Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Tiger Edition

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 456 pages
• Published by: Pogue Press
• Edition: 2nd Edition October 1, 2005
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0596006608
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0596006600
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

Reader Reviews
I've been using Windows since the early 1990s and recently bought my first Mac. At first I thought this wasn't the book I wanted. I wanted to learn the OS on its own, not in "translation." For example, you'll find things like this in this book: "Finder = Windows Explorer," "Dock = Taskbar," etc. I thought it would hinder learning in a way total-immersion wouldn't; I'd hoped to learn to use the Mac directly. So after my husband picked up "Switching to the Mac" the first day I had the computer--in order to figure out how to network the Mac to our PCs and printers, and to transfer files, etc. (all of which is in this book)--I ordered four other books. I wanted to read them like other reviewers did: straight through, fun learning. But, it's not as easy as I'd hoped to learn a whole new operating system and, for me, the manuals don't prove to be fun reading -- as cheeky as their humor can be. So, I find myself reaching for "Switching to the Mac" as a necessary reference book. It presupposes that the reader is proficient at using a computer, but not a Mac (unlike other books, which either assume no computer knowledge or are written in "Mac language" for those familiar with previous Mac operating systems.) That said, the space taken up on translating Windows lingo/usage to Mac takes up space that isn't used to fully describe how to use Mac applications. This book does a stellar, succinct job of teaching the OS. From there, I need a second book to explain the applications. And, oddly for me (because I'm not a David Pogue fan, and wouldn't have chosen either book had my husband not bought this one first) "The Missing Manual OS X," also by Pogue, is the best of the books I've bought for that purpose. The latter picks up where this book leaves off. Pogue states in the intro that the material overlaps, and as nice as it would be to spend money on one book rather than two, I've not found overlapping material to be a problem, and I've found them equally useful. Since the books are already fairly weighty, the two together are working very well for me. I truly don't think I'd have learned as easily or quickly without "Switching to the Mac." I definitely recommend it for Windows users...and I had resisted this approach. Comments (3) | | (Report this)