Mac OS X Leopard All in One
Review by Ted Bade
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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. |
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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.