Last updated 3/07/2006

Robin Williams Mac OS X Book, Jaguar Edition

Robin Williams Mac OS X Book, Jaguar Edition
Author: Robin Williams
Publisher: Peachpit Press
784 Pages, $29.99
The Original Guide for the Macintosh

Robin Williams Mac OS X Book Jaguar Edition is probably the best book to recommend to a new Macintosh user with little or no prior computer experience. It describes how to use Macintosh OS X simply and clearly, and tells the new user what results to expect. It does not, however, talk down to new users. If an example shows a document, the content of the document shows some creativity and class.

A follow the dots tutorial skips around so the new user can learn the essentials in just 186 pages. The dots are half circles that bleed to the edge of the page so they are easy to find, and the information is still organized so that you will find it later with more advanced information on the subjects. A beginner who completes the 186 page tutorial will have a better base for using a Macintosh than many more experienced users.

In sports, coaches spend a lot of time going over the basics, the fundamentals, even with professional athletes. Robin Williams Mac OS X Book Jaguar Edition provides thorough coverage of the basics that will improve the performance of any user. I have twenty years of experience with Apple computers, am probably an intermediate user, and have read other Mac OS X books, and Robin Williams Mac OS X Book contained many very useful ideas that were new to me.

An example of the thoughtful instructions for beginners, When you see and instruction like Command + Shift + B do not type the pluses.

An example of something I had read before, but not used as I should, in any Finder window view you can quickly go to and select an item by keying the first few letters.

An example of something new to me, you can create a new icon for a file and the Macintosh will adjust the image size to fit.

The Robin Williams Mac OS X Book contains clear easy to understand information about Mac OS X features such as the login process and login options. I like the way Robin writes and makes a friend of the reader.

I liked Robins description of the font collections available in programs written specifically for Mac OS X not for both Mac OS X and OS 9. Whoever made up the names for these collections certainly did not know anything about type. Following her directions and examples, I have reorganized my collections.

I have recommended David Pogue's Mac OS X: The Missing Manual to all kinds of readers, as I am sure many other user group members have done. But, after reading Robin Williams Mac OS X Book, I would recommend it as the first choice for new Macintosh owners without a lot of computer experience. I still recommend David's book as the first choice for experienced users. It is worth buying both books.!

I own Mac OS X: The Missing Manual Second Edition(by David Pogue published by O'Reilly) and would not part with it. I have ordered my own copy of Robin Williams Mac OS X Book using the Peachpit Press user group member discount.

For more information or to order go to
http://www.peachpit.com