Mac OS X Leopard All in One

Review by Ted Bade

Author: Robyn Ness and John Ray Publisher: Sams http://www.informit.com/imprint/index.aspx?st=61091 Released: December 2007 Pages: 678 $34.99USD, $37.99 CND, £24.99 GBP ISBN-10: 0-672-32958-1 ISBN-13: 978-0-672-32958-6 Audience: Beginner/Intermediate   Strengths: Well written, easy to read, great use of images. Weaknesses: Nothing.

 

Introduction

 

Mac OS X Leopard All in One is a definitive book on using Apple’s new Leopard operating system. It is chock full of information, from very basic to more advanced. It’s a good read and a great reference for all users of Leopard from beginners to intermediate level.

 

This book is large, offering 649 pages of text and an index. Starting with the basics of using Mac OS X, the book progresses to applications, internet applications, iLife Applications, system administration and maintenance, and finally to advanced topics.

 

Overall the book is well written and the style is easy to read and understand. I thought even the more difficult topics were explained clearly, so that even a true novice would be able to learn. Throughout the book, special boxed in areas give warnings, add related information, or explain hidden features, which adds another level of detail to the book. Where they are helpful, screen shots and other images are used to make the material more clear.

 

If you want a look at the table of contents for this book, please visit the related web page on the Sams site - http://www.informit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0672329581

 

As you can see, this book covers a lot of material. In a nutshell, you will find information relating to using Leopard, Mac OS X in general, and all the applications that come with a new Macintosh that included with Leopard.

Leopard All in One isn’t the type of book that merely introduces topics, it provides enough detail to get you started and beyond.

 

As far as I am concerned, the information in this book is accurate. Although I did find one issue with installing BootCamp (they describe how to make a CD to install Apple hardware drivers on the Windows side. At least for the present moment, ones uses the Apple DVD for this purpose.) Rather then an oversight or error, I am sure this is an issue with the authors working with earlier release versions and Apple changing things at the last minute.

 

You can use this book as a reference manual or it can be read through. As I read through the book it kept my interest up. I like it when a technology book does that. I even learned a few tricks by reading all the boxed special areas on the pages and reading the details on a few things I am not all that experienced with.

 

Conclusion

 

If you are new to Mac OS X or are interested in learning a lot more detail about Leopard, you should definitely consider this book. You will find yourself using it first as a book of instruction and later for reference. A terrific book that is well worth the money.

 

Note: A side note about Sams books; they offer an online library in which you can view many of their books online. There is a fee for this service. However, when you purchase one of their books, you get a code that gives you a 45-day trial to this service. While I am not one to sit at my computer and read, other might find it valuable. Since you have the ability to search for information within all the books available from this service, this service would be a great reference source for anyone who works regularly with computers. If you buy the book, definitely give their free trial a go.