Mastering Mac OS X

Todd Stauffer

1 Good guide to OS X for intermediate users
I've seen a fair number of books for OS X and they range in target audience from the raw beginner such as Mac OS X for Dummies and Robin William's Mac OS X Book through to those for technical readers such as Mac OS X In A Nutshell (IAN).

Mastering Mac OS X falls firmly in the middle. Unlike IAN it spends a fair amount of time on the GUI and a major section is devoted to QuickTime and the iApps. Unlike Robin William's volume it covers high end topics such as AppleScript and the terminal and has a good section on troubleshooting. One thing lacking that I applaud is that it does not have IAN's large chapter summing up Unix commands.

The Good

The book is well structured, divided into 7 sections, 5 of increasing complexity, 'The Mac OS X Basics', 'On The Internet', 'Multimedia: Images Sound, Video', 'Networking, Coonectivity and Portables' and 'Advanced Mac OS X topics' - which covers AppleScript, the Terminal, and various servers including QuickTime, Samba and Sendmail. These are followed by a hardware and troubleshooting section and finally the appendices. The index is good and it has the by now traditional two level table of contents, the first listing just the chapter heads and the second listing all the sub sections as well.

Given that structure, the book touches all the bases and covers all the required topics well.

The writing is not bad, I think a stronger hand with the editing would have done wonders as it tends to the wordy.

The Bad

Once again a certain amount of the early stuff is either below the needs of the target audience or not really required. Oh, and Sybex do have a page for the book...!OpenDocument which includes a Table of Contents, sample chapter, index and errata but get a load of that URL and the author has a web page for the book but he hasn't touched it in over a year, since before this second edition was published.

Conclusion

It should be said that among all the books in this genre none are badly written, or badly structured. Personally I don't like the style of the 'Dummies' books and so I put it at the bottom of my list but others may not have the same feeling. That said, how do you choose among them? The choice boils down to two things, how close you are to the target audience for a particular book and how well it addresses the target audience. Mastering Mac OS X is targeted at "intermediate beginners (those who have some experience with a graphical operating system) and solidly intermediate to advanced users" according to the Introduction. I think that it covers the needs of the first group well but will probably fall short if you are already an "advanced user." For these people I'd recommend Mac OS X In A Nutshell. If you are a total newbie, then I'd recommend Robin William's Mac OS X Book.

2 Good Desktop Companion
I put this desktop reference and basic "how to" OS X book to work immediately, as I attempted to connect from an internet caf? and couldn't figure out how to override my computer from continually attempting to connect to the ethernet as opposed to my Airport connection. I quickly found the chapter and section of this 800 page plus book, and focused in on the information I knew was going to assist me. If it wasn't for the graphic on the page, I would not have been sure if I was in the correct place. I skimmed through, and quickly was able to achieve my first task with my new Mastering OS X 2nd Edition reference book. I could tell we were going to get along just fine. I quickly went through the other OS X questions that I had been saving in my head for this exact moment. With a quick perusal of the Table of Contents, and the graphics used in the book, I have had my deepest OS X mysteries solved and my ibook signing to my personal preferences. In the back binding of the book, there is also a chapter reference that anticipates your next move. It seems to have been designed consecutively so that you can also begin to see the natural progression of your own personal network, and to perhaps judge what is missing from it as well. For example, it lists topics such as "Backing up your Mac" (okay- some of us need to still be reminded to do this, and to get advice as to what the best way to do so is!), and "Maintaining and Repairing Disks". Topics that otherwise would may have not crossed my mind are outlined right before me.

3 David Weeks MyMac.com Book Review
Todd Stauffer's Mastering Mac OS X Second Edition is a worthy addition to any OS X user's personal library. Updated with lots of new information for OS X 10.2 "Jaguar," this book (hereafter referred to as MMOSX2 to save my fingers) covers the waterfront for the intermediate and advanced user. While the back cover bills the book as suitable for users of all levels, I think that the raw Macintosh novice would find this book a bit intimidating, with the section Macintosh essentials being swamped by the huge amount of more advanced topics.

Stauffer is exceptionally thorough, with the 804 pages of text covering almost every facet of Mac OS X theory and practice. Rather than recite the various sections from the Table of Contents, you can be assured that almost any question an advanced or power user may have is covered. While not targeted at the hard-core, extreme geek, MMOSX2 does have a good basic introduction to the Unix underpinnings of OS X. Part V Advanced Mac OS X topics spans 100+ pages, and held my attention for page after page.

To my mind, the best sections in MMOSX2 are those on networking and cross-platform operations, as well as the two new chapters on troubleshooting system-level problems and typical OS X problems and solutions. Stauffer provides a well-rounded discussion of these topics, which are not often well served by other general-purpose OS X book, especially the troubleshooting sections.

Unfortunately, MMOSX2 was a bit hard to read, with text just a bit small for my 46 year-old eyes. While a larger type size would have caused the book to balloon to an even greater page count and greater weight, I would have preferred a larger type size. MMOSX2 is not alone, as other "boat-anchor" books often sacrifice readability for portability. Perhaps the publishers should begin to bundle a pair of cheap bifocals with any book over 500 pages.

Mastering Mac OS X Second Edition is clearly a reference book. Stauffer's style is a bit dry, to put it politely, and MMOSX2 will not keep you up into the night, unless you are using it while troubleshooting an OS X problem. But this book is clearly worth buying for its comprehensive collection of OS X information; you'll have all you need in one place on your bookshelf.

MacMice Rating: 4.5 out of 5

4 Including troubleshooting & security precautions
Now in a substantially revised and expanded second edition which is updated for OS X v10.2, Mac OS X is a comprehensive and definitive guide which offers a straightforward tutorial on everything to do with the OS X operating system for the Macintosh including troubleshooting, security precautions, installation, networking, data recovery and much more. Screenshots, thorough examples, and easy-to-follow, step-by-step, expert instructions fill the pages of this first-rate, confidently recommended resource and reference.

5 Great all-encompassing book on Mac OS X (10.2)
This book (the second edition) is quite comprehensive and well laid-out. The chapters on the Terminal and on Darwin (chapters 23 and 24) are really good and written with a nod to the traditional Mac user and the traditional Unix user. My only minor negative comment is that the screenshots are in black and white. I understand that color screenshots would increase the printing costs but the Aqua interface is so nice, a black and white picture just doesn't do it justice. However, the lack of color screenshots should not deter anyone thinking of getting this book. It will be a valuable reference to anyone's library.

6 Descriptive
Here is a book that is descriptive, comprehensive and in-depth about Apple's newest, UNIX-based operating system. The size of the book may be daunting, but the content is satisfying and explains virtually everything OS X in-depth. Flip to any page, and you will find well-described and illustrative coverage on something related to OS X. Virtually everything that pertains to OS X is clearly explained in-depth. The book doesn't go far beyond the scope of explaning the new OS and - indeed - letting you master it.

It also functions well as an effective troubleshooter. This book's on my shelf next to my Macs all the time. Highly recommended.

7 Mastering OS X
Mastering OS X is a wonderful, thorough book about Apple's newest operating system. I could not have gotten up to speed without it.

The book covers EVERY part of Mac OS X in complete detail. ANY user, new or old, of the Macintosh will learn from this book. I will look forward to buying future books from Mr. Stauffer!

8 For beginners
Other reviews on this book indicated that it was the best book for advanced Unix users. I found it to be the opposite, very little advanced topics, even those that are part of the GUI are covered. OS X for Dummies and Unix for Dummies would be a better choice. I would even venture to say the book is for computer beginners as it actually explains what an icon is. This would be for someone who hasn't used a computer since 1983.

9 Good, but VERY simple
This is a book for absolute beginners. This is not a book for anyone who knows anything at all about Macs. Granted OS X is quite different but I have found very little useful information in this book and some of what I found has not been correct (like how to create an alias in the Terminal - what the book states does not work).

If you are brand new to Macs and are startiing with OS X this book may be right for you.

10 So far this is quite good! I am very new to Apple-land!
Recently, I decided to broaden my computer knowledge (I am an MCSE,MCT,MCDBA,CCNA,CCAI,A+ - so my PC and networking skills are there, just no Mac). To better understand Apple OSX I looked at the OSX Complete Reference as well as this text.

So far, I am more impressed with this text in terms of sheer depth of information. It doesn't have the programming sections that "OSX Complete Reference" does, but I wonder if that is really needed. From the sections I have read, it seems to provide enough depth to get started comfortably and bring myself up to speed.

It is evident that the author understands OSX as the references to third-party tools and references are well placed and valid.

As a "how-to-use-it" book I am enjoying it. Next, I'll have to find a text that gets into the internal workings.

11 A Good Beginning
I recently purchased my first Mac because OS X intrigued me. I've spent the last 5 years using linux and, occasionally, FreeBSD. I wanted a book that would get me over the hump on becoming familiar with this new operating system. I feel that this book does a good job of making the reader familiar with most aspects of OS X. Good job!

12 What do you expect?
I'm quite surprised at the reviews written by M Lapham and macgizmo, both of which seem to be unrealistic in their expectations.

Mac OS X is a brand new operating system. Even those who have been experts on the Mac OS for years are basically "starting over." (In fact, even if you have a decent UNIX background like I do, it's still different enough from other implementations that you have to learn the "OS X way.") What this means is that ANY thorough book on OS X needs to start at a basic level and then progress to more advanced levels. "Mastering Mac OS X" is 800 pages long, and covers almost anything that a new or experienced user could want or need in order to use Mac OS X on a daily basis. At the very least, for some more advanced topics, the reader is given enough information so that they can then find other sources of more advanced information (mostly administration-level UNIX stuff). Given that books dedicated to UNIX administration are unable to cover every topic in 1000 pages, it's unrealistic to think that this book would be able to cover every advanced topic, plus teach new users where to start, in 800.

As for what IS in the book, as Don Levy said, it's very clear and readable, with great illustrations. It covers everything from the most basic tasks to troubleshooting and administration, and explains things in a way so that both Mac OS veterans and those new to the Mac OS can understand. It goes into more detail than any of the other OS X books out as of July 2001, and is organized so that you can read it straight through or pick and choose your topics. And Mr. Levy is also right about the index -- for those of us who are a bit more advanced, having a thorough index is vital, and this one is very well done.

I've recommended this book to many people. While it's not an advanced book for a UNIX power user or administrator (I don't think there is one of those for Mac OS X right now), it does what the title says: helps users Master Mac OS X.

13 This is the place to start OS X
While I agree with MacGizmo's review that this is far from complete or with the depth Mac gurus could wish for, I think it is vastly superior to the other books that are out on OS X as of July 28, 2001.

For the beginner or experienced Mac person it's ideal: clear and readable, much more detail than all the rest, and very well illustrated. It's extremely well organized, and while each chapter logically builds on the others, yet each can be read independently and out of sequence, thanks to an excellent index (which makes looking up a term or concept quick and easy).

My pet peeve with most tech books is sloppy, incomplete indexing. Novels are read start to finish; tech books are primarily for reference. To be genuinely useful, a good index is essential, and Mastering Mac OS X is one of the better tech books at fulfilling this critically important requirement.

Most OS X books currently out are simple re-hashes of what one can find in MacWorld and MacAddict magazines, or from Apple's own official "consumer level" information. One has the feeling when reading them that the author just digested a bunch of articles, tried OS X for a few hours (or few minutes, perhaps) and then rushed into print, in hopes of being devoured by the masses starved for more info about OS X.

Not so this book. One has the sense that the author has actually USED OS X hands-on, in depth and at length for a considerable time. That some of the trickier, deeper areas of OS X are not addressed is not a bad thing for a book whose primary purpose is to introduce us to the new OS. There will be plenty of books along in the coming months and years to address these issues, mostly topics that are of interest only to techies and Mac professionals.

I recommend this book as a starting point for all our clients, at virtually all levels of Mac skills. I wish I had written it. I wish I could write technical stuff this well.

14 OSX for Begining Mac Users
If you want to learn about the new OSX operating system and how to use a Macintosh, this is the book for you. It begins with using the interface, such as trashcan, and advances to basic troubleshooting of the OSX and classic operating systems.

On the other hand, if you are familiar with Mac OS pre-X you are already familiar with the majority of this book. Its advanced OSX sections simply give a cursory treatment of the operating system.

In my case I was hoping for much more advanced information about the new operating system. From what I read, either I am far more fluent with OSX and Unix than I thought or this book is intended for a different reader.

15 Master is the wrong word...
Get aquainted is more like it. This book, like so many others, covers a lot of "basic" things about MacOSX and even "Classic". It explains a lot of 'theory' behind the terminal and how usefull it is - but you will NOT master anything in OSX from reading this book. Not one single reference to NetInfo Manager is in this book (other than an obscure note regarding the database in relation to something else). No extensive FTP or Filesharing info beyond the obvious is stated.

I did find a brief section about file permissions to be quite usefull - so the book wasn't a total loss. For those with a little Unix experience there is a section devoted to Darwin and some advanced shell stuff - however if the rest of the book is any indication, this section will seem amateur to them as well (I dont know anything about Unix - I was hoping I might learn something when I bought the book).

The book is very well written, has lots of tips/notes to break up the thickness - but it falls extremely short of making you a "Master" of OSX. This book is a step above the "Dummies" series, but far below any advanced/power user level.

I give it 2 stars because it does cover a lot of info (even though they are basic topics such as browsers use and mail.app etc...) but only 2 because it doesn't even come close to what the title promises.