Leo Laporte's Guide to Mac OS X Tiger - Softcover

9780789733931: Leo Laporte's Guide to Mac OS X Tiger
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 

The ads make it all look so easy, so simple and oh so utterly uncomplicated, don't they? Buy a Mac, live happily ever after. While we'll agree that right-out-of-the-box, Macs are more intrinsically friendly than their PC counterparts, they get difficult in a hurry, especially if you try to do anything useful with them. Setting up wireless networking, troubleshooting network problems, dealing with peripherals run amuck, futzing with security settings and living in a PC-dominated world is enough to make even grizzled Mac veterans turn a little green around the gills. Now that the honeymoon is over and you've realized that just because you have a Mac and an iPod, you most certainly aren't invincible, it's time to make that cheery little Mac of yours do what Apple and the media would lead you to believe it can do right out of the box. Leo Laporte's Guide to Mac OS X Tiger spotlights troubleshooting, problem solving, the latest Tiger features, security and using common gadgets (iPod, smartphones, PDAs) with your Mac. This book leans away from a "describe the menus" and instead focuses on tips and techniques the help you really understand Mac OS X Tiger and how to make it sing. Throughout this book, you'll find dozens of useful tips that will help you get closer to that original Mac-driven nirvana you pictured when you first carried your beloved Mac over the threshold.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:
Leo Laporte is a weekend radio host on Los Angeles radio KFI AM 640 and co-hosts Call for Help on Canada's TechTV network. He also appears regularly on other programs including ABC's World News Now and Live with Regis and Kelly as "The Gadget Guy." He is the author of four recent bestsellers: Leo Laporte's 2005 Gadget Guide, Leo Laporte's Mac Gadget Guide, Leo Laporte's Guide to TiVo, and Leo Laporte's 2005 Technology Almanac. Todd Stauffer is the author or co-author of over three dozen computing and technical books, a contributor to various technical magazines, a humor columnist and a travel/automotive reviewer.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:
Introduction

If you had to sum up the world of a Macintosh user in a single word, I'd probably go with "interesting." After all, the "mothership," as devout Mac fans call Apple, Inc., is run by none other than Steve Jobs, easily the most "interesting" executive in technology today, if not in all of corporate America. But there are other things that make working with the Macintosh interesting, such as the strong emphasis on the design of the machines, the power of the creative applications that Apple writes and (in many cases) gives away to its users, and, of course, the people like us who gravitate to the machines and use them for work and play—we may be the most interesting part of the whole darned thing.

Most central to making the Mac experience interesting, however, is undoubtedly the Macintosh operating system, which is what gives every Mac its interface, the core technology that makes up its toolset, and to a large extent its personality. Applications rely on the Mac OS for everything from the way you open and close documents, to how you manage the documents you create, to how movies and audio are played back within applications.

Mac OS X, now in its fifth significant version release, is the culmination of years of computer science and is designed to make using a Macintosh extremely interesting. In the version we discuss in this book, Mac OS X 10.4, Apple has released an extremely mature operating system, based on some of the latest computer science and technology know-how, but packaged in a user interface that looks pretty clean and futuristic even by Hollywood standards.

I guess another thing that makes us Mac users interesting is how much we can come to love the Macintosh and, by extension, the Mac OS. In many ways, this operating system can simply "get out of your way" and enable you to get some wonderful work done, as it works with the applications you run (word processing, Internet applications, video editing, professional tools) to seamlessly provide the experience you'll grow used to if you don't know it intimately. At the same time, the OS itself is a standout, with tools such as Automator to help you automate the tasks that you perform frequently, and the integration of Internet and networking tools to make your home or office a little more "connected" with relatively little configuration and effort.

If you're new to the Mac, new to Mac OS X, or simply new to this latest version, Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," I'm here to tell you, right now that you're in for an interesting—and hopefully extremely rewarding—experience.

Who Should Use This Book

Most of us aren't completely new to the world of computing, so I think it's time that books move from addressing the utter "newbie" and focus a little more on the rest of us—people who probably work a lot with computers and either live with them, too, or are close to buying a new machine. So I hope you'll find that the assumptions I make in the book are the right ones—you've got a passing familiarity with a mouse and have at least talked about word processing at parties (now there's an exciting party), even if you're not a devout fan yourself.

A lot of today's Mac users are people who have had Windows-based PCs in the past and are making a switch because they like Apple's other products, such as the iPod. I've tried to be sensitive to that throughout—if you're a "switcher" from Windows or if you have used a Mac in the past but aren't totally up on all the Mac OS X lingo, then you'll find a home with this book.

Most of all, I'd like to see you get through this book and feel like you've become an accomplished Mac user. So, throughout the book we're going to focus less on the type of instruction that takes you "menu by menu" through a topic and land more firmly on an accomplishment-based system—I'll show you how to use the contact management and scheduling tools, how to build a home network, how to use Mail and Safari for accessing the Internet, and so on. Call it a "success driven" model, unless that sounds too corny.

I also think that part of learning to use a Mac means learning a little about troubleshooting, so we'll spend some time on that, as well as on maintenance tasks and the utilities that make that maintenance a little easier.

So, if you're ready for a book that moves quickly from how things work to how you get them to work for you, I think you'll enjoy this one.

How This Book Is Organized

This book, too, is designed to be interesting—how could it not be? Here's a closer look:

  • Part I. This part starts off with a chapter that takes a quick look at what makes Mac OS X version 10.4 different from Microsoft Windows and previous Mac versions. That includes a quick look at a number of the signature features of the OS—I'm assuming you've upgraded to Mac OS X 10.4, but if you haven't, you'll want to after this chapter. Chapter 2 takes a nuts-and-bolts look at managing your files in the Finder, including deep discussion of the way files are organized and how you can manage them using the special Finder window. Chapter 3 focuses on working with applications—that's the point, after all—including launching them and managing them in the Dock.

  • Part II. Chapter 4 is one of those showcase chapters for a book like this (flip to it and show it to a friend in the bookstore if you're trying to sell this book to them). There I'll cover a ton of different and unique Mac OS X features, such as Exposé, Dashboard, System Preferences, and SpotLight, which is Mac OS X 10.4's brand new system for searching your entire Mac quickly for all sorts of documents and files. Chapter 5 takes a look at how you get various types of hardware configured to work with your Mac. Chapter 6 goes in-depth with Address Books, iCal, and your Mac's capability to synchronize such data with multiple computers. Chapter 7 is somewhat related, as we look at the iPod, iTunes, and iSync, which can be used with external devices to synchronize some of that same data to your handheld digital assistant or your smart phone.

  • Part III. Chapter 8 is dedicated to disproving any notion you may have had that getting a high-speed connection to the Internet would require an advanced degree in physics—not with a Mac. I'll even toss in wireless coverage for the same price; it's easy. Chapter 9 delves into two deceptively powerful applications—Mail and iChat—which not only enable you to communicate with others, but to truly get a handle on that communication, from seemingly magic organizational techniques in Mail to ad-hoc audio (and video!) conferences and file sharing with iChat. Chapter 10 covers the ins and outs of Apple's Safari web browser, as well as introducing Sherlock, which is a specialized browser that offers certain "channels" of content in one simple window. Chapter 11 is a biggie—connecting, configuring, and working with a local area network in your office or home, complete with a discussion of getting Internet access to all those networked (wired or wireless) Macs—and PCs, if you've got 'em.

  • Part IV. Chapter 12 takes a look at a number of the utility applications that are bundled with the Mac OS and how they can help smooth out your experience with the Mac; Chapter 13 takes a topical approach to some of the most common problems and issues you'll have with your Mac and how to correct them (sometimes referring you back to those utilities covered in Chapter 12). Chapter 14 ends things nicely with a discussion that's on the radar screen of a lot of today's PC and Mac users—security. The Mac has some exceptional security features that keep your data safe and your privacy intact while you're on the Internet, as well as security features that keep your data buttoned up with passwords and encryption so that if your Mac ever falls into "the wrong hands" (sorry if I sound like a Hollywood theatrical movie trailer here), you can be pretty secure in the notion that your private stuff is still private.

How to Read This Book

This book is arranged largely as a tutorial, with some of the material in later chapters building on earlier chapters. That said, most of the "building" is simply understanding some of the basic interface elements—and we've cross-referenced extensively, so I feel pretty confident that you can dive into a topic that interests you and get a good sense of what's going on from the outset. In particular, you can use Chapters 12 and 13 when you need them—I'd recommend at least skimming Chapter 14 pretty quickly, though, to get a sense of the security measures you want to take at the outset.

Otherwise, feel free to jump into the discussion of the iPod once you get yourself an iPod, or you can just skim the stuff about iCal if you use a different calendar or personal information management application.

In each chapter, you'll find a few common elements to help you navigate the chapter and to help me communicate what I'm trying to get across. Such elements include

Note - Notes are items that add to the current discussion but don't really fit in the steps or bullets that are being discussed in the main text. Most of the time you'll want to read these as you're reading the rest of the text and just notice that I'm offering a little advice or a caveat.

Tip - Tips are generally items that take what we're discussing to a different level, or show you how you can integrate the current topic with others we've discussed. Mostly they're just items I ...

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherQue
  • Publication date2005
  • ISBN 10 0789733935
  • ISBN 13 9780789733931
  • BindingPaperback
  • Number of pages408
Buy Used
Condition: Good
Used book that is in clean, average... Learn more about this copy

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to Basket

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Laporte, Leo, Stauffer, Todd
Published by Pearson Education, Limited (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Better World Books
(Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38186814-20

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 5.00
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Laporte, Leo, Stauffer, Todd
Published by Que (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Wonder Book
(Frederick, MD, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # P05B-01806

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 5.69
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Laporte, Leo, Stauffer, Todd
Published by Pearson Education, Limited (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Better World Books Ltd
(Dunfermline, United Kingdom)

Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38186814-20

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 4.18
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 10.09
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Laporte, Leo; Stauffer, Todd
Published by Que (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Irish Booksellers
(Portland, ME, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 25-0789733935-G

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 15.97
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Laporte, Leo und Todd Stauffer:
Published by Que (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Buchpark
(Trebbin, Germany)

Book Description Condition: Sehr gut. Illustrated. 408 Seiten Gepflegter, sauberer Zustand. 1772087/2 Altersfreigabe FSK ab 0 Jahre Taschenbuch, Größe: 17.9 x 2.4 x 23.3 cm. Seller Inventory # 17720872

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 10.82
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 48.66
From Germany to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Laporte, Leo; Stauffer, Todd
Published by Que (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Iridium_Books
(DH, SE, Spain)

Book Description Condition: Used - Good. Seller Inventory # 9780789733931

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 99.12
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 34.60
From Spain to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

LEO LAPORTE
Published by PEARSON EDUCACION (2005)
ISBN 10: 0789733935 ISBN 13: 9780789733931
Used Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Iridium_Books
(DH, SE, Spain)

Book Description Condition: Muy Bueno / Very Good. Seller Inventory # 100000000847588

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy Used
US$ 287.11
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 34.60
From Spain to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds