Product Description

The wait is over for Mac devotees: The radically redesigned Mac OS X is here. Because OS X is Apple's first all-new operating system since 1984, it doesn't matter whether you're a beginner or a longtime Mac user. You need Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide to walk you through this thoroughly modern OS and its liquid Aqua interface.

In Mac OS X: VQS, veteran Mac author Maria Langer takes an easy, visual approach, giving you detailed, step-by-step instructions and plentiful screenshots on everything you need to know to install, configure,and use the OS and the software that comes with it. For those upgrading from the previous version, a special section showcases the similarities and differences between Mac OS X and its predecessor, Mac OS 9.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1337018 in Books
• Published on: 2001-05-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 247 pages

From the Back Cover

Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide provides step-by-step instruction in how to use Apple’s Mac OS X, taking an easy, visual approach. Beginners, and professionals moving up to the newest version of the operating system, can quickly learn to use the features and capabilities of Mac OS X. Detailed explanation of how to install, set up, configure, and use the OS are covered, along with instructions on how to use many of the applications Apple will ship with the new OS.

About the Author

Maria Langer has written more than 20 computer books. She also writes for MacWEEK, MacAddict, NetProfessional, FileMaker Pro Advisor, and Computer User. She is a consultant, Webmaster, computer trainer, and regular speaker at Macworld Expo.

Customer Reviews

A good introduction to OSX for beginners
Apple has not supplied paper manuals to accompany its system software for many years now, allegedly on the grounds that "the Mac OS is so simple that a manual is unnecessary." While this is arguably true for operating systems nos. 7 to 9, it is emphatically not so with Mac OSX, which is a different kettle of fish altogether. Whether or not Maria Langer's book fulfils your personal needs in this respect depends largely upon your own level of experience with the Mac OS and your requirements.

The book's cover proudly proclaims that "This Visual QuickStart Guide uses pictures rather than lengthy explanations," and it is certainly true that there is none of the "chatty" style employed by some computer writers. The text and illustrations are, however, well thought out, and enable users to easily find what they are looking for. I am glad that I took the trouble to skim through the early chapters, as several nagging questions were answered (such as the exact relationship between "home," the hard drive and "my computer"). I also found myselg wishing that I had had this book when I first eagerly ripped open the cellophane enclosing my new OSX CD-ROM and impatiently thrust the disk into my awaiting drive. I am sure that it would have saved me many hours of frustration.

On the other hand, this book was unable to resolve some of my continuing problems. I could not find out why I don't have enough privileges to trash certain folders: neither did I get any help in troubleshooting my now non-existent Airport connection, or any enlightenment into why File sharing will not operate when I restart in OS9. I began to get irritated by sentences such as "You can learn more about networking in the sequel to this book, Mac OS X: Visual QuickPro Guide."

Perhaps, on reflection, this is an unfair comment. This book is clearly aimed at complete beginners, and for such users this book will be an useful companion, if they are not intimidated by the sparse prose style. I also think that many of my major complaints should be addressed to Apple rather than to the scribe.

To summarise: if you are a beginner or an experienced Mac OS user contemplating upgrading to Mac OS X, this book will probably serve you well; indeed given that OSX comes without a manual, something like this book is almost essential for the average user. If your problems lie more with trying to sort out the bewildering new set of initials that appear when you try to set up a network or wanting to ensure that you have enough privileges, then this book is perhaps less useful. Maybe you would be better off going for a different book - the aforementioned "Mac OS X: Visual QuickPro Guide" seems designed to take over where this book leaves off, but I cannot comment further, as I have not read the sequel.

Quick and easy introduction to the new Mac operating system
Maria Langer's book is exactly what it claims to be: a basic introduction to Mac OS X, the new Unix-based Macintosh operating system. For anyone who has been using Macs for any length of time, however, the only purpose of the book is to reassure them that, on the surface, nothing has changed. All the elements of the famous Mac graphical user interface remain in place and as easy to use - Langer describes all this as if readers know nothing of what has gone before. David Pogue's OS9 The Missing Manual is a much better read if you want to become proficient on Macs. Apparently Maria Langer's next book will be the real introduction to OSX and I will certainly give it a try.