Review by Ronald SchoedelOnce again, the "for Dummies" series has come to the rescue of newbies and others who just want to learn more about their Macs.I am not a newbie.I've owned Macs for well over a decade. Even so, "Tiger for Dummies" had some great tidbits of knowledge that I was reading and learning for the first time.I always enjoy reading articles and books by "Dr. Mac" Bob Levitus, too.His style is easy-going and helpful, and he doesn't assume you know more than you likely do.
The true test of a "Dummies" book, however, is how much it helps someone unfamiliar with the Mac become a more efficient and better-informed user.The book is broken down into a number of tasks, and then walks the reader through a task step by step.Playful icons guide the reader through the task, warn of potential pitfalls, clarify matters, and direct the reader to additional software or resources that may be helpful.
"Mac OS X Tiger for Dummies" will help you configure a printer, get on the internet, use cool new internet services, get the most out of the included software on your Mac, and navigate the system preferences, explaining in detail (but not too much detail to bore you) many of the customization options your Mac has available.You will learn about Spotlight and how to find anything on your Mac exceptionally quickly.You will learn about downloading and installing Widgets to complement the ones Apple provides in the default Dashboard. Dr. Mac will also explain to you the Finder and the metaphors common to the Macintosh experience (concepts such as documents, the desktop, folders, windows, icons and menus).You will get a good education on removable media, disk images, downloading things from the internet, backing up your files, and even a couple chapters on networking.
In reviewing this book, I loaned it to a couple brand new Mac users; they now own their own copies, which they purchased after enjoying my copy for a brief time.They said that "Tiger for Dummies" is a great book and helps them acclimate to the Mac, especially helping them overcome some common hang-ups or sources of confusion encountered by switchers from Windows.
My only gripe: too many bad jokes.Not enough to dock it any moose in the 5 out of 5 moose rating that I am giving it, but suffice it to say that after 400 pages, the jokes wear thin.Less jokes, more content, would be my desire for the next version.I enjoy Dr. Mac's humor, generally, but like anything else, it's best taken in moderation.
I recommend "Tiger for Dummies" to any Mac user, but especially to new users or as a gift for new Mac users in your life.Pick up a couple copies for the Mac users on your gift list!
Pros: Easy to read, well-illustrated, another fine Dummies book
Cons: Too many bad jokes.
Product Description
Mac OS X just keeps getting better! The newest cat in the pack, 10.4 Tiger, has new bells and whistles and terrific updates that make it even easier and more fun to use, which is why you won't want to miss out on the helpful guidance this book has to offer.
Written by "Dr. Mac" himself, veteran Macintosh expert Bob LeVitus, Mac OS X Tiger For Dummies is perfect whether you're brand-new to the Mac or you're a longtime Mac-thusiast. You'll find sections on
- Basic Mac usage, including keyboard and mouse, menus, windows, the Dock, saving and backing up files, and getting around OS X
- Internet ins and outs, how to print from your Mac, and the how and why of System Preferences
- How to set up a network, share files, and troubleshoot problems
- Step-by-step installation instructions for OS X, and a lot more
Bob LeVitus reaches over a million readers weekly with his "Dr. Mac" column in the Houston Chronicle, and his books have sold more than a million copies worldwide. In this one, he helps you
- Find your way around the new Finder, go Web surfing with the cool new Safari browser, and search smarter with Spotlight
- Use Preferences to personalize your system for the way you work
- Handle removable media, including CDs, DVDs, and even classic devices like zip drives
- Manage files, use file sharing, and protect your precious data -painlessly
- Take advantage of Dashboard widgets, navigate nested folders, and make the most of Tiger
With the friendly and expert advice in this book, you'll tame the Tiger in no time. Then, when you're ready to delve deeper into some of the specific applications like digital media, check out other For Dummies guides, including iLife '04 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (ISBN 0-7645-7347-0).
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