MacOS Books - Page 6

Final Cut Pro 6: Visual QuickPro Guide (Visual Quickpro Guide)

Lisa Brenneis

Amazon Price: $26.39 List Price: $39.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peachpit Press Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $18.99

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> Final Cut
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> Audio & Video Editing
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> MacOS

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

Any Final Cut Pro mysteries left? Get his book? 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The guys at the Genius Bar in the Apple Store in San Francisco recommended this to me, and I'm happy they did. It's simply excellent!

I love Visual Quickpro Guides 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Like so many others, I'm self-taught in Photoshop, InDesign ... and now I'm tackling Final Cut Pro.

Visual QuickPro Guides are quickly becoming my "go to" books for technical learning. I have found them to be:

1. Packed full of information;
2. Easy to read (the pages are set up perfectly for us visual learners);
3. Well indexed to find information.

Lisa Brenneis' FINAL CUT PRO 6 guide is quickly becoming well-worn as I learn the ins and outs of final cut.

If you're teaching yourself Final Cut like I am, this book is a must-have.

Enjoy!

Editorial Review:

Newly updated for Final Cut Pro 6, this Visual QuickPro Guide is hands-down one of the most sought out books on Apple’s non-linear editing system. An undisputed master of the digital video medium, Lisa Brenneis once again demystifies the complexities of the program with her straightforward approach that uses tasked-based, step-by-step instructions and loads of visuals and time-saving tips. Busy professionals and newcomers alike will appreciate that they can quickly find and learn tasks specific to their needs, benefiting from the award-winning Visual QuickPro style. Topics covered include essential editing tasks and media-management strategies, transitions, effects and filters, rendering options, and much much more. This is a must-have reference for anyone wanting to learn to use Final Cut Pro, whether they are new to the program or are upgrading.

iPod: The Missing Manual

Jude Biersdorfer, David Pogue

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 By: Pogue Press Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $4.97

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iPods
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iTunes
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> MP3

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

With iPod touch, Apple's sleek little entertainment center has entered a whole new realm, and the ultimate iPod book is ready to take you on a complete guided tour. As breathtaking and satisfying as its subject, iPod: The Missing Manual gives you a no-nonsense view of everything in the "sixth generation" iPod line. Learn what you can do with iPod Touch and its multi-touch interface, 3.5-inch widescreen display and Wi-Fi browsing capabilities. Get to know the redesigned iPod Nano with its larger display and video storage capacity. It's all right here. The 6th edition sports easy-to-follow color graphics, crystal-clear explanations, and guidance on the most useful things your iPod can do. Topics include: Out of the box and into your ears. Learn how to install iTunes, load music on your iPod, and get rid of that dang flashing "Do not disconnect" message. Bopping around the iPod. Whether you've got a tiny Shuffle, a Nano, the Classic, or the new Touch, you'll learn everything from turning your iPod off and on to charging your iPod without a computer. Special coverage for iPod owners with trickster friends: How to reset the iPod's menus to English if they've been changed to, say, Korean. In tune with iTunes. iTunes can do far more than your father's jukebox. Learn how to pick and choose which parts of your iTunes library loads onto your iPod, how to move your sacred iTunes Folder to a bigger hard drive, and how to add album covers to your growing collection. The power of the 'Pod. Download movies and TV shows, play photo slideshows, find cool podcasts, and more: this book shows you how to unleash all your iPod's power. iPod is simply the best music player available, and this is the manual that should have come with it.

Amazon Exclusive:
VIP Tips and Tricks for iPod Users
iTunes Store Tip: Future Shopping
Many people use Amazon’s Wish List feature for tagging items they want to remember to buy at a later date--and you can do the same thing with music and videos for sale in the iTunes Store. To get started, make a new playlist in iTunes by pressing Control-N on Windows or Command-N on a Mac. Name the new playlist "Wish List" or something memorable like "My Next Paycheck." If you want to keep it extra handy (and on top of all your other playlists), add an "@" symbol to the beginning of the name so the wish list stays on top of the alphabetical pile of playlists in your iTunes window. When you browse the Store later and find a song or video you want to eventually buy, drag its 30-second preview snippet right out of the iTunes Store window and onto the new wish-list playlist you made. Those 30-second snippets will hang out there as a reminder that you want to buy the song or video; if you change your mind, select the track and hit the Delete key to remove it. But if you do want to follow through and make the purchase, you just have to click that big BUY SONG or BUY EPISODE button next to the title to get transported back into the Store to seal the deal.

iPod Audio Book Tip: Adjusting the Speed of the Read
The iPod is great for listening to audio books, and both Audible.com and the iTunes Store offer thousands of them for sale. But if you find a particular book’s narrator is talking too slow or too fast for your personal liking, you can adjust the pace of the reading. Just go to the Settings menu on the main iPod menu screen and select Audiobooks. On the next screen, you can opt to make the playback speed slower or faster than normal. And you can do this without affecting the pitch of the voice and making it sound either like the book is being read underwater or recited by a chipmunk. If you want to adjust the playback speed while you’re listening to the audio book file itself, press the iPod’s center button a few times. On most models, the audio book speed controls will appear on screen after a few taps and you can change your reading speed on the fly.

iTunes Tip: Grooving Out with the Visualizer
If you’ve been working hard all day and want to take a little music break at your desk, give your eyeballs and treat and let your mind wander with the iTunes Visualizer. This swirling laser-light show is built right into iTunes itself and you can turn it on by going to the View menu and choosing "Turn On Visualizer" (or by pressing Control-T in Windows or Command-T on a Mac keyboard). With the Visualizer turned on, choreographed bursts of color accompany your music as it plays. If you want to adjust the size of the Visualizer window — or even make it take over your full computer screen — pop into the iTunes preferences box by pressing Control-comma (Windows) or Command-comma (Mac). In the Preferences box, click the Advanced tab and choose the size of your visuals from the options at the bottom of the box, then click OK. And if you want to get even deeper into the Visualizer, press the question mark keys on the computer keyboard next time you’re chilling out to the light show. A hidden menu of other Visualizer configurations and commands appears on screen for you to play with.

Learn Objective–C on the Mac (Learn)

Mark Dalrymple, Scott Knaster

Amazon Price: $26.39 List Price: $39.99 Not yet published By: Apress

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> MacOS
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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> General AAS

Editorial Review:

Take your coding skills to the next level with this extensive guide to Objective–C, the native programming language for developing sophisticated software applications for Mac OS X. Objective–C is a powerful, object–oriented extension of C, making this book the perfect follow–up to Dave Mark’s best–selling Learn C on the Mac, Mac OS X Edition. Whether you’re an experienced C programmer or you’re coming from a different language such as C++ or Java, leading Mac experts Mark Dalrymple and Scott Knaster show you how to harness the powers of Objective–C in your applications!

• A complete course on the basics of Objective–C using Apple’s free Xcode tools
• An introduction to object–oriented programming
• Comprehensive coverage of inheritance, composition, object initialization, categories, protocols, memory management, and organizing source files
• A brief tour of Cocoa’s Foundation framework and AppKit
• A helpful “learning curve” guide for non–C developers

What you’ll learn

• Learn Objective–C programming, the gateway to programming your Mac or iPhone.
• Write applications for the Mac OS X interface, the cleanest user–interface around.
• Understand variables and how to design your own data structures.
• Work with the file system.
• Connect to data sources and the Internet.

Who is this book for?

For anyone wanting to learn to program native applications in Mac OS X, including developers new to the Mac, developers new to Objective–C, or students entirely new to programming.

Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Server Essentials (2nd Edition) (Apple Training)

Schoun Regan, David Pugh

Amazon Price: $49.66 List Price: $59.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peachpit Press Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $44.55

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> Mac OS X
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Certification Central -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Certification Central -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Great for certification, not very practical though 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Peachpit's "Apple Training Series" is generally an outstanding product line. However, there are two distinct branches to the line: knowledge and certification. This book isn't designed as much to teach you about OS X Server (Tiger edition) as it is to prepare you for a certification exam. Nothing wrong with that, it just not terribly practical for real world operations. While I haven't taken the certifcation exam, I suspect this book prepares you well for the exam since it's the "offical" curriculum of the Apple Training and Cetification program.

Similiar to other test prep books, there are goals and reviews. In particular, the book breaks down the learning into chapters with time estimates, which is helpful in preparing your learning process. The included CD has sample files to go along with the detailed and expanded exercises. The book takes you through the basics of setting up a server start to finish along with giving an overview of the rich feature set found in OS X Server.

Unfortunately, simliar to other test prep books, the book doesn't arm you with the skills necessary to properly maintain and configure a Tiger server in the real world. There is no troubleshooting guide nor much practical advice on do's and don'ts of server setup. After reading this book, I'm relatively confident I could pass the exam, but I do not feel confident I could configure or maintain a Tiger server. Nonetheless, this book is a good first step in learning OS X server. You need no prior knowledge to start using this book and to at least get a test server set up.

Overall this is a good book for beginners and/or persons trying to get certified on OS X server. The book level from Peachpit says "Intermediate/Advanced". I disagree; this is strictly for new users. If you will be maintaining a OS X server, look elsewhere for a support guide. Anyone who's setup a OS X server will be annoyed by this book.

Pros: Clear examples and easy to follow guide for beginners
Cons: No troubleshooting nor practical guidance after initial setup

Two out of five dogcows

Editorial Review:

The only Apple-certified book on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, this comprehensive reference takes support technicians and ardent Mac users deep inside their operating systems, covering everything from networking technologies to system administration, customizing the operating system, command-line programming, and more. Keyed to the learning objectives of the  AppleCertified Technical Coordinator certification exam, the lessons in this self-paced volume serve as a perfect supplement to Apple’s own training class and a first-rate primer for computer support personnel who need to troubleshoot and optimize Mac OS X as part of their jobs. Self-quizzes and chapter tests reinforce the knowledge gained along the way.

Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual (2nd Edition)

David Pogue

Amazon Price: $16.47 List Price: $24.95 By: Pogue Press Amazon Marketplace: 45 new & used starting at $2.46

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Hardware -> Macs
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Microsoft -> Operating Systems -> Windows XP
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Microsoft -> Operating Systems -> Windows - General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Windows XP Home Edition offers dozens of new features for consumers: an elegant user interface, drag-and-drop CD burning, and powerful ways to view and manage digital photos and music, among other features. With the release of Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows XP now provides better protection against viruses, worms, and malicious hackers. But it still comes without a single page of printed instructions.

Fortunately, the new edition of "Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual" fills the void. With its wealth of tips, instructions, and expert advice, this comprehensive resource is your ticket to making your time at the computer safer, easier, and more fun. And best of all, it's been updated to include detailed coverage of Service Pack 2.

Written in easy-to-follow, jargon-free language, "Windows XP Home Edition: The Missing Manual," Second Edition is perfectly suited for both first-time PC fans and budding power users. And like the rest of the Missing Manual series, it also relies on technical insight, crystal-clear objectivity, and a sense of humor--meaning no one will be left behind.

The book begins with a tour of the Desktop and instructions for customizing the Taskbar and toolbars. It also includes a primer on how to organize files, folders, and windows for maximum efficiency. More advanced chapters explore control panels and built-in applications; walk through configurations like how to set up a PC for Internet use; and address the standard Windows rituals of troubleshooting, installation, and upgrading.

For the height of manageability and control, the book also conveys all the need-to-know information about the security technologies featured in Windows XP SP2, so youcan better defend yourself against viruses, worms, and hackers. Readers even receive guidelines and instructions for installing SP2 on their PC, or across a network of computers.

Co-authored by David Pogue, "New York Times" computer columnist and Missing Manuals creator, this updated guide is the friendly, authoritative book that should have been in the box. It's sure to become your preferred guide whenever you sit down to Windows XP.

Mac OS X Leopard Portable Genius

Dwight Spivey

Amazon Price: $19.80 List Price: $30.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Amazon Marketplace: 51 new & used starting at $13.95

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> Mac OS X
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Hardware -> Handheld & Mobile Devices
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> MacOS

Editorial Review:

Mac OS X Portable Genius is always at the ready for you with facts, tips, and secrets to give you the most from your favorite OS. This genius teaches you to customize your computer and workspace, troubleshoot and maintain Mac OS X, and just have fun. Browse and manipulate images and multimedia, listen to music and Podcasts, copy music to an iPod, add a printer, sync your Mac to other devices, and take control of Leopard to make it work for you.

From the introduction:
"Some of you may be rolling your eyes right now; all computers use the file and folder concept and some sort of colorful user interface, so there couldn’t be that much difference between Mac OS X and its competitors, right? Wrong. I don’t just say this because of some blind devotion to all things Apple; I’ve actually used different flavors of Windows and Linux for more than 13 years, right alongside my trusty Mac, so experience has been my teacher. If I have any devotion to Apple, there are plenty of good reasons why, the subject of this book being the first. Readers of this book who are already Mac users understand exactly what I’m talking about. For those of you moving from other computing platforms, it’s my desire that by the end of this book you will have a whole new perspective on computing and see what it means to really have fun while working with your computer. In Mac OS X Leopard Portable Genius you can learn not just the basics, but the subtle nuances and little tips and tricks that make using your Mac that much easier. I’ve covered the gamut, from printing files, surfing the Internet and using e-mail, to partitioning your hard drive, automating repetitive tasks, and using UNIX commands, with just a little bit of geeky humor thrown in for good measure. I hope this book will do justice to Mac OS X Leopard, which isn’t just a computer operating system; it’s an art form."

Apple Training Series: iLife 08 (Apple Training)

Michael Cohen, Jeff Bollow, Richard Harrington

Amazon Price: $26.39 List Price: $39.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peachpit Press Amazon Marketplace: 47 new & used starting at $21.98

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> iLife
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

iLife 08
iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD

In the only Apple-certified guide to iLife '08, the authors have you working miracles with iLife within the first few pages. Featuring footage and images from around the world, this book/DVD combo uses real-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediately to your own projects. Focused lessons take you step by step through all aspects of iLife '08--everything from organizing and sharing your  photo library to creating polished video and soundtracks. Along the way, you’ll produce podcasts, websites, blogs, video blogs, and custom DVDs.

• Master the iLife suite of tools quickly through fun, real-world projects
• Turn your photos into cards, picture books, calendars, or a web gallery
• Add motion and sound to your slideshows, then publish them online
• Create a polished video with transitions, music, and effects
• Learn "Hollywood-style" techniques for making better videos
• Build a soundtrack in GarageBand, and learn to score a simple movie
• Publish Web sites, blogs, podcasts, and DVD menus with ease.

SPECIAL NOTE: Before starting the lessons in the book, visit www.peachpit.com/atsilife08 for important lesson file updates. 

Robin Williams Cool Mac Apps: Twelve apps for enhanced creativity and productivity (3rd Edition) (Little Series)

John Tollett, Robin Williams

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peachpit Press Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $12.00

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> Graphics, Animation & Illustration
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Cool Mac Apps 3rd Edition 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

"Cool Mac Apps" Third Edition by Robin Williams is an excellent information provider for anyone using Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Covered in this book are the mac applications iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, Mail and more, twelve in all.
There is an explanation of the application and instructions on how to do each of the functions within the application. The book is quite detailed. For example iPhoto itself is 97 pages.
This is an excellent book for reference after going through it at least once. I have prior editions and refer to them whenever I have a question on a covered application. Of course with each new Edition many features are repeated from the prior but the latest Edition incorporates all the new features of those applications.

This book is now part of my reference library and it is highly recommended. I would give it a 5 star rating.

Reviewed by Marty Grauer, Fresno Macintosh Users Group.

"Cool Mac Apps".
Author Robin Williams with John Tollett.
ISBN-0-321-50896-3
US $ 24.99
Peachpit Press, www.peachpit.com

Editorial Review:

This popular book shows readers how to take advantage of the iLife '08 applications that to many are the coolest parts of using a Mac. Through tutorials, tips, and techniques readers will learn how to use each of the powerful applications -- individually and as part of an integrated, interactive suite. Robin and John also cover the features of the immensely popular .Mac Web Gallery, which enables you to share your iPhoto library with family and friends with just a few clicks. Friendly, practical instructions will have new and veteran Mac owners using all that's new in the suite in no time. They'll find everything about getting on the Internet and using email; using the way-cool iChat AV, which adds audio and video to instant messaging; using iTunes, including access to the iTunes Music Store; the new video libary in iMovie; new organization and editing tools in iPhoto; new animated themes in iDVD; and much more!

Big Book of Apple Hacks: Tips & Tools for unlocking the power of your Apple devices (Hacks)

Chris Seibold

Amazon Price: $23.09 List Price: $34.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: O'Reilly Media, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $10.00

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Business & Culture -> Hacking
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Business & Culture -> Privacy
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Business & Culture -> Security

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Bigger in size, longer in length, broader in scope, and even more useful than our original Mac OS X Hacks, the new Big Book of Apple Hacks offers a grab bag of tips, tricks and hacks to get the most out of Mac OS X Leopard, as well as the new line of iPods, iPhone, and Apple TV.

With 125 entirely new hacks presented in step-by-step fashion, this practical book is for serious Apple computer and gadget users who really want to take control of these systems. Many of the hacks take you under the hood and show you how to tweak system preferences, alter or add keyboard shortcuts, mount drives and devices, and generally do things with your operating system and gadgets that Apple doesn't expect you to do. The Big Book of Apple Hacks gives you:

• Hacks for both Mac OS X Leopard and Tiger, their related applications, and the hardware they run on or connect to
• Expanded tutorials and lots of background material, including informative sidebars
• "Quick Hacks" for tweaking system and gadget settings in minutes
• Full-blown hacks for adjusting Mac OS X applications such as Mail, Safari, iCal, Front Row, or the iLife suite
• Plenty of hacks and tips for the Mac mini, the MacBook laptops, and new Intel desktops
• Tricks for running Windows on the Mac, under emulation in Parallels or as a standalone OS with Bootcamp

The Big Book of Apple Hacks is not only perfect for Mac fans and power users, but also for recent -- and aspiring -- "switchers" new to the Apple experience. Hacks are arranged by topic for quick and easy lookup, and each one stands on its own so you can jump around and tweak whatever system or gadget strikes your fancy. Pick up this book and take control of Mac OS X and your favorite Apple gadget today!

Mac OS X For Unix Geeks

Ernest Rothman, Brian Jepson, Rich Rosen

Amazon Price: $23.09 List Price: $34.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: O'Reilly Media, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $20.50

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> MacOS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> Unix -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Operating Systems -> Unix -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

If you're a developer or system administrator lured to Mac OS X because of its Unix roots, you'll quickly discover that performing Unix tasks on a Mac is different than what you're accustomed to. Mac OS X for Unix Geeks serves as a bridge between Apple's Darwin OS and the more traditional Unix systems. This clear, concise guide gives you a tour of Mac OS X's Unix shell in both Leopard and Tiger, and helps you find the facilities that replace or correspond to standard Unix utilities. You'll learn how to perform common Unix tasks in Mac OS X, such as using Directory Services instead of the standard Unix /etc/passwd and /etc/group, and you'll be able to compile code, link to libraries, and port Unix software using either Leopard and Tiger. This book teaches you to: Navigate the Terminal and understand how it differs from an xterm Use Open Directory (LDAP) and NetInfo as well as Directory Services Compile your code with GCC 4 Port Unix programs to Mac OS X with Fink Use MacPorts to install free/open source software Search through metadata with Spotlight's command-line utilities Build the Darwin kernel

And there's much more. Mac OS X for Unix Geeks is the ideal survival guide to tame the Unix side of Leopard and Tiger. If you're a Unix geek with an interest in Mac OS X, you'll soon find that this book is invaluable.