appleJAC Macintosh Users

Mac OSX Lion: The Missing Manual ~ Mac Becomes an iPad

a review by Tom Piper

By: David Pogue
Publisher: O'Reilly Media / Pogue Press
Formats: Print, Ebook, Safari Books Online
Print: October 2011
Ebook: October 2011
Pages: 928
Print ISBN: 978-1-4493-9749-4 | ISBN 10: 1-4493-9749-2
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4493-0905-3 | ISBN 10: 1-4493-0905-4

“‘Here’s to the crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.’ Dedicated to the memory of Steve Jobs” . . . so begins the ninth in a series of Missing Manuals, complete with David’s wonderful and irreverent sense of jocularity.

As the online description says, with Lion, Apple has unleashed the most innovative version of Mac OS X yet. Once again, David Pogue brings his humor and expertise to this bestselling Mac book. Mac OS X 10.7 completely transforms the Mac user interface with multi-touch gestures borrowed from the iPhone and iPad, and includes more 250 brand-new features. This publication reveals them all with a wealth of insight and detail. Thankfully, it even examines closely iCloud, Apple's wireless, free syncing service for Macs, PCs, iPhones, and iPads.

This book is perfect for newcomers and veterans. The reader gets a crystal-clear, jargon-free introduction to the Dock, the Mac OS X folder structure, Safari, Mail, and iCloud. You can learn how to use key new features such as full-screen apps, Mission Control, the new Mac App Store, Launchpad, Resume, Auto Save, Versions, AirDrop, and more. Power users can learn how to set up a network, make a Lion flash drive, and even learn the basics of Lion's underlying Unix. There's something new on practically every page of this new edition, and David Pogue brings his celebrated wit and expertise to every one of them. Apple's brought a new cat to town, and “Mac OS X Lion: The Missing Manual” is one of the best ways to tame it.

A quick glance at the Table of Contents reveals a well-organized approach and sequence that takes the viewer from the desktop through programs and deep into the components and technologies of Mac OS X 10.7. Whether its a cover-to-cover read, or a quick reference tool, navigation is easy and effective:

The Mac OS X Desktop
     Chapter 0 The New Lion Landscape
     Chapter 1 Folders & Windows
     Chapter 2 Organizing Your Stuff
     Chapter 3 Spotlight
     Chapter 4 Dock, Desktop & Toolbars
Programs in Mac OS X
     Chapter 5 Documents, Programs, & Mission Control
     Chapter 6 Entering Data, Moving Data & Time Machine
     Chapter 7 Services, Automator & AppleScript
     Chapter 8 Windows on Macintosh
The Components of Mac OS X
     Chapter 9 System Preferences
     Chapter 10 The Free Programs
     Chapter 11 CDs, DVDs & iTunes
The Technologies of Mac OS X
     Chapter 12 Accounts, Parental Controls & Security
     Chapter 13 Networking, File Sharing & AirDrop
     Chapter 14 Printing, Scanning, Fonts & Graphics
     Chapter 15 Sound, Movies & Speech
     Chapter 16 The Unix Crash Course
Mac OS X Online
     Chapter 17 Internet Setup & iCloud
     Chapter 18 Mail & Contacts
     Chapter 19 Safari
     Chapter 20 iChat
     Chapter 21 SSH, FTP, VPN & Web Sharing
Appendixes
     Appendix Installing Mac OS X Lion
     Appendix Troubleshooting
     Appendix The Windows-to-Mac Dictionary
     Appendix The Master Mac OS X Secret Keystroke List

Because my shelves are full, and my iPad longing for more material, I chose to review the ebook version of this book (both in PDF and ePub). Admittedly, I am disappointed that this version is in black-and-white (I’m a sucker for color displays), but the illustrations are clear and concise, describing well the focus of that section.

This is yet another great book from O’Reilly which can be acquired at http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920014553.do. A variety of version are available with print at $34.99, ebook at $27.99, or both for $38.49. With all the cussing and discussing of the new Lion operating system, this is definitely the manual that you want that was missing from the download when you updated. I highly recommend David’s latest masterpiece.

Taking Your iPhone 4 to the Max: an Essential eBook

a review by Tom Piper

We are now in the fourth generation of the iPhone which has become an incredible tool, toy and constant companion . . . but, do we fully understand it? As it evolves with changing iOS versions, the capabilities are expanding, and we need to learn how to master it.

One of the best new books to emerge is “Taking Your iPhone 4 to the Max” from Apress Media LLC (ISBN13: 978-1-4302-3255-1). At 312 pages, it is a very substantial resource for the beginner right on through the intermediate reader, and is available in print ($24.99), as well as ebook (EPUB, MOBI, PDF: $17.49), the latter of which is what I prefer to read on my iPad2, and is a quick reference on my iPhone4.

On their website (http://www.apress.com/9781430232551), Apress describes it this way:

“Unleash your iPhone and take it to the limit using powerful tips and techniques from tech consultant Steve Sande and gadget hacker Erica Sadun. Fast and fun to read, Taking Your iPhone 4 to the Max shows you how to get the most out of Apple's iPhone 4.

You'll find all the best undocumented tricks as well as the most efficient and enjoyable introduction to the iPhone available. Starting with an introduction to iPhone basics, you'll quickly move on to discover the iPhone's hidden potential, like how to connect to a TV, use Voice Control, have video chats with FaceTime, and call friends overseas with low-cost VoIP.

From the unified email inbox and surfing the Web with Mobile Safari, exploring the world of social networking, using the multitasking capabilities of iOS 4, taking and editing photos, shopping for apps, media, and books, or just managing phone calls, you'll find it all in this book. You'll even learn tips on where to get the best iPhone accessories. Get ready to take iPhone 4 to the max!”

A quick glance at the Table of Contents reviews the following chapter headings:

• Contents
• About the Author
• About the Technical Reviewer
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Selecting, Buying, and Activating Your iPhone
• Chapter 2: Interacting with Your New iPhone
• Chapter 3: Placing Calls with iPhone
• Chapter 4: iPhone Messaging and Social Networking
• Chapter 5: iPhone E-mail
• Chapter 6: Syncing Your iPhone with iTunes
• Chapter 7: It’s Also an iPod
• Chapter 8: iPhone Photos and Video
• Chapter 9: Browsing with Safari
• Chapter 10: The Shopping Mall in Your iPhone
• Chapter 11: Google Maps and Other Apps
• Index

I’ve frequently been surprised by a number of users who don’t understand the importance of syncing your iPhone with iTunes, but this book rightfully spends an appropriate amount of space illustrating why this is important, and how it to do it right. The fundamentals of use of this device are carefully presented to help understand its use as a phone, a camera, a music player, a video viewer, an internet surfer, a texting screen, an email exchanger, a shopping tool, and a micro-computer controlling a myriad of programs (apps). Attention to detail is a key aspect of this education.

All of the content is done in black, white and shades of grey. The text is well-organized and easy to follow, sprinkled strategically with NOTEs, TRIVIA and TIPs, plus generous displays of photos and graphics to illustrate each point. Each chapter ends with a great Summary of what had just been covered. As a user of the ebook PDF version, I really like to go to the Index, and just click on the page number next to my topic of interest (on MacBook Pro or iPad 2), and immediately jump to the right page to learn what I immediately need.

All in all, this is a book with a lot of information to share presented in a reasonable and knowledgeable fashion. Using full color would have been a nice touch to spice up the content, but the good use of white space balanced with clear illustrations makes for an easy and educated read. I would certainly recommend this book for your library.

iMovie '09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual

By David Pogue, Aaron Miller
Publisher: O'Reilly Media / Pogue Press
Released: April 2009
Pages: 464

O’Reilly Media’s updated version of this book is a definite manual for both anyone trying to learn iMovie and for someone who really wanted to like iMovie ‘08 but found just too much missing.

In reality, iMovie '08 was a step into the dark ages for the iMovie software, so much so that Apple even made it a point to keep iMovie '06 available as a download well after the software had been updated. The biggest problem with iMovie '08 was it lacked all the special features found in the previous version that made video editing so easy.

iMovie '09 comes like a Phoenix from the iMovie 08 ashes in that most of the features that were lost in the '08 version and even has some new ones like video stabilization, green screen and animated maps. The UI still lacks a dedicated timeline that most video editors are accustomed to using, but to make up for it iMovie '09 has new tools like the precision editor and advanced drag-and-drop capabilities.

Most of the material in this book is a hold over from the iMovie 08 version. Those parts of the book were fine in the previous version and now make more sense when the new features are covered. Some of the new functions that are described in the book are the Precision Editor, which is Apples new addition to make up for the lack of a timeline, Advanced Drag-and-Drop which brings up a pop-up menu for insertion when a video is dropped on another, and Video Stabilization that will analyze the video clip frame by frame and pixel by pixel, comparing one side of the frame to the other and adjust the movement of the video to make it seem to move and bounce around less. This book covers all these new features well and in a clear manner.

One of the best parts of the book are all the color images that help to show many of the methods and processes. These images make following along with the material relatively easy. 

Since the majority of iDVD has not changed much in the ‘09 version, the material on iDVD remains nearly the same as in the previous book.

With iMovie '09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual, Pogue and Miller do a fine job of putting into book form much of what the Apple online documentation says. The writing style will be much easier for many to read. If you own the ‘08 version of the book, this is still a nice update because of the coverage of all the new features.

Missing Manuals: Essential Enjoyable Learning Tools/eBooks

a review by Tom Piper

I’m sure that you’ve noticed that very few software packages come with an instruction manual, and many of those that do just aren’t very helpful. Sure, we also expect that software be designed intuitively so the learning curve is manageable . . . but, powerful programs with lots of tools require thoughtful instructions presented in a logical fashion, while hopefully being entertaining and educational. If that’s not enough, we also expect them to achieve these expectations only with classic paper books, but also using new interfaces like on the computer, iPad and such.

Eight years ago, one of my favorite authors, David Pogue, award-winning how-to author and computer columnist for the New York Times, teamed up with O'Reilly Media, Inc. to launch Pogue Press. They dedicated their companies to producing sterling, beautifully written manuals for popular consumer software and hardware products. You no longer have to learn complex programs by reading electronic help screens or online help as a  substitute for a real manual.

The results of this collaboration produced Missing Manuals on iMovie 2, Windows XP Home Edition, AppleWorks 6, and iPhoto which are not only bestsellers, they're also the most popular books on their topics. And Mac OS X, 2nd Edition tops them all. The first edition of Mac OS X: The Missing Manual was the #1 bestselling computer book of 2002, selling 100,000 copies in six months.

 So, what makes a Missing Manual? I can’t say it any better than their website:

• Superb, professional writing: Warm, witty, and jargon-free, Missing Manuals have enough clarity for the novice, and enough depth and detail for the power user.
  
  
• Complete coverage: Each has a product overview, pointing out what it's good for; successive chapters dissect the entire product piece by piece with a real-world perspective; although Missing Manual titles feel "official" in many ways, flaws in the product are freely acknowledged (a distinct advantage over vendor-provided documentation).
  
  
• A menu-command reference: A final appendix of each book serves as a menu-by-menu drive-through of the software's commands and dialog boxes.

Now, they have taken the next step to allow these fine publications to be consumed on electronic media. Almost two years ago, they started releasing Missing Manuals in PDF format (readable on most computers), then in ePub format (readable on the iPad), and Mobipocket (readable on the Kindle). Recently, they have also added Android format. The Missing Manual series has exploded in its popularity over the past 8 years with well over 100 different titles for software, hardware and beyond (I even saw 7 new Mini Missing Manuals released recently, also in eBook formats at $4.99 each).

Books range in price from as little as $19.99 up to $49.99 . . . eBooks when bought alone are generally around 70% of the paper book cost, but when bought in combination with the paper version can be as little as $2.00 extra (keep the eBook and regift the print book to a friend or relative for any occasion). A visit to http://missingmanuals.com will be very rewarding, and add /library.csp to this address to see the complete list of Missing Manuals. If there are multiple titles that you like, buy 2 and get the 3rd one free by using discount code OPC10 in our shopping cart (all orders over $29.95 qualify for free shipping within the US). If that’s not enough, O’Reilly has long been a supporter of Apple user groups (many given away at our meetings were gifts from them), and offer great discounts for us (see description below).

Very soon, we will see the iPad Missing Manual (in June) which you can pre-order now. Until then, you can use your iPad (or iPhone, or iPod touch, or computer) to read electronic versions of their many other jewels. I now have 17 Missing Manual books in the iBook library of my iPad, ranging from iWork ’09 to Google Apps to Mac OS X Snow Leopard to Your Brain (they are branching way out beyond computers). It was as easy as downloading the file, dropping it into iTunes, syncing with my iPad, and immediately reading in iBooks. I fully endorse this series . . . David Pogue and O’Reilly started something great, and their tradition of excellence lives on!


O'Reilly Publishing is offering new and better discounts for groups. User group members can get a discount of 35% off all books and 45% off all ebooks (PDF, ePub, Mobi, Android) from O'Reilly, No Starch, Paraglyph, PC Publishing, Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint or Syngress books that are purchased directly from O'Reilly by phone or online. Add in free shipping for orders over $29.95 (US) and the offer gets even better.

Order from the O'Reilly Store online or by phone at 1-800-998-9938 ( extra shipping costs outside U.S.).

See what the buzz is about: http://www.oreilly.com/store/ 
This worldwide offer is ongoing.

Cool Books: Pathways to Fun and Functionality

iPhone 3G S Portable Genius

a review by Tom Piper
Author: Paul McFedries, David Pabian
Publisher: Wiley
Released: August 2008
Pages: 267
Print: ISBN: 978-0-470-42348-6
Ebook: ISBN: 978-0-470-45267-7

You don’t have to be a genius to use an iPhone 3G. But if you want to get the very most out of yours, put this savvy Portable Genius guide to work and start ramping up the pace. Want to e-mail attachments twice as fast? Talk and browse at the same time? Quickly locate the nearest coffee shop? Sync your iPhone 3G with multiple computers? You’ll find cool and useful Genius tips, full-color screenshots, and pages of easy-to-access shortcuts and tools that will save you loads of time and let you enjoy your new iPhone 3G to the max.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

Chapter 1: How Do I Configure My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 2: How Can I Get More Out of My iPhone 3G’s Phone Feature?
Chapter 3: How Can I Make the Most of Web Surfing with My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 4: How Do I Maximize E-mail on My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 5: How Can I Take Control of Syncing My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 6: How Can I Get More Out of My iPhone 3G’s Media Features?
Chapter 7: Can I use My iPhone 3G to Manage Contacts and Appointments?
Chapter 8: How Can I Use iPhone 3G to Help Organize My Life?
Chapter 9: How Do I Keep My Life In Sync with MobileMe?
Chapter 10: How Do I Enhance My iPhone 3G with App Store?
Chapter 11: How Do I Fix My iPhone 3G?

This is the book that brings vibrant colors and excitement to our reading . . . it almost has a 3D effect as you move from topic to topic. Some great pull-outs with Caution, Note, Genius and other notations of special interest. The text is open with ample line spacing and white space. The descriptions are simple and straight-forward, with easy-to-learn steps. This is a great way to learn for the beginners with interesting reminders for veteran iPhone users. Its well worth the economical price.

This book normally retails for $25.00, or as little as $16.50 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from Wiley, visit http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047042348X.html.

My New iPhone: 52 Projects to Get You Started

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Wallace Wang
Publisher: No Starch Press
Released: July 2009
Pages: 464
Print: ISBN: ISBN-10 1-59327-195-6

You finally did it—you bought the gizmo that everyone's talking about. Maybe you've already figured out how to play music or make phone calls, but then what? How does the voicemail work? And that keyboard? What about all of those cool apps—which ones do you need, and how do you get them? You need a book like My New iPhone to make everything easy. This simple, project-oriented book will have you using the best features of your iPhone or iPod Touch in no time. Rather than drag you through some boring manual, My New iPhone focuses on individual, fun projects, like configuring multiple email accounts, transferring your music, and syncing your computer with your iPhone.
Below is the sequence of training parts as shown in the Table of Contents.

PART I: Getting Started
PART II: Modifying Your iPhone
PART III: Making Phone Calls
PART IV: Enjoying Music, Pictures, and Movies
PART V: Browsing the Internet
PART VI: Using Email
PART VII: Business Stuff
PART VIII: Fun Stuff
PART IX: Safety and Privacy
PART X: Cool Things You Can Do with Apps

This is the book that educates through black-and-white project instructions. It is spaced well with lots of illustrations of how to do things. I would think of this as a new to intermediate user reference book, but the price seems high compared to other competitors on the market. It does use a nice step-by-step process.

This book normally retails for $29.95 ($23.95 ebook bundle, or $32.95 ebook and paperback), or as little as $19.77 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from O’Reilly Media, visit http://nostarch.com/newiphone_toc.htm.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard: The Missing Manual

a review by Tom Piper

Author: David Pogue
Publisher: O’Reilly Media / Pogue Press
Released: October 2009
Pages: 912
Print: ISBN: 978-0-596-15328-1
Ebook: ISBN: 978-1-4493-7727-4

For a company that promised to "put a pause on new features," Apple sure has been busy-there's barely a feature left untouched in Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard." There's more speed, more polish, more refinement-but still no manual. Fortunately, David Pogue is back, with the humor and expertise that have made this the #1 bestselling Mac book for eight years straight. This one witty, expert guide makes it all crystal clear.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

The Mac OS X Desktop
Chapter 1: Folders & Windows
Chapter 2: Organizing Your Stuff
Chapter 3: Spotlight
Chapter 4: Dock, Desktop, & Toolbars
Programs in Mac OS X
Chapter 5: Documents, Programs, & Spaces
Chapter 6: Entering Data, Moving Data, & Time Machine
Chapter 7: Services, Automator, & AppleScript
Chapter 8: Windows on Macintosh
The Components of Mac OS X
Chapter 9: System Preferences
Chapter 10: The Free Programs
Chapter 11: CDs, DVDs, & iTunes
The Technologies of Mac OS X
Chapter 12: Accounts, Parental Controls, & Security
Chapter 13: Networking, File Sharing, & Screen Sharing
Chapter 14: Printing, Faxing, Fonts, & Graphics
Chapter 15: Sound, Movies, & Speech
Chapter 16: The Unix Crash Course
Chapter 17: Hacking Mac OS X
Mac OS Online
Chapter 18: Internet Setup & MobileMe
Chapter 19: Mail & Address Book
Chapter 20: Safari
Chapter 21: iChat
Chapter 22: SSH, FTP, VPN, & Web Sharing
Appendixes
Appendix Installing Mac OS X 10.6
Troubleshooting
Windows-to-Mac Dictionary
Where to Go from Here
The Master Mac OS X Secret Keystroke List
Colophon

This is probably the most comprehensive publication on the new Snow Leopard that has yet been produced (although I wish it were in color). David Pogue again packs more information into this book than I can absorb (a good thing). He hits all of the big stuff, but does not overlook the little stuff. If you really want to learn the full gambit of information about this important new operating system upgrade, then you will want this book to review, and keep as a continual reference guide. His notes and tips keep you on-track and provide excellent advice. Like all of the books in “The Missing Manual” series, if you really want to understand Snow Leopard, then run (don’t walk) to the nearest bookstore, or order online, or get an ebook for your iPhone (or iPod touch) to get a total education.

This book normally retails for $34.99 (ebook $27.99, or print and ebook $38.49), or as little as $23.09 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from O’Reilly Media, visit http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596153298.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Pocket Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Mac OS X

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Chris Seibold
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Released: September 2009
Pages: 234
Print: ISBN: 978-0-596-80272-1
Ebook: ISBN: 978-0-596-80921-8

Whether you're new to the Mac or a longtime user, this handy book is the quickest way to get up to speed on Snow Leopard. Packed with concise information in an easy-to-read format, Mac OS X Snow Leopard Pocket Guide goes right to the heart of Apple's latest OS, with details on system preferences, built-in applications, and utilities. You'll also find configuration tips, keyboard shortcuts, guides for troubleshooting, lots of step-by-step instructions, and more.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

Chapter 1: What’s New in Snow Leopard?
Chapter 2: Installing Snow Leopard and Migrating Data
Chapter 3: The Quick Guide to Snow Leopard
Chapter 4: Quick Guide to Troubleshooting Mac OS X
Chapter 5: System Preferences
Chapter 6: Built-in Applications and Utilities
Chapter 7: MobileMe
Chapter 8: Security
Chapter 9: Keyboard Commands and Special Characters

This is a black-and-white book that looks like a quick reference guide, but is not really “entertaining” as in fun to read. If you are looking for a small book where simple explanations and directions can be found, this would probably travel well in your bag. If you want detail and color, this will not be your first choice.

This book normally retails for $14.99 ($11.99 for ebook or $16.49 for print and ebook), or as little as $9.59 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from Wiley, visit http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596802738.

iPod touch for Dummies

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Tony Bove
Publisher: Wiley
Released: August 2009
Pages: 240
Print: ISBN: 978-0-470-50530-4

The perfect full-color guide to the iPod touch for both Mac and Windows users
With this full-color guide, you can get hip to all your iPod touch has to offer and take full advantage of the iTunes store and the App Store, as well. You'll start by learning how to manage the multi-touch interface and setting up iTunes. Then you'll discover how to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, receive and send e-mail, get directions and use maps, play games, download and watch movies, shop for cool new apps at the App Store, and much more. Starts with the basics of setting up and using the iPod touch, richly illustrated in full color, covers listening to music, synchronizing your data, working with the calendar, setting up iTunes, and getting online via Wi-Fi, shows how to send and receive e-mail, shop for movies and music at the iTunes Store, browse the Web, share photos, download and watch movies and TV shows, and download apps from the App Store, explains how to use your iPod touch as a portable game console and how to manage your contacts and to-do lists, and also covers protecting your information and troubleshooting. iPod touch For Dummies helps you make the most of this amazing device that combines a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a portable game console, and a breakthrough Internet device.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

Part I: Touching All the Basics
Part II: Filling Up Your Empty Cup
Part III: Playing It Back with Interest
Part IV: Touching the Online World
Part V: Staying in Touch and Up-to-Date
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Part VI: The Part of Tens

What a terrific little paperback with good use of color, a delightful format, and easy to follow. The chapter headings are well thought-out, and the frequent bull-eye tips, “on the web” notes, and instructive warnings add much to the dialogue. I find the dense packing of text a bit distracting, but overall am impressed with its value.

This book normally retails for $21.99, or as little as $14.95 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from Wiley, visit http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470505303.html.

iPhone: The Missing Manual, Third Edition

a review by Tom Piper

Author: David Pogue
Publisher: O'Reilly Media / Pogue Press
Released: July 2009
Pages: 416
Print: ISBN: 978-0-596-80429-9
Ebook: ISBN: 978-0-596-55963-2

The new iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3.0 software have arrived, and New York Times tech columnist David Pogue is on top of it with a thoroughly updated edition of iPhone: The Missing Manual. Each custom-designed page helps you use your iPhone for everything from web browsing to watching videos. The iPhone is packed with possibilities, and with this handy book, you can explore them all. If you have a new iPhone 3GS, or just updated your 3G with iPhone 3.0, iPhone: The Missing Manual, will bring you up to speed quickly. New York Times tech columnist David Pogue gives you a guided tour of every feature, with lots of tips, tricks, and surprises. You'll learn how to make calls and play songs by voice control, take great photos, keep track of your schedule, and more.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

The Phone as Phone
Chapter 1: The Guided Tour
Chapter 2: Typing, Editing, & Searching
Chapter 3: Phone Calls
Chapter 4: Voicemail, Texting, & Other Phone Tricks
Pix, Flix, & Apps
Chapter 5: Music and Video
Chapter 6: Camera, Photos, & Video
Chapter 7: Maps and Apps
Chapter 8: Ringtones, Nike, & Talking Buttons
The iPhone Online
Chapter 9: Getting Online
Chapter 10: The Web
Chapter 11: Email
Chapter 12: The App Store
Connections
Chapter 13: iTunes for iPhoners
Chapter 14: Syncing the iPhone
Chapter 15: MobileMe
Chapter 16: The Corporate iPhone
Chapter 17: Settings
Appendixes
Setup and Signup
Accessories
Troubleshooting and Maintenance

This is the book that I would recommend if you want a comprehensive and enjoyable read, whether new or experienced to the iPhone. David Pogue does such a wonderful and colorful job of presenting information that almost dances off the page. He has the well-deserved title of being one of the world’s best explainers. This book deserves a place in your library (and perhaps the ebook version on your iPhone as it is on mine). Its hard to go wrong with any book in “The Missing Manual” series.

This book normally retails for $24.99 ($19.99 for ebook, or $27.49 for print and ebook), or as little as $16.49 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from Wiley, visit http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596804305.

Photographing Nature: A Photo Workshop

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Ralph A. Clevenger
Publisher: New Riders
Released: August 2008
Pages: 267
Print: ISBN: 0-321-63754-2
Ebook: ISBN: I0-321-63835-2

In this stunning, four-color course-in-a-book, each chapter opens with a spectacular photo spread from the natural world that Clevenger uses to illustrate themes and techniques essential to mastering nature photography. Just as he does in his classroom at Brooks, Clevenger explains how each photo was captured, the tools and techniques used, and typical problems related to capturing such a photo, along with solutions. Chapters also include sample Q&A sessions as well as assignments you can try yourself. By the time you’ve worked through all of the techniques in this beautiful, yet informative book, you’ll not only photograph the world differently, you’ll see it differently as well. With a foreword by George Lepp, one of North America’s best-known contemporary outdoor and nature photographers, it is a spell-binding publication.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

Chapter 1: Play Nice
Chapter 2: You need more stuff?
Chapter 3: It’s all about the light
Chapter 4: Not everything’s black-and-white
Chapter 5: Flash! And you’re in control
Chapter 6: Wet-belly photographer
Chapter 7: Garden variety shots
Chapter 8: The wonder of wildlife
Chapter 9: An ounce of prevention
Chapter 10: Land, sea, and sky
Chapter 11: Looking through the frame
Chapter 12: What are you looking at?
Chapter 13: On the road
Chapter 14: Back in the lab

WOW, this is an incredible book with vivid, gorgeous, colorful pictures that virtually leap off the page in splashes of animal, plant, reptile, landscape, bird and all manner of beautiful illustrations of natures wonders. It is a delightful page-turner that takes your breath away with variety, creativity and respect for the environment. AND, best of all, the author tells you (and shows you) how to take your own dramatic shots. This is actually a “how-to” photographer’s handbook neatly disguised as a study of nature’s glory!

The information is deceptively simple in its presentation, but reflects a rich understanding of everything from lighting to composition to ethics to equipment selection (and that’s just a sampling). Observations like “leaves are translucent”, so light the front AND the back; or, to improve “flower shots”, just get closer and open your aperture to put the background out of focus. Viewing this book and its excellent observations and instructions reinvigorated my passion for fine photography that causes the viewer to stand in awe of the picture, and yearn to be there . . . that, to me, is the real essence of image capturing. I don’t have enough quality words fully describe this book . . . if you are pursuing nature photography, be sure to add this book to your active collection.

This book normally retails for $44.99 ($35.99 for ebook, or $53.09 for book and ebook), or as little as $29.69 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from Peachpit Publishers, visit http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321637542.

Work ’09: The Missing Manual

a review by Tom Piper and Bonnie Culley

Author: Josh Clark
Publisher: O'Reilly Media / Pogue Press
Released: April 2009
Pages: 896
Print: ISBN 10: 0-596-15758-4
Ebook: ISBN 10: 0-596-80341-9

As the Internet promo says, you'll quickly learn everything you need to know about Apple's incredible productivity programs, including the Pages word-processor, the Numbers spreadsheet, and the Keynote presentation program that Al Gore and Steve Jobs made famous. This book gives you crystal-clear and jargon-free explanations of iWork's capabilities, advantages, and limitations to help you produce stunning documents and cinema-quality digital presentations in no time.

Below is the sequence of educational steps as shown in the Table of Contents.

Pages '09
Chapter 1 Creating a Pages Document
Chapter 2 Editing Text in Pages
Chapter 3 Creating and Using Styles
Chapter 4 Typo-Busting Power Tools
Chapter 5 Document Format and Organization
Chapter 6 Beyond Text: Laying Out Pages
Chapter 7 Objects Up Close: Adding, Modifying, and More
Chapter 8 Building Tables and Charts
Chapter 9 Sharing Pages Documents
Chapter 10 Streamline Your Projects: Creating Templates

Keynote '09
Chapter 11 Planning and Giving Great Presentations
Chapter 12 Creating a Keynote Slideshows
Chapter 13 Laying Out Your Slides
Chapter 14 Animating Your Slides
Chapter 15 Sharing Your Slideshows
Chapter 16 Customizing Keynote Themes

Numbers 09
Chapter 17 Creating a Numbers Spreadsheets
Chapter 18 Editing Tables in Numbers
Chapter 19 Organizing Tables in Numbers
Chapter 20 Using Formulas
Chapter 21 Advanced Data Crunching with Functions
Chapter 22 Charts: Giving Shape to Numbers
Chapter 23 Designing Your Spreadsheet Report
Chapter 24 Sharing Your Spreadsheets
Chapter 25 Creating Custom Numbers Templates

Appendix
Installing iWork '09
Keeping iWork Up to Date

Bonnie said that, “As an older user on the computer, learning is more difficult. I was extremely pleased with how easy it is to read and follow the instructions in The Missing Manual.  iWork has quite a lot of new functions that I had not used in the past. Working along as I read makes this so easy to learn — much better than a listening to a CD.”

“I plan to replace my InDesign with the page layout function in iWork as it seems to be easier to use. I create an 18-page quarterly, genealogy newsletter. With my copy of the Missing Manual, I will be able to find what I need with ease every time I hit one of those “memory blocks” that we old gals get. Thank you for making it so easy for us.”

Summary, we conclude that iWork ’09: The Missing Manual is an excellent resource to learn the many elements of the powerful iWork series. It is well worth the investment, and they even provide a substantial discount for our user group members (see below).

This book normally retails for $39.99 (add in the Ebook version for another $4.00), or as little as $24.95 from competing sources such as Amazon. To learn more about this book from O’Reilly, visit http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596157593#toc.

O'Reilly Publishing is offering new and better discounts for groups. User group members can get a discount of 35% off all books and PDFs from O'Reilly, No Starch, Paraglyph, PC Publishing, Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint or Syngress books that are purchased directly from O'Reilly by phone or online. Add in free shipping for orders over $29.95 (US) and the offer gets even better. Order from the O'Reilly Store online or by phone at 1-800-998-9938 ( extra shipping costs outside U.S.).

See what the buzz is about: http://www.oreilly.com/store/, and use online code: DSUG. This worldwide offer is ongoing.

The Twitter Book: Learning About the Newest Tweets

 
by Tom Piper

Author: Tim O'Reilly, Sarah Milstein
Publisher: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
First Edition: May 13, 2009  
Pages: 240 
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-596-80281-3

Publisher’s brief description: This practical guide will teach you everything you need to know to quickly become a Twitter power user, including strategies and tactics for using Twitter's 140-character messages as a serious--and effective--way to boost your business. Co-written by Tim O'Reilly and Sarah Milstein, widely followed and highly respected Twitterers, the practical information in The Twitter Book is presented in a fun, full-color format that's packed with helpful examples and clear explanations.

A quick flip through the pages of my ebook (PDF version) showed me great color, easy reading, descriptive “jargon”, surges of information, excellent illustrations, twitter tips, business opportunities and much more. The volume is well-organized:

Table of Contents
Introduction.
Chapter 1: Get Started
Chapter 2: Listen In
Chapter 3: Hold Great Conversations
Chapter 4: Share Information and Ideas
Chapter 5: Reveal Yourself
Chapter 6: Twitter for Business: Special Considerations and Ideas
Index.

As their website says, this practical guide can teach you everything you need to know to quickly become a Twitter power user. It includes information on the latest third-party applications, strategies and tactics for using Twitter's 140-character messages as a serious—and effective—way to boost your business, as well as how to turn Twitter into your personal newspaper, tracking breaking news and learning what matters to you and your friends. This book can help you:

• Use Twitter to connect with colleagues, customers, family, and friends,
• Stand out on Twitter,
• Avoid common Twitter gaffes and pitfalls, and
• Build a critical professional communications channel with Twitter—and use the best third-party tools that help you manage it.

The practice of twittering is a relatively new communication tool that has emerged as a delightful and enthralling public discussion. There are many views of its effectiveness, opportunities and futures, as well as how to educate and train people in its most appropriate uses. This is a friendly, resourceful and knowledgeable book that introduces Twittering, explains its context, illustrates examples, reveals personal perspectives, and generally builds a delightful bridge to Twitter empowerment. A very good value for the money.

This handy book retails for $19.99 ($21.99 for print plus ebook, $15.99 for ebook alone), but can be found for $13.59 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete O’Reilly description with purchasing details are available at: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596802813/

iPhone: The Missing Manual (iPhone App): The Best is Now in a New Venue

a review by Tom Piper

Author: David Pogue
Publisher: O’Reilly
First Edition: August 2008
iPhone App: December 2008
Pages: 376
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-596-52167-7

Publisher’s Brief Description: Read iPhone: The Missing Manual on your iPhone! The new iPhone 3G is here, and bestselling author David Pogue is back with this thoroughly updated edition. With its faster downloads, touch-screen iPod, and best-ever mobile Web browser, the new affordable iPhone is packed with possibilities. But without an objective guide like this one, you'll never unlock all it can do for you. Each custom designed page helps you accomplish specific tasks for everything from web browsing, to new apps, to watching videos. Now, you can have the best iPhone reference source conveniently available on the iPhone at your fingertips.

I reviewed this paper and PDF publication last October. The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Guided Tour
Chapter 2: Phone Calls
Chapter 3: Fancy Phone Tricks
Chapter 4: Music and Video
Chapter 5: Photos and Camera
Chapter 6: Getting Online
Chapter 7: The Web
Chapter 8: Email
Chapter 9: Maps and Apps
Chapter 10: Custom Ringtones
Chapter 11: The App Store
Chapter 12: iTunes for iPhoners
Chapter 13: Syncing the iPhone
Chapter 14: MobileMe
Chapter 15: The Corporate iPhone
Chapter 16: Settings
Appendix : Setup and Signup
Appendix : Accessories
Appendix : Troubleshooting and Maintenance

In the August 2007, I wrote about the “Delightful Details” that version 1 of this book included. My conclusion about version 2 re-emphasizes: “Even if you’ve had your iPhone for awhile and think you have mastered it, a trick here and a hint there is bound to save time. The book is definitely worth the read. I highly recommend it.” This edition goes the next step to thoroughly describe all of the aspects of the iPhone 3G that you see, and many that you didn’t even know were there. The detail and careful instructions are a delight to read, punctuated by descriptive photos, eye-catching notes and tips, and special attention to related products and accessories. If you buy only one iPhone book, this is the one to get!!!

Having it available on the iPhone is an added attraction. Click on the cover page, jump to the Table of Contents . . . tap on the right side of the screen to go to the next page . . . tap on the top or bottom of the screen, go into settings to adjust text, background, link or reverse colors, or font face and size, or alignment, hyphenation, line spacing and margin width, or toggle display styles and images, rotation lock, and toolbar hiding, or even change the way you turn pages, including automating the process. You can jump to a specific chapter, or search for a key word . . . topical links throughout the text allows the reader to jump to that interest with a single tap of the finger. All of the pictures and illustrations are clearly included here too.

But, this is the first version of this iPhone App, and its not perfect. As a friend of mine commented, “I love the idea but it is really a little difficult to read. I find the page turning counter intuitive . . . almost backward of the swipe I would expect. It will be a great lookup reference but really doesn't replace having the book in hand.” Being able to turn the iPhone sideways, and enlarge the font improves readability, and the ability to customize many settings makes the use very easy. The slider at the bottom allow the reader to quickly jump forward and back, but it can be a little disorienting.

This incredible book retails for $24.99, or a PDF version is $24.99 (or $32.49 for PDF and book combo). For a limited time, the iPhone version is available at a special introductory price of $4.99 (regular price will be $9.99). A complete O’Reilly description and purchasing details are available at: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596521677/ and http://missingmanuals.com/iphone_app/. As the author says, “There’s something so satisfying abut reading about the iPhone ON the iPhone.” With enhancements, this could be the beginning of something very useful and rewarding.

iPhone: The Missing Manual (2nd Edition): The Best Just Got Better

a review by Tom Piper

Author: David Pogue
Publisher: O’Reilly
First Edition: August 2008
Pages: 376
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-596-52167-7
Publisher’s Brief Description: The new iPhone 3G is here, and bestselling author David Pogue is back with a thoroughly updated edition of iPhone: The Missing Manual. With its faster downloads, touch-screen iPod, and best-ever mobile Web browser, the new affordable iPhone is packed with possibilities. But without an objective guide like this one, you'll never unlock all it can do for you. Each custom designed page helps you accomplish specific tasks for everything from web browsing, to new apps, to watching videos.

The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Guided Tour
Chapter 2: Phone Calls
Chapter 3: Fancy Phone Tricks
Chapter 4: Music and Video
Chapter 5: Photos and Camera
Chapter 6: Getting Online
Chapter 7: The Web
Chapter 8: Email
Chapter 9: Maps and Apps
Chapter 10: Custom Ringtones
Chapter 11: The App Store
Chapter 12: iTunes for iPhoners
Chapter 13: Syncing the iPhone
Chapter 14: MobileMe
Chapter 15: The Corporate iPhone
Chapter 16: Settings
Appendix : Setup and Signup
Appendix : Accessories
Appendix : Troubleshooting and Maintenance

In the August 2007, I wrote about the “Delightful Details” that version 1 of this book included. My conclusion about version 2 re-emphasizes: “Even if you’ve had your iPhone for awhile and think you have mastered it, a trick here and a hint there is bound to save time. The book is definitely worth the read. I highly recommend it.” This edition goes the next step to thoroughly describe all of the aspects of the iPhone 3G that you see, and many that you didn’t even know were there. The detail and careful instructions are a delight to read, punctuated by descriptive photos, eye-catching notes and tips, and special attention to related products and accessories. If you buy only one iPhone book, this is the one to get!!!

This incredible book retails for $24.99, but can be found for less at Amazon and other internet locations. A PDF version is $24.99 (or $32.49 for PDF and book combo). A complete O’Reilly description and purchasing details are also available at: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596521677/.

iPhone 3G Portable Genius: Quick, Colorful, Delightful

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Paul McFedries, David Pabian
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
First Edition: August 2008  
Pages: 267 
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-470-42348-6


Publisher’s brief description: You don’t have to be a genius to use an iPhone 3G. But if you want to get the very most out of yours, put this savvy Portable Genius guide to work and start ramping up the pace. Want to e-mail attachments twice as fast? Talk and browse at the same time? Quickly locate the nearest coffee shop? Sync your iPhone 3G with multiple computers? You’ll find cool and useful Genius tips, full-color screenshots, and pages of easy-to-access shortcuts and tools that will save you loads of time and let you enjoy your new iPhone 3G to the max. Fun, hip, and straightforward, the new Portable Genius series gives forward-thinking Apple users useful information in handy, compact books that are easy to navigate and don’t skimp on the essentials. Collect the whole series and make the most of your Apple digital lifestyle.

The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
Introduction.
Chapter 1: How Do I Configure My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 2: How Can I Get More Out of My iPhone 3G’s Phone Feature?
Chapter 3: How Can I Make the Most of Web Surfing with My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 4: How Do I Maximize E-mail on My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 5: How Can I Take Control of Syncing My iPhone 3G?
Chapter 6: How Can I Get More Out of My iPhone 3G’s Media Features?
Chapter 7: Can I use My iPhone 3G to Manage Contacts and Appointments?
Chapter 8: How Can I Use iPhone 3G to Help Organize My Life?
Chapter 9: How Do I Keep My Life In Sync with MobileMe?
Chapter 10: How Do I Enhance My iPhone 3G with App Store?
Chapter 11: How Do I Fix My iPhone 3G?
Glossary
Index.

This is a color, light-hearted look “how-to” approach to supporting the new iPhone 3G. It is richly illustrated with color photos and graphics, large easy-to-read titling, notes, cautions, awesome chapter dividers, and a great Glossary of Terms. Its an easy handbook to read, and my only complaint is the really tight binding that prevents laying the book open. Otherwise, it is an excellent resource at a reasonable price.

This dandy book retails for $25.00, but can be found for $16.50 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete Wiley Publishing description, and purchasing details are also available at: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047042348X.html.

slide:ology: Creating Great Presentations

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Nancy Duarte
Publisher: O’Reilly
First Edition: August 2008  
Pages: 294
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-596-52234-6


Publisher’s brief description: Presentation software requires professionals to think visually on an almost daily basis. But unlike verbal skills, effective visual expression is not easy, natural, or actively taught in schools or business training programs. slide:ology offers practical approaches that combine conceptual thinking and inspirational design, with insightful case studies from the world's leading brands. Written by the President and CEO of Duarte Design, the firm that created the presentation for Al Gore's Oscar-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth.

Garr Reynolds, past user group evangelist with Apple, and visionary author of Presentation Zen recently was quoted as saying that "Slide:ology is practical, it's highly visual, and it's beautiful. I love this book . . . [it] should come bundled with every copy of PowerPoint or Keynote ever sold from now on. I received a draft copy about three months ago that blew me away--the final product is even better than I expected. I just got my copy over the weekend . . . the book is meaty without being bloated. A really cool feature in the book is that many of the presentations Nancy shows in her book are available for download or can be seen via video on a specially created slide:ology website for free. There are no longer any excuses for really bad presentations."
The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents

Introduction.
Chapter 1
Creating a New Slide Ideology
Chapter 2
Creatiing Ideas, Not Slides
Chapter 3
Creating Diagrams
Chapter 4
Displaying Data
Chapter 5
Thinking Like a Designer
Chapter 6
Arranging Elements
Chapter 7
Using Visual Elements: Background, Color, and Text
Chapter 8
Using Visual Elements: Images
Chapter 9
Creating Movement
Chapter 10
Governing with Templates
Chapter 11
Interacting with Slides
Chapter 12
Manifesto: The Five Theses of the Power of a Presentation
References
Indes

From the “Brief History of Visual Aids” to the “Manifesto: The Five Theses of the Power of a Presentation”, this is the most incredible book about presentations that I have ever seen. The book is introduced with the motto: “Every presenter has the potential to be great; every presentation is high stakes; and every audience deserves the absolute best.” This is followed by a in-depth discussion of why presentations are important and the philosophy needed to produce an appropriate one with great impact. It actually frames the entire environment, conditions and context for great development. The photos, charts, diagrams, flowcharts, inserts, examples and content is dazzling, vibrant, stimulating and fascinating.

This is NOT a PowerPoint how-to, but rather a whole new and exciting way to approach presentations . . . I will never look at presentations the same again. A variety of descriptive and compelling Case Studies are included about many famous presenters, and how they are successful. This is a high-quality publication that goes way beyond creating a better slideshow to an education on how to better communicate. It spans the whole spectrum of devices from the iPhone to major file formats. The only way this book could be made better is if they turn it into a movie! If you want to enrich your skills, and communicate more effectively, don’t hesitate . . . make this your next investment in success.

This great book retails for $34.99, but can be found for $23.09 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A PDF version is $27.99 (or $45.49 for PDF and book combo). A complete O’Reilly description, video interview with the author, and purchasing details are also available at: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596522346/l.

Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Barbara Brundage
Publisher: O’Reilly Media
First Edition: March 2008  
Pages: 554 
Series: The Missing Manuals
ISBN 10: 0-596-51936-2 | ISBN 13: 9780596519360
Publisher’s brief description: After more than two years, Adobe has finally released a new version of Photoshop Elements for the Mac that packs a lot more editing firepower than iPhoto. It's perfect for scrapbooking, making fancy photo collages, creating your own Web galleries, and more -- but knowing what to do and when is tricky. Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual explains all the new features in a clear, easy-to-understand way, and gives you tips on when to use them.

The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Finding Your Way Around Elements
Chapter 2: Importing, Managing, and Saving Your Photos
Chapter 3: Rotating and Resizing Your Photos
Chapter 4: The Quick Fix
Chapter 5: Making Selections
Chapter 6: Layers: The Heart of Elements
Chapter 7: Basic Image Retouching
Chapter 8: Elements for Digital Photographers
Chapter 9: Retouching: Fine-Tuning Your Images
Chapter 10: Removing and Adding Color
Chapter 11: Photomerge: Creating Panoramas, Group Shots, and More
Chapter 12: Drawing with Brushes, Shapes, and Other Tools
Chapter 13: Filters, Effects, Layer Styles, and Gradients
Chapter 14: Type in Elements
Chapter 15: Creating Projects
Chapter 16: Printing Your Photos
Chapter 17: Elements and the Web
Chapter 18: Beyond the Basics
Appendix: Elements, Menu by Menu
Appendix: Installation and Troubleshooting
Appendix: Bridge CS3, Menu by Menu

For me this is a great quick reference for tasks I want to do without having to read the whole book. The extensive use of color makes it visually appealing and quickly understandable.

The “Missing Manual” tradition of step-by-step how-to detailed instructions has been continued in this publication. What immediately impressed me even further was the author’s ability to put this program in context, both in terms of what is different from earlier versions of Elements, as well as what is different from the PC version (which is substantial). Written in a straight-forward no-nonsense manner, it gently eases in the newcomer, while assisting veterans to get directly to their topic of interest with features like the Power Users’ Clinic.

The format is well-designed, and logical in its sequence, with excellent indexing and helpful notations. Due to the level of detail and complexity of content, it may at first seem daunting to the first-time reader. This book assumes that you want to learn what to do, and how to do it, so it requires a tight focus, after which the results will be very rewarding. Although the content is very meaningful, one distraction was the paper quality which, for a book about photographic manipulation, should have glossy pages, rather than matt finish. To their credit, comparative before and after color photos are displayed which show the effects of many tools, and these would be more distinctive with better paper (admittedly, this would probably also increase the cost to produce this book).

When David Pogue pioneered the Missing Manual series, he established an entertaining, yet informative pattern which is well-illustrated here. Whether you want to sit down for a whole weekend to really get into Photoshop Elements 6, or jump directly to a specific task (or fix), this publication will accommodate the needs of most users. Elements is a very powerful tool and this guide can help make you a real Power User!

This great book which retails for $44.99, but can be found for $29.69 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete O’Reilly Media description, and purchasing details are also available from O'Riley.

How to Do Everything with Your iPhone

It's always tempting to either believe all the hype over a new product or to doubt that there is anything new to rave about. The iPhone is one of those technological advances that seems to have an incredible architecture and design, and functionality that is easy to master. It appeals to a wide audience that includes the somewhat hesitant, technology phobic individual as well as the technology savvy. The authors provide a good balance of what is myth and what is reality about the iPhone. The book provides extensive instructions that would allow the reader to satisfactorily setup the iPhone for use without personal technical support. I consider this a plus, since one often needs personal technical support at critical moments where circumstances do not allow access to technical support. Additionally, the authors include expert level ideas and instructions for the maximum use of the iPhone functionality and features that even the more experienced reader can learn from. I was introduced to the iPhone by an avid fan, and I have now test-driven the iPhone. I believe this book to be essential in both determining whether to buy the iPhone, or once purchased, to make the most out of the investment. It is hard to decide, without actually holding an iPhone and walking through some of the tutorials, whether the subject of the book or the actual iPhone is the more unbelievable wonder.

Click here to read the detailed review by The Macintosh Guild.

Another Pearl from Pogue: The Total Guide to 10.5.x

Mac OS X Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual

by David Pogue Publisher: O’Reilly

Publication Date: December, 2007

Print ISBN-10: 0-596-52952-X Print ISBN-13: 9780596529529

Pages: 912 Price: $34.99 (buy 2, get 1 free, plus free shipping)

by Tom Piper

As the O’Reilly website says . . . with Leopard, Apple has unleashed the greatest version of Mac OS X yet, and David Pogue is back with another meticulous Missing Manual to cover the operating system with a wealth of detail. Amusing and fun to read, this is the authoritative book for Mac users of all technical levels and experience. Which new Leopard features work well and which do not? What should you look for? What should you avoid? This book offers objective and straightforward instruction.

I first met David at Macworld New York in the summer of 2001 (when the twin towers were still there). He was doing a Palm demonstration and my son Jason was his helper. David’s stage presence, level of knowledge, rollicking humor, and imaginative perspective left a lasting impression on both of us. Here is a guy who knows how to reveal the intricacies of a product in a compelling and engaging way that improves your knowledge and motivates a sense of empowerment. This all comes through in his writing style too.

Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition is the authoritative book for Mac users of all technical levels and experience. If you're new to the Mac, this book gives you a crystal-clear, jargon-free introduction to the Dock, the Mac OS X folder structure, and the Mail application. There are also mini-manuals on iLife applications such as iMovie, iDVD, and iPhoto, and a tutorial for Safari, Mac's web browser. The 22 chapters are well-organized into five parts including The Mac OS X Desktop, Programs in Mac OS X, The Components of Mac OS X, The Technologies of Mac OS X, and Mac OS Online, plus six more sections in the Appendixes Part. Whether a straight read from front to back, or a reference guide for specific topics, this an in-depth resource guide that should be on every Leopard user’s desk.

This Missing Manual book starts with The Very Basics by comparing Leopard to its predecessors, both in what is new, and what is gone. David walks a logical path of introduction and orientation to various software features and hardware opportunities, peppering the descriptions with interesting and helpful tips, as well as clear understandable graphics and screen shots. Admittedly, color would be a great enhancement which would also greatly increase the cost and weight of the book. At over 900 pages, its already a hefty publication which might at first appear to be a daunting read . . . don’t hesitate, because a quick flip through the pages will reassure you that it is designed to be helpful. I particularly like the white-text-on-black topic bar an inch from the top margin on the outside edges of both facing pages which quickly tells me where I am, going forward or backwards. He also captures your attention with interesting boxed information,with titles like Gem In The Rough, Power Users’ Clinic, Frequently Asked Question, Up To Speed and others (often with a tongue-in-cheek view of things). If that’s not enough, the comprehensive Index in back will also help you quickly find what you want.

Information doesn’t stop on the last page of the book. Indeed, the last page becomes a bridge to the huge resources available at www.missingmanuals.com with their Missing CD. Everything referenced in the book is available on this website with updates as new versions of Leopard come out. David describes newsletters, websites, advanced publications, and other ways to maintain an up-to-date knowledge level.

O’Reilly is right when they say there's something new on practically every page of this new edition, and David Pogue brings his celebrated wit and expertise to every one of them. Mac's brought a new cat to town and Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition is a great new way to tame it. I highly recommend this book, regardless of your level of expertise because it will most assuredly take you to the next level and beyond.

Apple Training Series: Mac OS X System Administration Reference, Volume 1

Mac OS X is the easiest operating system to use. I believe everyone agrees with that statement. Unfortunately, all that simplicity for the user also means that, under the hood, there is a heck of a lot going on. Only recently has PeachPit Press added titles to it’s Apple Training Series for books to assist system administrators and support professionals in learning about all the underpinnings of this easy-to-use operating system. 

The Mac OS X System Administration Reference is the first of a series of books that details how Apple’s operating system works. This comprehensive reference book covers many technical topics that someone would need who might want to provide this type of support. Topics include the areas of Directory Services, Security, and Networking and File Services.

To accomplish the goals of the book, the author has divided the text into 29 separate lessons that segment the subjects into smaller pieces to make them more digestible to someone trying to learn. Each lesson includes illustrations and tables to make the book work as either a text type book where someone can work through the lesson, or a reference book that allows you to move to a particular lesson and learn the specific information you want to find.

The first 11 lessons describe the “ins and outs” of directory services. It begins in the general understanding of the subject, continues into the accessibility issues and their integration with Active Directory, and concludes with discussing how to plan a deployment of Directory Services.

In the next 10 chapters, Security is covered in detail. First, general security information was covered, then security of each server component in Mac OS X Server is described.  Content includes mail security, authentication, network configuration, and web security.  The lessons finish off with discussing maintenance and intrusion detection along with how to audit security issues that may be happening on your system.

The final 8 lessons cover Networking and File Services. This covers unmanaged networks, file permissions, and network file services. In addition, remote file systems are illustrated to teach administrators how they may be accessed from Mac OS X and other systems from which data may be needed.

Overall, the areas presented in this book are covered in an easy-to-understand manner if you happen to be a system administrator. If you are not, this book would likely be considered overkill for you. The other important point is that the topics covered are server-related topics, so if you do not administer a Mac OS X server, or at least have immediate access to one, this book may not be for you.

By Schoun P. Regan.
Published by Peachpit Press.
ISBN-10: 0-321-36984-X; ISBN-13: 978-0-321-36984-0; Published: Dec 13, 2005; Copyright 2006; Dimensions 7-3/8 X 9-1/8; Pages: 848; Edition: 1st.
Price $59.95,

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Normal Price: Varies UG Price: 25%

The definitive iLife reference, completely updated for iLife '06

The Macintosh iLife '06 is the latest edition of the top-selling book on iLife. It's a beautiful, full-color book containing 400 pages of tutorials, tips, and techniques for iTunes, iPod, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb.

  The book devotes a separate section to each facet of iLife: iTunes and iPod for listening to music; iPhoto for photography; iMovie HD for video editing; iDVD for creating DVD-Video discs; GarageBand for making your own music and podcasts; and iWeb for creating Web sites.       

Each section is a series of two-page spreads, and each spread is a self-contained reference that covers one topic. Each spread has its own design, with sidebars, glossaries, and illustrations supplementing the main text.

Best yet, it is quite inexpensive. You can buy from Amazon for just $22.04

Apple Training Series: Desktop and Portable Systems

Learning how to support and service Apple computers requires a great deal of time and study. To become certified to service hardware, you must study and pass two tests. One test is related to Mac OSX and the second is related to the hardware type you intend to service. Apple provides training on line for those associated with a service provider to allow study of either desktop or portable systems. This material provided by Apple requires connection to the web and many hours of study while sitting in front of your computer. That is exactly what I did to pass my certifiations, but now there is a much better and more efficient method to go about learning these fundamentals.

As one of the latest in Peachpit Pressʼs Apple-Certified training series, this book is designed both for professionals who support Apple computers as well as Mac fanatics who want to upgrade, service, or troubleshoot their favorite machines. This single book provides service information on both desktop and portable systems including detailed take apart diagrams, troubleshooting methods, and general service techniques that are required to pass those certification tests. This edition of the book has been revised to add coverage of Appleʼs new models, including the Mac mini and the iMac G5.

Take Control eBooks

As much as I love the web, I still like to read a real book once in a while. A real eBook that is. If you want good easy to understand information on Mac products or issues, take a look at the Take Control eBook series of books. These books are created by Adam and Tonya Engst of TidBITS fame.

What is an eBook you might ask.... it is a PDF version of a book that you can print or read on screen.

These books are written in an informative easy to read style that makes it easy to learn new things about your mac. They have books on the OSX operating system and many mac applications. They also have some on non mac issues like selecting a digital TV. Best of all, these books are cheep. Most average between $5 and $10 and in my opinion, they are worth every penny.

They even have short samples of each book on their website. Plus, for appleJAC members, I can send you a code that will save you 10% on your purchases. Email me for the code it you want to purchase one.