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Mac OS X Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual
jsuda writes "The preeminent general reference source for Mac OS X has always been the Missing
Manual Series written by David Pogue. The latest iteration in the series
is its Mac OS X Leopard Edition, completely revised, and it is the biggest,
most comprehensive, and most useful of all the editions in the series. It covers
the Mac OS X desktop and file system, the free applications included with the Mac OS
X installation, the system components and technologies, networking and online
features and components, and includes welcome appendices on installation, troubleshooting,
Windows/Mac comparisons, and a Master Keystroke list." Read on for the rest of John's review.
Mac OS X Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual
author
David Pogue
pages
893
publisher
O'Reilly Media Inc.
rating
10
reviewer
John Suda
ISBN
9780596529529
summary
Great Manual for all levels of users
Every one of the editions has been exceedingly well-designed and written combining
serious treatment of subject content with style, wit, and humor, as well as honest
evaluation and critique of features of the Mac operating system. All of the OS
X Missing Manuals have addressed issues for a broad range of users, from the lightly
experienced, the intermediate, and for power users. For the most part, however,
the primary focus of each edition has been on the less experienced users. This
has changed with the Leopard edition.
There seems to have been a deliberate effort to make the book more appealing and useful to upper-end users without losing any utility at all for others. There seems to be more material for power users- -there are more Power Users Guides providing advanced information and techniques, more UNIX references for those willing and able to take avail of the UNIX kernel underlying the operating system, more identifications of keyboard shortcuts, and more disclosure of undocumented and advanced features than in previous editions.
For example, Pogue itemizes and describes at least 20 UNIX utilities that only power users would want to use, explains how to configure preferences for the Terminal application, explains how to deal with the file and folder permissions system using UNIX commands, and even notes the existence of the venerable Eliza therapist emulator program hidden in a part of the emacs text editor. At each juncture of describing operating system features, Pogue explains from the perspective of different levels of users, including the power user, like himself. Unlike in many other books purporting to cover a broad range of users, this one does not short on the higher-end.
This is all well and good as casual users are still widely well-taken care of by the thorough and well-organized explanations of nearly every feature of OS 10.5. The book is illustrated profusely with screenshots of system features, configuration processes, comparison of the Mac OS X versions, comparisons of Mac OS X to Windows features, and more. Nearly every page is loaded with Tips, Notes, FAQs, lists, tables, and sidebars. Throughout, there are nuggets of insight and technical arcana that even Mac veterans will be surprised to learn about. I learned, for example, that the one-button Apple Mighty Mouse has a secret 2-button feature. Also there is a similar way to operate a laptop with a two finger trackpad technique. There are a lot of tips and tricks like that in the book. Even beyond description and explanation, Pogue provides useful recommendations for configurations of the Dock, recovery from common errors, and using Automator to design practical workflows for common tasks.
The subject content builds upon that of previous editions and updates it with material relating to the 300-plus new features of Leopard. Much of the new material covers the Leopard update highlights the backup program called Time Machine, a desktop switching application called Spaces, the Stacks organizing feature, the file previewer, QuickLook, and the feature enhancements in iChat, Mail, and especially Spotlight, the search tool.
Spotlight is much more than a mere search tool although it is a great one. A whole chapter is devoted to it alone. Pogue explains how to use it not just for casual and advanced searching (using over 125 types of data and metadata) but as a quick launcher of files, folders, and applications; as a calculator; and as a dictionary. Sophisticated query languages can be used and Pogue lists a series of power user keyboard shortcuts for Spotlight use.
I see the book as especially useful for those Windows users of all levels gravitating to the Mac platform. Not only is the treatment of the Mac OS done well, but at nearly every juncture, Pogue takes the perspective of a Windows user and provides practical comparisons and contrasts of operating systems.
Weaving all of these perspectives into a harmonious, readable manual is a fine achievement. The content discussions and explanations are never abstract but written from the viewpoint of the thoughtful and practical user and no one is better at this than David Pogue who has been cited before as one of the worlds best (technical) communicators. The denseness of the treatment of the subject content diminishes somewhat from the readability of the book compared to prior editions and there is a bit less wit, humor and style. That is the trade-off, I presume, for the increased breadth and depth of the content treatment but this Missing Manual is still as well written as a computer manual can be expected to be.
You can purchase Mac OSX Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual from amazon.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
There seems to have been a deliberate effort to make the book more appealing and useful to upper-end users without losing any utility at all for others. There seems to be more material for power users- -there are more Power Users Guides providing advanced information and techniques, more UNIX references for those willing and able to take avail of the UNIX kernel underlying the operating system, more identifications of keyboard shortcuts, and more disclosure of undocumented and advanced features than in previous editions.
For example, Pogue itemizes and describes at least 20 UNIX utilities that only power users would want to use, explains how to configure preferences for the Terminal application, explains how to deal with the file and folder permissions system using UNIX commands, and even notes the existence of the venerable Eliza therapist emulator program hidden in a part of the emacs text editor. At each juncture of describing operating system features, Pogue explains from the perspective of different levels of users, including the power user, like himself. Unlike in many other books purporting to cover a broad range of users, this one does not short on the higher-end.
This is all well and good as casual users are still widely well-taken care of by the thorough and well-organized explanations of nearly every feature of OS 10.5. The book is illustrated profusely with screenshots of system features, configuration processes, comparison of the Mac OS X versions, comparisons of Mac OS X to Windows features, and more. Nearly every page is loaded with Tips, Notes, FAQs, lists, tables, and sidebars. Throughout, there are nuggets of insight and technical arcana that even Mac veterans will be surprised to learn about. I learned, for example, that the one-button Apple Mighty Mouse has a secret 2-button feature. Also there is a similar way to operate a laptop with a two finger trackpad technique. There are a lot of tips and tricks like that in the book. Even beyond description and explanation, Pogue provides useful recommendations for configurations of the Dock, recovery from common errors, and using Automator to design practical workflows for common tasks.
The subject content builds upon that of previous editions and updates it with material relating to the 300-plus new features of Leopard. Much of the new material covers the Leopard update highlights the backup program called Time Machine, a desktop switching application called Spaces, the Stacks organizing feature, the file previewer, QuickLook, and the feature enhancements in iChat, Mail, and especially Spotlight, the search tool.
Spotlight is much more than a mere search tool although it is a great one. A whole chapter is devoted to it alone. Pogue explains how to use it not just for casual and advanced searching (using over 125 types of data and metadata) but as a quick launcher of files, folders, and applications; as a calculator; and as a dictionary. Sophisticated query languages can be used and Pogue lists a series of power user keyboard shortcuts for Spotlight use.
I see the book as especially useful for those Windows users of all levels gravitating to the Mac platform. Not only is the treatment of the Mac OS done well, but at nearly every juncture, Pogue takes the perspective of a Windows user and provides practical comparisons and contrasts of operating systems.
Weaving all of these perspectives into a harmonious, readable manual is a fine achievement. The content discussions and explanations are never abstract but written from the viewpoint of the thoughtful and practical user and no one is better at this than David Pogue who has been cited before as one of the worlds best (technical) communicators. The denseness of the treatment of the subject content diminishes somewhat from the readability of the book compared to prior editions and there is a bit less wit, humor and style. That is the trade-off, I presume, for the increased breadth and depth of the content treatment but this Missing Manual is still as well written as a computer manual can be expected to be.
You can purchase Mac OSX Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual from amazon.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
Why would you expect a comprehensive book written by a 3rd party to be supplied free with the OS?
If you want help from Apple, there's the built in help function, the section of their website, and their Discussions Forums
, not to mention the free call number available in almost all countries they officially sell in.The Mothership
You might want to try the Interference Robustness option to see if it helps.
http://www.macinstruct.com/node/213
They provide an entire website of documentation about Leopard.
http://www.apple.com/support/leopard/
(and yes, they assume you can get to and read a web page).
I see ENORMOUS books on how to use Windows... or even Word for that matter. 600+ pages describing how to use a word processor.
Why doesn't Microsoft give those third-party books away for free?
You do realize this is a third-party book, right?
You can ignore the "10." in Mac OS X version numbers. The transition from Tiger to Leopard is from version 4 to version 5. Yes, that's a big change.
Just because Microsoft can't come out with OS updates but once or twice a decade doesn't mean that Apple isn't providing significant updates to their OS more regularly. People see a reason to spend $130 for Leopard; there must be something new there.
They just missed a number. From O'Reilly's site: ISBN 10: 0-596-52952-X | ISBN 13:9780596529529.
the book doesn't tell you how to make it work when it doesn't. It is a comprehensive guide to all of the features that may be missed by users who aren't paying attention. I gave the tiger edition to my mother in law. While she could use the machine out of the box, she wouldn't figure out the more complex aspects of the finder on her own. In addition, the book contains a basic guide to the ilife programs as well as iChat. While she could likely figure this out on her own, having a resource has been great for her. It gives basic users a more advanced knowledge than they would otherwise have.
You might want to check out this link from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/02/25/potential-fix-for-an-annoying-macbook-air-wireless-issue/) to see if it addresses your issue. The link says it's for MacBook Airs but some users have reported success with other models.
if it was called "Secrets of OS X" instead of "The Missing Manual" nobody would bitch. People are more than happy to take any opportunity they can to take a shot at apple. My girlfriend recently bought a vista laptop. It didn't come with a vista manual (or even install/recovery disks)... but there is no "Vista: The missing manual (and recovery disk)"
"In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson
OK... I stand corrected
There most certainly is a missing manual for vista.
"In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson
But you will have to do a fsck first.
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
apple + left arrow (home)
apple + right arrow (end)
get a mac before you complain about how its not a "real" computer.
In fact, this book is available on the O'Reilly Safari Books Online (no relation to the web browser) service, and I do read them on my iPhone. Low-end subscriptions are relatively cheep, and well worth it; I keep 10 books on my bookshelf at any one time for about $20 a month. I just added this one to my bookshelf.
on Amazon:
ISBN-10: 059652952X
ISBN-13: 978-0596529529
On older keyboards it's command+left / command+right. Alt+left/right goes between words.
I think the newer keyboards do have end/home keys, as well as an fn key and better-labelled page up, down and command keys.
Those using pirated Tinysoft signatures(TM) are a real threat to society and should all be thrown in jail.
^A and ^E. Handily, every text box that's a product of the standard libraries on a Mac supports (albeit not desperately, or at all, well documented) basic emacs binding. It's a NeXTStep legacy. So I'm typing this into a standard browser text box in Safari, and ^A, ^E, ^T, ^B, ^F, ^K, ^Y, ^O, ^P and ^N have their expected meanings. The meta/escape versions don't work, and there's no marks (^@ or ^-space), kill ring, and so on. But it's enough to be going on with, and makes typing slashdot posts far more civilised.
* occasional graphic system hangs (background processes work fine, keyboard and mouse stop working, firing up a new dialog box causes a process to hang)
* Looooong wait times for wake-from-sleep (15 seconds typical) with no indication whether it's going to wake from sleep at all (e.g. if the battery is drained)
* sometimes doesn't sleep when lid is closed (until the battery drops to emergency levels, see above)
* sometimes doesn't recognize monitors when waking from sleep. Sometimes the monitor it doesn't recognize is the macbook's own.
* Fucks up screen geometry when plugged into a 1600x1200 external monitor (menu bar moves to external monitor as needed, but stays at the native-screen width; X windows and most applications silently ignore clicks near the lower or right edges of the external monitor
I'm sorry I ever upgraded to Leopard -- it's such a buggy piece of crap that I'm beginning to feel like I'm using a Microsoft product.
Command-LeftArrow, Command-RightArrow has always worked fine for me.
Yaz.
I've had my mac for a month. I had Mac-style mouse acceleration for 2 days.
Then, I installed Logitech's all-in-one OSX utility (the Logitech Control Center). It recognized my Logitech USB mouse and - voila - the awful acceleration was gone, swept aside by using the hardware vendor's driver instead of the one that ships with the OS.
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
No, but it does become obsolete that fast. Features new to Leopard that were not in Tiger include:
- The ability to create Widgets by selecting portions of Web pages
- Stacks - folder icons that dynamically change to indicate what is in the folder
- A system-wide grammar checker and the system-wide spelling checker/dictionary/theasaurus expanded to include wikipediaand more dictionaries (include non-English languages)
- A new type of viewing in the window/file manager that lets you pan through giant preview "icons" of files
- Updates and new features for most of the consumer applications (mail, calendar, IM, Web browser, Media players, and PDF viewer/image viewer)
- Remote desktop access and sharing integrated into the IM client
- New supported file systems and improved remote filesystem server/client
- Parental controls that include application specific restrictions (no Web browsing after 11pm for little Jimmy)
- Virtual desktops
- Expanded, indexed system-wide searching
- Automated backup/versioning from the GUI
- Completely redone UI for the handicapped (braille boards, audio interface, etc.)
- Dtrace ported from Solaris for developers, and a bunch of other dev tools and new APIs
- Application layer firewall
- Built in mandatory access controls/sandboxes and app signing for security
- A guest account that resets itself to a clean default state each login
Does OSX really change that much from version to version?Yes. 10.n to 10.n+1 is major upgrade akin to going from XP to Vista. As one of those people who doesn't read the manual before diving into something, I'm still finding new features and I've had it for months. Just yesterday I noticed in an e-mail a friend sent me about a concert he was going to downtown "next friday at 9:00", that right clicking on the time, gave me the option of automatically creating an event in the calendar program for that day at that time labelled with the concert name. That's exactly the kind of stuff a book about Leopard is nice for finding out about.
Wondering why this doesn't show up on apple.slashdot.org. Hmmm?
System Prefs - Mouse - Acceleration slider... move to 0.
How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/
Also, it's prominent in the picture at the top of the page.
Additionally you can use option+left/right arrow to jump to beginning/end of words and option+shift+left/right to highlight words... while apple/command + shift +arrows will highlight the rest of the sentence to the left or right of your current insertion point.
I'd say that's enough *real* features whatever that means...
A fool throws a stone into a well and a thousand sages can not remove it.
Yuk yuk yuk. Your wit is painful to witness.
Yeah, remove Application Enhancer before installing Leopard. That always does the trick.
Additionally, most standard EMACS key bindings are supported. Is that 'real' enough for you?
Culture is more than commerce
The ratings given to reviewed books are useless as it is now. Most books are given an 8 or 9, and there doesn't seem to be any system for how to rate the books. For example, the last X books that I looked up under book reviews were given: 7/10, 9, 9/10, 6/10, 8, 8/10, 8/10, 9, 9, 9/10, 9, 8, 8/10, 7/10, 10. The reviewers don't even know if there should be a "/10" in the rating or not. I've also seen ratings on a 1 to 5 scale.
It would be better, if different parts and aspects of the books were given separate ratings, and then a total rating was calculated from the parts. Please also look into how other publications rate books. I'm sure there's a lot to be learned.
I found these one useful too: http://www.apple.com/business/videotips/
you can subscribe to the videocast. While most video tips are things I knew about, some are truly useful and well hidden features (oops?). The best part is probably the short length of the videotips themselves: 1 minute per week is something I can afford.
And let's not forget the Guided Tour. 30 minutes, but worthed: http://www.apple.com/macosx/guidedtour/
And while I'm a it, there's a new section this year: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/
Animoog.org
Presumably your little comment was meant to prop-up OS X as a real OS based on its POSIX compliance.
One need only watch a Mac user work for 5 minutes to recognize that its POSIX compliance means nothing. The OS seems to miraculously turn even previously reasonable savvy computer users into specific-application-using near-luddites. Happened to my best friend. Seriously.
As for me, I use Linux.
Akarsz Magyar Gentoo fórumot? Akkor
Hey!
I am doing my ph.d. on supercomputers. Linux in my field is not just a reality, its the rule. When its not linux, it is... well, solaris, sun os, and, well... mac os X.
Unix is not open source. BSD is. Unix is a property of Novell.
About the multimedia, well, windows is the king today. But the best pc you can run windows today is a mac. Be it a desktop or a notebook.
About easy upgradable computer, are you using intel chips recently? About the media and the ipods, you are wrong, completely wrong. Apple today sets the standards on this field, even on scientific research.
Oh, my country has no macs advertisement, but it is present in top research.
Oh yes, openMPI and XGrid is built-in on macs, and they work together! Tell a university system's administrator that such a system exists and then just prepare yourself to buy them... As we are doing now.
If by Airport you mean a wireless connection to an actual Apple Airport router, then skip this reply. If, on the other hand, the wireless router is not an Apple router, check to see if the router has some kind of "turbo" or "speed boost" or similar mode. Those modes do some things that are outside the standard but often work (especially with wireless cards made by the same manufacturer as the router!), but sometimes don't. If the router has such modes, try turning them off.
You may want to look into this, then: Classic on Intel.
Set that up, and you won't need your 10.3 install anymore.
And I post from my iPhone too, as you can tell ;)
Re: Virtual Desktops
Trust me, if you expect "Spaces" to be like the virtual desktops you're used to in Gnome or KDE -- it isn't. It's practically useless in fact being based on the notion of application partitioning rather than task partitioning. This means if you try to spread out windows from one program over several desktops, you're in for some confusing behavior. And if you used forwarded X sessions over X11 via ssh -- get ready for really crazy behavior unless you keep all your windows on one desktop, and DO NOT open any other terminal windows from your login terminal window -- you'll find you can't even click on previously opened windows if you do that. Of course, it sort of defeats the whole purpose of multiple desktops if you have to keep every application related to X11 open on the one desktop.
I like OS X (Tiger and below), but I'm totally burned with Leopard. The 3d party desktop managers don't even work anymore. I'm ticked and I plan to be noisy about. How many years have I waited for an integrated solution for multiple desktops? And this is what I get? Utter crap that reduces functionality.
What changed under Obama? Nothing Good
Who cares why -- it is what he wants. That is enough.
What changed under Obama? Nothing Good
You know, there are keys labeled "home" and "end" on my mac keyboard and I too have wondered why they don't do anything. Seriously, why paint the words on the key if it doesn't do squat?
What changed under Obama? Nothing Good
I understand what he said - and I know what mouse accel is and why it's useful - I'm trying to get at the usefulness for the desired zero accel.
Is there an app that works better under it? Tablet use? Fine(st) grained control?
If it's just personal preference, fine.
"Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."