The Mac OS X Panther Book

Rating:
Summary: The Mac OS X Panther Book Review
Review: Book: The Mac OS X Panther Book
Publisher: Wiley Publishing, Inc
Author: Andy Ihnatko
Phone: [phone]
Web: www.wiley.com
Price: $29.99
Pros: Easy to follow step-by-step instructions with plenty of
graphics and examples. Fully explains everything about
Panther that you need to know.
Cons: None
Rating: 5 Moose
Reviewer: Arthur Arnold

If you are procrastinating about upgrading to OS X Panther because you think it will be too difficult to learn, or if you recently upgraded or purchased a Mac with Panther installed, then this book is for you. This comprehensive "how to" book explains everything you need to know to set-up and to become proficient in using OS X Panther. The information presented on each page is double spaced and uses easy to follow step-by-step instructions with examples just like you see on your monitor. Plus, there are many sidebars and notes that provide added information to help you understand the many features of Panther. This book thoroughly covers installing, configuring, and customizing your Mac. It explains the Dock, Finder, Desktop, Files, Folders, and Applications, such as, Mail, Address Book, iCal, iSync, iChat, Safari, Grab, and much more. It also covers printing, networking, multiple users, and security. For the more proficient Mac user, there are chapters on Applescript and Unix. The bonus material containing questions and answers, troubleshooting, and online resources is invaluable. The table of contents and the index makes it easy to find specific topics that interest you. This is definitely an easy to read book that is filled with expert advice and useful information, a multitude of graphics, and a sense of humor. I found this book to be one that was hard to put down.




Rating:
Summary: A joyride that breaks new ground in tech books!
Review: Over the years I've acquired enough how-to computer books to supply tire chocks for all the airplanes at O'Hare. However, I've never owned a tech book quite like this: It's not only deep and insightful, but truly witty -- to the point where you're laughing out loud while Andy Ihnatko is indelibly wedging useful Panther information into your brain. I'd say this book aims for the sweet spot between the typical "Dummies-style" novice approach, and the much larger "Missing Manual." Thing is, Andy Ihnatko communicates just as well as David Pogue, and is way more entertaining in the process. This book (with a cool metallic cover, I might add), covers all aspects of Panther, from the interface and Dock, to security, Unix and beyond. It's even got a highly useful chapter called "20 Questions from My Aunt Estelle." Even if you've been using OS X for awhile, you'll discover scads of useful new information here, and will have a blast reading it. Who would guess that a computer book could be a fun to read as a novel? Encore!

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book if you can spell "c-o-m-p-u-t-e-r"
Review: While shopping for something not too expensive i quickly scanned to find this book, saw it had good reviews and bought it. Money could have been spent much wiser... If you are willing to read through page after page of babbling to find one useful item, buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Mac OS X
Review: Who knew a computer manual would make me smile? Or offer cooking advice? (And how many computer books hook an Alaskan with a well-developed bear phobia by referring to Alaskan bear stories on the first page of the preface?) If you read Mac computer magazines you've read an article by Andy Ihnatko. Joined here by Jan Harrington, the duo offer step-by-step instructions and practical, if irreverent, advice about using the wonders of Panther.

For me, using a Mac is synonymous with not having to read the instructions. But Panther's a powerful creature and I want to harness that power - and I had questions. Hence picking up the book. (Let's set aside complaints about Apple not including a real manual.)

I liked the book. I took notes. I learned things about making my computer work harder instead of me. Ihnatko even convinced me to stay open to liking the dock - although, so far, my favorite thing about the dock is the puff when I drag something out of it. And here's a handy Ihnatko hint: Safeguard registration codes by typing them into the comment box of the application's Get Info menu.

Sometimes the basic step-by-step instructions seem overly simple. Except, that is, for the many things I don't know how to do, when every detail counts. The humor and good writing make it possible to plow through pages of what could otherwise be dry instructions and explanations. But Ihnatko doesn't seem to be able to write without making the reader laugh. That's mainly good but I could see how the humor could be annoying in a crisis, which is when I'm most likely to crack a computer book.

And Ihnatko recognizes that most of us - all of us? - occasionally feel so frustrated we contemplate tossing our beloved Macs into the trash. The book is designed to prevent us from doing so, to forestall frustration-induced crises.

Is this the ultimate guide to using Panther? I don't know. But it's taught me many wonderful things about my awesome computer.