Mac OS X: The Missing Manual

Missing Manuals

by David Pogue

New York Times computer columnist David Pogue has just updated his bestselling Mac OS Missing Manual ! And once again, he applies his scrupulous objectivity to this exciting new operating system, revealing which new features work well and which do not. With new material on almost every page, this second edition offers a wealth of detail on the myriad changes in OS X 10.2.Apple says that 10.2 introduces 150 new features to Mac OS X, but for once it undercounted. "Jaguar" is a different animal entirely. It's faster, more powerful, and much more customizable -- but it still comes without a manual.The first edition of Mac OS The Missing Manual was the #1 bestselling computer book of 2002, selling 100,000 copies in six months. Now David Pogue brings his humor and expertise to this completely rewritten, greatly expanded edition. It Getting started. The early chapters demystify the Dock, the Finder toolbar, and the unfamiliar Mac OS X folder structure. New technologies. Mac OS X 10.2 includes dramatic enhancements in Internet integration (Sherlock 3, iCal, iSync, .Mac, a built-in firewall, Internet sharing), networking (Rendezvous, Windows compatibility, virtual private networking), and entertainment (iTunes 3, DVD Player, Inkwell, iChat). Basics of Unix. You can sail along in Mac OS X without ever realizing that you're using Unix. But if you're tempted by the power of the command line, this book contains a gentle, intelligent introduction. Finding familiar features. This second edition includes two of the popular "Where'd It Go?" one for veteran Mac fans, and one for Windows refugees. Look up any traditional feature -- and find out precisely where Apple put it in Mac OS X 10.2.As always, Mac OS Missing Manual offers warm, witty writing, and bursts with the shortcuts, surprises, and design touches that make the Mac the most passionately championed computer in the world.

Genres: Reference, Computers, Technology, Nonfiction

725 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

David Pogue, Yale '85, is the weekly personal-technology columnist for the New York Times and an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News. His funny tech videos appear weekly on CNBC. And with 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's bestselling how- to authors. He wrote or co-wrote seven books in the "For Dummies" series (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music). In 1999, he launched his own series of amusing, practical, and user-friendly computer books called Missing Manuals, which now includes 100 titles.

David and his wife, Jennifer Pogue, MD, live in Connecticut with their three young children.

Reviews

[Laura Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic resource for anyone diving into macOS, especially if you're transitioning from Windows or just want to master the system’s nuances. I found the section on troubleshooting particularly helpful—it's where I learned how to Factory Reset Mac safely without losing important backups. Definitely worth keeping on your shelf for reference.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually almost started reading this like a novel. Everything about my new Mac is so pretty, it's really interesting to see what all it can do. And the prose of this is very accessible.

Basically, if you're new to the Mac and you want to know all of its hidden capabilities, this is a good place to start. Just beware because there is a lot of discussion about the differences between this version and the older version (Mac OS 9). Simply gloss over these parts.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-time PC user and relatively new Mac convert, I found this book to be invaluable. David Pogue writes an instruction manual that is fun to read. I keep it on my desk to help me learn more about my MacBook Pro, and the Mac OS X.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Not dry. The author had a great sense of humor about everything computers. Very nearly as entertaining as it is informative.

[Foxthyme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has kept me sane while I transitioned from PC to Apple. Now I love my iMac instead of wanting to throw it out the window!

[rma · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion this book is the best of the missing manual series. Everything the average mac user and even the beginner would like to know about using their computer.