Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Tiger Edition

Title: Switching To The Mac, Tiger Edition Author: David Pogue and Adam Goldstein Publisher: O'Reilly, Pogue Press ISBN-10: 0-596-00660-8; ISBN-13: 978-0-596-00660-0 Reviewed by: Curt Blanchard, Tucson Macintosh Users Group Date: 1/2/07 Here is another must-have from the O'Reilly Missing Manual series. Switching to the Mac is a hot topic these days not just because the overall Mac experience is superior, but it's much more secure from malware and other online nastiness. Now that Boot Camp and Parallels allow users to run Windows on the Mac, the arguments against switching are few. This book may well push those fence sitters over the edge. David Pogue and Adam Goldstein explain what the Mac gives you (lots!) - and what it taketh away (not much). With the Mac, you gain stability, strong security, advanced networking, true plug-and-play and simpler everything. When you switch, you may lose a few apps and access to some peripherals. The book deals with the basics about how a Mac is different in hardware, how to get online and an exploration of the iLife apps as well as Mail, Safari, etc. There are in-depth explanations of Accounts, System Preferences and other things that the new user will need to know. This is no lightweight glossing over of the subject matter; it's over 500 pages of detailed informative material that the new Mac user will want on the reference shelf. One of the well-considered features is a dictionary titled, "Where did it go?" Here you can look up "Alt Key" or "Task bar" and find the Mac equivalents. If you are a switcher or are considering switching, this is definitely the place to start. If you are looking for a gift for a new Mac switcher, this is something that will be greatly appreciated. Highly recommended. --Curt Blanchard

Are you a long time Windows user that is new to the Mac? Perhaps you are a long-time Mac user that is thinking of running Windows on your new Intel-powered Mac? In either of these cases, "Switching to the Mac" is a great book to read. Surprisingly, I also found it a good book for Mac users that have no interest in Windows. When I see the name "David Pouge" on the cover of a book, I expect to be entertained and educated in equal measure. "Switching to the Mac" did not disappoint on either front. Mr. Pouge has a talent for starting his books in a conversational and humorous manner that draws you in, and after you've turned some pages, you realize that you've learned some useful tricks and tidbits. "Switching to the Mac" is broken into four parts. Part One, Welcome to Macintosh (Chapters 1 to 4), covers differences between the Mac and Windows, terminology, and an overview of the Mac OS, including many small but very useful tips. Although I've been using OS X for as long as it has been around (and Macs for as long as they've been around), I was pleasantly surprised by the things I learned in this section of the book. The authors succeed at a difficult balancing act - giving new users the information they need, while giving power users information to keep them from being bored. For example, the first thing taught in Chapter One is where to find the power button on various models of Macs, then just a few pages later they show where to root around in the System folder to activate the Eject menu extra. One of the many highlight of Part One is Chapter Two's discussion on finding files, which covers Spotlight (Apple's new search technology), and Smart Folders (saved searches). Part Two, Moving In (Chapters 5 to 8), covers transferring data, an assortment of third-party (non-Apple) applications, and hardware that connects to the Mac. Highlights of Part Two are Chapter Six's detailed discussion on transferring your email and contacts from PC to Mac, and Chapter Eight has several sections useful to any Mac user, covering topics as diverse as printing, burning CDs and DVDs, and a discussion on fonts that could save you hours of frustration and grief. Part Two shows repeatedly how useful the book is, not only as a tutorial, but also as a troubleshooting resource. Part Three, Making Connections (Chapters 9 to 11), is the breeziest part of the book. Chapter 9 covers the many ways to connect your Mac to the internet, and Chapters 10 and 11 cover Apple's Mail application and Safari web browser. Most of this you may skim over, particularly if your plan on using more powerful alternatives to Apple's applications, such as Entourage (mail), and Firefox (web browser). Chapter 11 does have a nice section on RSS (subscriptions to internet-based information). If you read a lot of web pages and are not currently using RSS, this section explains why you'll love it, and how to set it up. Part Four, Putting Down Roots (Chapters 12 to 15), covers OS X's built-i

This is an incredible book. I read all 500 pages cover to cover after purchasing my first ever Mac, an imac G5, in just a few weeks. I have been a corporate trainer in Windows and DOS software for twenty years. I never thought I would switch, and though I liked the look and feel of OS X and the Apple hardware, leafing through this book at the bookstore convinced me to take the plunge. I just got off a video ichat with my brother-in-law in Alaska from the east coast and what an experience. He's been using macs for some time, but I was able to tell him some secrets I learned from this book in just my few weeks of using my new imac. If you are nervous about switching . . . just do it, you'll be sooo glad. And make sure you get this book to help you through the transition, it is just wonderful. John

This is an excellent resource for those looking to switch from Windows to Mac. All the basics of the operating system are there. Methods for getting critical data across from your Windows box is covered. And the text works well for migrating you from the Windows perspective to the Mac.

Switching to the Mac -the Missing Manual Despite it's title this book is not just for those defecting from PC's An essential for the beginner and an excellent read for those wishing to burrow into the hidden depths and capabilities of the Mac. Neither will be disappointed as this is a book written with enthusiasm and humour. Every topic is dealt with straightforwardly and comprehensively, beginning with the basics, then leading you on to uncover the complexities, versatility and the many other wonders of the Mac. An enlightening and enjoyable read.