Product Description

The Cocoa frameworks are some of the most powerful frameworks for creating native desktop applications available on any platform today, and Apple gives them away, along with the Xcode development environment, for free!However, for a first-time Mac developer, just firing up Xcode and starting to browse the documentation can be a daunting task. The Objective-C class reference documentation alone would fill thousands of printed pages, not to mention all the other tutorials and guides included with Xcode. Where do you start? Which classes are you going to need to use? How do you use Xcode and the rest of the tools?

This book answers these questions and more, helping you find your way through the jungle of classes, tools, and new concepts so that you can get started on the next great Mac OS X application today. Jack Nutting is your guide through this forest; he's lived here for years, and he'll show you which boulder to push, which vine to chop, and which stream to float across in order to make it through. You will learn not only how to use the components of this rich framework, but also which of them fit together, and why.

Jack Nutting’s approach, combining pragmatic problem-solving with a deep respect for the underlying design philosophies contained within Cocoa, stems from years of experience using these frameworks.He’ll show you which parts of your application require you to jump in and code a solution, and which parts are best served by letting Cocoa take you where it wants you to go.The path over what looks like a mountain of components and APIs has never been more thoroughly prepared for your travels. With Jack’s guidance, the steep learning curve becomes a pleasurable adventure. There is still much work for the uninitiated, but by the time you’re done, you will be well on your way to becoming a Cocoa Master.

• Begin to really get to grips with the full Cocoa toolset—practical, hands-on learning
• Become familiar with the core concepts at the heart of every Cocoa application
• See which parts of the iPhone SDK overlap with the Mac OS X development tools so you can explore both Mac and iPhone development
• Packed full of goodness and enthusiasm for the Cocoa frameworks from a developer perspective

Customer Reviews (7)

Had high hopes for this one, but...
You really already need to know Cocoa to use this book to learn Cocoa. The book's illustrations will not match current versions of Interface Builder and Xcode, and I'll add another star back in since that is not the author's fault. The contradictions and increasing confusion will drive you to the reader forum, where the help will be well-intentioned but spotty. The author provides a coherent view of a development tool that is a work in progress. I think I'm too much of a novice to overcome the outdated information.

Great book!
I really enjoyed this book.

As with all books...there are good points and bad points...but overall, the book provided me with the information I needed as a reference for starting development on a Mac using Xcode (I've come from a PC and Linux background).

If you buy this book...you wont regret it.

Great title that really worked for me.
Nutting, Mark, and LaMarche have created an amazing book for learning Cocoa and building solid, interesting applications for the Mac.I have worked with the Hillegass book extensively, but I really wish I had found this book first.The style is much better suited to the way I learn things.

The authors really understand how programmers think, and they present the major features of Cocoa in ways that encourage experimentation.When you finish a section, you really feel like you understand what is going on, because they go out of their way to explain the WHYs and HOWs behind the code, even mentioning what happens when you do things incorrectly.

When I learn a language, I like to learn about individual tasks, write code to deal with those tasks, play around with the methods I learned, and then move on to the next thing.This book provides a great set of tools that can be used for just that kind of experience.An absolute must-have for anyone trying to write software for the Mac platform.

One note: This book might present some difficulties for new coders. It's essential that you understand basic programming logic and structures before diving into this. Because of its reliance on Objective-C, a firm grasp of Pointers is a must.

One of the finest Cocoa books out there
I'm a big fan of Apress books as I find they offer very good value for money. I visit the Apress site on regular basis to check out upcoming titles on iPhone and Mac development. There was one book that was announced quite some months ago, but the release date kept slipping and slipping.

That book is called "Learn Cocoa on the Mac".

First of all, I'd like to point out that this book does *not* cover iPhone development. This is about Cocoa and Mac applications. Of course, with Cocoa Touch being a subset of Cocoa, you will recognize design patterns that you use on the iPhone and of course topics like Core Data can be used in both Cocoa and Cocoa Touch.

The chapters in this book are:

1. Must love Cocoa
2. Hello, World
3. Lights, Camera... Actions!
4. GUI Components
5. Using Table Views
6. Cocoa Bindings
7. Core Data Basics
8. Core Data Relationships
9. Search and Retrieve Core Data with Criteria
10. Windows and Menus and Sheets
11. Document-Based applications
12. Exceptions, signals, errors and debugging
13. Drawing in Cocoa
14. Advanced Drawing Topics
15. Working with files
16. Concurrency
17. Future paths

I'm not going to go through all the chapters in detail as the titles are clear enough.

You can see that the base of subjects is *very* wide and that is what makes this book a really great one. I find the explanations of the subjects and the samples really great. I felt really comfortable and got more confident going through this book, occasionally going through chapters very fast because of my knowledge of Cocoa Touch.

The nature of this book is really great. We all know that there are dedicated books on subjects such as Core Data and graphics. However, "Learn Cocoa on the Mac" does a great job of giving great introductions and clear explanations of what is going on. It goes deep enough into its subjects to make you understand what's going on.

I love this book. I had great expectations of it and it didn't disappoint. This goes easily in my personal top 3 of Cocoa books.

Cocoa, Xcode and Interface Builder kick-start
Jack Nutting has played, worked and turned Cocoa (and it's NeXTStep predecessor) inside out since the 80s. You can see that. He knows not only how but also why. And he shares that knowledge in this book.

Cocoa is a huge scope. An introductory book must select what is most important to learn first. This book does that. Furthermore, it is a great introduction to Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter...ehh, I mean Xcode and Interface Builder. The only thing that the book demands is that the reader has basic knowledge in Objective-C.

One of my principles as a writer is that more pictures and fewer words, doesn't make it harder to grasp - quite the contrary. This book is richly illustrated with screen shots, and the language is both simple and efficient.

This is a book for those who finally want to start to implement a killer app for the Mac desktop.
... Read more

Product Description
One of the most popular Macintosh books ever written, The Mac is not a typewriter has been called the "Strunk and White of typography." Best-selling author Robin Williams's simple, logical principles for using type to produce beautiful, professional documents are as true now as they were when the original edition was published in 1989.This updated edition includes new examples and expanded information dedicated to the practical advice that made the first edition an enduring bestseller. Throughout, Robin shows you the small details that separate the pros from the amateurs:typographer versus typewriter quotation marks, en and em dashes, tabs and indents, kerning, leading, white space, widows and orphans, and hanging punctuation. If you prepare documents, you'll find The Mac is not a typewriter, Second Edition an indispensable guide. And those who read your documents will recognize the work of a pro, even if they don't know a curly quote from curly fries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Good intro
I had to get this for school, but it's a good overview and a quick read

I just got this for my kid's yearbook team.
I have had a copy of this book for about 10 years and it is a great resource for clear and concise layout guidelines.

Last week, I took a look at my son's yearbook committee drafts. Yikes! I just got a copy for them!

Type for dummies...
A real gem for type novices: brief and structured overview in a non-technical language, with plenty of examples to compare the difference in effect. In my opinion: a must for everyone creating copy (be it a club newsletter, an invitation to a party or a corporate brochure).

Still Great.
I bought the first edition of this book when it came out, and I just bought this copy of the second edition becauseI wanted it.
This book is an extremely valuable reference book. If you follow the pricniples set forth in this book, your documents will look professional.
Robin Williams if the premier author of Macintosh books, and of books on design. All of her works are more than worth the price.

A quick and easy read for every writer who cares about looking professional.
I'm reminded of Shunk and White's "Elements of Style". Short, correct, and invaluable. That's what Robin William's book is for people who care about the look of their written word on a computer. It's easy to make your work look professional and "The Mac is Not a Typewriter" shows you how. ... Read more

Product Description

Mac OS X was released in March 2001, but many components, such as Mach and BSD, are considerably older. Understanding the design, implementation, and workings of Mac OS X requires examination of several technologies that differ in their age, origins, philosophies, and roles.

Mac OS X Internals: A Systems Approach is the first book that dissects the internals of the system, presenting a detailed picture that grows incrementally as you read. For example, you will learn the roles of the firmware, the bootloader, the Mach and BSD kernel components (including the process, virtual memory, IPC, and file system layers), the object-oriented I/O Kit driver framework, user libraries, and other core pieces of software. You will learn how these pieces connect and work internally, where they originated, and how they evolved. The book also covers several key areas of the Intel-based Macintosh computers.

A solid understanding of system internals is immensely useful in design, development, and debugging for programmers of various skill levels. System programmers can use the book as a reference and to construct a better picture of how the core system works. Application programmers can gain a deeper understanding of how their applications interact with the system. System administrators and power users can use the book to harness the power of the rich environment offered by Mac OS X. Finally, members of the Windows, Linux, BSD, and other Unix communities will find the book valuable in comparing and contrasting Mac OS X with their respective systems.

Mac OS X Internals focuses on the technical aspects of OS X and is so full of extremely useful information and programming examples that it will definitely become a mandatory tool for every Mac OS X programmer.

Customer Reviews (24)

Disappointing.
Honestly I haven't found a single useful scrap of useful information in this massive tome.For example I needed info on a few internals like the Quartz Event Services and found nothing except for some sample code that the author placed on the website for keyboard and mouse redirection.However there is no mention of this service in the book or any of the low level API calls that are needed.I also needed in depth information about the Process Manager. Again there was nothing.I had to resort to Apple API documentation in both cases But shoot I could have saved a pretty penny not buying the book in the first place.

Very Well Written
I'd been meaning to buy this book for over a year and was not disappointed.It is very well written, easy to understand and goes quite into depth regarding OS X.

An excellent and informative book
I enjoyed the writing style of the author, well presented information with bits of humor to keep it interesting. I enjoyed reading the history of OS X and learning how all the parts were brought together to create the most enjoyable computing experience I have ever had. The technical information and programming examples are extremely helpful in better understanding how things work under the elegant aqua interface.

Amazing work
This well written books contains everything you need to know about the internals of Max OS X. This book is enormous and really goes deep into the internal of the OS.
This reading gave me the satisfaction of understanding the inner working of Mac OS X which now make my work as a software engineer much easier because I know what is going on.
The book is well balanced in that it cover all the different aspects of the operating system without getting into unecessary details.
One small complaint is that the chapter describing the hardware architecture focus on PowerPC systems. I would of course have rather have a detail explanation of the Intel platform. Maybe in a second edition.

The one and only OS X reference tome.
This is analogous to the Windows Resource Kits for OS X, only better.The many examples, most using some sort of code to make their point, combined with the depth of topics covered, makes this the one book really serious OS X coders and admins need to have.

Like it's cousin, the MS ResKit, it's dry, concise, and may scare off some folks.And like the ResKit, it's just as essential as a learning tool and reference book rolled into one.

I've seen many reviews that talk about this book as a book for programmers.I don't believe that for one second.I've heard many references to the old days when all admins were programmers and heard tell of greybeard hackers who are equally proficient at both coding and admin work.This book does a similar job of blending the lines between the two tasks, illustrating concepts and giving examples using C and scripting as well as using human readable english.As a non-coding UNIX and OS X aficionado, I look forward to broadening my knowledge of both programming and unix administration as it applies to OS X via this awe-inspiring book. ... Read more

Product Description
Over 50 and thinking about getting your first computer? A user-friendly Mac is a great choice, and Macs For Seniors For Dummies walks you through choosing one and learning to use it. You won’t even need your grandchildren to help!

Macs For Seniors For Dummies introduces you to all the basic things you may not have encountered before—how to use the keyboard and mouse, work with files and folders, navigate around the Mac OS X desktop, set up an Internet connection, and much more. You’ll learn to:

• Choose the Mac that’s right for you, set it up, run programs and manage files, and hook up a printer
• Use all the programs that come with your Mac for creating documents and spreadsheets, playing movies and music, and more
• Surf the Internet with the Safari browser — safely
• Keep in touch with family and friends via e-mail
• Upload photos from your digital camera, edit and organize them with iPhoto, and share them by e-mail or as prints
• Play music with iTunes, put your favorite songs on a CD, or listen to online radio stations
• Use the Web to help plan trips, get maps, book hotels or RV campgrounds, or buy plane tickets
• Customize your Mac to make everything as easy and convenient as possible

Even if you’ve never used a computer before, Macs For Seniors For Dummies makes it really easy to make friends with your Mac. Before you know it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to get a computer! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Mac "missing manual" for beginners
New to Mac or just not a computer whiz, this book is the most readable and easy to understand "missing manual" for Mac users I have yet to find. Does not try to answer every question but covers the basics. Of the three I bought, it is the one I go to first and the one I use the most.

MACS FOR SENIORS for DUMMIES
I have had my Mac for over a year and I find this book very helpful.

mac for seniors
product was accurately described and arrived in timely fashion. very satisfiedMacs For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

could be even simpler
I think the book could be made even simpler for us real dummies. Some of the directions are hard to follow because we are not used to the terminology used. It's a good thing I have a daughter that can bail me out of most of the trouble I get into!

mac computers for oldsters
I felt this publication is a bit out of date.I have a brand new Mac and the book talks about help as it was given some years back.Book is not much use to me. ... Read more

Product Description

Making Everything Easier!

Mac OS® X Snow Leopard Server for Dummies

Learn to:

• Set up and configure a Mac network with Snow Leopard Server

• Administer, secure, and troubleshoot the network

• Incorporate a Mac subnet into a Windows Active Directory® domain

• Take advantage of Unix® power and security

John Rizzo

Want to set up and administer a network even if you don't have an IT department? Read on!

Like everything Mac, Snow Leopard Server was designed to be easy to set up and use. Still, there are so many options and features that this book will save you heaps of time and effort. It walks you through installation, set-up on a virtual machine, directory services, managing clients, security, and everything necessary to keep your users happy.

• Choose your hardware — get all the details on the best hardware for your specific needs

• It does Windows too — manage Active Directory and Open Directory for a network with both Windows® and Mac® clients

• Maintain control — create and maintain your User Directory and authenticate clients

• Files, printers, and stuff — set up user categories and permissions, handle file sharing protocols, and configure client machines

• Let's get together — help users collaborate with shared contacts and calendars, Podcast Producer, and iChat® instant messaging

• The Web world — configure Web services, set up Wiki Server, and enable blogging

• Out of the office — create mobile accounts for notebook users and configure VPN access

• Safety first — manage security with firewalls, encryption, and proxies

Open the book and find:

• Various options for installation

• The pros and cons of Dual Boot

• How to set up and run an e-mail server

• Tips on getting Macs and Windows to share files

• How group accounts can simplify management

• The advantages of different permission types

• How to manage Podcast Producer

• Special stuff in Snow Leopard Server

Customer Reviews (9)

I'm just a rookie, but disappointed
I'm a rookie server admin running a small business in the real world.
I just couldn't find the in depth information I needed in this book.
There is nothing more than surface information, no real how to's or
fixes, or for that matter verification of proper setup/operation.
To sum it up, I'm sending the book back....

IPad Kindle users beware!
This is absolutely a great book for the beginner. Well written and funny in some sections. The only beef I have with this book has to do with the screen shots. Before I go now, I will like to clarify that I am using the kindle reader for iPad so I do not know if my issue affects the printed book or the hardware kindle. I find myself pulling out a magnifying glass to read the text in the screen shots and even then, 90% of the screen shots are not readable...quite frustrating when your are desperately trying to get a handle on DNS but find the example is not readable!

Saved the day for me
My server installation was barely limping along and had lots of problems. I found the collection of PDF manuals from Apple hardly enlightening. So I saw recommendations and bought this book. It cleared virtually everything up for me, and is organized in such a way that it makes approaching the configuration far less imposing. It could have used some additional detail in spots, particularly in client management.

Really informative and helpful, just what I needed!
This was the first book I bought on my Kindle, and I really love it.

I have been running a small network here at home, with two Macs and two Windows PC's and a Mac mini as a server, but have always wanted to know more about Snow Leopard Server, to get the most out of this awesome Server-OS. I've been looking at Apples own documentation, and reading the Apple User Forums, to get more info on - for example - getting Directory Services up and running. But the info I found always managed to confuse me more than help me.

Not so with this book. Rizzo manages to explain every aspect of Server Installation, Administration and so on, in a clear, concise and easy-to-grasp manner, often with a wonderful understated sense of humor. I really like Rizzo's style, and have found lots of hints and tips I could use on my own network, plus answers to all my questions about Snow Leopard Server.

I'm a very experiences Mac-user, with a great deal of Windows Server experience too, but still did not find this "Dummies" book for dummies at all. It manages to cover both basic topics such as installation, and advanced technologies such as Virtualization, without being either too basic or too hard to understand. It's the perfect OS X Server guide and reference, at least for me.

The Kindle version is really Googled too. Granted I have only bought a couple of Kindle books, but have tried many samplers, and this book really "scales" to the Kindle very well. The Kindles dark screen does not manage to kill the ease with witch this book is read, and having it in such a compact format is really great. Amazon needs to make the Kindles screen much, much brighter, but that aside this book was the perfect fit for me - it's simply awesome and well worth the money!

Great for Beginners
If you're business just decided to get Mac Servers, or you decided to get a Mac Mini server for your home, this book will surely get you started.I'm in the IT industry (mainly deal with Windows Servers), and even had a Windows Home Server (WHS)for home, but recently I've been slowly changing my business to Mac's rather than PC's, so I figured I would replace my WHS with a Mac Mini Server to start playing around with the OS.I'm not a coder, but rather deal with emerging technologies and I must say the author of this book does an amazing job at explaining things to the average user, even someone who's really new to OS X or OS X Server should have zero issues understanding the author.If your a coder, a hard-core developer, or simply enjoy technical writing, this book may not be for you.

Overall, the book is easy to follow, is designed to allow you to jump between sections without regretting having missed a chapter, and will get you started; however, the book does not go into much details, and if you already know a bit about the OS or server technologies, you will end up with a few unanswered questions, since the book touches on most matters, but doesn't dive into great details on many topics.Regardless, if you're new to OS X Server, you will not regret buying this book, and I highly suggest you do start off with this book.If you are a bit more familiar with the topic, or after you have read this book, i would suggest you look into Snow Leopard Server (Developer Reference) or Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.6: A Guide to Using and Supporting Mac OS X Server v10.6.If you're patient, you might as well wait for Beginning Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server: From Solo Install to Enterprise Integration (those of you that have read technical books, surly know Apress is by far a leader in technology books, and they do an amazing job - so it's a book I'll surly be ordering).

...anyways, good luck on your Snow Leopard Server experience and books like this one and those I've listed above will help make it fun!! ... Read more

Product Description
Office 2008 for Mac is here, with great new enhancements to all your favorite office productivity tools. Who better than “Dr. Mac, “Bob LeVitus, to show you how to load and use them all?

From choosing the best version for your needs to managing your life with your online calendar, Office 2008 For Mac For Dummies covers what you need to know. It compares the Student/Teacher Edition, Standard Edition, and Professional Edition, then walks you through installing your preferred version and keeping it up to date. You’ll find out all the things you can do with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage, and how to use them all together to get the most bang for your Office buck. Get top-flight advice on:

• Using the Project Gallery
• Creating documents using templates, tables, styles, and text boxes
• Checking grammar and using the Thesaurus
• Making Web pages with Word
• Building slide shows that include sound, movies, and images
• Giving your presentation, or exporting it as a movie or PDF
• Entering, formatting, and editing data in spreadsheet cells
• Sprucing up your charts
• Setting up Entourage for e-mail and newsgroups
• Coordinating your projects and tracking progress

Whether you’re new to Office or moving up from an earlier version, this is the guide for you! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

GOOD Product
Good product for someone moving from PC to Mac - it helped me a lot and still answers some questions from time to time. Great price for new book...

This is a resource any "dummy" would love!
The book provides not only step-by-step instructions to help the user navigate unfamiliar territory, it's done with down-to-earth language and a little humor as well.It's a great resource.

Office 2008 for Mac
It is comprehensive, easy to navigate and so far has answered all my questions, especially in the Excel module.

Great resource
I recently received a MAC at the beginning of the year and needed to learn how to used WORD. It is a great book-a valuable resource. Whenever I have a question, I just look it up.

I have not needed EXCELL, but the instructions are here.


I am the author of Dreams in August: Life, Love, and Cerebellar Ataxia and Summer Born: A Life With Cerebellar Ataxia Cerebellar ataxia is a progressive neurological disorder that impairs coordination.

Great book!
I got this for my dad, he really needed it! Would recommend to any who needs to know the basics about office 2008! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (48)

Excellent reference book
All of Pogue's manuals are very useful and user friendly. This one is no exception. For prior PC users, it is very helpful to have a book that provides a painless transition from one platform to the other.

Switching to the Mac
I just finish reading the manual this week.I am first time Mac user.The manual was very useful to inform me what Mac can do.It helped me understand the button functions and get more familiar with the Mac.It is easy to understand andI would recommend this manual to others.

Mac primer book
So far this book is helping, but it doesn't seem to address using a Windows keyboard.

David Pogue comes to the rescue again
I am a PC to Mac convert. Five years ago I purchased Switching to the Mac (Tiger Ed.) which made me a David Pogue fan of all his books('The Missing Manual'). Recently purchased the manual on the iPhone and the Leopard version of Switching to the Mac.
His books are comprehensive, great graphics and formatted in a very easy to read and understandable style. Intermixed with humor and many examples makes it a fun way to learn a technical subject.

Spot On!
Although this is not the type book I would sit down and read through, it has been a boon to getting accustomed to the changes you find in your first Mac from the old PC you with which you were accustomed. It lives up to its name - The missing manual. ... Read more

Product Description
A solid introduction to programming on the Mac OS X Snow Leopard platform

The Mac OS X Snow Leopard system comes with everything you need in its complete set of development tools and resources. However, finding where to begin can be challenging. This book serves as an ideal starting point for programming on the Mac OS X Snow Leopard platform. Step-by-step instructions walk you through the details of each featured example so that you can type them out, run them, and even figure out how to debug them when they don't work right. Taking into account that there is usually more than one way to do something when programming, the authors encourage you to experiment with a variety of solutions. This approach enables you to efficiently start writing programs in Mac OS X Snow Leopard using myriad languages and put those languages together in order to create seamless applications.

Coverage Includes:

• The Mac OS X Environment
• Developer Tools
• Xcode
• Interface Builder
• The C Language
• The Objective-C Language
• An Introduction to Cocoa
• Document-Based Cocoa Applications
• Core Data–Based Cocoa Applications
• An Overview of Scripting Languages
• The Bash Shell
• AppleScript and AppleScriptObjC
• Javascript, Dashboard, and Dashcode

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Just OK
I was looking for a book with a good introduction to programming in the Xcode environment creating Cocoa applications.After a 30+ year career programming in C and other procedural languages, I alsoneeded a good introduction to the object oriented paradigm.This book is supposedly a "beginning" programming guide, but it tries to cover way, way too much and fails to get into sufficient detail.If you're looking for a book that introduces everything about the Mac, including Unix, Shell, C, Objective C, and Cocoa, this book is OK.If all these topics are new to you, you will get little out of this book and be totally overwhelmed.Each chapter tries to cover a major aspect of MacOS, and with this approach, each chapter should be a book or two itself.If you're a seasoned programmer familiar with OO programming, this book offers too little.

Deserves 10 starts
I began reading this on my Kindle 2,but switched to reading it on my iPad in the iPad Kindle application.
On the iPad,this book as fabulous. It is such a pleasure to turn the pages instantlywith my finger, andsee the illustrations bright and clear.Reading this on the Kindle 2 was not very good because your mind is racing but meanwhile it takes so long to turn the pages that it's not realistic to flip back to re-read passages, and the illustrations are hard to see and don't look natural.
I have the Kindle edition of this book (running on my iPad)next to my Mac.I refer to it as I do the exercises on the Mac.
For a veteran programmer who knew almost nothing about the Mac,this book is exactly what I needed.
I find the book meticulously written and organized, with no misprints.
My only complaint, and really it is okay I don't mind all that much,is that the concluding code exercisesin the "C" and the Objective C chapters were rather long.However on the iPad it is so effortless to flip back and forth between pages that it really was not a problem.
I definitely prefer reading this on the iPad (in the iPad Kindle app)than I do flipping through the pages of a real hardcopy of the book.If all you have is a physical Kindle,I think you are better off buying the book in hardcopy.
The author(s) really, really know what that are writing about.There is not one word in this book that does not seem authoritative and written by somebody who writes code themselves and knows Apple programming very well.
I have read all the chapters except the three chapters on Cocoa.I stopped reading the first Cocoa chapter so I could go back and re-read the chapter on Interface Builder.Now I have resumed reading the first of the chapters on Cocoa and it makes a lot more sense to me now.
I hope to read this wonderful book several times.
It had an entire chapter on bash and on Unix commands, which I found to be a superb way to brush up on my unix skills.The chapters on Ruby and on Python were good too.These authors really know howto move a story along and stick to the important things.I thought the chapter on Objective C was much easier to understand than the introductory material on the Apple developer site.
I am reading this book as preparation for attending the June 7 to 11, 2010 Appleworldwide developers conference in San Francisco.Armed with the knowledge from this book,I feel I am ready for the conference.
In summary,I recommend this book for non-Apple programmers who have a little Unix background but know practically nothing about programming the Apple way.Forty or so hours spent with this book is time very well spent.

Useful Book But Too Much Fluff at the Start
All in all, this is a OK book for a beginner. The (major) problem is this is one of those books that throws the theory of the OS, frameworks, components, etc at the beginning.

This takes up a good amount of pages without letting the user get their hands dirty. Not only that, more fluff is taken up with images of how to work Xcode, Interface Builder, and other tools. Still, without the user really getting their hands dirty.

In the end, You'll be trudging through a total of just over 144 pages before you get to Chapter 6: C Programming. Now to be fair, once you get there the book starts to shine. After a quick delve into 'C', Chapter 7: Objective C begins on page 229. Then Cocoa & Doc-Based & Core-Data (pg 291).

A (short) Overview of Scripting Languages begins on page 389, which leads into BASH (pg 425). Lastly, AppleScript (pg 487) & (Dashboard) JavaScript are Discussed (pg 553). The Appendix (etc) begins on pg 591.

I think the best audience for this book are the ones with some programming experience who won't freak out over a different GUI API/OS. (Like myself.) These are the people that will immediately go to the sections they need and make the most of it. (And then read the fluff if desired.) Because it's divided into multiple programming languages the handling is somewhat (understandably, IMO) cursory, but fairly passable.

It's more at a 3.5 rating if taken in this context. However, dropped to flat 3 because of the overload of fluff at the beginning.

Beginning Mac OS x Snow Leopard Programming
If you are an experienced programmer desiring to master developing software on Mac OS X, then this book is the one to start with. The book is particularly well written and covers all the basics of both Mac OS X application and script programming. I can't think of a better way to get starting with Mac OS X than this book for a broad understanding of programming on the Mac.

The book is particularly well written and very easy to follow (that is if you are an experienced programmer). Better "how to" dev writing than I have see in a long time. Michael and Drew are to be commended. And I am very picky about technical book readability.

These guys make the quirky Objective-C easy to understand and master.

There are more in-depth Mac OS X dev books, but, by all means, start here first.

... Read more

Product Description
Your essential, no-holds-barred guide to Mac security threats and solutions

Myth number one: Macs are safer than PCs. Not really, says author Joe Kissell, named one of MacTech's "25 Most Influential People" in the Mac community for 2008. In this timely guide, he not only takes you beyond the myths, he also delves into the nitty-gritty of each potential threat, helping you weigh the pros and cons of the solutions you might choose. Learn to measure risk versus inconvenience, make informed decisions, and protect your Mac computers, your privacy, and your data with this essential guide.

• Explains the security threats to Macs, including data in transit from your e-mail or network, and malware such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses; these threats, formerly the exclusive worry of PC users, now increasingly threaten Macs
• Explores physical security and hardware barriers, software settings, third-party solutions, and more
• Shows Mac OS X users how to develop and enforce security policies
• Covers security for Windows running on a Mac with Boot Camp, virtualization software such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, and more

Learn the full range of options you need to consider to make your Mac safe.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Comprehensive
If you're someone who wants to know a little more about security on your Mac, you've come to the WRONG book. This book won't be very helpful for the casual user precisely because it tells you EVERYTHING about security, far beyond most people's abilities.

On the other hand, if you want a book that explains EVERYTHING very clearly and in precise detail, then this is the book to get. If you're the computer guru among your friends or you're in charge of a corporate Mac network, then this book might be for you.

If you want simple and easy-to-follow advice, you will want to find another book or call your guru friend to set up your security.

Definitive guide
The author of this book, Joe Kissell is a senior contributing writing to the popular Macworld magazine and the senior editor of TidBITS, a website and weekly email newsletter about Mac computers and the Internet. I have read several of Kissell's books and articles, including his "Take Control of OS X Backups" ebook, and so I was definitely eager to have this comprehensive guide about Mac Security as part of my computer library.

Kissell is not expecting most people to read this 900 page tome from cover to cover, though the writing style and organization of the content certainly makes for very accessible reading, even as a technical book.

This book would be useful for both home Mac users and IT folks who have manage lots of Mac computers. As Mac users, its quite easy to take the computer security for granted. I have been using Macs for nearly two decades and have never experienced security issues, but that doesn't mean I'm aware of the types problems that I could run into. This is what makes Kissell's book useful. He describes various types of potential security risks (everything from spam mail to Internet and network vulnerabilities) that might impact Mac users.

The best way to use this book is to read the first chapter overview and then selectively go through chapters that are of particular concern to you. Topics in this book include, but are not limited to, working with Mac accounts, configuring basic security settings, using the OS X keychain, working with passwords, sharing files, backing up your Mac, protecting your privacy, browsing the web securely, accessing other computers, using virtual networks, encrypting and securely deleting files, using firewalls, and securing an OS X server.

As I dipped into different chapters, I realized that this book is not just about security issues, it's also about learning how to be a more powerful Mac user. In reading the information, you will learn about applications, features, and tools on your Mac that you might previously had not been aware of.

So yes, "Mac Security Bible" is a very useful reference book for dedicated Mac users. Even as Apple releases future updates of the Mac OS X software, the core instructions of this book will still be applicable.

Excellent resource
I am not a computer geek -- just someone who loves my Mac and needs a little help with it from time to time. The "Mac Security Bible" is a fantastic resource. After being told a number of times that I don't have to worry too much about security on my Mac, I got a little suspicious. Since I've learned over the years that nothing that seems to be too good to be true generally is, I wanted to check out what this book had to offer.
According to Joe Kissell, I don't need to be alarmed -- just armed. The chapters were divided in such a way that I could look up a specific topic and find information easily. It's definitely a reference book, not one you'll probably want to read cover to cover. What I like about it is that you don't have to be intimately familiar with your Mac or a complete computer geek to understand what he's talking about. I can confidently recommend this to anyone.

Mac security for the rest of us!
I just got my Mac a little over one year ago, and really have NOT delved into any "system" stuff. I bought it because I was sick and tired of struggling with a PC ("piece-a crap") for over 25+ years, and just wanted a computer that I could turn on and it would just WORK! It does!

As far as I am concerned, I do NOT fuss with the "terminal" function of my Mac. I know it's there, in the background, but I have no reason to deal with it.

So when I saw this book, it made me curious enough to pause and say "OK, now it may be time to learn more about the inner workings of my new friend."

Well, when I received it I gulped. This book is literally two-inches thick! **yikes!!** Talk about intimidating! However I boldly plunged into its pages and learned a LOT! (I will be referencing this book many more times in the future, I can tell you that!)

The first thing I noticed is that the Table of Contents is broken into two different versions: "at a Glance" and a full version.

Here are the "Contents at a Glance":

Part I: Mac Security Basics
1 Mac Security Overview
2 Securing Your Mac Against Theft
3 Working with User Accounts
4 Configuring Basic Security Settings
5 The Mac OS X Keychain
6 Working with Passwords
7 Securely Sharing System Resources
8 Backing Up Your Mac

Part II: Protecting Your Privacy
9 Securing Email, Chat, and Voice over IP
10 Browsing the Web Securely
11 Securely Accessing Other Computers
12 Using Virtual Private Networks
13 Encrypting and Securely Deleting Files

Part III: Network Security Fundamentals
14 Guarding Against Malware
15 Securing Your Wired Network
16 Securing Your Wireless Network
17 Using Firewalls
18 Web Server Security
19 Using Logs

Part IV: Advanced Security Measures
20 Network Scanning
21 Vulnerability Scanning and Testing
22 Network Monitoring
23 Monitoring File Integrity
24 Forensics: Discovering What Went Wrong

Part V: Securing Mas OS X Server
25 Mac OS X Server Security Overview
26 Using Directory Services
27 Working with SSL Certificates
28 Securing Email Services
29 Securing File Sharing
30 Securing the Web Server
31 Securing Other Network Services

Glossary

Appendix: Where to Find More Information

Index

My fears about this being "over my head" were removed, and I will be implementing many of the measures laid out in this book.

Thank you very much for such an understandable reference!

I highly recommend this book for any Mac user who wants to be safe with their online communications.

Top notch reference!


Regarding an operating system which has had exactly NO viruses (in the wild) since its introduction, you would think it impossible to write 900 pages (including index) on security for the Macintosh.In the "The Mac Security Bible," author Joel Kissel, has done just that and has justified his efforts by providing a thoroughly comprehensive guide.There is much more to security than immunizing a machine or network from viruses.In regard to most other security vulnerabilities, the Mac is no less susceptible to hardware threats, social engineering attacks, network snooping, password cracking, and more.

The author is aa accomplished book writerand authors articles for MacWorld magazine, Tidbits, and others.He writes in amazing scope and depth here on technology topics without being ponderous.The book is written in plain English, straightforward and systematically, and covers both OS 10.5 and 10.6 (Leopard and Snow Leopard).Most sections of the book are heavily cross-referenced with in-line references to topics elsewhere in the book or online sources.

The book is framed by three major foci: protecting hardware, data, and privacy; understanding threats and their solutions; and balancing risks versus ease of work.There are five parts dealing with Mac security basics, privacy, network security and sharing resources, OS X server issues, and advanced security topics. Problems and solutions dealing with Apple's MobileMe cloud services system and other online services are covered as well as running Windows in the Mac. The book is not meant for enterprise situations but for the ordinary Mac user, although the coverage is deep, advanced, and provides more than enough information and guidance for even the most technical geeks. Kissel has a pragmatic approach to security, wanting to balance the best security measures against the trade-off to convenience and workflow."Best practices" don't always fit the ordinary user.

Part One is a broad security overview of the Mac, dealing with preventing physical threats, securing user accounts, making security settings, using the Keychain application, securing security over networks, and backing up.Kissel provides a useful seven items checklist To Do Now!

The second part deals mostly with application security of e-mail, chat, VOIP, Web, VPNs, the Keychain, and encryption.Up to this point, casual Mac users can readily follow the discussions and take actions to protect their machines and networks while geeks could be a bit bored.But that ends as the depth and complexity develops in the later parts dealing with wired versus wireless issues, advanced firewall setups, configurations using logs, scanning networks, doing monitoring, checking file integrity, vulnerability scanning, and forensic investigating.

Part five covers issues with OS X server, and provides details about third-party applications and solutions to security problems.Much of the material is of a high technical level covering Directory Services, SSL certificates, file sharing, and other network services.

The book is a heavy thick item with easy to read text, many grayscale screen shots (mostly of configuration windows), with a handful sidebars on incidental matters - insurance issues, scripting, and an interesting discussion and explanation of "cold boot" attacks.This is where RAM chips are cooled by gas to preserve volatile memory long enough to pull data from them even when the machine is off. Who thinks these things up anyway!


(FTC disclosure (16 CFR Part 255): The reviewer has accepted a reviewer's copy of this book which is his to keep. He intends to provide an honest, independent, and fair evaluation of the book in all circumstances.) ... Read more

Product Description
With Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide, readers can start with a tour of the interface and image-editing basics, or they can look up specific tasks to learn just what they need to know. This task-based, visual reference guide uses step-by-step instructions and plenty of screenshots to show readers how to capture and import photos, reduce red eye, enhance color, work with layers, and much more. Coverage includes: applying direct effects with the Adobe Smart Brush, softening surfaces and keeping edges crisp with a new filter, and finding photos easily with keywords.

Both beginning and intermediate users will find everything they need here--in straightforward language and with readily accessible examples. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

very useful
Step by step information, help me understand how to work on my Family photo album using iphoto.

Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac
Item was in excellent condition, arrived as promised and the price and shipping were reasonable. Recommend this merchant.

An excellent guide
This is a thorough, well-illustrated guide to Photoshop Elements 8. It was very helpful to me to learn the product and use many of its advanced features.

Perfect For Beginners
If you are a first time Photoshop user like me this book is essential, especially with screen shots on every page . . . a quick read of the Basics and I was ready to start some projects . . . I purchased Elements 8 primarily for the new Smart Brush tool so I can easily replace unwanted colors in Fractal images I like to create, the chapter on that feature as with all the chapters showed me exactly how to do what I wanted and it only took 2 minutes of trial and error to get the selected areas and colors the way I wanted them . . . and after browsing through all the other chapters I was amazed at all the features in Elements 8 and I was inspired with all kinds of ideas for future projects modifying old photos and things I will be scanning . . . this book will make all that easy . . . I did not bother going to a book store and comparing this with all the other similar books, for less than $ 20 I took a chance on this one and I'm glad I did.

great for newbie
I picked up this book to help with the new photoshop elements 8 for mac os x since i've only used the program once and really didn't get the hang of it. It shows how to do things exactly for the mac which helps since i'm also new to the mac system. they compare the iphoto and bridge elements and how to use them effectively. it's a very nice color visual instruction and easy to learn. i have their html quick start guide and that was also wonderful. the back cover shows that it is for beginners and intermediate levels and i would suggest looking at the preview of the chapters to see if its right for you. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (93)

dismal~ more of a dreary wet day than an exciting storm.
written in a very childish tone with almost every inexcusable behaviour excused with a pitiful "but i loved him" seemingly on every page.the author offers no insight into what really made lindsay~or herself and the rest of the band for that matter ~ really tick.it seems hard to believe that her thoughts on stevie nicks are anything but sycophantic ~ she gives accounts of quite malicious behaviour and then states how much she likes the woman!praising on the face of it but damming in reality the author plays the helpless and hapless heroine to a tee.it is hard to believe she was as naive and wide eyed with innocence as she would have us believe.her part in the proceedings is never described ~ she was just "in love" and swept along by events.the style of writing is that of a 15 yr old inexperienced writer of romantic fiction.there is no in depth look at why and how events unfolded and really no juicy scandal or insights if you were looking for those.a simplistic look at why the romance went sour and i do mean very simplistic.a great book for those who have difficulty reading or for someone who cannot understand anything complex ~ for the rest of you ~ i would give this a pass.

Thank you for the honesty!
Carol Ann Harris gives a wonderful account of "her" experience with Lindsay Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac. Her memory of the events are stated in the book that she was a note/diary keeper of her time with Lindsay.I think of how difficult it was for her to relive the traumatic events and put on paper the truth of such a famous person and band. Often, we as a society hold famous individuals up on a pedestal. Knowingly, regardless of fame, famous people are individuals first. They are flawed human beings just as we all are and I think its sad that we have held famous people up as the idols. I thank Carol Ann for her honesty and courage to take her personal experience and allow others to see her pain. This is human. Thank you for normalizing fame. The book was simply wonderful! I couldn't put it down. -Rosebud

Get ready to shatter your illusions..
I thought this book was a real page turner.Iknow a lot of people are critical of Harris for writing about her experiences with the band, but I'm not.It was a thousand years ago!Who cares?Why not talk about such an amazing experience?Especially since she has never really talked about it.I'm assuming it's due to the not so flattering light in which the band is shown (particularly Lindsey and Stevie), but I thought it seemed real and pretty honest.I'm basing this on other stories that have been told about the two of them from other sources from their past and present..band members, friends, etc.Nothing that Carol Ann wrote about was surprising and seemed to fit with all the other info that I already knew.

I liked her writing style and I thought it was a real page turner.She made me feel like I was living the experience right with her.Although I would love to believe that Stevie and Lindsey are the ever so wonderful artists of pure rock stardom and fantasy that I want them to be, they are just people...and their human flaws are exposed here.Not only that..I actually thought she was quite kind to Stevie in particular.Stevie was not very kind...and Carol Ann gave her props for being the rock goddess that she is.She didn't have to do that.She was also more kind to Lindsey than he deserved.I'd recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated with this incarnation of the band.

a great book
I loved this book.It was very interesting and Carol Ann was very brave to write it.

It's a must read!
Kudos to Carol Ann! You did a fantastic job of bringing us into the inner circle of Fleetwood Mac! I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Product Description
It's time for the Pumpkin Picking Festival!Everyone is excited except Tractor Mac and Small Fred, a neighbor tractor.Tractor Mac dreads the job of helping harvest apples and Small Fred struggles with pulling the heavy wagon to the pumpkin patch.Pumpkins roll, apples fly and a twist of fate helps the work get done. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wonderful series that blends machines and animals!
My two year old son and 4 year old daughter both love the Tractor Mac books.So many books are either all about machines, or all about animals.I love how this series blends the two the animals are Macs friends and they interact.This is a very nice story and a great way to get the kids in the mood for all that goes on during the Fall season.

Great bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers!
My son (3) loves all the of the Tractor Mac books, he particularly loves this one. All of the books in the series are well written, informative and nicely illustrated. Really a joy to read (again and again!)

Great book
My son loves the Tractor Mac series.I was very pleased with the quality of this book.The glossy pages will hold up well with little fingers.

We like Tractor Mac
My little boys love tractors and stories. I've been disapointed with "learning" books calling mufflers "funnels" and other errors. With Tractor Mac I can read my boy's heart warming storie and not sacerfice accuracy.We own the whole collection!

Tractor Mac series
"Tractor Mac" series is A+++++++++++++++++For every little one who has loved tractors and farms and animals...a must read!!!!The illustrations are amazing and give such life to the characters!!I bought the entire series for my Grandsons and another "entire series" for my 30 year old son who always loved tractors and backhoes...and will someday have his own children.

... Read more

Product Description
In this book—now in full color for the first time—Robin returns to oneof her favorite things: teaching new computer users how to use andenjoy the Macintosh!

Sit down at your Mac and let Robinintroduce you to its basic features. Follow Robin’s step-by-stepdirections, and you’ll soon feel comfortable, confident, and able to dojust about anything you want to do on your Mac. From using the mouse tosurfing the web, from menu commands to keyboard shortcuts, you’llacquire exciting new computer skills—and you’ll have fun in the process.

Topics covered: The Mac OS 8.6system; the mouse, the keyboard, file management, Mac text editing,and Internet tips. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

The Little Mac Book, Leopard Edition
I have not used it at all as yet, but I will in the course of the month of March 2010.
In my class, my instructor as well as my classmates like it very much.
Thank you.

Michelle

P.S.:
Please do not send me any solicitation of any kind nor ads; do take this request seriously.

Mac user since 1988
The little Mac Book for operating system X was is very useful as it is direct and to the point.Some previous operating system
books have been so detailed that they are hundreds of pages long and hard to use.I would recommend Robin Williams book
to all who have been overwhelmed by the many changes in Mac computers.

Great Reference Book
Being new to computers and at an age when my memory is a little dull-I like having this book on hand for the basic questions.I apparently thought I was ordering the leopard edition when I must have been looking at the tiger reviews.I was disappointed in that but it still has information that I needed and it is presented in a way that makes learning this computer stuff not so scary to me.It helped me loosen up and I like the way Robin Williams leads me through practice runs so that I'm not just reading about it.The shipping from the seller I used was very slow and I will not order from them again, but the book itself was in good shape and the price was good.Thanks Amazon!

ONLY FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST BOUGHT THEIR 1ST APPLE
We actually bought our Apple several months and know all the basic stuff.This book was recommended to us when we first bought it, but we waited.Unfortunately, too long.This is a good book to learn the basics of Apple, but not for more involved aspects.For example, if you want to learn about photos, they only refer you to another book.

Great for new mac users
I bought this book after looking at several at the local book stores and asking my teacher at the Mac "genius bar" what he recommended.It is making my pc to mac transition totally painless using simple instructions and great illustrations. I would definitely buy more of Robin Williams' books after I master the basics. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (32)

Great Book for Mac Geeks

I own dozens of books about computers because I collect old Apples, especially Macs.This is one of my favorite general read books on the subject and I have read it several times without growing bored.If you are a Apple or Mac geek, buy this book.

The book for Mac Fanboys
Have you ever wondered how crazy Mac/Apple fans are? Well, this is the book to let you know. This book is mainly composed of pictures of crazy Mac/Apple fans and their crazy ways of showing others how much they love Macs. It a good coffee table book to have friends browse through while they are chilling at your house.

New Religion
Apple is one of the few companies, such as Harley Davidson, that has such a strong loyal base of customers that they even tattoo the company's logo on their bodies. These two quotes from the book say it all:

"Apple is like a strange drug that you just can't quite get enough of."

"They shouldn't call it Mac. They should call it crack!"

With the invention of iPods and iPhones, it seems like the entire world is getting addicted to Apple. In this book, readers learn just how loyal the company's customers are toward the brand. For example, people travel around the country to celebrate Apple store openings. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in Apple.

- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

Incredible insight into the minds of Mac fanatics!!
This book is great.Die hard Mac fans can relate to some if not many of the people/experiences in this book.Non-Mac fans or even computer-illiterate people can still enjoy the stories and accounts in this book due to their sometimes extreme passion.Check this one out!!

A very optimistic book
I have read Leander Kahney's Cult of Mac and liked it a lot. Even though I am not a Mac user and never owned any Mac gadgets I thought that the book is very interesting. It is describing a unique phenomenon in our culture when lots of people go crazy for a computer.

Being a computer user is not always an enjoyable experience. The software is not intuitive, the hardware is not reliable and so on. In fact, it is quite possible to imagine a society that abandons computers in favor of handwritten book-keeping. After reading this book I got convinced that this would never happen.

Computers are surrounded with eternal love. They are taken care of throughout their life cycle. Their purchase or birth is marked with extensive parties often videotaped. Even their packaging is saved - furniture is built of it. As computers get older their guts are replaced with newer content. There are computers 30 years old and still working. Often, one family owns as much as a dozen Macs. If one of them is not used then it is converted into a Macquarium. People decorate their computers with pictures, place Apple graphics on their bodies and cars and advertise them in hundreds of different ways.

In general, people do not treat each other as carefully as they treat their Macs. A take-home point from this very optimistic book is that beautiful things are not created but rather developed. Everybody is welcome to the exciting world of computing technology!

... Read more

Product Description
Thinking of making the switch from your PC to a Mac? Congratulations! You’re in for a great, virus-free ride. And Switching to Mac For Dummies makes it smoother than you ever imagined. From buying the Mac that’s right for you to transferring your files to breaking your old Windows habits and learning to do things the (much easier) Mac way, it makes the whole process practically effortless.

Whether you’ve been using Windows XP, Vista, or even Linux, you’ll find simple, straightforward ways to make your transition go smoothly. That will leave you plenty of time to get familiar with Mac’s prodigious and dynamic OS X capabilities. You’ll also connect with iLife, Mac’s amazing integrated software suite that lets you turn your computer into a powerful media center—not just for listening and watching, but for creating music, video, and much more. Discover how to:

• Decide whether the switch to Mac is right for you
• Choose the Mac that will change your life
• Keep and reuse elements of your old setup
• Go online with your Mac
• Connect to your home network—even that old PC
• Go media crazy with iTunes, iPhoto and more
• Take advantage of Mac’s business capabilities

Complete with handy cheat sheet of common Mac short cuts and commands as well as a glossary of Mac world lingo, Switching to Mac For Dummies ensures that your switch will be the smartest thing you ever do. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Well written, helpful
Very helpful for the big move from pc to Mac.Helps it all make sense.This made the transition much easier for me.

Excellent
Very happy.My item came sooner than I expected and was in excellent condition.

PC -> Mac
Switching to a Mac for Dummies should be titled How to sell Mac to PC Users for Dummies. It's is ok for big things like setting up files and learning basically how each app. works. The point is SWITCHING! The author preaches the glories of Mac, but does not relate HOW to change from PC to Mac - Ibought one and I need to learn how to USE it.The cheat sheet is helpful if you know Mac terms. Mac jargon is a BIG issue for PC users. The translation glossary needs PC terms translated into Mac and defined (PC to Mac/Mac to PC dictionary.) not just Mac terms defined. I purchased the wrong book for my needs. Maybe I'll write a PC/Mac dictionary for the rest of us!

Resource Manual
This textbook is going to be put to good use! I'm a novice in the use of computers, needing all the help that I can get!Text is well worth the price!

An okay book
It was very informative, although I was a little bit disappointed.I was expecting more how to's rather than constant ramble on subjects, to long and boring.Teach us something if you will!!!But helpful for first timer like me. ... Read more

Product Description

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer instructions that show you how to do something — and skip the long-winded explanations? If so, then this book is for you. Open it up and you'll find clear, step-by-step screen shots that show you how to tackle 150 Mac OS X Snow Leopard tasks. Each task-based spread covers a single technique, sure to help you get up and running on Snow Leopard in no time.

You'll learn to:

• Use the Dock, toolbars, and files

• Synchronize your iPod® and iPhone

• Create, edit, and print documents

• Communicate via e-mail and iChat®

• Play DVDs and digital video

• Use MobileMe mail and contacts

• Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules

• Succinct explanations walk you through step by step

• Full-color screen shots demonstrate each task

• Helpful sidebars offer practical tips and tricks

Customer Reviews (12)

Excellent book, covers all the bases with visual instruction.
The best instructive book on a given computer instruction, giving visual instruction step by step.

Easy Learning
Very simple and easy to learn instructions.Highly recommend the 'Teach Yourself Visually" series

Horrible. For a beginner only.
Do not buy this book unless you've never used a computer before.
Complete waste of my money.

Nothing really specific to Snow Leopard whatsoever.

I really hated this book, and I love the TEACH YOURSELF VISUALLY line.

teach yourself visually Mac OS X snow leopard
I ALWAYS LEARN BEST BY SEEING HOW SOMETHING IS DONE.I FIND THE ILLUSTRATIONS QUITE GOOD.I HAVEN'T HAD TIME LATELY TO WORK ON IT, BUT PLAN TO START SETTING ASIDE A SECTION TO DO AT A TIME.I THINK THIS WILL BE A LITTLE LESS OVERWHELMING.I KNOW ENOUGH TO DO MOST OF WHAT I AM DOING ALREADY, BUT I KNOW THAT THE MAC SNOW LEOPARD CAN DO FAR MORE THAN I USE IT FOR.THIS IS THE REASON FOR PURCHASING THE BOOK AND HOPEFULLY I WILL LEARN A LOT OF NEW USES OF MY COMPUTER. DIANA E.

Don't waste your time or money
I'm a long time PC user and a recent iMac convert so I felt I needed some help getting up to speed.This book was recommended to me and received pretty good reviews so I settled on it as a resource.What a disappointment!I love my iMac, even though I'm still figuring things out.It's generally easy to use and largely intuitive.When I need assistance, the built in HELP has been of value.The Book, on the other hand, is largely useless.Pretty pictures and a description of whatever is already obvious;no explanation whatsoever about what might be more nuanced or less obvious.The index has no listing for most topics of concern, so I find myself figuring things out or asking someone with more experience.

Use the built in resources, and spring for the apple support package.Don't waste your time or money on this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The beauty of Leopard is that there is so much more than meets the eye, including over 300 new enhancements and its ability to run on both Intel PCs and PowerPC Macs. This comprehensive reference is your best guide on how to tame this powerful new cat. You'll find the latest technologies, new wireless networking, cool Dashboard widgets, a reflective Dock, and more. Discover secret tips and workarounds that even Apple doesn't know about. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Good reference guide and helper
If you are troubleshooting/supporting Mac's, then this book will definitely help you out a lot.

Begininng from how to install leopard OSX down to Time Machine, this book is clearly written and easy to understand.Although its a bit thick!, yeah but it does contain a lot.

I work on Mac's mostly, and this book has been really helpful.Almost everything has been explained in much detail, although i doubt many would read it from beginning to end.

I did read through it in that fashion though, and appreciate the work of all the authors who worked on this.I did not have much background of 10.4 tiger, but reading this book will give you also brief idea about the previous OS/ and the core of it.

Syed.

Poor content will kill the Kindle
The book is superb, but only if it's the printed hard copy version.In creating their Kindle version, the publisher embedded low-resolution .jpg images where diagrams and screen shots would be found in the printed book.Most areunreadable, and that's not acceptable in a book of this kind, where images are much more than just decorative.In addition, the savings vis-a-vis the printed book are negligible.

I've noticed also that newspaper subscriptions via Kindle are minus their photos and some of the articles.If the content quality doesn't perk up soon, I will be returning the Kindle reader.

Excellent but
The Bible is an excellent book as it does give the reader good instructions on the use of Leopard.However, I do not find it as user friendly as the Pogue book.The pictures and diagrams could be improved to make them more readable.As one reviewer said "if you can afford both, buy them". As a first choice I would pick the Pogue book.

Essential Reference
This is my third Mac "Bible", and I have found all of them extremely useful. If you have ever had a desire to dig below the pretty surface to work out what is going on this is the book you need. Some reviewers have expressed a preference for Pogue's "Missing Manual". I own both and for me they compliment each other. What one misses, the other picks up. If you can afford it, get both.

Best Reference Book
I returned the David Pogue Missing Manual book when I could not find even one item that I needed information on in the index or book. I bought this Bible book instead and have been extremely happy with it. It has very detailed information and has answered all of my questions. I also returned the Missing Manual book on Microsoft Office for Macs and got the Bible series book for that. The bible books really explain how to do things and really have detailed info. I will stick with these books in the future. ... Read more

Product Description
The follow-on to Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Deployment v10.6 and Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Directory Services v10.6, this volume takes an in-depth look at the many options provided to administrators to secure access to intranet services. System administrators and other IT professionals will learn how to configure Mac OS X Server v10.6 to provide secure access to vital network services such as web, mail, and calendar from mobile devices such as the iPhone. The Providing Network Services section covers establishing critical network services such as DNS, DHCP, and NAT/Gateway services. Systems & Services focuses on connecting private and public networks securely using firewalls, certificates and VPNs. Finally, the Working with Mobile Devices section teaches students how to successfully configure Snow Leopard Server’s Mobile Access Server and securely deploy intranet services such as web, mail, and calendar services to mobile devices, such as the iPhone, without the need for VPN services.   ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A fine classroom primer and text for any advanced computer collection!
Mac OS X Security and Mobility v10.6 provides a powerful Apple-certified training course filled with options for administrators to secure access to intranet sites. It teaches IT professionals now to tweak Mac OS X Server v10.6 to provide secure access to network services and covers the basics of establishing critical services. A fine classroom primer and text for any advanced computer collection!
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Product Description
Do you prefer instructions that show you how instead of telling you why? This book is packed with easy, visual directions and full-color screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 150 tasks with Mac OS X Leopard, including adding applications to the Dock, color-coding files and folders, viewing windows in Exposé, using the QuickTime player, storing files on your iPod, creating your own Web widgets, and more. Succinct explanations walk you through step by step. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

INDEX Errors
Try finding iPhoto or the many other i"things" in the index and get referred to page 264. NONE of these are on that page and I can't find them elsewhere in the book either.

Teach Yourself Visually MAC OS X LEAPORD
It is very good but now they have snow leopard is it a big change??

Great.
I am very happy with this seller and the product.It arrived in timely fashion and in good condition.

Teach Yourself Visually
This is a great Book for first time Mac users and seniors.

Well illustrated and easy to follow instructions.

Very Good Book.

Mac OS X Leopard book
Handy book - goes over the basics, making this a great reference book, especially useful for applications that are not often used. I like the visual part which allows me to relate what is being said to where it's at on my computer. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (142)

Good Reference Book; Mac OSX Tiger Operating System
I wanted to have a reference book for the Tiger Mac OSX which this book satisfies more for the beginner or intermediate user rather than the advanced user; but I still find it useful even though I have used the Mac OSX since it came out years ago. I run Debian (Lenny) with my Mac OSX; dual boot. I did hope there would be more command line programming. It is easy to read.

os x tiger
David Pogue writes a book that is very easy to understand and read. informative and thorough.doesn't leave anything
out.doesn't assume you already know that.Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition

What should have shipped with Mac OS X
I purchased an older iMac G4 (iLamp) so I could get my bearings with the Mac.I have never owned a Mac and my time on the OS has been very limited, thus I needed a resource to guide me through some of the details of moving around the OS.This book has definitely fit the bill.It is well written and very detailed.It provides more than enough information to get your system configured and running smoothly.More importantly it gets you comfortable with the OS, which is extremely hard to do in a book.This book, however, does just that!

The missing Mac manual
This book provided some information that was not in my Mac owners' manual but I wish the index of topics would have been a little clearer.I am satisfied with the overall information it provided and think it was helpful in understanding the Mac Tiger OS.

Great book greater service
I knew that I wanted this book, after buying a used Mac laptop. Mr. Pogue is one of the most knowledgeable authors on Macintosh computers. What was the best part of my book was the fantastic customer service from Better World Books. Whenever I shop for books on Amazon they will be my first choice.

Scott Blanchard ... Read more