Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

I've been holding back before writing this review, in two minds about the book. The thing is, the information in here is very useful, but I can't escape a feeling of disappointment at what's been left out.

This is a book designed for the "power user", and according to the intro is intended to be complementary to "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual". Having said that, In my opinion it has enough on the basics (general use, the finder, applications, etc.) to mean that someone who has a decent level of competence on Windows, Linux or earlier Mac OS's should start with this book.

It's strength, however, is when it goes beyond basic use to the stuff you need to know if you are going to configure OS X for yourself. There is a section of more than 200 pages on the Unix-side of the operating system (Darwin), including a very useful command reference (with entries that are shorter, but more user-friendly, than the man pages). Then there is a chapter on the file system that, among other things, explains why some standard Unix approaches don't work as they should. Add to this information on working with preference lists and using Net Info Manager. Top it off with chapters on developing software for and in OS X, and installing X-Windows and Linux software, and you have a very useful book.

On the other hand, I feel that there are some fairly serious omissions. One glaring example that I found was that there is no entry for the ipfw command in the command reference, even though such an entry is referred to earlier in the book (ipfw is used to configure the firewall in the Terminal). I also felt that there was a lack of troubleshooting material. For instance, you're told how to set up a network printer, but not what to look for if it doesn't work. Finally, I felt that the chapter on Security (admittedly called Security Basics) was little more than an advertisement for the what a secure operating system OS X is. It is, but I would have preferred some guidance on making it more so.

This is the OS X book that I wish I'd bought when I first got my Mac. I would have made far more rapid progress with it than with the "Teach Yourself... " book I did start out with. However, in my opinion it is not all it could (or should?) have been. I admit that I may be on a quest for the Mac equivalent of a dictionary with all the words I don't know, but that is how I feel.

Chuck Toporek, Chris Stone, Jason McIntosh

Reader Reviews:

A lot of useful information, but some omissions (3/4 people found this helpful)

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