Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual Reviews

• Another great book from Pogue press

  
  By A3FY1GXS48WR8B on 2007-12-18
  Pogues' books on Mac keep getting better and better. This book covers all of the features in Leopard in detail. For those that have used Tiger the missing manual will not be disappointed at all by this book.
  
  For the new Mac user this book covers all of the essentials to get started. It also gives you the tools to go in depth with Leopard. For the experienced Mac users there is still so much valuable information here to make it well worth the purchase. All of the applications that come with Tiger are covered in good detail. Dash board, Spotlight, Apple remote desktop, Sherlock, iTunes, iSync, iChat .Mac, Safari RSS for internet feeds, iDVD, iChat, iPhoto, iCal, iMic, iMovie, iDisk, iSync and iTunes, Apple Script and Image Capture to name a few.
  
  Also covered in detail is converting from Windows to Mac for the new Mac user.
  Creating user accounts is covered along with file and directory permissions, configuring the user environment and user preferences, passwords and other elements of security.
  The Intel chip set is covered in detail.
  
  There are a myriad of new features and features that have been changed or have been enhanced. There are so many new features that are not intuitive in Leopard. This book helps you through these with ease. Throughout the book there are There are lots of well placed screen shots to guide you.
  
  The book is methodically laid out in an order that makes sense. It is filled with tips and how to's. For the user coming from Windows to Mac this book will be a tremendous help. It will really simplify things that could be fairly daunting. Even for the veteran Mac user this book will be very handy.
  
  There are several informational snippets:
  Power user's guide: Explains the more technical details of the subject being described.
  Frequently asked questions: This is pretty self explanatory.
  Work around workshop: These sections detail why you can't do something but then gives you a work around.
  Gem in the rough: Shows you how to share with other Mac and non Mac machines.
  Up to speed: These sections walk you through speeding up your machine and various applications.
  
  Not quite as much humor in this book as with other books in the Missing manual series perhaps because of the depth and breadth of the material covered. As with all Pogue press books this is very easy read. It is detailed but not cumbersome. There are so many new features in Leopard that this book is a must. Pogue press consistently produces the best Mac books and this is no exception. 5 Stars for the Beginner to intermediate user 4 stars for the advanced user.
  
  
  
  

• Excellent!

  
  By A1NSJHH59U8EKD on 2007-12-26
  David Pogue writes well, but what's special about this is that it covers details that most authors wouldn't bother with. I've been a Mac OS X user since 2003, and upgraded to Leopard the moment it was available and yet I was absolutely astonished by how much I learned - this is just packed with tips!
  
  As an old Unix hand, I was happy to see that David included an excellent chapter on Terminal and Unix in general; too many Mac books ignore the Unix underpinnings or gloss over it.
  
  Definitely recommended for anyone using Leopard.
  
  

• My iMac should have come with this manual

  
  By AE8AI01K5YFF0 on 2007-12-22
  As a new iMac owner and a refugee from the Windows world, I've found this book to be invaluable for figuring out the inner workings of my new machine. I originally thought that I wouldn't need a book, that everything would be intuitive and easy to understand. But there are some things that you just need a book for, learning the keyboard shortcuts, what each application does, what the file structure looks like, etc.
  
  This book is very entertaining and fun to read. Pogue has a good sense of humor and does a great job pointing out the features of this OS. I've found countless "Oh, that's how you do it!" tips so far, from the mundane "How do you right-click?" to the expert "How do I share the network with my Windows XP, Vista, and various Linux machines?" He covers it all--and I mean ALL.
  
  I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially for new computer users and those of us switching from Windows machines. I'm Windows, Unix, and Linux certified up the wazoo, and even I needed this book to get me going. There are so very many tips and tricks that you will learn--things that make sense and which enhance your experience with this well-crafted OS. Every penny spent on this book will have been well worth it.
  
  

• Excellent introduction

  
  By A83RPS198D04S on 2007-12-24
  This book describes all the details of Max OS X Leopard edition.
  Having a lot of experience with computers but none with Mac I found this book excellent to get me started.
  
  This book is very complete and cover most subjects that a Mac user will be facing sooner or later from basic tasks such as using the mouse to more advance administrative tasks. This book also doesn't make the mistake of getting too deep in some more advance subject and is overall well balanced.
  
  If I have one complaint about this book is that there is in my opinion way too much emphasis on keyboard shortcuts which sometimes get in the way of the topics.
  
  

• useful material, though no need for the snide attitude

  
  By A3VVR00EWY64AN on 2008-01-22
  I have found this book to be very useful as it is detailed and comprehensive, with great keyboard shortcut references.
  
  I do not care for the snide comments about Microsoft and Windows as they serve no purpose and detract from the value of the content. It also reinforces the notion that Mac users are somehow superior to Windows users, which also serves no purpose. Everyone has the freedom to choose what they use, let's respect that.
  
  There are a number of errors that I have encountered so far, most typographical or grammatical, with a few errors of information.
  
  Overall a good value as a reference manual.
  
  Thanks for the grammar corrections, to my review, by commenter H. Carlile.
  
  
• Everything you wanted to know about Leopard but didn't know where to look
  By A1KQT27NOUPF1G on 2007-12-16
  I did not think that the Tiger Missing Manual could be beaten but it has been. I pre-ordered this book as soon as I got Leopard and thought I had learned a lot on my own. I was wrong. In the first few chapters I learned more than I thought possible. This book is great for a new user and great for a reference book. I keep it on my night stand for quick look ups.
  
  Steve
  
  
• Best Way To Learn OS X Leopard!
  By A2TVJ0YDW3QO63 on 2008-01-08
  'Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual' by David Pogue is another home run of an effort from the Missing Manual series, this one written by David Pogue himself. The thing I love most about the Missing Manual series is how incredibly USABLE these books are. Whether you are an experienced user or new to the topic being discussed, you can pick up a MM book with confidence that you are getting your money's worth and that you WILL learn by reading these books. I can't stress this enough... there are lots of books on the shelves available to readers, but if you want top notch content at one of the fairest price points in the industry, BUY THESE BOOKS!!
  
  Having said that, there is a lot of new features in Mac OS X Leopard that truly deserve a new text to discuss and show them off. From the wonderful main layout to things like the new backup features in Leopard, this is one of the greatest operating systems ever created and now you can learn to do the most with it!
  
  If you are a new Mac user or simply want to find out all the new goodies that you can get out of this OS upgrade, pick up this book. Read it, learn from it, and most of all... SAVOR the contents!!
  
  OK enough of reading this review, go get the book, if you aren't happy with it you can contact me and give me your piece of mind!
  
  ***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION
  
  
• Spot-on! Whether starter, switcher or savvy, your Leopard will purr like a kitten
  By AJPH8OQSWKR7K on 2008-03-03
  The "Missing Manual" series, originated by this book's author, consistently has delivered the content it's titles promise to the computer world. The 'Leopard' book lives up to that well-earned reputation, delivering top-quality content that reaches far beyond the usual fare in both breadth and depth. Not only that, but the author's style is smooth and even, with a dash of humor that never gets out of hand. The professionally organized manual is a fulsome read that offers easy-to-follow sections to newcomers, then delves deep into the bowels of the beast to satisfy the curiosity of even the most jaded of old hands.
  
  Just a few months ago, I was a disappointed Windows user, tired of constant patches, updates and security alerts. The Vista fiasco convinced me that Microsoft had done too little to remedy the plague of malware, and that the time had come to switch to a more robust and secure operating system. The thought had long been dormant, but with so many productivity tools written for Windows it just hadn't been practical to transfer financial and client data. That is ... until Apple moved to Intel processors, and software like Boot Camp made it feasible to run both OS-X and Windows on the same machine.
  
  Still, when my new Mac arrived, it was obvious that a substantial learning curve lay ahead, barely touched by Apple's anemic 'Everything Mac' booklet. I'd picked up a couple of books promising far more, but most seemed to be geared to shallow casual use rather than to serious productivity. That is, until I read the glowing reviews of this book; yes, Mr Pogue has more than earned those five stars! Weighing in at some three pounds, the nearly 900-page tome may seem daunting at first, but the workflow is so smooth that beginning users need only read the first portion of a chapter, to return later to the sidebars and tips for in-depth reference. The author takes you through the numerous variations of the keyboard, the (to former Windows users) bewildering co-existence of Command and Control keys, installation of application software, device drivers and of course network connection (whether by dialup modem or high bandwidth server). The numerous screen shots are top quality, and very much spot on the mark.
  
  In sum: this truly is the Mac's "Missing Manual" -- a must for serious as well as casual users. Thoughtfully produced, well written and nicely illustrated, it offers useful and practical guidance to any reader, whatever your skill level may be.
  
  
  
• Excellent, thorough but misses bugs and gothca's
  By A28D9WZQFDB5HQ on 2008-01-04
  David Pogue is one of my favorite technology writers; I read all his NYTimes columns and frequently his blogs.
  
  He shows his skills and knowledge here; the "Leopard" book is an excellent reference (as is the related iMovie/iDVD missing manual). It is thorough without being dry, is accessible enough to pull off the near-impossible of being useful to newcomers, "migrators", and long-time Mac users. It is also pragmatic, rather than being a feature list. The index is well done.
  
  I'd recommend this book for anyone using or about to use Mac OS X.
  
  I have one criticism: Pogue is a Mac-cheerleader and thus his book doesn't truly fulfill the promise that an "independent manual" would in telling you about the problems, bugs, and gotcha's the manufacturer doesn't want to admit exist. For example, Pogue claims the Mac OS doesn't lock up. Well, that's simply not true; within days after getting my MacBook Pro with OS X 10.5 it locked up simply importing into iTunes, requiring a hard-reboot. After which it wouldn't even recognize a USB drive, forcing another restart. How do you fix a corrupted file in iTunes? Is there a work-around for TimeMachine's problems backing up MS Entourage files (it's one large DB, and TimeMachine can't do incremental back-ups)?; TimeMachine can't do a full image restore (unlike MS Vista's back-up), and can NOT work across a NETWORK -- all HUGE, HUGE flaws. Are there work-arounds or is this a showstopper for real back-up? I know this is a manual, not a review, but tips in dealing with bugs are among the most valuable insights, and those are too few here IMHO.
  
  Still, an excellent book.
  
  
• Imagine- a computer manual that's a great read!
  By A5MEU6ZUYL3B4 on 2007-12-29
  Having enjoyed David Pogue's technology columns at the NY Times, I picked up this book to help me master Mac OS X Leopard operating system. It has been a real pleasure having David Pogue and his team guiding me through this extensive upgrade. He covers every conceivable topic with great clarity, all the while mixing in a delightful array of self depreciating jokes. Whether it is reviewing Leopard's 300 new features, learning how to make smart folders in finder or figuring out how to fax a document, or set up a home network Pogue guides you through the learning process with clear prose and a liberal dose of humor. I like this 900 page tome so much that I've started turning to random chapters just to see what I will stumble upon. Over the past week I've managed to become acquainted with various corners of the software I never would have encountered without David's encouraging and humorous approach to working with technology. I highly recommend this book for both beginners and more experienced users.
  
  
• Good General Knowledge, but Trouble-Shooting Help Was Disappointing!
  By A30XJD08JER43V on 2008-05-11
  I was able to find information that was generally useful in this tome, but each and every time I attempted to use "...Missing Manual" for trouble-shooting Leopard on a new 2008 Release Mac Pro, I was sorely disappointed. It's strange, but items for which I searched in the Index were never referenced.
  
  I understand that no book will be a hand-holding, interactive trouble-shooter for each and every problem, but this book has - so far - considerably missed in being a trouble-shooting aid.
  
  There is a nice keyboard shortcuts lists on page 863 and explanations for applications that come with Leopard - Dock, Safari, Finder, Dictionary, Expose, etc. I feel it falls short on hard-core trouble-shooting.
  
  I did not get to the website, which is also a very nice feature of this manual - the always updated website of additional information.
  
  I think a person looking for more advanced and detailed information might want to search elsewhere - maybe Chris Siebold's Big Book of Apple Hacks: Tips & Tools for unlocking the power of your Apple devices (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)), Meyers' and Lee's Mac OS X Leopard: Beyond the Manual (Btm (Beyond the Manual)), Mac OS X Leopard Bible by Samuel Litt and others, or Brian Tieman's Mac OS X Leopard Phrasebook (Developer's Library).
  
  If Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual is targeted to advance users and trouble-shooters, I really, really think improvement is in order. By any chance, the Index is telling and should be revisited.
  
  
• An essential for Leopard users
  By A8UK6I1TYJ1HX on 2008-01-06
  I received a new iMac for Christmas and bought David's book to act as a reference for Leopard. I'm not disappointed. First, I'm a fan of David's iTunes video podcast and especially enjoyed "iPhone, the Musical" and I'm a further fan of the "missing manual" series. I figured I could not go wrong. While Leopard is intuitive, there are some nuances that are best discovered through a book like this. In less than a week with my new iMac, David's book has helped me discover several interesting and important techniques for getting the most from Leopard. The book is well-written, has a detailed index and delivers a lot of bang for the buck. I am enjoying browsing through it and appreciate how quickly I can flip to the index to find a fast answer. I've not had a single question that could not be easily answered by this book in just a minute or two. For these reasons, I'm happy to give the book five stars.
  
  
• Not necessarily the best book on Mac OS X Leopard
  By A29E1IF3LM954Z on 2008-05-30
  I have to agree with LifeFX's review below. There is no doubt a lot of information here, but some of it I found somewhat lacking or misleading, and for me, this was made worse by what I considered to be a distracting hyperactive writing syle.
  
  As an example in the section on FileVault, I got the impression from reading a few pages about it that it was something I should start using as soon as possible if I was going to have any security on my Mac! The Mac OS Leopard Bible on the other hand had half a page on it that I found much more factual and descriptive of what FileVault actually does, from which I concluded that I don't really need to use it.
  
  Some examples of where I found the book a little lacking was in how little other security issues were discussed. I found no discussion of viruses other than regarding security issues if you are running Windows with FMWare Fusion or a similar program. On the other hand the Mac OS Leopard Bible discussed viruses in much more depth and even recommended a few relevant antivirus programs. The Special Edition: Using Mac OS X Leopard by Brad Miser does as well. I know a lot of people would like to think that viruses are not relevant to them since they now have a Mac, but it's really not true, as at this point although there are fewer viruses that directly affect the Mac there still are some and others that do not affect the Mac can still pass them on to others if they are imbedded in a Word doc for example.
  
  Another example where I felt the "Bible" went in to more depth in regards to security issues was in it's discussion of how to monitor open ports which are available to outside hackers, and how the port monitor that comes with Leopard is less effective than a recommended alternative.
  
  I am sure that many people will find the writing style to be entertaining. I can see how they would. The author is no doubt an entertaining writer. The author is also to be commended for presenting such a wealth of information in what for many may be a more accessible style. Although all that is true, I think there are other sources of information that may be better in some ways, but then maybe not in others. In any case, I would certainly not say this is the only Mac OS Leopard book you need, nor necessarily the best, but it is certainly worth having for the tips and information it does provide.
  
  
• Really Outstanding Book
  By A3PVE7KPKNDTEF on 2008-01-01
  I am a 20 year Windows "veteran" and an IT consultant. I recently switched to the Mac. This book was one of the most well written pieces that I have ever used. It made the changeover to the Mac far simpler. There is even a section detailing Windows terminology in terms of the Mac. It detailed Windows/Mac networking, etc.
  
  Really outstanding...take my word for it...spend the $20 or so and get this book.
  
  
• Russ Walkowich's mymac.com Review
  By A1VLVWTLV3LVHR on 2008-02-03
  David Pogue's latest endeavor, Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual has built upon all of his previous versions and his experience in working with Macs. This is what should come in the box with your Mac. Everything you need to know or would like to know about Leopard is in this book.
  
  Mr. Pogue has broken this manual down into six basic sections; The Mac OS X Desktop, Programs in Mac OS X, Components of Mac OS X, The Technologies of Mac OS X, Mac OS Online and the final section, the Appendixes, four of them, plus he even throws in a Master Mac OS X keystroke list. To give you an idea of just what he covers in the book, here is a quick breakdown.
  
  Part One (The Mac OS X Desktop) covers Folders, Organizing, Spotlight, the Dock, Desktop and Toolbars.
  Part Two (Programs in Mac OS X) covers Documents, Time Machine, Syncing, Moving Data, Automator and AppleScript and Windows on a Mac.
  Part Three (The Components of Mac OS X) covers System Preferences, Free Programs (what programs come standard with all Macs like the Address Book, AppleScript, etc.), CDs, DVDs and iTunes.
  Part Four (The Technologies of Mac OS X) deals with Accounts, Parental Controls and Security, Networking, File Sharing, Screen Sharing, Printing, Faxing, Fonts and Graphics, Sound, Movies and Speech, the Unix Crash Course, and Hacking Mac OS X.
  Part Five (Mac OS Online) works its way through Internet Setup, Mail and the Address Book, Safari, iChat, SSH, FTP, VPN and Web Sharing.
  The final part, the Appendixes, covers Installing Mac OS X 10.5 from getting ready to install to Uninstalling Mac OS X 10.5, then into Troubleshooting, the Windows-to-Mac Dictionary and finally, Where to Go after you've read the manual.
  
  The nice thing about Mr. Pogue's Missing Manuals is that they cover the bases for the beginner-to-advanced Mac user, sometimes with a sense of humor, sometimes just directly with the information that is needed to get things up and running properly. It's not "dumbed-down" nor is it "techo-geek"; instead it just works the way a manual really should. The book provides for first time users by displaying sidebar pieces called "Up To Speed" that give the first time user the basic, introductory information to get started. If you're a veteran Mac user, he still provides for you by sidebars called "Power Users Clinics" with more detailed information. Another thing to notice is that Mr. Pogue starts you off with the information on Mac OS X 10.5, then almost at the end tells you how to install the OS on your Mac. This give you the background and basis for dealing with anything that may pop up when you do so, and give you a head start if you're a new user. He makes good use of screen shots to emphasize points to make things easy to understand if the reader has a problem with a particular tip or section. You'll discover something new every time you pick up the book and it's a great resource to have on hand.
  
  In the previous version of the Missing Manual (Panther), Mr. Pogue briefly covered the UNIX underpinnings of Mac OS X, roughly 20 pages worth. This edition has been expanded to almost 50 pages, including a section covering 20 useful UNIX utilities that can be of use to the Mac user. The book itself is a bit changed from the previous versions in its expanded tips for Power Users.
  
  Now, when you've finished reading the book, and you get to the back cover, there is a drawing of the Missing CD-ROM that didn't come with the book that shaved $[...] off the cost. You'll find instructions to go to [...] and then to click on the Missing CD icon. Once there, you will find links to sites containing additional software that Mr. Pogue covers in the book.
  
  At times, I'm amazed at what Mr. Pogue can come up with in the way of tips for the reader. As an example, if you go here you will discover "5 Tips and Tricks" put forth by Mr. Pogue. Check out the tip on Mosaic, part of the screensaver program for the Mac. I tried it out and was amazed, I know that I hadn't seen or read that before.
  
  As I have before, I really enjoyed reading this book. It's well written and covers what a Mac user needs to know to work with OS X Leopard. As has been stated in the past with Mr. Pogue's other Missing Manual books- this is a definite must-have for Mac OS X users! Check it out online or at your favorite bookstore!
  
  Highly Recommended!
  My Mac Rating: 5 out of 5
  
  
• still the best Mac OS X manual
  By A1C1GV3A2CDEX2 on 2008-02-01
  This is still the best Mac OS X book, both for beginners and experts. Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) is mostly an incremental upgrade over the previous version, and so is this book. Leopard has hundreds of tweaks and this book covers them all.
  
  The premier new feature in Leopard is Time Machine, a simple way to do incremental backups to a second hard drive. The book has 12 pages on Time Machine, explaining backups in general, how to set up Time Machine, and how to find and restore the backups.
  
  Other new features include Screen Sharing (letting other Macs look at your screen and even take control for troubleshooting or demo purposes, something like the Timbuktu product), Spaces (maintain several virtual screens and switch between them - a little reminiscent of the very old program Switcher), and Quick Look (view a preview of a document without actually opening the application). All have good coverage in this book.
  
  The Mac OS X Missing Manual series is very polished, and if you have an earlier edition of this book you won't get (or need) any additional information about older OS versions in this new edition. But you should upgrade if you are running Leopard and are puzzled by some of the features.
  
  
• Invaluable
  By A3CKI6VEH0HBMJ on 2008-03-21
  I have been a M/S DOS and Windows user for almost 20 years and very comfortable with how those operating systems function. I purchased this book with the hopes it would help me figure out how the heck to make my new Mac Pro work like putty in my hands and I couldn't have made a better decision. I suggest reading a few chapters before you even switch to a Mac so you will have a basic understanding of how it will function, it is different and there is a learning curve. Make sure you have a bright highlighter pen handy to highlight keyboard shortcuts and key points so it will be easy to look back and make your experience a smooth one. This book is huge (over 800 pages) but the reading is easy and fun. I can't imagine having my computer without it at this point, it's that good.
  Here's a tip... if the mouse locks up or some other issue crops up where you can only use the keyboard there is a reference in the back section of the book to navigate by keyboard only to do everything from logging out to shutting down.
  
  
• Pogue is a great explainer
  By A2UWPPU5GZLMQZ on 2008-04-13
  This is the fourth OS X Missing Manual that I've read and like OS X itself they seem to get better with each version. David Pogue is one of the top explainers of technical subjects around and he doesn't disappoint with this book. In a past version I complained that the Missing Manual rambled a bit. I'm glad to say that the subject progression seems tighter. It's as good a one volume reference as I've seen on any complex subject, offering a pretty complete foundation, written in an easy to understand style.
  
  As the president of a Mac User Group (MUG) I am often called upon to answer Mac questions. If I don't know the answer off the top of my head I turn first to my copy of the Missing Manual. It covers a wide range of basics from upgrading from earlier systems to moving to Macs from Windows as well as offering a logical progression of OS X instructions.
  
  And it goes beyond the basics to cover, keyboard shortcuts, little known and somewhat hidden features as well as a bit of Unix command line and using Leopard's greatly improved Automator. Obviously, no one book can cover every aspect of something as complex as an operating system and the Apple installed programs, but Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual is a great place to start.
  
  
• Best computer technical manual I have ever purchased
  By A2CMOZS1IW5XTA on 2008-04-08
  I am a computer professional and have many different certifications that I have pursued for the pure enjoyment and accomplishment of of learning new things. Over the years I have acquired A+, Network+, MCSE, CNA, and CCA and for all of these certifications I have purchased books for self study.
  
  I don't give you this information to brag, since many people have done far more than I, but to let you know that I have read quite a few technical books. I have probably read 40-50 computer books over the years and this book is the best that I have ever read. The author (David Pogue) is very thorough. He covers the OS in very great detail from What's new in Leopard, Folders and Windows, Unix command line, the iLife apps, and Hacking the Mac, amongst others. Every topic that I needed to learn regarding OS X was readily available and easy to find.
  
  Mr. Pogue has included historical information that provides background about the development of the MAC OS, but it is more than just history, he uses it to explain design choices as well. This really helps know the WHY's as well as the hows. I really appreciate that and it helps to understand the reasoning behind Apple's design choices.
  
  This book is great for new computer users, but also for people that really like to get "under the hood" of the OS and learn the nitty gritty details. I highly recommend this book.
  
  
• Excellent Resource for Apple Convert!
  By A1RRFKKHVDP984 on 2008-01-16
  I switched from being a PC user to an Apple product--MacBook and this book has been invaluable in helping me learn all the features of the Mac operating system. I recommend it highly and I am a convert to the Apple world!
  
  
• A must for a Mac Newbie
  By A1I9LBTZXF8QV4 on 2008-01-20
  After many years in the pc world, I switched to Mac. This book is a godsend.
  There are many things that are different coming from the pc world, and David Pogue makes learning mac osx fun. I was amazed at how big this book is. You will spend a lot of time with this book. I sit at my computer and try all of the things he writes about so I can "see" what is is saying. I have highlighted many things that I want to remember.
  It has been a great help. I strongly recommend it.
  
  
• Nice book, but enough of the PC bashing already.
  By AS20F5BGOD24N on 2008-05-15
  There is a good quantity of useful info here, but the author never misses an opportunity to take a swipe at Windows. As both a Mac user and an MCSE, that really bugs me. It's unprofessional, silly, childish, demeaning to the majority of computer users and adds no value to the content of the book. This is why Windows users cannot stand Mac snobs. However, I did find quite a bit of the information very useful.
  
  
• Learn and Laugh: A Computer Manual that Cares Enough Not to Bore You
  By A2NW5UDW32JSV2 on 2008-05-18
  David Pogue is a great technical writer - he can take complex subjects and boil them down to their most essential elements. His reviews and commentaries in The New York Times are always useful, clear and incisive. Which isn't surprising - the NY Times doesn't hire slackers.
  
  Even better, Pogue has a sense of humor, and he's not afraid to use it. A minority of reviewers here on Amazon have suggested they'd prefer Pogue never crack a joke, but, for me, his occasional witty asides enliven his work greatly. This book is 912 pages long, but you can sit and read it cover-to-cover, because Pogue imbues his work with personality and humor.
  
  Of course, Pogue brings his gift for instruction along with the funny. This book is overflowing with helpful tips and clear-headed explanations.
  
  I'm coming to the Mac after years of using Windows machines at a pretty high level. But after my second Vista PC in ten months self-destructed, I find I can no longer support the Microsoft empire. This book has helped me tremendously with my transition.
  
  As a podcaster and writer, I depend upon my computer to always be up and running. Macs have a reputation for stability, but they're not perfect either. I bought Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual not only because I wanted to get the most out of the OS, but because I needed a resource to help when things went wrong, as they invariably will.
  
  It's already helped me once. True story: I had a weird thing happen with my Finder where I could no longer see the file structure on the left. That made it very difficult to navigate my folders. I went to the Apple Store with a print-out of what I was seeing on my screen, and they had no idea what the problem was. So, I opened up and had my answer in minutes (turns out there's a "classic Finder mode" you can toggle on and off. Mine was erroneously toggled on).
  
  The people in the Apple Store are experts, but apparently, with this book, you can be expert, too. It's a great resource and I give it my highest recommendation.
  
  Scott Sherman, author, First You Fall: A Kevin Connor Mystery
  
  
• Great Training Wheels
  By A2MUAMLY8FHLW5 on 2008-02-01
  My review won't be as thorough as some other reviewers; however, I write to you all today simply to say this book broke me into the Mac World. Formerly a die-hard Windows Vista fan and user, this book gently and logically walked me through all of the mac nuances, idiosyncrasies, and programing logic, which helps the new mac-user understand how and why things look and act the way they do on a mac os 10.5 platform.
  
  Bar-none, one of the best qualities this book pushes and explains, are the use of short cut keys, which has dramatically increased my workflow 200%, compared to my Windows Vista experience. In addition, Mr. Pogue gives adequate attention to every program and user-feature pre-installed with your copy of mac os 10.5 Leopard.
  
  With that being said, this book does not have overly complex or technical prose, if anything it's written for the "american idiot"! Mr. Pogue tries his best to make the book light-hearted with his somewhat bizzaro, border-line blasphemous humor (for all you bible-thumpers out there), but it does not detract from the juicy instruction that is dripping off of each page.
  
  Overall, this is a fine purchase, as this should compliment any geek's or first-timer's computer/tech. library! Happy reading; and remember, once you go mac, you never go back!!!
  
  
• Dog Book
  By A29ZUZB9B6LNQS on 2008-02-13
  I am not impressed by statements like " iPhoto is somewhere ", or when one looks for info how to print incoming
  e-mail and can't find any instructions. I am sure there is more missing help for neophytes, and then it may only be me.
  
  
• Demystify Leopard here!
  By A3QUDXLOJTKEP9 on 2008-04-03
  Book Title: The Missing Manual - Mac OS X Leopard Edition
  Author: David Pogue
  Publisher: Pogue Press - O'Reilly Media, Inc.
  Publish Date: December 2007
  ISBN-10: 0-596-52952-X
  ISBN-13: 978-0-596-52952-9
  Reviewed by: Curt Blanchard - Tucson Macintosh Users Group (4/1/08)
  
  Panther and Tiger and, now Leopard, oh my! With each cat comes a slew of new features to master and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is no kitten - it's a seriously big update. Rest your fears, however, because our favorite lion tamer, David Pogue has come to our rescue with the Leopard Edition of the Missing Manual series from O'Reilly Media. This new edition weighs in at nearly 900 pages but don't let that put you off - books like this aren't meant to be read like a novel, they are true reference guides designed to ease the transition into a new operating system. If you have a question about something specific, a quick look at the extensive 23 page index permits you find your answer efficiently.
  
  This is much more than a What's New book. Pogue started the Mac OS Missing Manual series long ago and updates them with each new OS update. The book begins with the very basics and covers the Desktop, Organization, Spotlight, Included Programs, the Technologies of Mac OS X and wraps up with an excellent section covering Online applications, navigation and use.
  
  For those who are upgrading their current machines to Leopard, there is a clearly written appendix that deals with installation of the new operating system. This section alone is worth buying the book.
  
  Pogue's tongue-in-cheek sense of humor shines through the technicalities making for an entertaining experience rather than an onerous one. This is why I'm a fan - I'm a manual guy, I like to sit down and read about what I'm doing in order to understand it. I just cannot get the same satisfaction from onscreen Help menus and manuals that arrive on a CD. That is precisely why Pogue started the Missing Manual series - "The book that should have been in the box".
  
  No qualms here, I highly recommend this book. It belongs on your bookshelf; you'll find yourself referring to it often.
  
  
  
• iLuv this Mac OS X Leopard Manual
  By ADKZW7634GWCF on 2008-01-08
  I have owned a Macbook since July 07, and I loved it. It was pre-installed with Tiger and to be honest I didn't know any of the features of that operating system. I just needed it to be functional for work.
  
  Well, for Christmas I got Mac OS X Leopard, and I knew that I needed to learn the features, so I got this book!
  
  OMG, this is the best manual ever! David Pogue writes in such an easy manner, that it is almost like a bedtime story reading every new feature.
  
  I do recommend sitting at your computer while you read it, because every new trick you learn, you will want to immediately test it on your Mac. I found myself walking back and forth from my bedroom to my office wanting to test every new feature.
  
  The simple investment of $21 is super! I have already learned so much from this manual.
  
  Oh, one more tip for you: Buy those little sticky arrows to bookmark pages when you are NOT near your computer. With a book almost 900 pages, and the constant flipping from section to section, you will certainly forget where a great tip was!! The sticky arrows will save you the headache of trying to remember where you read a certain tip!!
  
  That's my fun tip for you all...
  
  
• Pogue is the Best
  By A3AK398T0SRMMZ on 2008-01-08
  I had Pogue's Missing Manual for Jaguar and thought is was great. When I upgraded to Tiger, I tried a different manual and found it lacking quite a bit of information. Back to Pogue's manual now for Leopard. It is simply the clearest and most complete. I'd recommend this for everyone.
  
  
• The best Leopard guide book out there...
  By A26WB8HB6X2C91 on 2008-01-14
  This is the best guidebook out there for Macintosh Leopard. I've read a lot of OS guidebooks and this one is very thorough, deep and even interesting! I've owned the previous series on Tiger and thought it was great.
  
  
• Awesome book
  By A2IY5KTKGIIHTL on 2008-01-19
  I picked up this book and have not been able to put it down! I can't believe the amount of tips, tricks and how to's that I learned. The book is an easy read, all information is well explained (even the tough "technical" stuff) and so informative.
  
  I am a very advanced computer user and know a lot about the Mac - but this book, with all of the information it has, has taken my knowledge to a whole other level.
  
  Highly recommend this book - for both new Leopard owners and veteran Mac OSX users.
  
  

• iPhoto '08: The Missing Manual
• iMovie '08 & iDVD: The Missing Manual
• Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual
• Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition (Missing Manual)
• Mac OS X Leopard Pocket Guide (Pocket Reference)