Overview
So you're finally ready to find out what all the fuss is about! Whether you're switching from a Windows system or upgrading from an older Mac OS, this task-based guide represents the surest way to go from 0 to 60 in no time flat with Apple's much anticipated Mac OS X Panther—more mature, powerfully enhanced, and with an improved GUI that will knock your socks off! In this thoroughly revised volume—which includes an expanded iApps section and new chapters on networking (including AirPort networking), security, Unix, Classic Environment, and System Preferences—you'll find the task-based, step-by-step instructions that have become the hallmark of Peachpit's enormously popular Visual QuickStart series. Veteran author Maria Langer uses plenty of visual aids and clear, concise instructions to step you through the process of installing and configuring the new OS before moving on to explore its many capabilities and bundled apps. Tips, tricks, and sage advice round out the package.
Synopsis
So you're finally ready to find out what all the fuss is about! Whether you're switching from a Windows system or upgrading from an older Mac OS, this task-based guide represents the surest way to go from 0 to 60 in no time flat with Apple's much anticipated Mac OS X Panther—more mature, powerfully enhanced, and with an improved GUI that will knock your socks off! In this thoroughly revised volume—which includes an expanded iApps section and new chapters on networking (including AirPort networking), security, Unix, Classic Environment, and System Preferences—you'll find the task-based, step-by-step instructions that have become the hallmark of Peachpit's enormously popular Visual QuickStart series. Veteran author Maria Langer uses plenty of visual aids and clear, concise instructions to step you through the process of installing and configuring the new OS before moving on to explore its many capabilities and bundled apps. Tips, tricks, and sage advice round out the package.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewWith Mac OS X 10.3, a.k.a. Panther, Mac users are adopting OS X in unprecedented numbers. They’ll have plenty of practical questions -- about OS X itself, and about version 10.3’s loads of new features (over 150 in all).
Mac users know from experience that they can turn to Maria Langer’s Visual QuickStart Guides for fast, simple, reliable answers. Now she’s updated Mac OS X 10.3 Visual QuickStart Guide to cover almost everything significant that’s new in Panther.
For example, Langer introduces several new features for getting at your stuff more efficiently. Want to customize the Sidebar for quicker access to your most important resources? Langer shows you. Want to know the Exposé keyboard shortcuts that let you open all your windows at the same time (or just all the windows associated with one specific application)? They’re here. Have you noticed that color-coded Labels (a feature of Mac OS 9.2 and earlier) are back? Yes, and you can even sort and search items based on the label color you’ve given them.
You’ll find five full chapters on working with Mac OS applications. One covers the fundamentals that apply to any Mac application. The next covers almost all the core Mac apps (Address Book, DVD Player, Chess, QuickTime Player...plus ten new pages of coverage on AppleScript, the incredibly powerful automation tool most Mac users still ignore).
There’s a full chapter on the latest versions of Apple’s iApplications (including iCal and iSync, which Langer skipped in the previous edition, due to space constraints). There’s detailed coverage of Sherlock 3, which can be used to find just about anything -- web content, pictures, investment information, movie showtimes, dictionary definitions, language translations, even eBay listings.
There’s even a chapter on TextEdit, which just might be the only word processor you need -- especially now that it can actually import most basic Microsoft Word .DOC documents.
New feature coverage also includes Font Book, Mac’s one-button font installer; new built-in Fax send, receive, and display... and, of course, Safari 1.1, Apple’s elegant, high-performance web browser.
Mac OS X 10.3 Visual QuickStart Guide also incorporates extensive, thoroughly updated coverage of more advanced topics than the previous edition. There’s in-depth coverage of wireless and wired networking, including the new Network Browser. There’s coverage of security, including the new FileVault (which lets you secure your home directory with 128-bit encryption). There’s also a full chapter on UNIX fundamentals for Mac OS X users; a systematic guide to customizing your System Preferences; and a primer on Mac OS utilities -- from ColorSync to Stuffit Expander.
Much of this coverage previously appeared in Langer’s separate Mac OS X Visual QuickPro Guides. As a result, getting this edition of Mac OS X 10.3 Visual QuickStart Guide is almost like getting two books in one.
You’ll find Mac screens on nearly every page. The design is open, friendly, designed for speedy access and easy browsing. Most tasks start on their own page; there are plenty of helpful tips; even the typography is well thought out. Yet again, you can’t go wrong with Maria Langer’s Mac Visual QuickStart Guides. Bill Camarda
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.