Learn FileMaker Pro 9 (Wordware Library for FileMaker) Review

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Learn FileMaker Pro 9 (Wordware Library for FileMaker) ReviewStars quickly introduces the concepts you need to design a truly useful database. Most other books (including the three mentioned at the end of this review) discuss each module of FileMaker separately and in the abstract, similar to the FileMaker User Guide, leaving you wondering how to get started designing your own database. For example, most books defer "related tables" until halfway into the book because relationships are considered a difficult topic, but Stars introduces related tables in a very basic way in chapter 2.
Perhaps the best feature of Stars is that he offers far more practical tips, including pitfalls to avoid, than any other book I've read.
Stars explains how to design a database the way you'd do it in real life. He initially designs an elementary database, then adds more sophisticated features. (One of the beauties of FileMaker is that you don't need to design an all encompassing database in one fell swoop. You can start simple, then add features a little at a time, and adapt existing features to your evolving needs.) He uses many brief examples throughout the book, so there is no problem understanding the examples if you jump in the middle of the book.
I agree with Stars' philosophy that it is hard to learn FileMaker by reading a book cover-to-cover away from your computer. His book is designed to be read while you are near your computer so you can experiment with his examples. FileMaker is well adapted for learning by experimentation. (If you are beyond the neophyte stage, the book is self-explanatory without requiring access to a computer.)
The downside of Stars is that he is not the most articulate writer, so a few explanations are too vague. However, you almost always can understand him by context or by briefly experimenting with his examples.
Stars is much better for beginning-to-intermediate FileMaker users than the FileMaker Bible, FileMaker Missing Manual, or Que Special Edition. Stars has far more practical advice than the first two. The Que book is too difficult for a neophyte and covers only selected topics in depth. Although the Missing Manual is thicker than Stars, it actually conveys less information because it consumes too much space with the mechanics of pressing each button in a series of dialog windows. Stars presents the same info more concisely, yet is even more approachable for a neophyte.Learn FileMaker Pro 9 (Wordware Library for FileMaker) OverviewLearn FileMaker Pro 9 provides a logical, hands-on approach to understanding the features of FileMaker Pro, both for beginners and those who have experience with previous versions of the software. From defining database terms and converting files created in previous FileMaker Pro versions to producing reports and using files on the web, this book covers the fundamentals as well as the newest features that considerably enhance FileMaker Pro s database management capabilities.Learn how to:Format layout objects with Autoresize and conditional formatting. Harness the power of the new External SQL Data Source tools. Adapt one script to many purposes to cut development time and expense. Work with the enhanced Web Viewer to harvest data for your applications. Share data as PDF and Excel files and export data as e-mail attachments. Organize your relationships with the anchor-buoy method. Use the alignment tools to quickly align objects on your layout.

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Special Edition Using Mac OS X Leopard Review

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

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

Because I have years of experience working in the Apple environment, I felt I could skip a few of the sections and hop right into the areas where I knew I needed help, areas I hadn't taken the time to become familiar with my earlier versions of the OS X system. Initially, I just did a quick glance at the start-up chapter. Then I discovered several Tips, Notes, and Cautions that were really helpful and I found myself reading these sections as thoroughly as if I were a new-bee with Apple. I also found that using this reference saved me the need to make the call and the time of waiting on hold to talk with the Apple Care representative.
What is to be most appreciated about this reference book is the friendliness, which it exudes. You just want to turn the next page to learn just one more useful thing about your Mac. Be forewarned, if you buy this book, you will spend many hours becoming intimately aware of the many thoughtful and fun aspects of your Apple and your significant other may deride you of this pleasure. If you weren't a Mac devotee before, you will be after delving into the Leopard OS X system. It is an even more thoughtfully created operating system than I had imagined. With the aid of this reference book, tangibly in your hands, you just may find your social life takes a hit as your addiction to all things Apple is being satisfied. You'll find that this reference book will not sit on your shelf and collect dust.
Taken a day at a time, a person would learn to really master their computer and dramatically improve their efficiency quotient and effectiveness.
And for those of you that must reside, for at least part of your life, in the PC world, the section on turning your Apple into a PC is well written and clearly offers you the 2 options. The pros and cons are described as is the process of installing Windows for both.
Enjoy the discovery of Mac OS X Leopard.
Special Edition Using Mac OS X Leopard OverviewSPECIAL EDITION USING MAC OS X LEOPARDTHE ONLY MAC OS X LEOPARD BOOK YOU NEED We crafted this book to grow with you, providing the reference material you need as you move toward software proficiency and use of more advanced features. If you buy only one book on Mac OS X Leopard, Special Edition Using Mac OS X Leopard is the only book you need. • Explore the depths of Mac OS X's core including the desktop, Finder, Finder windows, the Dock, user accounts, the Dashboard and widgets, Spaces, and much more.• Master OS X by installing and using Mac OS X applications, customizing the system, making your Mac accessible to everyone, automating your Mac with the Automator, using Unix commands, and working with mobile Macs.• Run Windows applications on your Mac for those rare occasions when a Mac application isn't available.• Exploit Mac OS X's Internet tools to connect to the Net with or without wires, use email, surf the Web, and take advantage of the many features of .Mac.• Explore some of the great applications included with Mac OS X, such as iTunes, QuickTime, DVD Player, iCal, Address Book, iChat, and on it goes.• Expand your system with input devices (such as keyboards and trackballs), output devices (printers, displays, and such), hard drives, and hubs (Ethernet, USB, and FireWire).• Connect to other computers and devices safely and easily using Mac OS X's advanced networking tools. Learn to configure your own network including Macs and Windows computers and how to share an Internet connection among them.• Use great Mac OS X tools and techniques to keep your system in top condition and to solve problems."Whether you are already familiar with OS X or are updating from an earlier Mac OS, you will find this volume useful. A clear, comprehensive, well-organized and, above all, usable reference."–Glenn Lisle, Managing Editor, MONITOR Magazine"A must-read for anyone using Mac OS X for the first time–and for those upgrading to the latest version of the Mac operating system. Brad Miser covers all the important topics in an interesting, easy-to-understand manner that's aided and abetted by well chosen graphics, useful tips and explanatory notes. Leopard's a great OS–and Brad's book is a great guide for it.–Dennis Sellers, Publisher, Macsimum NewsBrad Miser has written extensively about all things Macintosh. In addition to Special Edition Using Mac OS X Leopard, Brad has written many other books, including My iPhone; Sleeping with the Enemy: Running Windows on a Mac (digital Short Cut); Special Edition Using Mac OS X, v10.4 Tiger; Absolute Beginner's Guide to iPod and iTunes; Absolute Beginner's Guide to Homeschooling; Mac OS X and iLife: Using iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD; iDVD 3 Fast & Easy; Special Edition Using Mac OS X v10.2; and Using Mac OS 8.5. He has also been an author, development editor, or technical editor on more than 50 other titles. He has written numerous articles for MacAddict magazine and has been a featured speaker at Macworld Expo, user group meetings, and other venues. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and has received advanced education in maintainability engineering, business, and other topics.

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The Internet: The Missing Manual Review

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The Internet: The Missing Manual ReviewThis book reminds me a lot of those "Internet Yellow Pages" books you used to see from 1994 until about 1996 when modern search engines and the growing sophistication of computer users made them unnecessary.
I thought I would peruse this book and see if it had anything of value to offer, and I have to say that unless you've been stranded on a desert island for the last twelve years, I can't see how it could be of much help. These days, pretty much all age groups from preschoolers to senior citizens have this much knowledge of the internet. In 2006 do we really need a book that tells us the different ways to connect to the internet, how to shop online, how to gamble online, and the perils of banking online? I don't think so.
I gave this book three stars mainly out of residual respect for the Missing Manual Series that is very helpful for learning the MAC and its various applications as well as software packages such as Photoshop Elements. Nothing in the manual is incorrect. It is well written and well illustrated. It is just too basic to be helpful for anyone who knows how to access an Internet search engine.
The table of contents is as follows:
Part I: GETTING ONLINE
1. Getting Online
Broadband Connections (Fast); Dial-Up Connections (Slow); Wireless Connections (Awesome); Software; Advanced Connection Tricks (Windows); Advanced Connection Tricks (Mac OS X);
2. Surfing the Web
Your First Web Page; Portals: Dashboards of the Web; Browser Choices;
Part II: FINDING INFORMATION
3. How to Search the Web
Search Basics; Directories at Your Service;
4. Searching by Information Type
White Pages, Yellow Pages; Driving Directions; Health and Medicine; Job Hunting; Getting the Facts; Word Definitions;
5. News and Blogs
News Sites; Online Newspapers; Sports, Weather, and Entertainment; Blogs; Feeds: Having the News Come to You;
6. Reviews and Ratings
Movies; Restaurants; Music; Books; Consumer Electronics; Cars;
Part III: SHOPPING, TRAVEL, AND FINANCE
7. Shopping
How to Shop Online; The Top Shopping Sites; Finding Good Deals; Shopping for Big-Ticket Items ;
8. Planning Trips
Booking Tickets and Reservations; Last-Minute Deals;
9. Finance
Online Banking; Finding Loans Online; Trading Online and Tracking Investments; Doing Your Taxes Online;
Part IV: ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA
10. Games and Gambling
Games for the Whole Family; Action Games; Massive Multiplayer Games; Virtual Worlds; Fantasy Sports; Gambling;
11. Music and Audio
Digital Audio and the Internet; Listening to Digital Audio; Online Music Stores; Streaming Music Sites; Internet Radio; Podcasts;
12. Videos, Movies, and TV
Videos and Movies Online; DVDs by Mail; Watching Webcams;
13. Photos
Finding Photos; Sharing Photos Online; Sending Photos to a Printing Service; Sending Photos via Email;
Part V: COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS
14. Email
Email Program vs. Web-Based Email; Setting Up Your Email Program; Writing and Sending Messages; Reading and Organizing Email; Fighting Email Pests
15. Instant Messages and Chat
Instant Messaging: An Introduction; IM Services: The Catalog;
16. Discussion Groups
Finding and Searching Groups; Creating New Groups;
17. Social Networking
Socializing and Dating Services; Professional Networking;
18. Skype & VoIP: Internet Phones;
Skype: Computer-to-Phone Plans; Phone-to-Phone Plans;
Part VI: INTERNET POWER AND PROTECTION
19. Your Own Blogs, Web Sites, and Podcasts
Blogs; Super-Simple Web Pages; Professional Web Sites; Podcasts;
20. Living on the Web
Online Backup and Storage; Online Word Processing Programs; Project Planning and Group Calendars; Online Meetings/Web Conferencing ;
21. Staying Safe
Know Your Enemies; Fighting Internet Pests; Defeating Spyware; Controlling Cookies; Phishing Lures; Sealing Your Computer's Firewall; Protecting Your Kids;


The Internet: The Missing Manual Overview
The Internet is almost synonymous with change--that's one of its charms, and one of its headaches.You may think you know the Internet, but are you really up to speed on internet telephones, movie and TV downloading, blogging, gaming, online banking, dating, and photosharing?
This utterly current book covers:Getting Online. Readers will have all the information they need to decide what kind of broadband connection works best for them, which browser they should use, and what kind of spyware-fighting and virus-and spam-protection measures they need to protect themselves.
Finding Information. Google may be the leading search site, but it's certainly not the only game in town. This book introduces a diverse and useful collection of sites that help uncover everything from health care information, to shopping, travel and finance, to dependable reviews and ratings.
Movies, music, and photos. The Web's teeming with entertainment--and not just the sort of postage-stamp sized videos that only a geek could love. Learn where to download movies, watch TV online, listen to music, play games, and post and share photos with friends.
Keeping in touch. Email's only the beginning. This book introduces readers to the many tools that make the modern Internet such a great way to stay connected. From Web-based discussion groups to instant messaging programs, and from blogs and podcasts to Internet-based phone calls, this book will help you join the conversation.

Ideal for anyone just venturing into cyberspace, this book is also perfect for more experienced users who could use an update to today's most exciting internet applications.


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Apple Training Series: iWork 08 Review

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Apple Training Series: iWork 08 ReviewThis is good tutorial on these three programs, with extremely detailed step-by-step instructions. It assumes essentially no prior knowledge of the programs or even of Macintosh software.
Each chapter works through building a complete document, and the book covers most kinds of work that people would typically need. It makes heavy use of the existing templates that come with the programs, which again is probably good for beginners but less useful for professionals or advanced amateurs who want their own formats.
The book sticks closely to the script in going step-by-step through the examples, with few digressions or explanations of why things work this way. It has a lengthy index which seems well-done and would probably be adequate to look up any particular technique you needed. There's a puzzling reference (p. 239) to a mail merge feature--puzzling because the continuing absence of mail merge in iWorks is one of the biggest gripes users have about it. The mail merge mentioned here is just an intelligent drag and drop that puts the lines of the address in the right place when you drag and drop from the address book. You can only do one at a time, though; it's not a true batch mail merge.
The book has a very heavy emphasis on Keynote, the presentation (slideshow) software, with over half of the book devoted to this topic. Pages (word processor and page layout) gets about one-quarter of book, and Numbers (spreadsheets) and an integrated example get the remaining one-quarter. There are two additional chapters on the included DVD-ROM dealing with linked text in documents, camera RAW image files, and multimedia. The DVD-ROM includes all the needed files for the examples as well as the finished documents for comparison.
I wonder about the emphasis on Keynote. I'm skeptical that the absolute beginner that this book is aimed at would do very many slideshows; they would be much more likely to start with page layout.
Very Good Feature: several pages explaining how to get your computer hooked up to a projector. This is a subject that always stumps people and has caused many delays in getting presentations started.
Bottom line: good for beginners, still useful but very slow paced if you already understand slideshows, page layout, or spreadsheets and just want to get smart about iWork.Apple Training Series: iWork 08 OverviewiWork 08 Keynote, Pages, NumbersApple's enhanced iWork productivity suite is poised to allow Mac users to create, present, and publish their work with style. iWork '08 offers three powerful applications—Pages '08, Keynote '08, and the brand-new spreadsheet program, Numbers '08—for creating everything from newsletters and stationery to polished business presentations to graphics-rich spreadsheets. This self-paced learning guide, which includes a companion CD jam-packed with practical media files, takes readers step-by-step through essential, real-life tasks for home and office that cover all aspects of iWork '08. The book is both a self-paced learning tool and the official curriculum of the Apple Training and Certification Program, used by schools and training centers worldwide, and is ideal for users of all levels.

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Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Peachpit Learning Series Review

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Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Peachpit Learning Series ReviewRobin Williams seems to have a uncanny clairvoyance that not only helps her figure out that William Shakespeare's works were possibly written by Mary Sidney, but also helped her get a Leopard guide in the Apple stores the same day Leopard came out. Ok, she had some help from Apple by getting an advance copy. Maybe she used the Time Machine feature to go back to the days of Romeo and Juliet. It's a pretty powerful feature of Leopard.
Obviously Apple trusted her enough to provide her with a pre-release copy of Leopard as well as make her the featured Leopard book in the store. In the Mac publishing world, she's about as well known and well respected as ol' Bill Shakespeare himself--and written almost as many works. Unlike Bill, reading her books are easy and straightforward arming non-technical users with the skills and understanding to attack Leopard head on.
In particular, Robin's style is to expertly use page layout and screenshots to explain the features of an operating system in small bites everyone can digest. I enjoy the fact she doesn't talk down to her readers. She expects a basic understanding of how to use a mouse and keyboard. This book is designed for a Mac or even a PC user making the transition to Leopard, either via upgrade or by the fact it came with the Mac. She walks the reader through all the features of the Leopard operating system. She apologizes for not covering the iLife or iWork suites, but clearly points out this is a book on Leopard. I'm sure she realizes that if the book were too big, readers would be intimidated. While it's over 450 pages, she uses a great table of contents and index to allow the reader to hone in on just the info they are interested in. Want to know how to do screen sharing..no problem? First, she marks it in a "Tech Stuff" section so novice or intimidated users can avoid it. Then she puts it in a logical chapter of "Get connected and share files." Then a nice screen sharing section appears. Can't find it there? Check the index either under iChat or Screen Sharing. She clearly spent lots of time making sure her book was extremely user friendly, just like the operating systems she covers.
Not only does she cover practically all the "300" new features of Leopard, but includes great troubleshooting advice for when things go wrong. The advice she gives is as good or better than what you'll get on the phone calling tech support or stopping by the "bar". If her troubleshooting section doesn't cover it, you'll need a technician to come out!
My one complaint is she should have marked those features new or different in Leopard. That would allow a upgrader to focus on just those new items of difference in Leopard. Knowing her though, she did a careful analysis and determined there wouldn't be enough white space on the page and left it out.
This book is not intended for intermediate or advanced users. You won't find out which port to open for screen sharing or it's inner workings--just how to initiate it. I contrast her books to more "manual" like books that cover every feature in depth. This book is designed to hold the readers hand through the steps or learning.
I avoided Shakespeare in high school, relying solely on those ubiquitous yellow and black "notes." Hey, her book is kinda the same thing. Avoids all the fluff and gets down to the nitty gritty of what you need to know. Will future generations attribute her expert writings to a man? I don't know, but I'm sure glad our generation has such an expert artist of words and pictures to teach us how to use our Macs.
Pros: Outstanding layout and organization. Excellent descriptions for novice Mac users. Enthusiastically recommend it to all new Leopard and Mac Users. Use this book as a starting point in your learning!
Cons: Not for intermediate users, no clear distinction of Leopard features
Five of Five dogcows.Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Peachpit Learning Series OverviewLearn how to get the most out of Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard with legendary teacher and author Robin Williams. The Peachpit Learning Seriesbrings you the best-selling authors you know and love, on the topicsthat are near and dear to you, in a format that allows you to learnjust what you need to know, and at your own pace. With this book, youcan learn in your own way—whether it's working through the lessons fromstart to finish, jumping straight to step-by-step exercises about newfeatures, or looking up just what you need to know at that moment.There are hundreds of exciting tools and hidden gems in your Macintosh.And with the gentle yet expert hand of Robin Williams guiding you alongthe way, you will learn to take full advantage of all that Leopard hasto offer. If you are new to Mac OS X, you'll learn to use your Mac withhelp from a world-renowned teacher. From there, you can move on tocustomize it to suit the way you work. And if you've been using Mac OSX already, you'll learn to use the new features in Leopard, likeSpaces, Quick Look, and Time Machine, and explore all the enhancementsto favorites like Mail and iChat.

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The Little Mac Book, Leopard Edition Review

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The Little Mac Book, Leopard Edition ReviewHaving never owned a computer before, I bought every book I could find about iMacs and Macs in general. What a waste of money! Robin Williams' book is the only one I or anyone needs! It not only is comprehensive, but is easy to understand and to use. I particularly enjoy the way she uses real- world analogies to explain what a hard disk is or what memory is. I really believe that Apple should endorse this as the "Official Apple Handbook," enclose it with every iMac they sell and give everybody a big break, after all, Jeff Goldblum's charisma and Steve Jobs' Nehru jacket only take you so far. Buy this book before any of the others pretending to teach you iMac or Mac. PS: I got a strawberry.The Little Mac Book, Leopard Edition Overview

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Apple Training Series: iWork 09 Review

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Apple Training Series: iWork 09 ReviewI'm finding these PeachPit Press Apple Training Series books to be a great resource for learning the Apple Pro and Consumer software products. I've always looked at another product previously for more information on Apple software. Since learning Aperture 2 with Harrington's book, I decided to try iWork as well. I'm a newcomer to iWork and bought iWork for the first time. So, I needed instruction to bring me up to speed. This tutorial/project based resource was just the ticket for me. This book covers the basics very handily and goes into a few specific and outstanding features for each of the 3 programs. With Keynote, I was most impressed with one of the actions that animated a motorcycle to appear to 'drive' off the slide. What is amazing, is how simple this is implemented in Keynote. Pages had a few hidden features that Harrington's book pointed out. One was autoflowing text between text boxes and another connected objects with a connector line. Again, Apple's software engineers use elegant solutions to implement. Numbers is different from Excel in that while both use sheets, tabs are accessed from a sidebar rather than at the bottom of the page. Numbers spreadsheets are designed to offer richer formatting options and content than you would find in Excel. I think the most outstanding features in Numbers would be the unique way of categorizing columns and the exceptional way that address book integrates with tables. Just remarkable the way this all comes together especially if you've been building on OS X for years as I have. I recommend this book and while it doesn't cover every detail in the iWork suite, it does encourage you to explore and create on your own. It covers integration with other Apple software. It gives examples of how to share your work with others via email, websites(i.e. iWork.com beta), pdf's and printouts. It also explains how Apple can play nice with Microsoft. Clearly, not every transition in Keynote will translate to Powerpoint, but Keynote does a pretty good job of cleaning up a Powerpoint presentation ( with some editing tools). This book will explain some of the pitfalls that can befall a user without being armed with the knowledge contained in these pages, so it pays to take your time and follow all the examples to a 'T.' The organization, writing and illustration in the book are all well done making it less likely you will get lost along the way. Harrington takes you through each program's interface, associated inspectors, format bar and Apple predefined templates. He takes you through menu items and shows you many keyboard shortcuts explaining many ways to accomplish the same task. It is easily worth investing time to complete this book because I will guarantee you will learn something you never knew about the iWork software. Some of these tips in their aggregate are worth more than the price of admission. Pick up a copy today and see how iWork can bring greater productivity to your life or just have fun learning iWork. Warning: After learning iWork you may become addicted to formating and creating spreadsheets, presentations and newsletters.Apple Training Series: iWork 09 OverviewIn the only Apple-certified guide to iWork '09, you'll learn to create everything from first-rate business presentations and newsletters to effective budgets and event planners. Focused lessons take you step by step through all aspects of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. The self-paced book/DVD combo uses real-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediately to your own projects. You'll learn to:• Master the iWork suite of tools quickly through fun, real-world projects• Design a Keynote presentation from storyboard to Web export • Add animated charts and custom backgrounds to a presentation with ease• Publish great-looking newsletters and brochures in print and on the Web• Build a professional marketing package from scratch• Create expense reports, track budgets, and plan special events• Sort, organize, and chart data using sophisticated spreadsheet calculationsThe Apple Training Series is both a self-paced learning tool and the official curriculum of the Apple Training and Certification Program. To find out more about Apple Training, or to find an Authorized Training Center near you, go to www.apple.com/training.

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Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Power Users Review

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Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Power Users ReviewAs a former comp sci professor and four-year Mac user, I should be the target audience for this book and that is probably why Apress sent me a copy and asked me to review it. I was so disappointed to find a book that should never have been printed. It is a book that desperately wants to be a website (or a regularly updated ebook), but as printed material, its useful shelf life can be measured in single-digit months. With the latest version of Mac OS X (Lion) already announced for a summer 2011 release, the clock is ticking and this book comes too late to be taken for anything more than a curiosity... something to glance through at the bookstore and possibly gain a few tips from, but not to buy... not at the price on my publisher-provided copy of fifty bucks (now smartly lowered to forty), but only buyable at half that.
So what's not to like? Well, look at your bookstore shelves for a book on how to use a particular application. That book has a finite useful life and if it's a Microsoft app, that's about 3-5 years. But what if the book has several dozen apps with shorter update timelines than Microsoft? Well, that means that portions of the book will become obsolete very quickly. In the case of this book, chapter 4 talks about Safari, but it is Safari 4 and not the current Safari 5 with extension support. The author notes this in the intro to chapter 4, but nothing is done to remove the now-pointless and lengthy discussion about how to hack Input Managers to get around Safari 4's lack of extension support.
Another thing that comes across fine on a website or ebook is the less formal writing style, grammar, and conversational tone that you wouldn't expect to see in a computer book that targets "power users." Thus, we get a lot of unneeded trash-talk about applications, the business models chosen by their developers, and user interface design (when you insult an app and then praise the most recent version that "fixes the problem," why bother griping about old versions that nobody is going to see?). If you can overlook the spotty grammar, endless self-promotion of the author's other books, and aging hipster tone ("Bee-yoo-teeful", "abso-frickin'-lutely", "Dude!", "What the...? Not cool guys. Not cool at all."), then there ARE some useful tips to pick up here if you already own these apps or are thinking about downloading and/or buying them. Of course, there are magazines that provide similar content (i.e. product reviews) on a regular basis and they are updated once a month and you can get years of information for the cost of the cover price of this book. Or course, there are websites that do the same thing for free.
So would I buy this book? Definitely not in print unless I could find it for less than half the cover price. Now if the ebook is regularly updated and updates are pushed to customers, then I could see this being a great investment at full price. There are numerous URLs and code/command-line snippets in this book that readers will definitely want the click-ability and copy'n'paste-ability (e.g. the 256 character search command in chapter 3 or the code on page 64 that has a bug in it caused by an error in using two if-then statements when one if-then-else is actually needed) that an ebook can provide. And the weird sizes of some pictures, odd fonts, and large blank gaps at the bottom of many pages tell me that this book was designed to be an ebook first and foremost. Buy this as an ebook (if regularly updated) or a printed copy (at half price), but watch the clock and expect to be spending a lot of time checking websites for more recent info.Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Power Users Overview
Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Power Users: Advanced Capabilities and Techniques is for Mac OS X users who want to go beyond the obvious, the standard, and the easy. If want to dig deeper into Mac OS X and maximize your skills and productivity using the world's slickest and most elegant operating system, then this is the book for you.

Written by Scott Granneman, an experienced teacher, developer, and consultant, Mac OS X for Power Users helps you push Mac OS X to the max, unveiling advanced techniques and options that you may have not known even existed. Create custom workflows and apps with Automator, run Windows programs and even Windows itself without dual-booting, and sync data on your hard drive, on your phone, and in the cloud-learn all of these techniques and more.

This is not a book that talks down to you; Mac OS X for Power Users is an essential book for experienced Mac users who are smart enough to know there is more to be known, and are ready to become power users.

What you'll learn
How to create your own custom workflows, apps, and services with one of Mac OS X's hidden gems: Automator.
How to share an external USB hard drive with a Windows and Linux users and mount a network drive using SSH
How to run Windows-or even Linux-while youíre still running Mac OS X, without dual-booting. Even run the three major operating systems-Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux-at the same time!
How to customize Safari to make it even better than it already is.
All about browser options-Chrome, Opera, Camino, Stainless, and Arora.
How to manage data on your hardrive, on your phone, and in the cloud, with almost instantaneous syncing.
How to protect yourself and your valuable data. Find out lots of great, useful info on firewalls, encryption, passwords, backup, and more.

Who this book is for
This book is for people who already know how to use their Macs but want to go beyond that. They want to be more efficient and productive, and they're not afraid to try new techniques and software to do so. They also realize how valuable their data is, and they want to protect it in the smartest ways possible.

This book is also perfect for anyone who administers a group of Macs, because they will find lots of useful methods for managing their machines and also helping them work together.

Table of Contents
Introduction: Advanced Secrets of Mac OS X
Maintaining Your Mac
Expanding Upon the Basic Tools
Using Safari to Its Fullest
Stepping Beyond Safari
Using the Internet to Its Fullest
Securing Your Mac & Networks
Backing Up Your Mac
Manipulating and Sharing Pictures
Having More Fun With Audio & Video
Key Utility Tools for Text & Archives
Digging Deep as an Admin


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iWork '09: The Missing Manual Review

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iWork '09: The Missing Manual ReviewFrom the overall organization of iWork '09: The Missing Manual to the examples used and phrases selected, Josh Clark has written this book to show us how to do what we want to do in iWork. He has succeeded. It is much better than just a manual.
Other iWork books are organized based upon the history of the program's development. They start with Keynote. iWork '09 The Missing Manual starts with Pages because that is what most people will use first.
You start with writing in Pages text mode, and are soon learning how to use the new outline features to organize your small book.
You learn that in text mode the text flows like rivers, but layout mode puts text in boxes like islands. You learn to flow your text from one island to the next.
Other iWork books all tell you how to put a text box and a picture on a page. That is not enough when you are looking at a blank page and wondering how to design your own layout.
Josh Clark shows you how to create a 6 column, or 5 column grid, and how to use it to align your objects to create your layout.
He has included more interesting information and useful tips than you will find in most manuals. Here are some examples:
Why does Pages open at 125% resolution when 100% is the "actual size?" This book has the answer.
If you make a mistake when you ask your Macintosh to learn a new word, here you will learn how to remove it from your dictionary.
He also tells you how to match a color in your photograph so you can use it in other objects.
In iWork '09 The Missing Manual you will learn more than the instructions for Keynote. You will learn how to plan, make and give a Keynote presentation that will engage your audience in your story, and to not use bullet points to tell your story. You will also learn when you should and should not use the new transitions.
The examples Josh Clark uses are suitable for most of us. To teach us to use Numbers, he uses a membership roster as an example of using a formula to transform text, and uses logic formulas to summarize our team's baseball statistics.
You will also learn about sheets and tables as well as the new multi-row headers and footers, and freezing the header for large spreadsheets.
As I read iWork '09 The Missing Manual I got the impression that Josh Clark really enjoyed writing this wonderful book. Because I thought he enjoyed writing it, I enjoyed reading it. After reading the online in Rough Cut, I bought the book. If you read this far, I believe you will want to buy it too.iWork '09: The Missing Manual Overview
With iWork '09, Apple's productivity applications have come of age. Unfortunately, their user guides are stuck in infancy. That's where iWork '09: The Missing Manual comes in. This book quickly guides you through everything you need to know about the Pages word-processor, the Numbers spreadsheet, and the Keynote presentation program that Al Gore and Steve Jobs made famous. Friendly and entertaining, iWork '09: The Missing Manual gives you crystal-clear and jargon-free explanations of iWork's capabilities, its advantages over similar programs -- and its limitations. You'll see these programs through an objective lens that shows you which features work well and which don't. With this book, you will:



Produce stunning documents and cinema-quality digital presentations
Take advantage of Mac OS X's advanced typography and graphics capabilities
Learn how to use the collection of themes and templates included with iWork
Get undocumented tips, tricks, and secrets for each program
Integrate with other iLife programs to use photos, audio, and video clips

Learn why iWork is the topic most requested by Missing Manual fans. One of the few sources available on Apple's incredible suite of programs, iWork '09: The Missing Manual will help you get the best performance out of Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and more in no time.


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Mac OS X Lion All-in-One For Dummies Review

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Mac OS X Lion All-in-One For Dummies ReviewThe book is well written and very easy to understand. It provided a great deal of insight and features that I had no idea existed. I highly recommend it.Mac OS X Lion All-in-One For Dummies OverviewEight minibooks thoroughly cover the newest Mac operating system—Mac OS X Lion
Macs continue to gain market share, and Mac OS X Lion is expected to draw even more converts as it adds the magic of some of your favorite iPad and iPhone features to the legendary power of the Mac. This easy-to-follow guide to Mac OS X Lion features eight self-contained minibooks covering every phase of navigating, customizing, and expanding Mac OS X Lion; the iLife and iWork applications; maintenance and troubleshooting; Internet activities; and much more.
Mac OS X Lion All-in-One For Dummies is ideal for those switching to a Mac, anyone upgrading from an earlier version of Mac OS X, beginning Mac users, and experienced users looking for a more comprehensive reference.
Minibooks include: Introducing Mac OS X, Customizing and Sharing, the Digital Hub, Using iWork, the Typical Internet Stuff, Networking in Mac OS X, Expanding Your System, and Advanced Mac OS X
Covers Mac OS X Lion basics, using the Finder and Spotlight, customizing the desktop, setting up multi-user accounts, working with the Address Book and Apple Mail, and using the amazing iTunes, iLife and iWork applications
Highlights the new features of Mac OS X Lion showing readers how to find and download apps from the Mac App Store, organize their desktop with Launchpad and Mission Control, take advantage of full-screen apps, and more
Features advanced advice on using AppleScript, troubleshooting your system, staying secure, and setting up a network

You'll tame your Lion in no time with this book and a little help from For Dummies.

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Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition Review

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Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition ReviewI just made the move from an XP PC to an iMac so I bought this book as a reference. It not only helps with all the questions new users will have but it also answers questions that I didn't know to ask. You may be able to figure out many of the the BIG things on your own but it is always the little things can kill you - unless you have a handy reference guide like this. It is must have book for an old dog like me that needs to learn new tricks on his own. It is a small, but valuable investment that will save you lots of time. Just get it, you won't regret it.Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition Overview
Is Windows giving you pause? Ready to make the leap to the Mac instead? There has never been a better time to switch from Windows to Mac, and this incomparable guide will help you make a smooth transition. New York Times columnist and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue gets you past three challenges: transferring your stuff, assembling Mac programs so you can do what you did with Windows, and learning your way around Mac OS X. Learning to use a Mac is not a piece of cake, but once you do, the rewards are oh-so-much better. No viruses, worms, or spyware. No questionable firewalls, inefficient permissions, or other strange features. Just a beautiful machine with a thoroughly reliable system. Whether you're using Windows XP or Vista, we've got you covered. If you're ready to take on Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the latest edition of this bestselling guide tells you everything you need to know:



Transferring your stuff -- Moving photos, MP3s, and Microsoft Office documents is the easy part. This book gets you through the tricky things: extracting your email, address book, calendar, Web bookmarks, buddy list, desktop pictures, and MP3 files.Re-creating your software suite -- Big-name programs (Word, Photoshop, Firefox, Dreamweaver, and so on) are available in both Mac and Windows versions, but hundreds of other programs are available only for Windows. This guide identifies the Mac equivalents and explains how to move your data to them.
Learning Snow Leopard -- Once you've moved into the Mac, a final task awaits: Learning your way around. Fortunately, you're in good hands with the author of Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, the #1 bestselling guide to the Macintosh.

Moving from Windows to a Mac successfully and painlessly is the one thing Apple does not deliver. Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition is your ticket to a new computing experience.


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Mac OS X Lion: Peachpit Learning Series Review

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Mac OS X Lion: Peachpit Learning Series ReviewI just bought a Macbook Air after 20 years of using MS Windows. Quite a change! The Mac was basically useless for the first couple of days. I even had trouble learning how to use the trackpad. After a few days of stumbling, I knew I needed help. Apple retail stores have a pricey series of classes, but I needed something quick that I could do on my own time.
I researched the various books on Macs and OS X and settled on the "missing manual" series, which I'm familiar with because of our iPad. No luck. The latest Missing Manuals are only up to Snow Leopard, and at these prices I'd like something current. MM will be available in a couple of months, I'm told. So I went to my local B&N to thumb through what is already out (a couple of weeks after the release of Lion) and I was so impressed I actually paid full price for this book. At first, I thought I might need the prequel, The "Little Mac Book" by the same authors, but after examining it I decided it was a bit too elementary and designed for new computer users or real beginners. This OS X Lion book, on the other hand, assumes you know how to use a mouse, a trackpad, surf the www, click "send" to send an email, select text in a drop down menu, and all the other things that most of us have been doing for many years -- albeit with another OS or an older Mac.
The book starts with the beginning -- the Finder (which as Alice says, "is a very good place to start") -- and uses this key feature as a kind of roadmap to the OS and the Mac as a whole. It then moves on to the apps and other features like security and peripheral devices. Since this is not an elementary book, it requires careful reading to pick up some of the little things that frustrate a Windows user making the transition, but it all seems to be there. I was planning on buying one of those "switching from PC to Mac" books, but at this point I no longer see the need. Old habits make way for the new.
The book is clear without trying to dumb things down. (Not to insult anyone, but "The Little Mac Book" by the same authors has much more elementary approach and is a bit too dumb for me.) I love Lion. It's a neat, friendly, flexible and powerful system. This book makes it work for me.Mac OS X Lion: Peachpit Learning Series OverviewThe latest update of Robin Williams bestselling guide will have you working miracles in no time with Mac OS X Lion. With this book, you can learn in your own way, whether it's working through the lessons from start to finish, jumping straight to step-by-step exercises about new features, or looking up just what you need to know at that moment. There are hundreds of exciting tools and hidden gems in your Mac. And with the gentle, yet expert, hand of Robin Williams guiding you along the way, you will learn to take full advantage of all that OS X Lion has to offer. If you are new to Mac OS X, you'll learn to use your Mac with help from a world-renowned teacher. From there, you can move on to customize it to suit the way you work. And if you've been using Mac OS X already, you'll learn to use all of the new features in OS X Lion including Multi-Touch Gestures, Launchpad, Mission Control, the App Store, Mail, and much more.

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VoIP Hacks: Tips & Tools for Internet Telephony Review

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VoIP Hacks: Tips & Tools for Internet Telephony ReviewI've been in telephony and networking for nearly 30 years. Started in R&D at a PBX manufacturer in 1979, then did a stretch with the, at that time, worlds largest Ethernet company. Then I worked on a Fiber Optic Voice and Data MAN (IEEE 802.6) and have been manufacturing telecom products for the past 14 years. I think that gives me the qualifications to critique this book even without having to mention the Ethernet board I designed for IBM was featured on the cover of PC Week Magazine in 1987.
This is a very good book. If you are a VoIP systems integrator or do anything with Asterisk, this book is a must have. There are major problems with the current state of the VoIP industry. The two biggest problems are security and the unavailability of a decent broadband connection with QoS and an SLA below $400 per MegaBit. Yes $400, but we're talking guaranteed availability and less than 0.5% packet loss,and 50mS or less latency with real penalties for not meeting the SLA.
Before reading this book I would not have considered putting an IP-PBX on an ADSL link. The author's idea of putting a Sangoma ADLS modem in the Linux box with PPPoE client software and controlling the modem queue is nothing short of genius. Then to top it off with the AstShape QoS scripts and the QoS monitoring tools, this book is an absolute bargain. With these tools I'll not only know if the ADSL connection is capable of supporting VoIP service, but I'll know exactly why. Much better than cutting over to the VoIP system and later discovering the problems. The whole book is just full of great ideas. There is something in this book for everybody from the Skype user to a single VoIP phone owner, Asterisk, or enterprise PBX administrators. Just check out the Table of Contents. Amazon does not have the Table of Contents available but it is on the O'Reilly website oreilly D0T C0M.
While the book is an asset for seasoned VoIP integrators, it is also a very good resource for someone completely unfamiliar with VoIP with a desire to learn. You can start out with free software for a Windows PC, progress to purchasing a single VoIP phone, then to a Linux PC. If you are leary of Linux, either get over it or you should probably stay out of VoIP altogether.VoIP Hacks: Tips & Tools for Internet Telephony Overview
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is gaining a lot of attention these days, as more companies and individuals switch from standard telephone service to phone service via the Internet.The reason is simple: A single network to carry voice and data is easier to scale, maintain, and administer.As an added bonus, it's also cheaper, because VoIP is free of the endless government regulations and tariffs imposed upon phone companies.

VoIP is simply overflowing with hack potential, and VoIP Hacks is the practical guide from O'Reilly that presents these possibilities to you.It provides dozens of hands-on projects for building a VoIP network, showing you how to tweak and customize a multitude of exciting things to get the job done.Along the way, you'll also learn which standards and practices work best for your particular environment.Among the quick and clever solutions showcased in the book are those for:

gauging VoIP readiness on an enterprise network
using SIP, H.323, and other signaling specifications
providing low-layer security in a VoIP environment
employing IP hardphones, analog telephone adapters, and softPBX servers
dealing with and avoiding the most common VoIP deployment mistakes

In reality, VoIP Hacks contains only a small subset of VoIP knowledge-enough to serve as an introduction to the world of VoIP and teach you how to use it to save money, be more productive, or just impress your friends.If you love to tinker and optimize, this is the one technology, and the one book, you must investigate.


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