appleJAC Macintosh Users

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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You can save 25% on all Peachpit books by becoming a Peachpit Club Member. Membership is free and easy. All you have to do is answer a few questions in Peachpit's online survey, which you can access from any book page.

After you fill out the survey, you'll save 25% on top of the user group savings you receive by entering the coupon code at checkout. (You cannot use this discount in conjunction with any other coupon codes.)
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.