as networking, Internet security, wireless operation, and maintenance in an approachable way. Learn how to use the Finder, how to manage files, how to work with digital media, and much more.A bonus feature of the book is the spotlight on “Writers and their Macs,” which offers glimpses of how three writers work with their Macs: novelist Arthur Golden (Memoirs of a Geisha), screenwriter Mike Rich (Finding Forrester), and suspense writer Jeff Abbott (Cut and Run). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Panther is ALIVE!!!
This book helped me set up my Mac OS X Panther so much.All the instructions are very clear, along with the example pictures.This book explains everything in OS X Panther, along with some other stuff such as iChat, iMovie, iPhoto, etc.Overall, this book has made my OS X Panther... ALIVE!!! ... Read more

Book Description
Mac OS X has captured the attention of consumers and programmers alike with its ability to run existing Mac programs along with Unix and Open Source software. The latest version, Panther, includes more than a hundred new features and improves many of the technologies underlying Mac OS X, including graphics and the Unix-based core. With more than 500 power tips and tricks for Mac aficionados like yourself, Mac OS X Power Hound, Panther Edition helps you unleash the power of Panther.Mac OS X Panther is a complex and powerful operating system with a personality all its own. To make your computing experience with Panther as efficient and enjoyable as possible, you need to learn its secrets, appreciate its idiosyncrasies, and be able to customize it to your needs and wants. Author Rob Griffiths shows you how. Creator and editor of the extremely popular Mac OS X Hints Web site (www.macosxhints.com), Griffiths knows Panther inside and out. His Mac OS X Power Hound lifts the hood on the sleek and elegant, Formula-One-powered operating system and delivers over 500 high-octane secrets in every conceivable category, including the Desktop and Finder, iApps, Mac OS X programs, Mastering the system and Terminal, and much more.Consider this book your pit crew, helping you find easier, faster, and better ways of using the Finder, the Dock, the assortment of programs that come with Mac OS X, and a bunch of programs that don't. And if you want to become your own master mechanic, it also includes two rich chapters on Unix, the engine under Mac OS X's hood.With this collection of stand-alone hints, notes, tips, and tricks--every one of them organized, indexed, tested for compatibility with the latest version of Mac OS X 10.3, and, in many cases, illustrated--you'll rapidly progress from an anybody-can-do-this user to a power user. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Stupid (and Useful) Mac Tricks
"Mac OS X Power Hound" is an impressive collection of tips, hints, and productivity enhancers. I don't consider myself to be a power hound, but I have been using Macs exclusively for 16 years. I discovered a satisfying number of of useful and undocumented tips. About two thirds of the items are easy enough for a novice to follow, such as simple modifications of standard applications, and using Terminal to modify how the System behaves. (Working in Terminal gave me the same kind of thrill I remember from Res-Edit years ago.) The final third of the book is devoted entirely to Unix and was completely beyond me -- probably only useful to programmers.

There are a fair number of items that reminded me of David Letterman's "Stupid Pet Tricks" -- things you can make your Mac do just because you can, not because they are particularly useful. But I'm pleased with what I managed to glean. The writing is clear and the topics are nicely presented and organized.

Lots of Hints & Tricks for OS X

If you are new to Mac OS X and looking for a book to help you learn the
system, this book is probably not for you. As the author points out, he
assumes you already know the basics. However, if you are experienced and do understand OS X and are looking for ways to do things differently or to do things that you didn't know was possible, then this book is for you. This book contains 16 chapters with over 650 hints that are easy to find in the well organized table of contents. As the author mentions, most hints address problems or solutions that are independent of other hints. This means that you don't have to read in any particular order - just find the area of interest and go to that page for step-by-step instructions. This book does a good job of presenting the material in an interesting and easy to understand manner and with a touch of humor. It uses plenty of screen shots throughout; however, they are not in color. Many of the tricks presented show more than one way to do a task, including many time saving shortcuts. Also included in many of the tricks are web sites for getting additional information. These well organized tips and tricks cover all OS Xcategories, such as, Finder, Dock, Mail, iTunes, iPhoto, Web Browsers, Terminal and many more. For example, there are tricks for hiding the dock, pinning it in a corner, and customizing the trash can. There's also tips for saving memory by turning off services you don't need and by deleting languages in iPhoto. There is also a great tip for collecting cover art for your songs in iTunes. The last two chapters, over 20 percent of the book, are devoted to Terminal or Unix hints. Mastering these two chapters should definitely make you a Power User. Although most of these tips and tricks can be found on the author's website at macosxhints.com for free, it is not the same as having your own reference book with the material organized in an easy to find table of contents. As the author says "this book can help you progress from an anybody-can-do-this user to a power user".

A supplemental book for everyone
This is an excellent book! It's a book that every Mac user can learn from! I even learned things, and as a Mac author I'm big on uncovering hidden features myself. It's easy to find things and easy to understand. If you're new to the Mac or OS X, choose a book that teaches the basics so you're comfortable with the Mac. Then get this book to learn much more.

Something useful on every page!
In Mac OS X Power Hound, Panther Edition Rob Griffiths of Macosxhints.com and a monthly article in Macworld magazine offers a collection of well over 600 tips and tricks covering everything from basic Mac OS X Finder tips to tricks that will help just about any Macintosh user use Terminal like a pro.

For this book, Mr. Griffiths has compiled and completely rewritten the best and most useful hints found on his very helpful website Macosxhints.com. Chapters include tips for using the Finder and Dock, iLife applications, Mail, Office, and many other common Mac OS X programs. Each chapter focuses on a particular OS X feature or application and provides several tips or tricks for getting the most out of each application. The information is provided in a very clear manner with ample screen shots and detailed step by step instruction for the reader to follow. The final 100 plus pages are devoted to Terminal and Unix tips making this a great book for both the basic and intermediate Mac user.

This book is definitely not a replacement for a more traditional Mac OS X manual but the 600 plus tips and tricks included will definitely provide every Mac user with something invaluable. While you can certainly read this book from start to finish, I found this to be somewhat overwhelming. Luckily, the book is written so that each tip or trick does not require the reader to have read previous items. In fact, I found this book most useful by just scanning the vast Table of Contents until I found an item that sparked my interest. In many ways the information in this book would be better presented as "Mac OS X Trick of the Day" calendar as long as you didn't throw each calendar page away at the end of the day.

Overall, I found a lot to like about this book and definitely recommend it to any Mac user who is ready to move beyond the basics.

Tim Robertson MyMac.com Review
Mac OS X Power Hound
by Rob Griffiths
Pouge Press
Price: $24.95
ISBN: 059600818x
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/macxpu/index.html

Book Description
An alternate edition of the best-selling Introducing the Unix System, this new book presents complete coverage of AT&T's new standard release of the Unix operating system, System V. For users and programmers involved with any hardware running Unix System V, this edition reflects the joint efforts of AT&T and Sun Microsystems to reconcile Berkeley BSD 4.2 (the most popular non-AT&T version of Unix) with System V. Covering Unix from the first logon to advanced techniques and featuring the numerous examples and careful attention to detail that made the former book a success, the book provides an easy growth path for novices as well as a reference they'll never outgrow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This was a college class book that I still use today
This was a required textbook for one of my college classes and it was such a good book that I still use it today as a reference (over 13 years later). In fact, I refer it to people quite often. The material is presented in a logical way that makes it easy to learn.

lucid with good examples
This book is really good for the beginers, but the language is little hard for the beginers !! thats it ... Read more

Amazon.com
Written with administrators, information systems managers, and developers in mind, Mac OS 8 Revealed is a detailed technical tour through the heart of the new Macintosh operating system. From the look-and-feel of the new interface to creating software for the new platform, this is the perfect primer for those Mac professionals who are considering making the upgrade.

Chapter topics include the architecture of the new multitasking operating system, the virtual memory system, dynamic storage allocation, the Human Interface Toolbox, and OS 8's new networking capabilities. The included CD-ROM contains an animated tour of the operating system features and interface. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Copland Review Very Informative
I know why many of the reviewers gave the book only one or two stars. They were disappointed in that it had nothing to do with the actual product MacOS 8, but instead deals with the vaporware product also known asCopland.

As far as it's review of Copland is concerned it is a veryinteresting book.I wish there was some more detail in regards to some ofthe low level stuff (such as task scheduling etc.).The book howeverprovided a very interesting view of how Apple was going to try andtransition between it's then current OS and a new "modern" OS. The level of detail is high enough to be informative, yet technical enoughto provide potential developers with some understanding of how to(re)design their software to work under MacOS 8 Copland.

My hats off tothe author, even though it turned out to be a waist of paper from aproductivity standpoint.

For what is here ... the author deserves much respect ...
I represent a Mac User who, one year ago, would have never used a Mac ... but I'm working a Help Desk job, and roughly 10% of my traffic is a Mac ... this book has been an indespensible Godsend !!Sure, the else-metioned confusion with Copland isa bane for this title, what IS here is much appreciated !!

Don't buy this, unless looking for historical information.
This book is based on Copland, the planned 'next generation' operating system that was scrapped in late 1996 or early 1997. It has nothing to do with the Mac OS 8.0, which was released in '97. Its an entirely different product.

If you are interested in what -could have been- had Copland not been scrapped, this is the book.

Don't Bother
This book is based on Mac OS 8 as conceived in the "Copland" days (back when it was intended to be the "next-generation" operating system for Mac OS.)Although some of the topics are relevant and interesting, this is NOT a book about the Mac OS 8 that was released in July of 1997. Buyer beware. ... Read more

Book Description
Long the industry standard for creating high-impact interactive Web sites, Macromedia Flash has just gotten a whole lot better--faster, easier, even more powerful--with the release of Flash MX. Whether you're a Flash pro looking to get up to speed quickly on this latest release or a novice eager to tap the power of MX for the first time, the task-based visual approach of this Visual QuickStart Guide is just what you need to make the most out of Flash MX.

In this volume, veteran journalist and author Katherine Ulrich covers it all--from the basics of vector animation to sophisticated interaction and transition effects--in the clear, concise prose readers have come to expect from this popular series. Beginners will want to devour the volume from cover to cover, while more experienced Flash users will be able to easily find just what they need, including complete coverage of all of the program's new features: a revamped interface, enhanced integration with Macromedia ColdFusion, dual authoring modes for designers and developers, and more. Loaded with tips and visual aids to reinforce the text, Macromedia Flash MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide will be your constant companion as you use Flash MX to take your Web pages to the next level.

Customer Reviews (13)

Great for beginers!!
This books really make learning Flash EASY!! If you are new to Flash and you want to start making movies right away, you have to get this book!!!

Macromedia Flash MX for Windows and Macintosh (Visual QuickStart Guide) by Katherine Ulrich
This book is very big on details and I feel I'm learning more about Flash than other books I've used.

Basic information, poor organization, useless index
This book is a descent resource of basic information; that is, if you can find it. That's the most frustrating thing about this book is that it suffers from poor organization and a horrible index that follows it's own inexplicable logic.

E-mail links? No listing in the index. Same for such basic terms as: pop-up windows, navigation, browser windows, publishing, windows, importing, and printing. It was easier and less frustrating to flip through the entire book than to try to figure out the logic of the index.

If you chance on some information that you may need, put a placeholder or a stickynote there immediately; you may never find it again.

Preschool?
This 'Visual Quickstart guide' by Katherine Ulrich is really useless and was obviously written for beginners. If you have programming experience and are looking into using flash, I highly recommend that you DO NOT buy this book.The whole books basically teaches motion tweening and using basic drawing tools.It doesnt teach the power of flash or even teach you how to use the built in flash components either.If you want to learn how to make a cat dancing from one side of the stage to the other, than this book is great.If you want to learn how to build rich flash programs, then buy something else.Lets just put it this way: Chapter 14, page 533 finally introduces importing graphics and chapter 13 talks about Authoring Utilities.

Full of errors and lies - terrible!!!
I would give this book MINUS 5 stars if I could.Look, if you're writing a book about any sort of computer code (unforgiving stuff that doesn't work right if you get a character wrong), I think you have a responsibility to proofread the *@#*! thing.This book doesn't appear to have been proofread or had a technical editor give it more than a cursory glance.It's full of errors that will stop you cold. I've spent countless hours going over the same pages over and over again, trying to guess where the author's mistakes are.What a waste of time.Also, the instructions are written in incredibly unprecise language (terms like "frame", "keyframe" and "blank keyframe" are often used interchangeably - hey, brilliant writer, it makes a difference!), requiring you to guess what the writer really means.

Oh, they also lie: the book claims to have a supporting website with artwork files you can download, yet none exists - go look, there is none (I really could care less about downloading the files, but I was hoping to find a list of corrections for the many errors in the text - and found no ebsite where they claim one exists).I think this is just plain dishonest.Shame on them.

There's no way to contact the author to clarify/correct her errors, either (maybe she didn't want to get reamed by angry people who bought the book sending her email?).

Yeah, I'm mad I wasted 25 bucks on this piece of junk.I recommend you don't make the same mistake I did - instead I suggest you buy a book that the author actually proofread - 'cause this one clearly didn't bother with such trivial matters as getting details right.

This is a really terrible, terrible book, completely irresponsible.It would be a wonderful way to waste many, many hours of your time.
Feh! ... Read more

Book Description
Using the AppleWorks 6 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide, readers will learn everything they need to master the many tools in AppleWorks. Revised from the ground up by a new author, the new edition offers complete cross-platform coverage complete with hundreds of illustrations and examples highlighting classroom and home-use projects. Additions not in previous edition will include a section highlighting AppleWorks's new Presentation module. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I converted a PC user!
When a friend who was unfamiliar with Macs asked me for advice, I sent her this book. I saw her this weekend and she was telling people to buy a Mac. ... Read more

Book Description

While Mac OS X is becoming more and more stable with each release, its UNIX/BSD underpinnings have security implications that ordinary Mac users have never before been faced with.Mac OS X can be used as both a powerful Internet server, or, in the wrong hands, a very powerful attack launch point.

Yet most Mac OS X books are generally quite simplistic -- with the exception of the author's Mac OS X Unleashed, the first book to address OS X's underlying BSD subsystem.

Maximum Mac OS X Security takes a similar UNIX-oriented approach, going into significantly greater depth on OS X security topics:

• Setup basics, including Airport and network topology security.
• User administration and resource management with NetInfo.
• Types of attacks, how attacks work, and how to stop them.
• Network service security, such as e-mail, Web, and file sharing.
• Intrusion prevention and detection, and hands-on detection tools.

Customer Reviews (2)

Security for the truly paranoid Mac owner
Security has long been a concern for Unix administrators who find themselves connected to the sometimes dark and dirty world of the Internet. With the advent of personal operating systems with file sharing, remote login and built-in web servers, and the spread of broadband networks with their always-on connectivity, it should now be a concern for everyone.

It really didn't concern me until one day when I was checking the logs on my Mac OS X box while developing a web app and discovered dozens of entries from all over the globe probing my box to see if it was an insecure IIS server. I then decided I needed to pay attention to security alerts and the help of a book like Macintosh OS X Maximum Security to help me understand and fix any holes.

The Good

The book is divided into four sections. Part 1 is about learning to think about security, covering such topics as physical security and protection from your users and bad guys. Part II, `Vulnerabilities and Exposures,' covers the various sorts of attack such as password attacks, trojans and worms, sniffers and spoofing. Part III, `Specific Mac OS X Resources and How To Secure Them,' covers just that, the various servers such as FTP, mail, Apache and SSH and how to go about making them safe. The final part covers attack prevention, detection, reaction and recovery with topics such as firewalls, alarm systems, logs and disaster planning.

Macintosh OS X Maximum Security is a large, extremely comprehensive volume. For the average person who wants to protect a small home network the information it provides is probably overkill. To make matters worse, the style is fairly verbose, particularly in the first section. Of course, if you want to secure a company network then you may need to know all the information -- and so all this background material is useful, if only so you can reach the right level of paranoia and suspicion.

The book is not a `recipe' book that tells you "take these steps and you will have a secure machine"; rather it takes you through the possible holes and how to fix them. This approach seems much better for security, since it teaches you a respect for the places you have to open up and a methodical approach to doing so that will hopefully carry over beyond the specifics addressed. Any recipe is bound to have flaws since the operating system and the services are all changing, I'm hoping the methods and style this book have imparted to me will last beyond any changes.

The book also deals well with all the Macintosh-specific stuff, informing you well about such topics as Rendezvous, Apple Remote Desktop, using NetInfo and the like. One aspect that isn't well covered is Airport; securing an 802.11 network is barely touched on.

The Bad

The information provided in all areas of the book is quite detailed, and includes many links to further places to look for more (and more recent) information. Once again, for a book in an ever-changing field like security, this is a huge benefit. I would have appreciated some sort of a small website devoted to the book with the links mentioned gathered together and perhaps some notes on how things may have changed since the book's publication. Unfortunately the Sams Publishing site has a broken link to the book and while the authors say "we are creating a security section for the www.macosxunleashed.comwebsite," no such section exists as I was writing this review. Frankly I am disappointed at this, I think with a book on this sort of topic it behooves either the publisher or author to provide a place for errata, discussion and notes.

My only real complaint with the book itself is the huge size, and the long-winded nature of some of the material. I found the first two sections in particular almost tedious and definitely lecturing in tone. I would have rated this book higher if the editors at Sams had taken a large red pencil to slabs of the first section. Overall, I'd say that while not a `must buy,' this book will have to do till I find something better, and I expect to loan my copy to several friends.

Bedtime Stories from the 'dark side of the net'...
review originally for the Lower East Side Mac Unix Users Group,
http://lesmuug.org

OVERVIEW
--
If you like scary stories, lucid mindbending complexity, and epic tales of freaky proportion, this one's for you; (and it makes a terrific reference book to boot).
Enter a world where your arp tables are poisoned, zombie daemon processes run unnoticed by root-kitted servers, IP addresses are merely ghosts of the servers they say they are- you are not entering the twilight zone, you are entering the internet.Muahahahaahahaha. Ahem.

Experience Level: Basic UNIX/OSX understanding, an acrobatic and open mind required- (i.e. if you were able to follow the Matrix movies without skipping a beat, you'll be fine with this book).

ABOUT THIS BOOK
--
The general conceptual Tone of the book is great, as it doesn't ever assume that ANYTHING is bulletproof, like some foolhardy security texts and whitepapers can blindly promise.
A while back, I gave a very positive review for lesmuug.org, of 'Mac OS X Security' (Published by New Riders).

This book, 'Mac OS X, Maximum Security', (Published by SAMS) as a great extension/companion to that book.

'Mac OS X, Maximum Security', weighs in at over 2 inches thick, and as much as it provides a great overview to running secure and trusted systems, it goes into WAY more depth than the New Riders book; which can be good and bad- if your trying to get a general overview of secure systems, this book may be overwhelming.

Throughout reading this SAMS book, I found myself digging back into the New Riders book, to refresh my mind on general topics.Then my brain could better scale into the horrifying detail in this 'Maximum' book.
Some of the topics discussed are ridiculously frightening, insomuch as it clearly discusses why and how everything can be hacked, with counter-measures, and hacks to circumvent the counter-measures. It's really fun if you like that kind of thing.

All of this info, kept me in awe the entire time with just how powerful Mac OSX really is under the hood, and how seriously Apple has taken security.

BOOK SUMMARY
--
The book's table of contents is fairly intense.Chapters are dedicated to a single security concept, and various technologies are adressed in detail as sub-sections of each chapter.I'd say that the chosen topics covered are

While each section of every chapter makes for a nice scary bedtime story, they also proves tremendously useful in practical use.
For various softwares and systems discussed in 'Mac OS X, Maximun Security', enough information to get the focus of that section installed and/or running is excellently presented.
Each section has great references to current online information.

For each topic discussed, the authors try to take you right up to the edge of basic understanding and use- with some great tips thrown in for advanced users.This is great, as some topics have entire volumes dedicated to them.

There are absolutely TONS of general and special-use security tools and softwares discussed, and this text will sanely get you started with most of them.
This text gets you right up to the point where you have installed and are running a given software/system, and the only place to go for more information is online, in it's manual, or another book dedicated just to it.This is a key feature of 'Mac OS X, Maximun Security' to me, as it gets a person going can get going in the right direction using various tools, effectively lessening the learning curve with a new software.

CONCLUSION
--
So with that, if you run any services which are available from the public internet from your Mac, browse this book and stick it book on your shelf for when you need it.
If you just like to read scary stories, or you are really paranoid and want a good in-depth reference for Mac OSX Security, I believe 'Mac OS X, Maximun Security' will rock you. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Mac OS X: The Missing Manual ranks among the best books to have at your side as you explore the latest Macintosh operating system as an everyday user who wants to get some work done, have a bit of fun, and feel part of the Mac community. David Pogue--a respected Mac authority and longtime author on the subject--is the perfect guide on such a quest, as his Mac knowledge is profound and his ability to explain facts and procedures considerable. The second edition of this popular book covers Mac OS X 10.2 and all of its many new features, including Sherlock 3, iCal, iSync, and firewalling. There's coverage of .Mac online services, as well.

Pogue writes really well, so his prose is a treat to read and most readers will appreciate his occasional page-long straight prose passages. More often, though, the wisdom in this book comes in the form of annotated procedures and bulleted lists, as well as notes and tips. There are also two highly handy "Where'd It Go?" glossaries: one for longtime Mac users (this one answers such questions as where the Apple Extras folder is) and one for Windows users (to explain, for example, the equivalent of Ctrl-Alt-Delete on the Mac). Unlike most books about Mac OS X, this one explores itsUNIX-like underpinnings (the Apple implementation is called Darwin) pretty thoroughly. However, based on the logic that if you wanted to use UNIX, you would, Pogue emphasizes the traditional, graphical Mac interface over the Terminal window. If you want an in-depth treatment of Darwin and know something about UNIX already, have a look at Mac OS X for Unix Geeks. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to use Mac OS X 10.2 and its immediate predecessors. This is a user-level book, concerned with managing files, folders, media, users, and hardware. Lots of attention goes to the operating system's special features, including the "i" series of applications and the .Mac online services.Book Description
New York Times computer columnist David Pogue has just updated his bestselling Mac OS X:The Missing Manual! And once again, he applies his scrupulous objectivity to this exciting new operating system, revealing which new features work well and which do not. With new material on almost every page, this second edition offers a wealth of detail on the myriad changes in OS X 10.2.

Apple says that 10.2 introduces 150 new features to Mac OS X, but for once it undercounted. "Jaguar" is a different animal entirely. It's faster, more powerful, and much more customizable -- but it still comes without a manual.

The first edition of Mac OS X: The Missing Manual was the #1 bestselling computer book of 2002, selling 100,000 copies in six months. Now David Pogue brings his humor and expertise to this completely rewritten, greatly expanded edition. It covers:

Getting started. The early chapters demystify the Dock, the Finder toolbar, and the unfamiliar Mac OS X folder structure.

New technologies. Mac OS X 10.2 includes dramatic enhancements in Internet integration (Sherlock 3, iCal, iSync, .Mac, a built-in firewall, Internet sharing), networking (Rendezvous, Windows compatibility, virtual private networking), and entertainment (iTunes 3, DVD Player, Inkwell, iChat).

Basics of Unix. You can sail along in Mac OS X without ever realizing that you're using Unix. But if you're tempted by the power of the command line, this book contains a gentle, intelligent introduction.

Finding familiar features. This second edition includes two of the popular "Where'd It Go?" Appendixes: one for veteran Mac fans, and one for Windows refugees. Look up any traditional feature -- and find out precisely where Apple put it in Mac OS X 10.2.

As always, Mac OS X:The Missing Manual offers warm, witty writing, and bursts with the shortcuts, surprises, and design touches that make the Mac the most passionately championed computer in the world. ... Read more

Book Description
Degunking Your Mac, Tiger Edition, covers the latest operating system (OS X Tiger). Tiger has been greatly expanded, and the new features of this powerful operating system can help Mac users get better organized and reduce clutter. This Tiger edition of the bestselling Degunking Your Mac takes readers inside Tiger and shows them step-by-step how to run Tiger at peak performance. This book is a huge time-saver because it's organized according to the proven twelve-step degunking process that made the Degunking Series popular around the world. After degunking their Macs, users can then focus on doing more creative things, such as making movies, recording music, using the Mac with the iPod, creating websites, and designing documents.

All of the crucial degunking tips and tricks and customization techniques are in this book, including how to better manage hard drives that get gunked up with media files, how to properly optimize the desktop, how to make programs run their best, how to keep fonts under control, how to get rid of the extra stuff that Tiger installs, how to best use the new security features, how to streamline repetitive tasks with Automator, and much more.Special degunking tips are also provided to help users upgrading from earlier versions of OS X to Tiger. The book provides proven degunking maintenance tasks that users should perform on a regular basis to keep their Macs running at optimum levels. Mac users will love this book because it will help them get organized (and stay organized), optimize their workspace, solve clutter problems, and keep their Macs running fast and smoothly.

Customer Reviews (11)

An Excellent Beginner's Book
"Degunking Your Mac" is an excellent book for beginning to intermediate users who want to tune-up and clean up their Macintosh.The book is well organized, but not dense.Miss Ballew takes time to discuss topics in clear and non-technical language with a dash of wit.The result is a computer book that novices should find interesting and fun, instead of scary, jargony, and off-putting.

My two favorite chapters in "Degunking Your Mac" are chapters 9 (Fonts) and 19 (Automator).Anyone who has used a Mac has encountered issues with fonts, and chapter 9 had excellent solutions for these common headaches.Chapter 19 is the best beginner's introduction to Automator I've read in a book so far.It is a brief chapter, but introduces Apple's new automation utility in clear English.

"Degunking Your Mac" is a clear and solid manual for beginning and intermediate users.My only quibble with the book is that it may have little new information to an Advanced Macintosh user.

Trash Removal
OS 10.4 seeks to be all things to all men, thus it contains many MB of no possible use to most users. It needs to include a purging program to remove trash. Fonts in foreign languages, translations (how many people in the US want to convert classical Chinese to simplified Chinesw), printer drivers for printers that the user doesn't have consume a great deal of space. This book needs to be far more aggressive.

So much to degunk, so little time!
My new iBook G4 is already gunked up, so I am finding the book a treasure trove of help! The book's beginning pages I found long and redundant; I just wanted to get on with the degunking. The most important message for me at the start was to degunk in the order the book outlines. It has taught me much about what unnecessary items (for me) come loaded onto the Mac at purchase, i.e., foreign languages & fonts I can't use. As a long-time Mac user, I feel qualified to highly recommend the book for its orderly presentation, user friendliness and practical matters. In fact, I'll try to go through it again over time to see what else might have sneaked into my Mac.
M. Thoelecke

THE DEGUNKERS
The source of "gunk" is the way users use their Mac--not the machinery itself. But, a lot of Mac users don't think their machines have gunk. AuthorJoli Ballew has done an outstanding job of putting together a book that shows you how to keep your Mac running at tip-top speed as long as possible and to make you more productive along the way.

Ballew begins by helping you to determine whether your Mac is really gunked up. Next, the author introduces a proven 12-step program to degunking success--a program that can really and truly get your Mac performing like new again. Then, she explains how to get rid of- or degunking files that shouldn't be in your Mac. The author continues by showing you how to locate and get rid of unwanted applications, including beta applications, unnecessary programs and unnecessary Mac OS X applications. In addition, the author next covers Tiger's new Spotlight feature, including how you can use it to organize data and create Smart folders. She also focuses on getting you working more efficiently by personalizing what you access every day. The author next shows you how to degunk the Dashboard. Next, the author shows you how to degunk new features, so that they don't drive you crazy. Then, she shows you how to manage or eliminate your font gunk. Ballew continues with a discussion of how to degunk your iPod. Next, the author shows you how to prevent spam first, keep what you do get under control, and formulate a plan for reducing or eliminating spam altogether. Then, she covers e-mail housecleaning in more detail, and how to clean up and organize your legitimate mail with spam that gets through your defenses. In addition, Ballew continues by discussing how you can degunk the startup process and optimize the hard drive, so that your Mac runs as efficiently as possible. Next, she explores Software Update; as well as, available software upgrades. Then, she introduces you to the different types of hardware you can acquire to beef up your system. The author then shows you what tools are available to help you maintain your Mac and what tools can be used to search for, find, and fix errors with hard disks, permissions, and similar issues. She then shows you how important it is to secure your Mac and what built-in and third-party utilities and software are available to you. Next, she covers how to back up data, with emphasis on creating a backup strategy and sticking to it. Finally, she shows you how to get started with Automator.

With the preceding in mind, the author has done an excellent job of showing you how to follow the basic steps outlined in this book on a regular basis, with the results of giving yourself an insurance policy and saving yourself from encountering aggravation down the road. So, the belief here is that degunking your Mac will make your time on your computer more efficient, more productive, and maybe even more enjoyable.

Much more material in this edition
I liked the first edition and there is a lot more to find in this book. In fact I would say that this book has easily doubled in size. New topics include Dashboard and Spotlight. But the original material about killing spam, optimizing your applications, getting the garbage off your drive and many others remain. There is even material about cleaning up your iPod.

An excellent resource for any full-time Macintosh user. ... Read more

Book Description
This Mac OS X Book is reliable, powerful, and easy-to-use -- just like OS X 10.4, Tiger.

Whether you're a first-time Mac user, upgrading from a previous Mac OS version, or switching from Windows or Unix, the latest edition of this best-seller is your one-stop resource for information on Apple's powerhouse operating system. Filled with detailed explanations, step-by-step instructions, and useful examples, this book answers all your questions and shows you how to take advantage of every aspect of Mac OS X. Authors Stauffer and McElhearn divulge their Mac OS X troubleshooting know-how and get you up to speed on all that's new, including:

• Personalizing Mac OS X: Dock, Desktop, and Finder.
• Using the latest features, including Spotlight, Automator, Dashboard, and Safari RSS.
• Encrypting data, storing passwords, and using built-in applications.
• Connecting to, troubleshooting, and securing your Internet connection.
• Using, automating, and securing e-mail from viruses.
• Using QuickTime, QuickTime Pro, and iMovie to play, edit, and export movie files.
• Burning audio and data CDs, and playing MP3s, Internet radio, and DVD movies.
• Importing, exporting, and editing digital images using iPhoto.
• Building a secure network and safely sharing files.
• Using Windows and Unix documents, networking protocols, and applications.
• Working with Terminal and Darwin command lines and Darwin applications.
• Backing up and recovering data, managing your disks and peripherals.
• Configuring and tweaking Apache, FTP serving, PHP, and MySQL.
• Quickly diagnosing and solving common system-level problems.
• Troubleshooting Classic and native applications.
• Getting more out of your iPod and iTunes.

Order your copy today! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A comprehensive Mac OS X book
At last, an excellent book for those who want to know how the OS X ticks. It gives lots of good info and deep knowledge of not only the commands but also supplies comprehensive info on things like how to work with Apache and tweak it for other web support programmes. If you are a tech person wanting to know lots about how to drive OS X Tiger, then this is the book for you. (e.g. I found the instruction that allows the Finder to see all the files on the disc, not just the ones Apple wants you to see.)

iMac
As a neophyte, I found the book dificult to understand. Frankly I am disappointed in 10.4. It is not as user friendly as 9.2.

Excellent Book
Liked the book. Easy to understand and covers just about everything about the Mac OS. I recommend this book
to anyone who wants an excellent book on the Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger.

An Excellent Manual
I like a printed manual to refer to and Todd Stauffer is the best. He touches on every facet of the Mac. ... Read more

Amazon.com
At nearly 900 pages, it's safe to say that after reading Mac OS 9: The Complete Reference, you'll learn all you need to know about Apple's operating system. Gene Steinberg, author of several Mac-related books, has provided an all-encompassing guide to OS 9, though it isn't for the faint of heart.

Although Steinberg covers the basics (installation, setting user preferences), this book is geared more toward users who are already familiar with Mac OS and want to take their knowledge to the next level. Steinberg gives ample space to such topics as networking and AppleScript. He also gives special attention to setting up a PowerBook or iBook, including a lengthy, helpful explanation of configuring an AirPort Card for wireless Internet access.

Steinberg is particularly adroit at handling common issues such as installing a removable drive, adding input devices, and performing periodic data backups. The glossary of terms in the back of the book is likewise thorough and well organized.

Mac OS 9 newbies will probably want to check out a less intimidating guide. But for those who wish to take full advantage of Apple's operating system, Mac OS 9: The Complete Reference should reside right next to your candy-colored iMac. --John Frederick MooreBook Description
Best-selling Mac author and contributing writer for MacHome magazine explains all the 50+ new features and capabilities of OS 9. You'll learn to install and configure hardware, software, and peripherals, connect to the Internet, and let Sherlock 2 search the Web for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This Book Is Filled with Great Information
I read Michael R Berry's review and cannot believe he actually read this book. It is filled with information that I never knew before, and I'm far from a Mac beginner. There were pages and pages on cross-platformnetworking, using Apple's Internet file sharing features, customizingSherlock 2's search tools, enhancing the look of usefulness of the MacSystem 9 Finder, configuring ColorSync and managing e-mail filters. Andthat was only the beginning.

I learned more about the Mac and theprograms you can get for it from this book than almost any other I haveread. I heartily recommend that you buy this terrific book; it's all thatit promises to be and much more.

Not Impressed
Sorry to say, I was not impressed. With this book being so new, and s