Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual
by David Pogue
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Book Reviews of Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual
Book Review: The only way to know a Mac
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned my MacBook Pro now for 10 months. It's a fantastic computer. I got so tired of XP running me, instead of me running my computer, that I bought a Mac after consulting with many friends. I learned how to get into my work computer over the Internet in Space 4, run XP in Space 2 and run Leopard in Space 1 and seamlessly switch between all of them. The Internet is lightning fast with Safari with no Virus checking software. No need. The actual computer does not need the most extreme processor clocks or memory to be super fast because it runs Unix at the core on Intel processors. There is no bloat or waste or slowness that is common with XP and VISTA. They actually waste your computers actual power to, well, compute. I boot up in 40 seconds. More impressive is that I shut off in 6 seconds. No waiting for Windows to shut down or finish installing something. When Leopard needs to download an update you can easily put it off till you are ready and not interrupt your work. There are so many good things about the Mac that it's impossible to write here.
So what about the book? Well, it's pretty easy to adjust to the directory and file structure of a Mac as opposed to Windows but it is different. The instructions that come with the Mac are pretty minimal and poor. Yes, you learn the basics quick but if you don't read this book and learn what Leopard can really do you are missing about 80% of what a Mac is really about. It's a long book that covers everything there is to know about the Mac and Leopard. You may only want to refer to chapters that you need to know more about. It's a reference book. But reading it from cover to cover is the only way to truly understand and take full advantage of this computer and operating system. This is truly the Missing Manual that should of been included with the computer. It is well worth the money to buy this book. There are so many mouse clicks, key strokes and ways to do things easily and quickly that it opens up another world to your Mac. You can do everything from a mouse, or the keyboard or any way you are comfortable with. If you use your Mac a lot you will speed up what you can do with the shortcuts that this book describes. I find it very cumbersome to go back to a Windows computer.
If you only use your computer for email and the Internet then maybe you won't benefit from this book. If you do a lot of file manipulation, pictures, video, music you will definitely want to get this book and learn WAY more than what you can get out of the box and by poking around trying to learn the programs.
Book Review: Spot-on! Whether starter, switcher or savvy, your Leopard will purr like a kitten
Summary: 5 Stars
The "Missing Manual" series, originated by this book's author, consistently has delivered the content it's titles promise to the computer world. The 'Leopard' book lives up to that well-earned reputation, delivering top-quality content that reaches far beyond the usual fare in both breadth and depth. Not only that, but the author's style is smooth and even, with a dash of humor that never gets out of hand. The professionally organized manual is a fulsome read that offers easy-to-follow sections to newcomers, then delves deep into the bowels of the beast to satisfy the curiosity of even the most jaded of old hands.
Just a few months ago, I was a disappointed Windows user, tired of constant patches, updates and security alerts. The Vista fiasco convinced me that Microsoft had done too little to remedy the plague of malware, and that the time had come to switch to a more robust and secure operating system. The thought had long been dormant, but with so many productivity tools written for Windows it just hadn't been practical to transfer financial and client data. That is ... until Apple moved to Intel processors, and software like Boot Camp made it feasible to run both OS-X and Windows on the same machine.
Still, when my new Mac arrived, it was obvious that a substantial learning curve lay ahead, barely touched by Apple's anemic 'Everything Mac' booklet. I'd picked up a couple of books promising far more, but most seemed to be geared to shallow casual use rather than to serious productivity. That is, until I read the glowing reviews of this book; yes, Mr Pogue has more than earned those five stars! Weighing in at some three pounds, the nearly 900-page tome may seem daunting at first, but the workflow is so smooth that beginning users need only read the first portion of a chapter, to return later to the sidebars and tips for in-depth reference. The author takes you through the numerous variations of the keyboard, the (to former Windows users) bewildering co-existence of Command and Control keys, installation of application software, device drivers and of course network connection (whether by dialup modem or high bandwidth server). The numerous screen shots are top quality, and very much spot on the mark.
In sum: this truly is the Mac's "Missing Manual" -- a must for serious as well as casual users. Thoughtfully produced, well written and nicely illustrated, it offers useful and practical guidance to any reader, whatever your skill level may be.
Book Review: Not necessarily the best book on Mac OS X Leopard
Summary: 3 Stars
I have to agree with LifeFX's review below. There is no doubt a lot of information here, but some of it I found somewhat lacking or misleading, and for me, this was made worse by what I considered to be a distracting hyperactive writing syle.
As an example in the section on FileVault, I got the impression from reading a few pages about it that it was something I should start using as soon as possible if I was going to have any security on my Mac! The Mac OS Leopard Bible on the other hand had half a page on it that I found much more factual and descriptive of what FileVault actually does, from which I concluded that I don't really need to use it.
Some examples of where I found the book a little lacking was in how little other security issues were discussed. I found no discussion of viruses other than regarding security issues if you are running Windows with FMWare Fusion or a similar program. On the other hand the Mac OS Leopard Bible discussed viruses in much more depth and even recommended a few relevant antivirus programs. The Special Edition: Using Mac OS X Leopard by Brad Miser does as well. I know a lot of people would like to think that viruses are not relevant to them since they now have a Mac, but it's really not true, as at this point although there are fewer viruses that directly affect the Mac there still are some and others that do not affect the Mac can still pass them on to others if they are imbedded in a Word doc for example.
Another example where I felt the "Bible" went in to more depth in regards to security issues was in it's discussion of how to monitor open ports which are available to outside hackers, and how the port monitor that comes with Leopard is less effective than a recommended alternative.
I am sure that many people will find the writing style to be entertaining. I can see how they would. The author is no doubt an entertaining writer. The author is also to be commended for presenting such a wealth of information in what for many may be a more accessible style. Although all that is true, I think there are other sources of information that may be better in some ways, but then maybe not in others. In any case, I would certainly not say this is the only Mac OS Leopard book you need, nor necessarily the best, but it is certainly worth having for the tips and information it does provide.
Book Review: Demystify Leopard here!
Summary: 5 Stars
Book Title: The Missing Manual - Mac OS X Leopard Edition
Author: David Pogue
Publisher: Pogue Press - O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Publish Date: December 2007
ISBN-10: 0-596-52952-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-596-52952-9
Reviewed by: Curt Blanchard - Tucson Macintosh Users Group (4/1/08)
Panther and Tiger and, now Leopard, oh my! With each cat comes a slew of new features to master and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is no kitten - it's a seriously big update. Rest your fears, however, because our favorite lion tamer, David Pogue has come to our rescue with the Leopard Edition of the Missing Manual series from O'Reilly Media. This new edition weighs in at nearly 900 pages but don't let that put you off - books like this aren't meant to be read like a novel, they are true reference guides designed to ease the transition into a new operating system. If you have a question about something specific, a quick look at the extensive 23 page index permits you find your answer efficiently.
This is much more than a What's New book. Pogue started the Mac OS Missing Manual series long ago and updates them with each new OS update. The book begins with the very basics and covers the Desktop, Organization, Spotlight, Included Programs, the Technologies of Mac OS X and wraps up with an excellent section covering Online applications, navigation and use.
For those who are upgrading their current machines to Leopard, there is a clearly written appendix that deals with installation of the new operating system. This section alone is worth buying the book.
Pogue's tongue-in-cheek sense of humor shines through the technicalities making for an entertaining experience rather than an onerous one. This is why I'm a fan - I'm a manual guy, I like to sit down and read about what I'm doing in order to understand it. I just cannot get the same satisfaction from onscreen Help menus and manuals that arrive on a CD. That is precisely why Pogue started the Missing Manual series - "The book that should have been in the box".
No qualms here, I highly recommend this book. It belongs on your bookshelf; you'll find yourself referring to it often.
Book Review: Take advantage of the bells and whistles of Leopard
Summary: 5 Stars
Are you new to Leopard? New to Mac? New to Intel Macs? A computer novice? An intermediate user who knows the basics well, but has no idea how to use Automator? ******** This book is for you ********
Long gone are the days of terrible software and system manuals. I had given up years, decades ago on purchasing manuals; esp. in the age of the internet. But this book changed all of that for me, while I'm sure there have been good manuals for some time now. I consider myself an intermediate computer user, and able to figure most things out. I customize my workspace and workflow, I like to take advantage of features when i know about them. And when I need a reference, I'm good at finding a solution; even when my logic board dies. I can troubleshoot efficiently.
But I learned so much from this book!! It's easy to read, flip through, or reference. It makes a great bathroom reader, that's how I learned Automator. I never used Automator or scripts, but now I can't imagine not using them. My system runs better b/c I know how to manage it better (not that it requires much work since it's Apple).
This entire series is WONDERFUL. I even bought the Windows XP one to help me at work (and I'm a novice on Windows); it's helped me so much!! My father just got Windows Vista (and he is one of the most beginner-level computers you'll ever meet), we bought the Missing Manual for Vista - Beginners level; and it has helped both of us a lot. The Missing Manuals really are the manuals that should come with the software.
If you are new to Mac, a beginner or intermediate user, or long-time Mac user, or just updated to Leopard (which you should do!!), you will find this book helpful. It teaches you how to use Time Machine to create backups, how to install Windows with Bootcamp (which is kind of tricky), how to set-up and really use Mail, iCal, Safari, iDisk, etc, and how the system works (which is just interesting sometimes).
BUY THIS BOOK, especially if you are new to Leopard. I wish I had bought it when I upgraded to Leopard. Believe me, I will buy his Snow Leopard book when I upgrade.