Product Description
Got a new iPod? Need to master it and iTunes fast? Try a Visual QuickStart!

This best-selling reference's visual format and step-by-step,task-based instructions will have you up and running with the leadingdigital audio player and music store/jukebox in no time! In thispopular guide, leading technology experts Judith Stern and RobertLettieri use crystal-clear instructions and friendly prose to introduceyou everything you need to know about getting the most from the latestiPods and iTunes 6. Filled with step-by-step, task-based instructionsand loads of visual aids and tips, this book explains how to add music,videos, audiobooks, and podcasts to your iTunes library; synch youriPod to your computer; create and share iMixes; burn custom CDs; watchand make videos for the iPod; show slideshows on your iPod; understandSmart Playlists and AAC encoding; manage a Music Store account; useyour iPod as hard drive, address book, and alarm clock; and more!

... Read more

Product Description

New timeline effects and behaviors, better run-time performance (which equals faster graphics display and video playback), native support for PDF and EPS forms, a slew of workflow enhancements, an improved programming language, a redesigned interface—these are just a few in the long list of new features that have Web designers salivating over the newest version of their favorite Web tool: Macromedia Flash MX 2004. Whether you're brand new to the world of Flash development or a veteran chomping at the bit to take advantage of all the latest features, this task-based guide will have you creating high-impact, interactive Web sites with Flash MX 2004 in no time. Best-selling author Katherine Ulrich is at it again here, using simple step-by-step instructions and loads of visual aids to cover every aspect of Flash design—from the basics of vector animation to sophisticated interaction and transition effects. Throughout, you'll find the direct, friendly language and plethora of tips that have become the hallmark of the popular Visual QuickStart series.

Customer Reviews (17)

The easiest way I know how to learn software
If you want a reference manuel for learning Flash I can't think of a better format than the one established by the Visual Quickstart Guide.

Good compliment to other books.
I've recently read six Flash books and this was the only one NOT specifically about coding games. This is for the 'designer' or non coding-types ^_^ And although initially I didn't really like it because I knew instead of following step 1, step 2, step 3, etc. I'd be writing events in ActionScript2 to move that movieclip around...I later after reading the other books had to look something up in this book and learned to appreciate it a bit more! :D

Worth the read even for programmers!

Not very quick.
I'm a huge fan of PeachPit's Visual Quickstart Guides.
They allow me to quickly learn how to use an app.

When Flash MX 2004 came I was supprised.
It is 3-4x times the size of a normal quickstart.
It has almost 700 pages.

It has some good info, but it not a quickstart.I'd have preferred a 150 page option.In my busy life it is just to daunting.

In PeachPit's defense, I'm sure the product description said it was almost 700 pages, I assume it was quick like the others I've purchased.

Thanks.
om

Great starter but a little thin
This VQS book gives a great high-level of a broad spectrum of functionality of Flash but does not go into much detail. Good starter book.

A good place to start
Adobe and Macromedia both write excellent software but both have two things in common - the lack of being user friendly and intuitive.
This book is a boon to those who are willing to put the time in to learn Flash MX 2004.The explanations are clear and the examples allow a user to actually create Flash projects rather than just reading about them.
Flash, itself, is a monsterous program, and so the book cannot cover everything - Flash scripting for instance is only touched on lightly but if you are looking for a book that will give you a solid beginning, this is a good place to start. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed for Windows users ready to make the switch to the Macintosh environment, this book discusses turning Windows skills into Macintosh skills, moving files to a Mac, Mac OS X equivalents to Windows applications, and other topics important to a new Mac user. Macintosh Switcher’s Guide ultimately demystifies using, maintaining, and enjoying a Macintosh computer and all that goes with being a Macintosh user.

* Understand the differences and similarities between Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. * Learn how to configure preferences and customize toolbars in Mac OS X. * Find out how to use the Office:mac applications. * Discover the ways in which Mac OS X keeps your files secure. * Unleash the power of Mac OS X with Terminal.

Covers Mac OS X Panther ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book
I bought an eMac in May. I've been a Windows user since 1997, but I just decided to try something different and get a Mac. Someone recommended this book to me, and I thought it was really interesting and useful. Unlike other computer books, it doesn't just dryly go through information. It sort of tells a story around the content, which makes the book a lot more enjoyable. I thought it was cool that a whole chapter was devoted to switching to Office for Mac, as Office is the program I use the most on my Windows machine, and the chapter about security was really helpful as well. ... Read more

Product Description

SPECIAL EDITION USING MAC OS X LEOPARD

THE ONLY MAC OS X LEOPARD BOOK YOU NEED

We crafted this book to grow with you, providing the reference material you need as you move toward software proficiency and use of more advanced features. If you buy only one book on Mac OS X Leopard, Special Edition Using Mac OS X Leopard is the only book you need.

• Explore the depths of Mac OS X’s core including the desktop, Finder, Finder windows, the Dock, user accounts, the Dashboard and widgets, Spaces, and much more.

 • Master OS X by installing and using Mac OS X applications, customizing the system, making your Mac accessible to everyone, automating your Mac with the Automator, using Unix commands, and working with mobile Macs.

 • Run Windows applications on your Mac for those rare occasions when a Mac application isn’t available.

 • Exploit Mac OS X’s Internet tools to connect to the Net with or without wires, use email, surf the Web, and take advantage of the many features of .Mac.

 • Explore some of the great applications included with Mac OS X, such as iTunes, QuickTime, DVD Player, iCal, Address Book, iChat, and on it goes.

 • Expand your system with input devices (such as keyboards and trackballs), output devices (printers, displays, and such), hard drives, and hubs (Ethernet, USB, and FireWire).

 • Connect to other computers and devices safely and easily using Mac OS X’s advanced networking tools. Learn to configure your own network including Macs and Windows computers and how to share an Internet connection among them.

 • Use great Mac OS X tools and techniques to keep your system in top condition and to solve problems.

“Whether you are already familiar with OS X or are updating from an earlier Mac OS, you will find this volume useful. A clear, comprehensive, well-organized and, above all, usable reference.”

–Glenn Lisle, Managing Editor, MONITOR Magazine

“A must-read for anyone using Mac OS X for the first time–and for those upgrading to the latest version of the Mac operating system. Brad Miser covers all the important topics in an interesting, easy-to-understand manner that's aided and abetted by well chosen graphics, useful tips and explanatory notes. Leopard’s a great OS–and Brad’s book is a great guide for it.

–Dennis Sellers, Publisher, Macsimum News

Brad Miser has written extensively about all things Macintosh. In addition to Special Edition Using Mac OS X Leopard, Brad has written many other books, including My iPhone; Sleeping with the Enemy: Running Windows on a Mac (digital Short Cut); Special Edition Using Mac OS X, v10.4 Tiger; Absolute Beginner's Guide to iPod and iTunes; Absolute Beginner's Guide to Homeschooling; Mac OS X and iLife: Using iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD; iDVD 3 Fast & Easy; Special Edition Using Mac OS X v10.2; and Using Mac OS 8.5. He has also been an author, development editor, or technical editor on more than 50 other titles. He has written numerous articles for MacAddict magazine and has been a featured speaker at Macworld Expo, user group meetings, and other venues. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and has received advanced education in maintainability engineering, business, and other topics.

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Book--Great Deal
I am very happy with this book.t is exactly what I wanted and I got it at a price that beat my expectations.

Nice
The book condition and the vendor were great. I reviewed a number of books on OSX. I bought this one based on those reviews. It is in my reference library.

Alaskan Apple Users Group (AAUG)
For those of you who enjoy reference books, this one is a must buy.Opening the cover of this book is like being gently taken by the hand, and led through all that both an Apple computer and the OS X Leopard software has to offer.It presents everything you want to know or need to know about your Apple operating system.This book has 1000+ pages of great reference material. It offers loads of visuals to aid the reader in knowing exactly what is being talked about, what is to be expected and to what the author is referring.The book seems to give up at least one helpful Tip on each page as well as Caution notes and simple informational Notes to help you build your logic of the Mac, how it works, and to keep you away from trouble.It also offers the page number(s) other reference sources within the book just in case your question was more extensive or actually something completely different.

This book is written for readers of all levels of computer and Apple experience. It starts with the reader looking at the `core', the basics of the Apple desktop environment and ends with a 100-page section on protecting, maintaining and repairing your Mac. This is always a very helpful section and vital to read and comprehend.We can never be too safe.

Because I have years of experience working in the Apple environment, I felt I could skip a few of the sections and hop right into the areas where I knew I needed help, areas I hadn't taken the time to become familiar with my earlier versions of the OS X system.Initially, I just did a quick glance at the start-up chapter.Then I discovered several Tips, Notes, and Cautions that were really helpful and I found myself reading these sections as thoroughly as if I were a new-bee with Apple. I also found that using this reference saved me the need to make the call and the time of waiting on hold to talk with the Apple Care representative.

What is to be most appreciated about this reference book is the friendliness, which it exudes.You just want to turn the next page to learn just one more useful thing about your Mac.Be forewarned, if you buy this book, you will spend many hours becoming intimately aware of the many thoughtful and fun aspects of your Apple and your significant other may deride you of this pleasure.If you weren't a Mac devotee before, you will be after delving into the Leopard OS X system.It is an even more thoughtfully created operating system than I had imagined.With the aid of this reference book, tangibly in your hands, you just may find your social life takes a hit as your addiction to all things Apple is being satisfied.You'll find that this reference book will not sit on your shelf and collect dust.

Taken a day at a time, a person would learn to really master their computer and dramatically improve their efficiency quotient and effectiveness.

And for those of you that must reside, for at least part of your life, in the PC world, the section on turning your Apple into a PC is well written and clearly offers you the 2 options.The pros and cons are described as is the process of installing Windows for both.

Enjoy the discovery of Mac OS X Leopard.
... Read more

Product Description
This authoritative, Apple-Certified training course is designed both for professionals who support Apple computers as well as Mac enthusiasts who want to upgrade, service, or troubleshoot their favorite machines. Fully revised, this second edition covers Apple's new models, including the popular Mac mini and the iMac G5. Keyed to the learning objectives of the Apple Desktop Service and Apple Portable Service certification exams, this is the companion curriculum used in AppleCare Technician Training courses worldwide. The book starts out with basic computer theory and underlying technologies, then moves on to cover everything from networking and hardware specifications to displays and internal drives-plus the nitty-gritty steps and diagrams for upgrading and troubleshooting six sample computer models. o Detailed take-apart and upgrade procedures for the Mac mini, eMac, iMac G5, PowerMac G5, iBook G4, and PowerBook G4.o CD-ROM includes six complete service manuals, plus utilities and diagnostic toolso Diagrams and step-by-step instructions help you master techniques fast o Lesson goals and time estimates help you plan your timeo Chapter review tests summarize what you've learnedThe Apple Training Series is both a self-paced learning tool and the companion curriculum for the AppleCare Technician Training and Apple Customer Training programs. Upon completing the course material in this book, you can become an Apple Certified Technician by passing the Apple Desktop Service and Apple Portable Service exams. You can work through this book as a self-paced course, enroll in the online AppleCare Technician Training program, or attend a class at an Apple Authorized Training Center. To learn more, go to www.apple.com/training. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

MIA CD please
It came in a very timely manner. However the book came with a CD and if your not sending it, would have been nice to know. Book was more abused than stated as well. Thanks for sending so fast though.

What I needed for a quick answer
My old G4 desktop suddenly died, with some weird patterns on the screen and, though the power and fan kept going, there were none of the usual sounds from the harddrive. I live in a town with no Apple repairs and being short on money, didn't have funds to ship it off and potentially write a blank check to some repair guy I would never see. I didn't even know if it would be worth doing at all. Peachpit has a good trackrecord for Mac stuff, so I gambled and ordered this book to figure out what to do next, to see if it would even be worth fixing. Well, the book helped a lot, and narrowed things down to a motherboard problem, with either a replacement of the motherboard battery ($15) or the motherboard itself (ouch, over $700 from what I could find). I replaced the battery and that wasn't it, so this book saved me from shipping off my computer and paying for the shipping and then with that money already gone, trying to figure out what to do about a motherboard + repair cost I wouldn't have had the money to cover. So my computer is still dead, but at least I didn't throw a lot of good money after bad money. It is a nice book, attractive design, etc. Worth its weight in gold for those folks stuck in rural areas without Apple repair places nearby. I would have given it 5 stars but I still needed to check some stuff online at Mac FAQ that had some better diagrams and photos of battery replacement.

Very Informative As Far As It Goes...But More Detail Needed
An Apple repair manual for desktops and portables printed by Apple?I couldn't believe it when I saw it on Amazon; so, I had to order it!

All the essential information for user upgradeable components is covered in great detail with pictures.There are trouble shooting procedures for each recent Apple desktop and portable.When my iBook refused to boot, I diagnosed the need for a logic board upgrade using the book.(I was 99% sure of the problem before since I had a similar issue on a refurb iBook a year or so prior, but I digress...)

Detailed procedures are provided for all the steps up to the point but not including the instructions needed to remove the logic board.(This is true for each model, not just the iBook.)When disassembling and re-assembling the iBook, it is very important that these instructions be followed exactly and the correct screws used for each hole.Failure to put the correct screw type in the proper hole can (and will) damage the iBook logic board, optical drive, and other components.(I almost learned this the hard way, and I don't recall seeing this warning in the book!)I was able to install my own logic board by carefully marking each screw with its location on a set of diagrams I drew.This took extra time, but it saved me from breaking another component.Also, make sure that you attach the heat sink correctly with the proper heat conducting tape.

It would have been nice to expand coverage to include removal and installation of logic boards.This would greatly expand the number of pages of the book, possibly making it unwieldy.Perhaps this should have been two books?one for desktops and one for portables?

Very usefull tool to have in your mac repair kit
I have relied on this book a few times now when repairing the older clamshell style ibooks and also some of the newer G3 and G4 white ibooks. It's got a pretty helpful guide for taking them apart and putting them back together. I have also used this book as a reference tool to determine what configurations various Macs I am selling or working on had when they were first introduced. For example I sold my G4 powermac sawtooth and wanted to know exactly what specifications it had, so I looked in the book and found the 500 mhz powermac G4 (gigabit ethernet) and found it was released in 2000, it also showed the cache, number of memory slots, expansion slots, basic stuff like that for a quick reference. And it covers all models of ibooks and powermacs, imacs, but not all powerbooks unfortunately. It does not have any info on the pismos, lombards or wallstreets powerbooks or any older macs. That would be the only draw-back, I wish it had some information on the G3 powerbooks. It also has chapter tests at the end of each chapter, that are unfortunately pretty basic simple questions. Great big useful book for any mac tech or just plain apple computer users who want a little more info on their computer.

Great Apple Hardware Manual
This book is part of the AppleCare training curriculum, designed to be a training manual for people who want to get certified by Apple to be an AppleCare-certified technician. As such, each chapter in the book is a Lesson. Early lessons cover topices such as "General Troubleshooting Theory," and "Safe Working Procedures and General Maintenance."

Lessons 5 through 10 cover common hardware and technologies, including basic computer theory , underlying technologies, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), wired networking and wireless networking.

If you are a person who likes to do your own upgrading and maintenance of your Mac, you'll find this book very helpful. Likewise, if you want to make your living taking apart Macs and replacing parts as repair or upgrade.

This book does not cover Operating Systems.If you want to solve a problem in OS 9 or OS X, you need a different book. But, if you want to see the "Take-Aparts" for certain Mac models, including iMacs, iBooks, mini-towers and PowerBooks, this is for you. Both CRT-based and Flat-Panel based computers are covered.

There is a good section on how to search the AppleCare knowledge base, and doing advanced searches. They recommend you bookmark Apple Knowledge Base document 75178, as it gives good info on how to use keywords to search the Knowledge Base. And another section on locating Apple replacement parts.

The main reason this book has over 800 pages is the copious amount of photos. They support the step-by -step instructions for installing or replacing hard drives, optical drives, RAM, Airport Cards, etc.

I'm glad I got this book, as it will be useful when I want to upgrade the hard drive on our G4 flat-panel iMac and add a second hard drive to my G5 desktop.

Apple states in the beginning of the book, "Whether you are an experienced technician or someone who just wants to dig deep into a Macintosh, you'll find in-depth technical service information as well as a comprenhensive overview of the service tools and procedures used by AppleCare-certified technicians to diagnose, upgrade and maintain Macintosh computers." ... Read more

Product Description
In Macromedia Fireworks MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide, you'll learn how to use Macromedia's design software as more than just a drawing and effects tool. Even if you've never used Fireworks before, with the fourth update to this popular Visual QuickStart Guide, you'll soon be using Macromedia Fireworks MX to generate buttons, image maps, and simple animations, as well as their underlying code. This task-based reference uses step-by-step instructions and ample illustrations to explain all of Macromedia Fireworks MX's newest vector and bitmap features, as well as its existing ones, in a language and tone that you can understand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

short task descriptions
The book follows in the footsteps of the other QuickStart books. Fireworks is a nice graphics drawing package. This functionality lends itself easily to a QuickStart approach. The inherent visual nature of Fireworks means that every page can have graphics demonstrating some aspect. (Don't try this with an algorithms book.)

The pages are also usually in a 2 column format, instead of the default single column for books. Presumably, it is meant to be easier to read. Shorter attention span needed and all that. The general tenor is of snappy task descriptions. Maybe for the harried reader who just wants an answer and not an essay on the theory of drawing.

The book seems to be random access. Use the contents and index to find and apply a solution. The two together seem to trace out well the abilities of Fireworks.

Wonderful Book
Dear Amazon,

I purchased this book a month ago...

I have been a Computer Graphic Designer for 2 yrs. But have worked in the field for 8 yrs...

I wished I had this book when I was first learning.

I learned more from this book, than just Fireworks, It has also helped me with my Web designing...I carry it with me...

I plan to buy more of Sandee's books. I can't get enof now.

Thank You,

Great book if you already know what you're doing
If you have already been using software to produce graphics then this book is for you.It would be a very useful reference to someone who knows what they want to do, but just doesn't know how to do it in Fireworks.

As someone who has no background in graphics I did find some of the introductory material helpful.There is a solid explanation of vectors, bitmaps, gif, jpeg, etc.

The problem is when you pick up the book and actually go to do something, there are large gaps in the basic information provided.To draw an analogy, its like finding out (in detail) how to hammer, saw, plane, sand and drill... and discovering that you still don't know how to build a bird house.

The TIPS are really handy.I have the feeling I'll appreciate this book more when I have more training and can use it as a reference.I just wouldn't start out with it.

Using it for all my Fireworks classes
I am an instructor of Web graphics at a small community/vocational school.

This book is perfect for all my classes.

Not only does it teach Fireworks, but it has lots of background on the Web in general.

I can't think of a better book to buy! ... Read more

Product Description
Offering a host of tips, tricks, and examples, this informative guide encompasses all the new features--including network file sharing, True Type fonts, memory management, file aliasing, and more. Original. ... Read more

Product Description
A guide, for computers using Windows 95/Macintosh OS 8.1 or higher, to using Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 software for Windows or Mac. Includes a companion Web site that offers an exerpt, links to more materials, and appendices to the text. Also features an easy, visually-oriented approach and reference format. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great Dreamweaver 4 Introduction
Since this book is a bit outdated I won't write a long review, but this is a great book for anyone that is looking to learn how to use Dreamweaver 4 and get up and running to making your web site.Packed full of 600+ pages, I have always felt that the Quickstart guides are perfect books for anyone that is looking to quickly start learning a new technology, and that certainly is the case with this guide.Snappy writing, a nice layout, and all and all a great FEEL for the book (all the Quickstart guides have this feel) make this a proven winner.

**** RECOMMENDED

My adventures with Dreamweaver
J. Tarin Tower's book, "Dreamweaver for Windows and Macintosh" is a good book, as far as it goes; but there is nothing (as far as I can find) about Timelines, which are important if you're going to create any kind of song and dance on your website. It has been helpful to me in the self-taught business of learning Dreamweaver. While it is very polished and well organized, with step by step instructions on how to implement the many features of the program, it is weak in terms of the big picture, how and why various sub-routines can be used to solve a design problem and achieve a particular effect. I'd say it's the best book in its field, mainly because there isn't anything else out there - yet, as far as I know.

Top notch teaching manual
Listen Software Solutions: The book is perfect for teaching: 1. It has two to three visual screen shots for each page 2. Step by Step instruction lead the student through the concept 3. Notes and definitions to provide clarity and help tie concepts together.

The book starts off simple by explaining and demonstrating the dreamweaver development environment: workspace, planning your site, and moving files.

The book assumes you have little or not knowledge of HTML or Javascript. So they cover: edit HTML, working with images, working with links, fonts and characters, paragraphs and block formating, forms, and javascript behaviors.This was ok.

But the section on Style Sheets was excellent.I've create style sheets from scratch, but using dreamweaver made the task very easy.

Since, I've already have a strong understand of javascript and html.The book was more about learning how to use the dreamweaver tool rather than learning how to code a web page.
Filling out forms and modifying behavior events was helpful in terms of learning how to use the dreamweaver tool.

I found the multimedia section fun.The authors do an excellent job explaining and demonstrating timelines, keyframes, layers, and behavior events.

This was a very user friendly book to read and use.The book has a learn by example approach to learning how to use dreamweaver.

This book is good but it left some important steps out.
I am new to dreamweaver and this book has quickly helped me become productive BUT it has a few problems.

Sometimes there are crucial steps missing from detailed step-by-step procedures and these have left me in the proverbial. For example, when explaining how to make a link appear in a popup window that does not have any controls, I followed what the book said and I got two windows popping up instead of one! It did not say I would need to open the popup window on the mousedown event.I had to figure that out for myself. Surely they could have had somebody test the examples in the book before publishing it.

Also,the book does not show you objectives and how to achieve them by tying together different parts of dreamweaver. This makes explanations of different dreameaver topics feel disjointed. For example, it discussed layers and tables seperately without much guidance on layout in general. As a beginner, I needed more guidance in what I should be aiming for with layout. I needed more than just a listing of the options available in dreamweaver.

On the other hand, a lot of stuff in this book is very good.The explanations are clear and the illustrations are great. I have learned a lot about dreamweaver but I reckon I should have bought the HOT Dreamweaver book instead.It seems to be a better guide towards the whys and wherefores of building a site with dreamweaver.

I am disappointed with this book.

Don't waste your money.
If you want to learn Dreamweaver, this is NOT a good choice. I bought this and Lynda Weinstein's Hands-On-Training (HOT) for Dreamweaver. Weinstein's HOT book is awesome and I highly recommend it. The QuickStart Guide is purely a reference manual and you might as well use the manual that comes with Dreamweaver (it's better). ... Read more

Product Description
You may just be figuring out what programmers and die-hard open-source fans have known for years: You're not a slave to Windows! There is an alternative: Red Hat Linux! With its Gnome desktop and GUI, Red Hat Linux 9 now represents a real OS option for home users, and this handy Visual QuickPro Guide is the best way to tap all of its power quickly. The best-selling author of the last edition of this popular guide--Harold Davis--uses the same easy visual approach here. By following the step-by-step, task-based instructions outlined in these pages, you'll be able to go straight to work with Linux as you learn how to navigate and configure the Gnome desktop, work with its native (and non-native) apps, use the command line, set up network and Web servers, and more. You'll also find loads of information--concisely and clearly presented--about all that's new in Linux today: a refined installation process, an updated windows-based Gnome desktop, usability enhancements, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Red Hat Linux 9
This is the sloppiest produced book that I have ever purchased. The book did not have the pages in the correct order. The book goes from page 210 to page 163! Some of the information in the book is valuable, but is hard to read. The figures which make up a great percentage of the book are too small.

MUST HAVE as a first Linux book
Man am I ever glad this was the first linux book that I ever picked up.I was up against the daunting task of having only a few days to learn enough linux to have a web and mp3 streaming server set up for a client and located at the data center.As a new linux user, being able to set the whole thing up using GNOME was the advantage this book had over all the rest.I used to use command lines alot with DOS, but that was at least 10 years ago and for much more basic operations.This book is great in that department.It not only shows you visually (in GNOME) how to set up everything from a simple desktop workstation to a full blown professional server, it also shows you the basic text commands as well.I bought this book and (NO KIDDING) 24 hours later had the server configured and running and sitting in the data center.A definite must have as a first, and maybe only, primer for Linux newbies.

Best Linux Book!
If you want to get up and running with Red Hat Linux with no fuss and bother, this is the best book for you! The earlier edition of this book was good and I used it understand Linux and to set my network up. I'm glad to say this revision that brings the book up to date is even better. The authors have done very good job indeed! ... Read more

Product Description
 As Unix spreads its tentacles across users' desktops, more andmore Mac users are starting to pop the hood and learn about theoperating system that's at the root of it all. And there's no betterway to conquer that fear than by consulting this Visual QuickPro Guide.Matisse Enzer, who wrote the first edition of this book, Unix for Mac OS X: Visual QuickPro Guidehas completely updated this guide to reflect all that's new in Tiger'sversion of Unix. Readers will learn everything they need to know tomake sense of the commands and technical jargon surrounding Unix. Inthe process they'll find out about useful utilities, editing andprinting files, security, and more--all through simple, step-by-stepinstructions that break the learning process into manageable chunks.Throughout, users will find plenty of the tips and visual referencesthat have become the hallmark of Peachpit's popular Visual QuickProGuides. Unix for Mac OS X 10.4: Visual QuickPro Guide is perfect for any Mac user interested in learning about the Unix operating system. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

An excellent and easy to follow introduction to UNIX
this book explains all the important basic topic every UNIX user should know, even if she/he does not need to write scripts. In particular, if you have been a UNIX user since a long time, just using the basic commands (ls, cd etc - because at the university/college it was the OS by default and basically you had no choice ;) ) and now want/need to go a little bit further down the road, this is the book to start with. Title could have been "Everything you ever wanted to know about UNIX ... " because it also tells about the little stories behind the commands - origin of names, why, who, when etc. A good book, for sure.

The best Unix primer available for Mac OS X
This is the best primer on Unix for Mac OS X in print. While technically speaking slightly out of date (it doesn't cover Leopard), all the information in it is still valid and applicable to current models (and where there is a difference between Intel Macs and older PowerPC models, Enzer notes it and provides information and instructions for both), and very little apropos of X.5 makes much difference at the command line. Well-organized, Enzer progresses from the simple to the more complex, from the most common to the most specialized. The text is lucid and straightforward (free also of most of the inane, punning humor most computer primers suffer from), and topics are presented thoroughly and in depth, with frequent cross-reference to other sections for amplification and to other print and online resources for greater depth and specialized needs. I read it through, being a recent convert from Mac 9.2.2 (I must be among the last of the hold-outs, though my PowerBook Wallstreet still runs fine!). I now use this book as one of two primary desk references that rest beside my Macs, picking it up when I have a question or need to do something I am unclear on, or simply want to know more about a command, function, or application. It would be great if Enzer updated this book for Leopard, but it still stands up as a solid resource, and should continue to for some time (this is yet another glory of *nix: 15 year old documentation is still useful as the core logic and functionality doesn't change since it was so well designed at the outset, it is simply expanded and adapted to new needs, new environments). If you need to get grounded in Unix on your Mac, this is the book to start with, though you will find it goes well beyond 'dummies' type books (and is clearer and more direct than those as well) and most introductions to remain useful long after you have mastered the basics.

Best Unix book I've found
I've tried many times to find a book that clearly explains Unix in a friendly manner.I should have realized that the Apple ethos was the missing element in all the terse, disjointed treatments I found elsewhere. This book is a dream come true: a book about Unix that is as close to being enjoyable to read as the subject allows.It may not have everything there is to say about unix (I found a few things missing or covered too briefly for my tastes), but the book walks the reader through Unix so gently that I never once felt the blinding frustration that quickly overwhelms me during previous attempts.After this introduction other books (more comprehensive, less humane) can be read as references.Well done!

Excellent, easy to understand. You won't find better...
For those who are new to Unix, never fear, you won't find a better way to start. This book is very clearly written, easy to understand, and covers more than enough of the shell environment to give the user plenty to work with. Buy it! Get the most out of your Mac.

Fantastic
I loved the first edition of this book, but was thrilled when the updated version was released. (The original book was written before Mac OS X adopted the bash shell by default, so many of the examples were out of whack with later releases of the OS).
I use this as my primary Unix reference at work - where we do not use Macs! It is a comprehensive and easy reference.

I recommend this and O'Reilly's Learning Perl as the two best books (especially if you have a Mac at home) to build your professional Unix chops quickly. ... Read more

Product Description
MacMusic! This is the fastest way for musicians, producers, and DJs to find the right sound with their Mac. If you like your gratification instant, your order is ready! "Rip, Mix, and Burn in 10 Minutes or Less" serves up quick solutions for all the music moves you want to make on your Mac: downloading tunes, creating your own mixes, burning CDs, giving your iPod a workout, streaming your music online, making sound effects, adding sound tracks to videos and still photos, and much more. It even shows you how to perform simple sound editing and enhancement in record time! Just look up what you want to do in the extensive table of contents, and go right to the bite-size, 2- or 3-page instructions. Music to the MACs! It helps: select the right hardware and software; download tunes legally; mix and burn customized CDs; extend, cut and remix tunes; add sound effects DJ a dance party; fix damaged or noisy tracks; digitize your entire record and tape collection; record live, from the TV, from DVDs, and more; add soundtracks to visual content; learn music at the keyboard; generate sheet music; edit sound files professionally; and understand copyright issues. ... Read more

Product Description
You already know why it makes sense for you to learn Adobe InDesign:because major magazines, newspapers, book publishers, ad agencies,graphic-design firms, and corporate creative groups worldwide use it toincrease productivity and refine creative results. And you need to getup to speed on the very newest version--Adobe InDesign CS2--today!Enter Adobe InDesign CS2 for Macintosh and Windows: Visual QuickStartGuide. Using the task-based, visual approach that has become thehallmark of Peachpit's popular Visual QuickStart Guides, this volumeprovides a fast, easy, comprehensive introduction to everythingInDesign. You'll learn about all aspects of the InDesign interface,including its tools and palettes, as well as how to create documentsand master pages, import and style text and objects, automate yourwork, manage long documents, use the Bezier pen tools,createinteractive PDF elements, and work with color.  You'll also learnhow to use the new Adobe Bridge file browser to locate, manage, anddrag and drop assets easily into your InDesign layouts. You’ll find anew chapter on working with InCopy, complete coverage of more advancedtopics (like preflighting and advanced text control) and a thorough introduction to all of InDesign's productivity-enhancing features and tools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Love this book
I've used Visual Quickstart books for years. I've used them for Photoshop, and Quark 6.0. I learned Quark using version 3.0 back many moons ago. I have another "inDesign" book that is way too big and complicated then I remembered the Visual Quickstart. They are amazing books and are easy to use. I just wish InDesign was easier to used like Quark. The only reason I', using InDesign rather Then Quark is I just switched to a Mac and I didnt have Quark for the Mac. But the book is GREAT

Fine for the novice
Having newly come from Microsoft Publisher, In Design was a challenge. I used the Adobe manual in parallel with this one, got more out of the combination than the sum of each one by itself. Managed to produce a design in three weeks from start to finish. Friends who know the business find that a remarkably short time.

Indesign for Mac (Visual quick start)
Ok booIt is hard to find what you need.

REALLY HELPFUL!
I was used to an InDesign software from far ago, the dinosaur era. When got the newest version, was at a complete lost. This book explains in easy words EVERYTHING! Adobe's software is great, but their manuals can be used and understood by those with an IQ of 300 up. Am grateful for this book and fully recommend it.

quite boring
Technically, this will teach you how to use indesign. But it's so boring and repetitive. It's like memorizing a list. ... Read more

Product Description
An instant success among newcomers, longtime Apple® fansand serious Unix® users alike, the Mac OS® Xoperating system combines stability, simplicity andelegance, and a stunning user interface. What more could Macusers want or need? The answer, of course, is Mac OS XPanther--a sleek and powerful overhaul of Mac OS X thatpromises to revitalize your Mac with improved views of thesystem, significant improvements to favorite applications,and numerous added conveniences. As with its predecessor,Jaguar, Mac OS X Panther offers plenty of new territory toexplore. To show the way, O'Reilly's latest Nutshell book,Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition offers allaudiences--both longtime Mac users and hardcore Unixusers--the most complete guide to this remarkable operatingsystem.

The latest edition of this all-purpose reference leads powerusers through the newly changed landscape of Mac OS X. MacOS X Panther in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition provides detailsabout the user-interface elements, system and networkadministration, and scripting and development. If you wantto probe more deeply into the BSD Unix side of Mac OS X,there's a section that delves "under the hood." The bookalso includes the most complete Unix command reference foundin print--with each command and option painstakingly testedand checked against Panther. Even the manpages that shipwith the system can't compete in accuracy!

Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition offers athorough treatment of Mac OS X Panther, from its BSD Unixfoundation to the finer points of its user interface. Itfamiliarizes readers with the Finder™ and the Dock,file management, system configuration, networkadministration issues, and more, including a clear pictureof what's new

Other topics covered in the book include:
Filesystem overview
Running Java® applications
System and Network Administration
Directory Services and NetInfo
Scripting on Mac OS X Panther
Using CVS
Unix Command Reference
An overview of the Apple® X11 distribution
Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition is the
indispensable guide for anyone who wants to know Mac OS X
Panther inside and out. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good Book to Learn Panther
This is a very good Book to help Mac users learn how to use OSX Panther.

Nice addition to my OSX UNIX library
Since I converted I have found OS X UNIX is amazingly friendly and accessible. Some people who had never used it before type commands and work with the operating system directly as a "cool guys" in movies! This book is very helpful and well written and it is serves as a very nice reference. I paired this book with Linux and UNIX for a beginner training suite, 4DVDs + 2CDs includes 4 Unix Academy Certifications ed.2008 This book and a video they contribute one another greatly. You improve the reading and by reading you improve what you have seen.
The book is very particular about the subjects that related to OS X and because there are some differences between OS X and other UNIXes it is nice to have a book that deals with it.

The Definitive Guide to Panther


The publisher, O'Reilly Media, seems dedicated to covering Apple's OSX operatingsystem, OSX, from every conceivable vantage point. Its "Missing Manual" series on Panther is a user's reference on how to use the operating system and its applications for productivity and fun. Its "Hacks" series provides dozens of tips, guides, and project ideas. In the "Nutshell" series iteration, "MacOSX Panther in a Nutshell" designs to provide in-depth, comprehensive information about the inner workings of the OS. It is for power users and developers who want to master the OS and have the fullest description and explanation of OSX.

This book starts out detailing the multi-layered architecture of OSX and illuminates its power and elegance. In great depth and detail, it explains the Unix components, Aqua elements, OS9 and Classic, the Finder, and the multitude of Unix services, daemons, and applications.

This is terse, descriptive prose. The authors focus a sharp telephoto lens on the skeleton, sinews, and pores of OSX, starting with basic elements and probing deep into the details of the file system, networking components, directory services, printing configurations and more. This in-depth description and large handfuls of guides and tips totals over 1,000 pages.

A separate part of the book is devoted to Applescript, X-code tools, and Java. The X-code tools are for developers. Part IV is all about Unix, including three chapters on "shells" alone, plus sections on text editors, the X-Window system, and a full 262 pages of Unix command references, touted as the most complete such source in print publication.

No mere user manual would have ten pages devoted solely to understanding and managing preference files, or five pages on using the Colorsync feature with Quartz filter scripts.

Surprisingly, only ten pages are dedicated to security issues. Although the Mac is known to be extremely secure, recent news shows even the Mac is vulnerable to sophisticated exploits.

For those with a need to know, this is the definitive source for deep knowledge of OSX.

Hefty, deep and well written
It's tough to tell this from Amazon, but this book is a thousand pages, which makes it quite a hefty tome. But that doesn't make it a doorstop. There are screenshots, but they are, by in large, useful and relevant, and the book doesn't use them to tell a click by click story of the interface.

The book is organized into four parts that start at the user interface and continue to peel away levels of the system until, in chapter four, the author covers the command line unix shell at a surprising level of detail. A level of detail which rivals O'Reilly's other command line exclusive books. In fact, this book gives a fine introduction to scripting bash and tcsh. It does as good a job there as it does covering printing, or the vagaries of the new Finder in the chapters that precede it.

This is a quality piece of in-depth work about the unmodified Panther operating system. It's well worth the price for those who are more interested in understanding than hacking (though I admit a love for the new Mac OS X Panther Hacks book as well.)

Comprehensive and authoritative
Do any of you remember the O'Reilly books from the late 80s on X Windows? Those became the definitive guides to X11, and probably were crucial in putting O'Reilly on the map as a prominent technical publisher.

Well, this book on Mac OS X Panther captures some of that early O'Reilly spirit. In its comprehensiveness and heft. But also in its terseness. Turn to a random chapter and start reading. The authors try to get to the point, without wasting time. They write at a technical level that assumes you don't know the specifics of that chapter, but that you are no novice to computing.

It should be noted that the second half of the book is essentially a standard unix reference. As you may be aware, OS X is now a unix variant. Which is neat. But also accounts for much of the book's size. Unix has built up a massive set of utilities in 20 years, and the length of the unix sections here reflects this.

Don't let this put you off either the book or OS X. On the contrary! The building of the Mac operating system on top of unix gives you more power and stability (against crashes) on the Mac. ... Read more

Product Description

Tips rule!

Have you ever noticed that in just about every Mac book, the author will include a couple of tips in each chapter (you'll usually find them in the sidebar, or at the bottom of the page in a tinted box). Sometimes it's a shortcut, a faster way to do something, or a clever workaround that just makes your life easier. People really love those tips, but there's only one problem--there's never enough of them.

That's why Scott Kelby, bestselling author and Editor-in-Chief of Mac Design magazine came up with the idea to create a book that's nothing but "sidebar" tips. That's right--this entire book, cover-to-cover is packed with nothing but those cool inside secrets, slick workarounds, undocumented shortcuts, and sneaky little tricks that will make you faster, better, and have more fun using Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger).

Customer Reviews (21)

Not for a computer dummy!!
Way over my head for me.I thought it would be for a true novice.I read one page and closed it up.I need a lot more experience to even understand what he is saying.I do believe it will be a good teaching tool after I truly find out all that I don't know.I didn't begin to understand the terminology being used.I intend to keep the book and maybe in a few more months, look it up again to see if it is beginning to make a little more sense to me!!

Mac OS X Tiger Killer Tips
Great book that really taught me the tricks of the trade so to speak. Combines humor with knowledge and I would recommend the Leopard version to anyone buying a new Mac.

Killer Tips MacOSX Tiger bu Scott Kelby
All I can say is that the book arrived on time and was in good condition.It was the first time I have ordered from your book list boyh new and used.Rest assured I will certainly do it again.

Mac OS X Tiger killer Tips
Received the product quickly. The book has a multitude of ideas and shortcuts that look to be valuable. However, the book is not one that you sit down and read. I expect it to be a valuable reference for me in my Mac learning process.

Another Killer Success for Scott Kelby

I am a Mac fossil, having used Macs since they first appeared.I have bought more than a few (!) of Scott Kelby's "Killer Tips" books, always useful, if you like the format; i.e., being able to jump in anywhere.Most tech books begin with the basics and become more advanced with progressive chapters.I have those, too, and the encyclopedia types, "bibles" and "missing manuals."

The Tips books appeal to me because they present both "a review and what's new." Even the most veteran Mac user can appreciate a review of certain tips.After all these years, I still find myself saying, "Oh, yeah.I forgot about that."

Well thought out and easy to digest, the Tips books are great because they can be read at any point in the book.I keep one in the car, and read it when I get stuck in traffic, or when I have an appointment and spend time in a waiting area. Recently, I spent an hour waiting for a routine car maintenance checkup, took this book, and learned a few tips that save so much time, plus deepened my understanding of Tiger.That's how I see these books:if I learn even a few tips that enhance my Mac knowledge and skills, they are well worth the money.

It's easy to become overwhelmed with (way) too much information.My philosophy is to learn something every day.The Tips books help.They're sort of like taking a daily Mac vitamin to keep my knowledge base intact--and always growing. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive guide to System 7.1 introduces users to every aspect of the new version of this powerful operating system. Original. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by an industry expert, this is the first thorough book on the new and improved Macintosh operating system. Readers will learn all the highlights of the new System, including how to work efficiently with applications.

• Intuitive, task-oriented approach teaches topics the way users think, not the way the machine thinks
• Covers all the new features of 7.5.5 and 7.5.5 Pro, including PowerTalk, PC Exchange, and MacTCP
• Written by a world-renowned Mac expert

Product Description
Offers Macintosh programmers, system administrators, and sophisticated users a first look into the new festures of System 7, detailing the new features and system calls and how to use them efficiently. ... Read more

Product Description
Aims to cover all aspects of understanding and using the Mac's System 7 software and utilities, including desktop, working with programmes, printing, customization and sharing information. ... Read more