Mac OS X: The Missing Manual

This book is a good thing. Really! Part of his mega-hit Missing Manual Series, Pogue pulls it off and makes OS X newbies laugh and feel better about their total inadequacies. His writing style is zany, without being overly nerdy. Best of all, you'll find the answers to your most mind-boggling question about OS X in this book.

If you're navigating OS X, or you plan to, Mac OS X: The Missing Manual deserves a spot on your bookshelf. Admit it, you're a newbie or you're a former Mac OS 9 who's clueless about OS X. You'll want this book.

This baby is a hefty 33.4 ounces and is a decent workout (stretch,lift from desk, lift up over head, do a few repetitions, and relax with caffeinated beverage of choice). It's also a good read.

You'll find 21 chapters of really buff stuff on OS X. In fact, buy one book on OS X (including version 10.1) and this is it! You'll even learn how to correctly pronounce the operating system (duh: OS X doesn't rhyme with sex).

The book is divided into six parts:

1. The Mac OS X Desktop
2. Applications in Mac OS X
3. The components of Mac OS X
4. The Technologies of Mac OS X
5. Mac OS X Online
6. Appendixes

True to form, Mac OS X: the Missing Manual really is the missing manual that Apple failed to include when buying a new iMac, eMac, iBook, PowerMac, or PowerBook. Let's hope Apple never catches on to this or Pogue may quit writing these gems.

Best feature of the Appendixes section? If you're an old Mac user (relatively speaking), check out the 'Where'd It Go?" listing--which does an awesome job outlining what to expect (or not to expect) from this Unix hybrid-of-a-system, Mac OS X.

Feel free to browse chunks of this book at a time or if you're in a hurry, snack on a few bits at a time. Yes, this book is nicely laid out and an easy to read reference. Two thumb's up (and an ergonomic wrist support) to David Pogue for bravely admitting to the Mac community that he used a (gasp!) PC to write this book (forced to use Dragon Naturally Speaking to accomodate "an annoying and permanent wrist ailment"). He is forgiven.

So read up and learn all about iTunes, Mail, Sherlock, and Apache. Go ahead and read the FAQs, Tips, Notes, and "Don't Panic" sections. In no time, you'll be a Mac OS X power user! You know, network with the best of 'em.

David Pogue's point is well taken. We truly aren't in Kansas anymore. Got it? Get it now!