General Books

Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual

Barbara Brundage

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Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Good news: Adobe's finally released the new Mac version of Elements. Bad news: It still doesn't come with a decent user's manual. But who cares? Author Barbara Brundage has revised her bestselling Elements book just for Apple fans. From gentle introduction to sophisticated tips, this book's your guide to getting the most out of Elements.

Author Barbara Brundage’s Top 10 Elements Tips
1. Always back up your photos as soon as you get them out of your camera. You can burn a CD or DVD right in the OS X finder (just drag your photos to the disc icon in a Finder window sidebar, then go to File>Burn Disc), or copy to an external hard drive, before you do any editing. Elements 6 also lets you burn discs from Bridge (File>Burn CD/DVD) . For really important photos (wedding and baby pix, for example), it's not a bad idea to burn a disc and keep that someplace else, like your safe deposit box or with a friend or relative. Then, no matter what happens, you won't have to worry about losing your photos.
2. Never, ever work on your original photo. Always make a copy (File>Duplicate) and work on that. If you use a program like iPhoto, Lightroom, or Aperture to organize your photos, those will save your original separately from your edited version for you.
3. Sharing photos. There are all kinds of fun, creative ways to share your photos in Elements 6, and Create Mode makes it super easy to explore them all. Try making a photobook or a fancy collage, or upload your photos to EasyShare or one of the other online services to create mugs, bags, and other cool gift items with your photos on them.
4. Don't scorn the auto buttons. If you've never tried these one-click fixes -- Auto Levels or Auto Color, for example -- give ‘em a try. Each version of Elements gets a little smarter and you may find that you like the results you get from one of these easy-to-use fixes.
5. Panoramas for everyone. You don't need to feel wistful anymore about the fact that your point and shoot camera's lens doesn't have a true wide-angle setting. Take a series of photos with, ideally, about a 30% overlap and Elements' Photomerge will automatically stitch them together into a panorama wider than you could have captured with the widest lens. (If you've tried Photomerge in previous editions of Elements, the Photomerge in Elements 6 is a whole new thing -- totally automated and it does terrific blending to eliminate visible seams between images.)
6. Batch processing with RAW. If you shoot RAW format photos, now you can apply the same settings to multiple pictures at once. Just open all the RAW files you want to work on, and then click to select each of their thumbnail-sized photos. Elements will then apply any edits you've made to the current photo to all the pictures you've just selected.
7. Crop creatively. Unless you plan to print on standard photo paper, don't feel compelled to crop your photos to standard photo paper sizes and shapes. Use cropping to emphasize the best parts of your photo if you plan to use the image for the Web or to print at home.
8. Take credit, quickly. You can put copyright info on your photos by using the Watermark feature in the Process Multiple Files dialog box (File->Process Multiple Files), or you can create a custom brush: just type what you want (the copyright symbol is Alt+0169 in Windows, Option+G on a Mac), then select your type and go to Edit-Define Brush. Save your brush and from now on you've got a one-click copyright notice.
9. Black and white are beautiful. The Convert to Black and White feature in Elements does a great job, especially if you use the sliders to tweak your adjustments, but you can create even more dramatic black and white photos by using the Dodge and Burn tools to selectively enhance contrast after converting.
10. The very best way to learn Elements is to dive right in. Open a photo and try all sorts of different things. Nobody, even great Photoshop gurus, knows exactly what will happen to any given photo when you combine different filters and effects. Experiment, and you'll quickly see why Elements is so addicting. You can do all sorts of amazing things you never knew you could!

Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 (Apple Pro Training)

Ben Long, Richard Harrington, Orlando Luna

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Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fully updated for Aperture 2, this comprehensive book-DVD training combo starts with the basics of image management and takes you step by step all the way through Aperture's powerful photo-editing, image-retouching, proofing, publishing, and archiving features. Aperture 2's new features are completely covered, including a new RAW-image processing engine, a streamlined interface, powerful new adjustment tools, and added integration with Mac OS X and other Apple products for instant web publishing and one-click portfolio syncing. Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 delivers comprehensive training - the equivalent of a two-day course - in one project-based book. You'll learn time-saving techniques for sorting, ranking, and organizing images, effective methods for correcting and enhancing images, plus efficient ways to display images for client review, apply metadata, update your online portfolio automatically, and much more. Real-world exercises feature professional photography from a variety of genres, including photo-journalism, sports, wedding, commercial, and portraiture. All the files you need to complete the exercises are included on the DVD.

Apple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro 8 and Logic Express 8 (Apple Pro Training)

David Nahmani

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> Logic Pro & Logic Express
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

This brand-new Apple-certified guide, reconceived for Logic's new interface, uses all-new projects and media files to show you how to record, produce, and polish your musical creations with Apple's professional audio software. Veteran audio producer David Nahmani uses step-by-step, project-based instruction and straightforward explanations to teach everything from basic music creation to advanced production techniques.Using the book's DVD files and either Logic Pro 8 or Logic Express 8, you'll begin making music in the first lesson. From there, you'll learn to record audio and MIDI, edit sequences, master mixing techniques, and use Logic's software synthesizers, sampler, and digital signal processors to put the perfect aural polish on your audio creations. A special troubleshooting section helps you set up and optimize your studio and Logic system effectively. Whether you're looking to use your computer as a digital recording studio, create musical compositions and cutting-edge surround-sound mixes, or transfer that song in your head into living music, this comprehensive book/DVD combo will show you how.

The Macintosh iLife 08

Jim Heid

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> iLife
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Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The definitive iLife reference, completely updated and revised!

The Macintosh iLife ’08 is a lavishly illustrated handbook packed with easy-to-follow instructions, essential technical background, and tips for iLife users of all levels. Now in its sixth edition, it’s the world’s top-selling iLife book.

• Shop ’til you drop at the iTunes Store—and wirelessly with the iPhone and iPod touch
• Create a digital media center with Apple TV and your widescreen TV set
• Improve your photography and video-shooting techniques
• Produce spectacular slide shows, photo books, calendars, and greeting cards
• Refine your photos to perfection with iPhoto’s new editing tools
• Share photos via email, .Mac Web Gallery, DVD slide shows, and more
• Assemble a video library with the all-new iMovie—and share your creations on YouTube
• Record and arrange your own music with GarageBand
• Create and publish your own Web sites, blogs, and podcasts
• Preserve the past: digitize old records, photos, and movies

The book: Each two-page spread is a self-contained tutorial or set of tips. Everything you need is at your fingertips, and every page is updated for iLife ’08, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, the iPhone, and latest iPods.

The Web site: Get updates, tips, and much more at this book’s companion Web site, www.macilife.com.

Mac OS X Leopard For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Bob LeVitus

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Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Mac OS X Leopard is the new cat in town, and wait until you see all the tricks it can do! Whether you’re new to the Mac or a longtime Mac-thusiast, Mac OS X Leopard For Dummies is the fun and friendly way to have your Leopard purring in no time.

While the Mac has built its reputation in part on being user-friendly, OS X Leopard has lots of features that do lots of things—and that’s where Mac OS X Leopard For Dummies puts you a step ahead. If you’re meeting your first Mac, start at the beginning and you’ll feel like a pro in no time.  If you’re familiar with earlier incarnations of OS X, you can jump right to the chapters on organizing your files and getting a sneak peek with Quick Look, backing up with the cool new Time Machine, using Spaces to manage Finder and application windows, and getting down with all the cool Mac multimedia features.

Mac OS X Leopard For Dummies shows you how to:

• Customize your Dock and desktop
• Search smarter with Spotlight
• Sync your contacts and calendars
• Watch movies, play music, and download digital photos or video
• Start video chats on the fly
• Surf the Web with Safari—safely
• Get organized with Spaces
• Run Microsoft Windows on an Intel-based Mac
• Protect your kids with Parental Controls
• Set up a network and share files

Written by Bob LeVitus, a.k.a. “Dr. Mac”, Mac OS X Leopard For Dummies is quite likely the fastest and easiest way to tame a Leopard!

Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 6 (Apple Pro Training)

Diana Weynand

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Very useful book especially for beginners. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn FC Pro 6. Without incurring a lot of money and time at a training facility one can learn the essentials of NLE at one's own pace.

Editorial Review:

Cut a scene from the USA Network television series Monk, create a promo for Seaworld’s Belief documentary, and master filters and effects as you edit a segment of BBC Motion Gallery's Living Colour documentary. Completely revised for Final Cut Pro 6 and featuring all-new footage, this best-selling, Apple-certified guide provides a strong foundation in all aspects of video editing. Renowned author Diana Weynand starts with basic video editing techniques and takes you all the way through Final Cut Pro’s powerful advanced features. Each chapter presents a complete lesson in an aspect of video editing and finishing, using actual broadcast footage. After marking and editing clips to create a rough cut, you’ll learn how to trim and refine the cut before moving on to complex tasks such as mixing sound, adding titles, creating transitions and motion effects, applying filters, real-time color correcting, and working with multi-format and multi-camera footage.

iPod: The Missing Manual

Jude Biersdorfer, David Pogue

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: O'Reilly Media, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $9.56

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Computer Science -> Software Engineering -> Information Systems
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iPods
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iTunes

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Have you recently upgraded to a new iPod--Classic, Nano, Shuffle, or Touch--and want to learn about all the new features? Or, do you just want more information on the latest version of iTunes, the App Store and a whole lot more about Apple's incredible device? If so, you need an easy illustrated guide to get the most out of your sleek little entertainment center. iPod: The Missing Manual will get you rockin' in no time.

Preview Tips from iPod: The Missing Manual

Set Up Multiple iTunes Libraries Many households have just one computer for the whole family. Wouldn't it be great if everyone had a personal iTunes library? To use multiple libraries, follow these steps: 1.Quit iTunes 2. Hold down the Shift [Option] key on your PC or Mac keyboard and launch iTunes. In the box that pops up, click Create Library and give it a name.

3. iTunes opens up, but with a blank library with nothing in it. If you have music in your main library that you want to move over to this one, choose File--> Add to Library. 4. Navigate to the music you want and add it. If the songs are in your original library, they're probably in My Documents-->My Music--> iTunes-->iTunes Music [Home-->Music-->iTunes-->iTunes Music] in folders sorted by Artist name. Choose the files you want and add. To switch between libraries, just hold down the Shift [Option] key when you're starting iTunes, and you'll get a box that lets you pick the one you want. (The program opens the last library if you don't choose one.) Tracks from CDs you rip go into whatever library's open. And now that you have those songs in this library, you can switch back to the other one and get rid of them there.

Change a Song's Start and Stop Times Got a song with onstage chitchat before it starts or after the music ends? Fortunately, you don't have to sit there and listen. You can a change a song's start and stop times so you hear only the juicy middle part. As you play the song you want to adjust, observe the iTunes status display window; watch for the point in the timeline where you get bored. Then: 1. Click the track you want to adjust. 2. Choose File-->Get Info to call up the song's information box. 3. Click the Options tab and take a look at the Stop Time box, which shows the full duration of the song. 4. Enter the new stopping point for the song, as you noted earlier. You can perform the exact same trick at the beginning of a song by adjusting the time value in the Start Time box.

Move the iTunes Music Folder to an External Drive Media libraries grow and hard drives shrink as thousands of song and videos fill up the space. You may be thinking of getting a big external hard drive to use for iTunes storage, and if so, make sure iTunes knows what you intend to do. If you rudely drag the iTunes Music folder to a different place without telling iTunes, it thinks the songs and videos in your collection are gone. The next time you start the program, you'll find it empty. To move the iTunes Music folder to a new drive, just let the program know where you're putting it. Move the folder to the desired location, then, in the Preferences box, click the Advanced icon or tab. In the area labeled "iTunes Music folder location," click the Change button, and navigate to the place where you moved the folder. Finally, click OK.

Make a Genius Playlist in iTunes With the Genius feature, you click any song that you're in the mood for and iTunes brings back a playlist of 25 to 100 songs that it thinks go well with the one you picked. Here's the procedure: 1. Click a song title in your library. 2. Click the Genius button at the bottom of the iTunes window. 3. iTunes presents you with your new playlist in a flash. 4. Use the buttons at the top of the Genius window to adjust the number of songs in the playlist, refresh it with new songs if you want a different mix, and--best of all--save the playlist permanently.

Make Playlist Folders If you like to have a playlist or five for every occasion, but find your iTunes Source list is getting crowded, iTunes lets you store multiple playlists inside convenient folders. 1. To add a folder to your Source list, click the Source list's Library icon and then choose File-->New Playlist Folder. 2. A new "untitled folder" appears, inviting you to change it's name to something more original. 3. Drag any playlists you want to store inside the folder onto its icon. If the whole family shares one computer, folders can give each person a tidy receptacle to store his or her personal playlists. Folders are also great for storing a bunch of playlists that go well together. That way, when you select the folder and hit play, iTunes plays all the folder's songs consecutively.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Mac OS X Leopard (Teach Yourself VISUALLY (Tech))

Lynette Kent

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

You're gonna like this book 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I wasn't aware of these books and found them to be a great read -- fast, useful, and a great reference. My first book in the visually style was Mac OS X Leopard. When you drop $2,000 on a computer I think it's worth it to spend a few bucks in books to help you get the most of the operating system. I liked this one so much I bought the Visually Photoshop CS3 book for a quick primer, overview, and reference guide too. Of course, these are not the "Bible" version of a way to learn a program -- those going into mind boggling detail and 20+ hour time commitment. Instead, they go into a right amount of detail for those wanting a broad based idea of the program, peaking your interest enough to then launch into buying the "Bible." Thumbs up on the Visually book series.

Editorial Review:

Do you prefer instructions that show you how instead of telling you why? This book is packed with easy, visual directions and full-color screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 150 tasks with Mac OS X Leopard, including adding applications to the Dock, color-coding files and folders, viewing windows in Exposé, using the QuickTime player, storing files on your iPod, creating your own Web widgets, and more. Succinct explanations walk you through step by step.

iPod & iTunes For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Tony Bove

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iPods
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Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Whether you’re completely new to iPod and iTunes or you’d like to discover advanced techniques for playing, managing, browsing, buying, and storing music and other files, iPod & iTunes For Dummies, 6^th Edition can help you! The iPod and iTunes have revolutionized how we enjoy music, and this bestselling guide has been updated to keep you current. Here’s how to use the newest iPods, set up iTunes on your Mac or PC, purchase music and movies, rip CDs, organize your media library, make the most of digital sound, and so much more!

The latest iPods are much more than just digital music players. Now, surf the Web, rent movies, buy songs and directly download them, send and receive e-mails, store photos, play slideshows, watch videos, and play games. You’ll find information about all iPod models and how to set up iTunes so you can start enjoying your iPod right away. You’ll learn how to:

• Learn how to use the iPod displays and scrolling wheels
• Install iTunes and load your music
• Keep your library organized so you can search, browse, and sort
• Create playlists and burn CDs
• Use your iPod as a hard drive
• Share content legally
• Synchronize your e-mail, contacts, and bookmarks

Complete with lists of ten common problems and solutions, and eleven tips for the equalizer, iPod & iTunes for Dummies, 6^th Edition includes bonus chapters about early iPod models, creating content for iPod, tips for working with MusicMatch, using your iPod for backup and restore, and 14 web sources for additional information.

Taking Your iPod touch to the Max (Technology in Action)

Erica Sadun

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fast and fun to read, Taking Your iPod touch to the Max gives you all the tips and techniques you could ever think of to make the most of your Apple iPod touch. Erica Sadun is an expert at hacking devices to discover undocumented tricks, and this book reveals everything and more about the functionality of the iPod Touch. But before that, Sadun will give you the best, most efficient, and fun–to–read introduction to the basics of using the iPod touch that you will ever find.

What you’ll learn

• iPod touch basics
• E–mail using iCal
• Surfing the Web with iPod Touch using Safari
• Expanding the main menu using third–party software
• Using iTunes, games, iBooks, etc.
• Connecting to the TV and ripping DVDs
• Hacking OS X Leopard to run apps on the iPod touch
• Getting contract–free VOIP
• Saving on accessories and what you really need.

Who is this book for?

Anyone who has an iPod touch and wants to get more out of it, learn how to connect to other devices, or tinker with it.