Mac OS X Unleashed (2nd Edition) 93
Mac OS X Unleashed (2nd Edition) | |
author | John Ray, William C. Ray |
pages | 1560 |
publisher | Sams |
rating | 7/10 |
reviewer | Emma Story |
ISBN | 0672324652 |
summary | A massive book that aims to be a complete OS X reference |
What I Liked
There's no shortage of good things about Unleashed, but the best is probably that the authors assume, for the most part,that you already know how to use your computer. Although there are many good books out there for those new to Macs, this is not one of them and does not try to be. That means that if you've already achieved a basic working knowledge of Mac OS, there's still well over a thousand pages of information intended especially for you. A line from another review of Unleashed (posted anonymously on Amazon) that rang particularly true after reading the book: "If you're looking for a book that says 'this is called a mouse' and tells you where to find iTunes in order to click on it, or drops the bombshell that command-p will print in many applications, you don't need this volume, but if you want to get your hands dirty, it's an excellent resource."
However, I can understand that many people do want the basics in an OS X book. In fact, another Amazon reviewer makes this very point: "Coverage of the iApps is far less than it should be, and there isn't enough information for a novice user like myself. I thought the author spent far too much time on the UNIX and Terminal side of Jaguar and not enough on the real-world tips that I've found in other books." Still, I personally don't really see that as a problem. There are plenty of real-world tips as long as your real world involves a shell, and if there's one thing I've never needed a book for, it's the iApps. In fact, I've always found it irritating that other OS X books spend so much time on them. But that's me, and I'm not everyone.
There were several sections of the book that surprised me, including the chapter on web programming. It makes sense, though - the book is intended to "unleash" OS X, after all, and OS X does come with an Apache installation (even if System Preferences calls it Personal Web Sharing). Given that every OS X box has a webserver, it makes sense that many OS X users would want to know more about related topics. In fact, the chapters that focus on system and network administration comprise a pretty thorough introduction to the BSD side of OS X, and were fairly impressive. These were my favorite sections of the book, probably because they're topics rarely dealt with - or at least rarely dealt with well - in Mac books.
What I Didn't Like
The book suffers from some minor issues typical of most massive technical volumes - it's informative, but also dry, dense, and not terribly readable. Also, while I appreciate the depth and scope of the book, it is a little unwieldy. This isn't something you'll be reading in bed or on the subway. It's not a cheap book, either - its list price is $50. These problems are neither hugely important nor terribly surprising, but they're also not inevitable - reference texts can be thorough without being dull, it's just that this one happens to be both.
Probably the only other real complaint I have with the book is that at times it seems as though it can't decide who its audience is. As I mentioned above, one of the things I liked about Unleashed was that most of the book seems firmly aimed at the intermediate to experienced user. And yet if that's the case, then the chapters that cover things like Desktop Accessories (Calculator, Clock, Key Caps) seem out of place. It doesn't seem like the introductory material offered in the book would really be enough to serve as a tutorial for an absolute beginner (as evidenced by complaints like the one I quoted earlier), but at the same time it's difficult to figure out who else would need it. However, I'm not suggesting they skimped on advanced topics to squeeze in inappropriate Clock coverage - if there's one thing this book has, it's plenty of everything.
The Bottom line
I believe that Unleashed does live up to its title, and does a good job in the process. It's not an introduction to OS X - it's about getting more out of your system after you've already learned the basics. It doesn't (usually) try to be a beginner's book, but a quick-learning novice would probably do fine with it, and any moderately experienced Mac user will probably find that it serves his or her purposes effectively and efficiently. If given the choice (and funding), I'd probably still go with a couple different books, but I think Unleashed has in fact reached its goal of being a complete guide to OS X. You could do just fine with only this book, and at $50 it may be cheaper than buying a couple smaller books separately.
And Furthermore
Other reviews and sources of information on the book:
- Review at macosxhints (from whence another Mac book, incidentally)
- Review at osnews.com
- Review at mymac.com
- Epinions page for the book, which as it turns out isn't all that useful
- Amazon's page for the book, including many customer reviews
You can purchase the Mac OS X Unleashed from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
Big Book (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Big Book (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Big Book (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Big Book (Score:2)
Re:Big Book (Score:2)
Can't be bigger than Harry Potter... (Score:1)
not a pocket guide? (Score:4, Funny)
Obligatory reply (Score:2)
Neat... (Score:2, Funny)
yes; i'm on a mac powerbook right now
Re:Neat... (Score:2)
Re:Neat... (Score:2)
An analogy (Score:3, Interesting)
Not a great analogy, but that's how I see it.
Re:Neat... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Neat... (Score:2)
How is this different from any other OS then? I would have expected that if its an option/setting then it is in the GUI. Why wouldn't it be?
>Unlike Windows, where if it's not in the GUI, it's not there at at all.)
Never edited a registry before?
Re:Neat... (Score:3, Interesting)
Here's two questions I've had in the past week.
1. My modem is stuck permanently in "Disconnecting mode" and fails to respond to reset attempts. How do I abort the soft modem program and restart it?
2. Is there a way to switch between user modes, ala (init [1-6] on linux?
Automounter? (Score:1)
But, what about Panther ??? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:But, what about Panther ??? (Score:2)
However, the people who buy this book are the types who only upgrade their OS by buying a new machine. They demand to be led through things step by step and aren't interested in tech for tech's sake. That's just their personality and behavior, something to take into account when you design a system.
Re:But, what about Panther ??? (Score:2)
However, that doesn't mean the Apache section will be useless...also, you will likely understand the enough about the system to be able to understand which changes have been made after Jaguar...
Re:But, what about Panther ??? (Score:1)
I have the 10.1 first edition book, and already wish i had the second edition. I guess i'll just wait for the third edition.
Sure would be nice if you could "upgrade" your book, and just get the changes/extra chapters for less than $50.
huh? (Score:2, Funny)
I won't even mention the irony of the bn.com link to buy the book.
Re:huh? (Score:2)
I noticed that Amazon is taking orders for Mac OS X Panther Unleashed, Third Edition (undiscounted).
Oh the agony! (Score:2, Funny)
What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:4, Interesting)
I've known several people who were very familiar with PC's (both MS & UNIX OSes) but couldn't bridge that to Mac's... If the book isn't suitable for a complete novice, how well suited is it for Apple novices?
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:1)
The "more experamentative" is probably true. Small changes on a Mac are far less likely to break your system beyond your ability to revert them, so Mac users aren't conditioned to "Don't touch anything!" the way most Windows users are.
But a simpler reason is just that there are a lot more Windows boxes out there than Macs. Mac users are forced to use Windows at work, in libraries, at a friend's h
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:1)
How do you set default programs for different file types? The whole concept of file associations are completly different in a Mac than they are in Windows.
How come email attachements from Mac come with two identically named files? Or files with out extensions on them? The Mac FS's metadata tends to throw off Windows users, as does the (sometimes) lack of a file extension.
That's the biggest problem I can think of at the moment... maybe it's not muc
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:2)
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:1)
How do you set default programs for different file types? The whole concept of file associations are completly different in a Mac than they are in Windows
Actually, in OS X file associations are very similar to those in Windows, Mac OS 9 and earlier however where a different matter. With OS X you can however change individual files of the same file type to open in non-default apps, which is cool! (BTW to do this right-click (or ctrl-click for those single button people) the file and select "Get Info" fro
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:2)
I know it's off topic, but I just saw an interview on Today with Stephen King, who said he is a very big fan of both Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. He also said that the 5th Harry Potter book out-grossed the number one movie, "The Hulk," which were both released this weekend. J.K. Rowling has a lot more to offer than comes out in the movies, especially in the last 2 books, which I hope you have read before making assumptions about t
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:1)
Basically, her reason was, she had a mac at work in the office (she's a teacher, so she doesn't use it regularly), and she just couldn't get used to the different way to close windows or open programs. Simple things like
Re:What about "power users" of other systems? (Score:2)
Anyone who knows how to use UNIX and Windows needs only do one thing to become proficient on a Mac: use it on a regular basis. Once you dedicate the week or so it takes to get used to OS X, then buy this book and you can read about the stuff for which a power user actually needs a reference.
In retrospect, this must be a
Re:But... (Score:2, Insightful)
warning (Score:2, Informative)
I couldn't find any mention of property lists or xml config files. Most hidden features and settings can only be activated by editing the configuration file manually, but they negelct to even discuss the format.
Re:warning (Score:5, Informative)
This book is great! (Score:5, Funny)
*runs*
By the time you've finished reading the bugger (Score:1, Funny)
Worthless? (Score:4, Insightful)
However, there's nothing quite like having the text right there. With my PHP book, I know that PHP.net has more information, but my book has a great index, and I can find information more easily. In the case of Mac OS X Unleashed, you have a great publishing company, and likely the most complete reference guide available, all without scouring the internet.
Unleashed in general (Score:3, Interesting)
If anyone has different experiences with them, by all means
Re:Unleashed in general (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Unleashed in general (Score:3, Interesting)
O'Reilly's Running Linux doesn't need nearly that many updates and is f
[offtopic] On Apple's site: (Score:2, Informative)
Apple is givin' us a preview of the new Finder themselves (blech, I don't like brushed metal}, just some fifty minutes before the keynote.
Sorry, stupid me, can't get the url right it seems...
Re:[offtopic] On Apple's site: (Score:2)
here [apple.com]
Not real sure if that means anything significant...
Re:[offtopic] On Apple's site: (Score:1)
Why are they going away from the Aqua theme with this brushed aluminum crap? I don't use Safari because I can't stand that look.
Just give me the option to use Aqua Apple, that is all I ask.
I have one rule. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I have one rule. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I have one rule. (Score:1)
This book is not about hardware -- it's about software.
Re:I have one rule. (Score:2)
recently looked at Unleashed Guides by Sam (Score:3, Interesting)
I guess one of the poblem is apps/OSes are getting more and more complicated, and it is just not possible for everything to be covered successfully in 1 volume. Do other poeple think similarly????
Re:recently looked at Unleashed Guides by Sam (Score:1)
I'm not everyone? How do we know? (Score:3, Funny)
doh! need to get the 2nd Edition now! (Score:1)
Re:mac Problem (Score:1)
If you're going to troll at least put some effort into it.
As bad as the rest? (Score:2)
Linux Unleashed was little more than a re-printing of the Linux man pages and other trivially-accessible information. It was so little help beyond what I already had that I regretted buying it, and it proved to me that the publisher wanted to put forth as little effort as possible for my money.
Ever since, I have regarded the "Unleashed" books as an insult to the trees used in
Some very good OSX Books in pdf format here (Score:2)
Some OSX Books in pdf format here [mac.com]
Good review, but there are better books (Score:2)
To quote from that review, I thought that the Unleashed book was "not as well structured and has a wordier, less terse and technical style. It's also more expensive and twice the size and weight."
I agree with previous comments that the "Unleashed" series is starting to lose its quality edge.I usually like books from SAMS, in fact I've raved about both editions of PHP & MySQL Web Development [amazon.com], and don't like to
Dietel and Dietel (OT?) (Score:2)
I credit this book with giving me the ability to show up half an hour before the end of a 3