Last updated 8/17/2004

Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell

Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell
Authors: Chuck Toporek, Chris Stone & Jason McIntosh
Publisher: O'Reilly
1050 pages ... $39.95
ISBN 0-596-00606-3

If you want something about Mac OS X Panther that is more advanced than the Missing Manual, you probably want Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell. Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition is for beginning to intermediate users interested primarily in running applications such as word processing, graphic design, and browsing the web. Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell is intended for more advanced users interested in gaining a knowledge of Panther beyond what is in the Missing Manual.

Part One The Lay of the Land is about Panther and its applications.

Where there is overlap between The Missing Manual and In a Nutshell, the focus and presentation is different. In a Nutshell, Preview is used as an example of windows that may have drawers. Select several JPEG images in the finder, and click Apple-Open, and they will open in Preview with one shown in larger scale and the others in drawers along the side. The Missing Manual uses more words to describe the thumbnails drawer as a feature in the discussion of Preview as an application.

But, Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell goes to a more advanced level when, for example, it describes how to modify the com.apple,doc,plist file and changing the value of orientation to top to put the Dock on top of the screen below the menu bar.

Part One ends with a Task and Settings Index. Unlike most indexes which refer you to a page number, this one gives you the answers. For example, Give a file or folder a custom icon? tells you how to do it in about three lines.

The other Parts of Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell sound, and I believe are, more advanced: System and Network Administration, Scripting and Development, and Under the Mac OS X's Hood (the Unix stuff).

Most of this book is over my head with information way beyond what I would ever use, but that is not because of the way it is written. It is clear and concise with wonderful reference tables. There is a Unix reference for 309 commands all of which have been tested to work with Panther

Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell appears to be an essential reference for users who are more advanced than I am and who want to dig deeper into Panther, to modify or enhance it, or to develop new software using Panther.

For more information or to buy this book, go to
http://www.oreilly.com