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This skinny volume neither aims to teach its readers UNIX nor introduce them to the Mac, but rather to show how Apple has implemented UNIX. It's a fast read that assumes--as the title implies--rather a lot of UNIX knowledge. With that requirement satisfied and this book in hand, you're likely to discover aspects of Aqua more quickly than you otherwise would have.
The authors spend lots of time explaining how administrative tasks--such as managing groups, users, and passwords--are handled in the Mac OS environment. They document netinfo fully, and call attention to its limitations (like its inability to create home directories for users) by explaining how to do the job on the command line. They also cover C programming in the Darwin universe at greater length than any other book does, providing explicit instructions for such important tasks as creating header files and linking static libraries. A guide to the command line (they call the reference section--groan--"The Missing Manpages") provides good value at this book's conclusion. --David Wall
Topics covered: How to get around in Darwin, the UNIX implementation built into Mac OS X. Sections deal with basic maneuvering at the command line, LDAP services, C programming, and graphical user interfaces under Aqua. There's a short section on building the kernel itself, but it's limited in scope.
I found this book insulting to my Unix-geekness and not very useful for my desire to understand OS X. Very disappointing, coming from O'Reilly.
Half the book covers major conceptual differences (directory services vs. traditional /etc/passwd, Aqua vs. X11 etc.) and the other half covers compiling, both source and the kernel. A final chapter explains how to run X11 under Aqua.
There's a good appendix that lists and briefly explains some of the more important files and directories, and another that gives more details on a few command line tools.
This is worth picking up if you are going to investigate Mac OS X.
If you are a geek, (and you know it if you are) then you understand that vi isn't necessarily the Roman number for six, perl isn't a misspelling of a precious jewel, and X11 isn't a top-secret military reconnaissance plane. Indeed, it's been suggested that "real geeks speak Unix." Of course that's an overly narrow view, but there's no denying that the server and development landscape has been radically changed by Line, freebased, and the many *nix offshoots that have begun to mature and come into their own.
As with all O'Reilly publications, Mac OS X for Unix Geeks is authored by true experts in the topic, in this case, Unix geeks. In addition it has a complete index and helpful appendixes. But the content itself is fairly inclusive of all the basic tools and services with which Unix developers will be familiar. Apple wouldn't be Apple if it didn't 'think different-ly' and such is the case with Mac OS X. The file structures are just consistent enough but with significant variances to throw an old Unix geek into fits of frustration, and cause the newcomer to become befuddled rather quickly. Whether mainly managing services, building structures, or seeking information about Darwin and advanced compiling techniques, Brian and Ernest have excellent advice and pointers for you to consider. They will quickly take you through the basics of Mac OS X's file structure and services, how to modify them to suit your personal needs and preferences, and get that "personalized" Unix that only a geek could appreciate! In addition, you'll get the benefit of their advice about using some of Apple's cool new GUI tools to manage some services that are typically only handled via the command line in traditional Unix installations.
Unix geeks who have been around awhile know that much of the information they need can be found in detail, IF one knows where to look. By now, there are more than a few excellent online resources that cater to Mac OS X from a Unix point of view. This book provides suggestions for outside resources dealing explicitly with a particular topic of interest. I recommend checking out Brian's article: Top Ten Mac OS X Tips for Unix Geeks. The largest section of the book is for the developer. Apple is counting on developers to port their applications from other operating systems over to Mac OS X. While much has been made of the purported ease of moving current Mac OS 9 apps over to Mac OS X via Carbon, there's actually a bit more to it, as is often the case, and this little book does a good job of giving the developer a handle on where the Unix tools are located and how best to approach the packaging and deployment of applications for Mac OS X.
One of the toughest challenges in writing a book like this is knowing when to stop. This is not meant to be an exhaustive text about Mac OS X, nor is it a full-featured explanation of Unix from a Mac perspective. It's a very handy guide for someone who's familiar with the 'engine' but isn't sure of the terrain.
My advice is to view this book as a quick reference source for an overview of the common command-level features currently available in Mac OS X, how they are addressed either through the Terminal or a GUI or both, and where further details and help can be obtained online and in print. Software developers in particular will want this book, followed by server administrators. Network administrators will probably find this is not as helpful as a more exhaustive and general work like Unix Power Tools.
MacMice Rating: 4 out of 5
The upcoming OS X in a Nutshell from O'Reilly looks more useful, even for Unix geeks, then this book.
Happily, Jepson and Rothman have addressed the *nix community switchers without being preachy about OS X. The book, as others have mentioned, does have some holes in its coverage. Also, some assumptions (due to the publishing schedule) were made about OS X 10.2 Jaguar that simply turned out to be false (e.g., StartUpItems scripts would shut down daemons) once 10.2 was actually released. The authors have posted some errata and clarifications to the first edition at the O'Reilly website.
Another shortcoming of this first edition is the shoddy copy editing/proofing in regard to the tables and diagrams. There are numerous instances where the tables and diagrams are wrong or outright missing.
Like many other O'Reilly titles, this book is not intended to be the definitive compendium, but rather a quick introduction to *nix developers who are trying to find their bearings in a mostly recognizable, but occasionally idiosyncratic neighborhood. It is not a system administration guide; O'Reilly's UNIX sysadmin book (by Frisch) is a far better one.
While this book may not unveil any new *nix secrets, it will accelerate familiarity with your new OS X surroundings. Assuming you value your time above minimum wage, the price of this book is negligible compared to the time it will save you figuring things out by yourself or perusing scattered websites.
All and all, this was a good, if technical, book. Perfect for anybody who is interested in porting Unix software to Mac OS X, as well as the Unix admin who wants to get the most out of the new environment. However, unlike the title maintains, you don't have to be a Unix geek to get something worthwhile from the reading - though you may consider yourself one after carefully going through this book.
My only complaint is that the book leaves you wanting more information in some areas. Thankfully, it is always quick to point you to other O'Reilly titles that fill in the gaps.
If I have not seen so far it is because I stood in giant's footsteps.
Q: What do you call a blind, deaf-mute, quadraplegic Virginian?
A: Trustworthy.
