Switching to a Mac For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) Review

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Switching to a Mac For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) ReviewSusan Veatch Golds, Alaskan Apple User Group Member
Product Title: "Switching to a Mac for Dummies"
Author: Arnold Reinhold
Price: $21.99 USA
Publisher/Distributor: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Website: www.wiley.com/wileyCDA/
Pro: This book was constructed so that a non-computer literate could find, learn and use it effectively during the confusing process of switching from a PC to a Mac.
Con:Needed a good light and strong reading glasses to see the figures inserted in the texts. But when following along with your computer it makes it easier. There were some miss allocations. Such as figure 5-1, the current application was being called iChat instead of Finder. In the discussion of IPhoto, the term ITunes was used several times inadvertently. But ignoring that, even I was able to understand how to use the application.
Moose Rating 1-5 (5 highest): 5
The book's real strength is in the step by step organization of the information. It can help you decide IF you want a Mac; what KIND of Mac do you want; and HOW to set the computer up. Once you have made the decision to switch, you are told how to more smoothly transfer your information from your old PC to the Mac. Security issues are discussed. Ultimately, you are informed as to your choices of how to most securely dispose of your old PC to avoid making public your private files. Then it goes on to the specifics of running the computer with all the tricks to master the most from the machine. Including the various programs that are available on the machine, or available on the internet (either free or for purchase) to help you do anything you could dream you would need while using your new Mac. I was able to even easily use the index and go back and read again the specific areas I needed to re-read to really be able to use the information.
I will give you specific examples on how valuable this book has been in the progression of my development as a new Mac owner.
I switched to a Mac Book Pro in June of 2007. The process was very frustrating as I could not even figure out how to enlarge anything I was working on. Coming from a PC, I was used to grabbing any part of the frame work of the program I was working on to make it larger or smaller. The email "page" on the Mac was so small that it was not functional. Asking for help at the store where it was purchased was a joke. The clerk told me that the Mac had such a good resolution screen, that it was fine the image was small. It was also very clear! This was to enable me to use several applications at once. But if I wanted, they could figure out how to reduce the resolution of the screen for me. Obviously, I searched for another clerk. Then I found out about the lower right hand region has small diagonal lines on the Mac that was the ONLY location for expanding the viewing of the item. If I had had this book, I would have saved myself lots of time and frustration!
Since there is no manual with the Mac Book Pro, I tried to figure out how to work the programs alone. Then my husband read in the paper about the Alaskan Apple User Group having a meeting about Internet Security. Since I was not sure what needed to be done, and I was used to having to buy "protection" for my computer, I went to the November meeting. Then I found out that you could also check out programs to learn about the machine on CD's, or you could possibly do reviews of new information. At the December meeting I gained enough confidence that I asked about this book, and found I could do a review on it if I could read it in 25 days. Talk about an incentive to encourage myself to become educated to make my life easier!
Despite the fact that I had advanced past the decision making time of PC versus Mac and had already set up my machine, this book continued to be very appropriate for me in learning how to actually use and understand what I was really seeing in terms of programs and abbreviations. Normally on my PC when I had used the "HELP" functions, I could never describe or use terms that would elicit any proper response from "HELP." I believe that truly computer literate people have an entirely different language. Without this language, you can not ask questions. This is the first time I have read a book "for Dummies", and I feel that I have finally got a chance to ask "the proper question" in order to get the right answer from "HELP."
Chapter 5 : Mac OS X for Windows Users:
This was very important in explaining the difference between "Window's-Speak" and "Mac-Speak". I was really missing the information I got from the "Control Panel", and had not a clue that it was renamed "System Preferences!" The Table 5-1 gives a nice delineation of these differences. The discussion about "Backspace versus Del versus Delete" was enlightening. Delete on the Mac is really delete! If you want to remove the characters in front of the insertion point (blinking line), you merely press the fn (function) key plus the Delete key and the items to the right are deleted. Very logical, but without this book, I would not have had a clue! The use of two fingers tapping on the trackpad, or the choice to use" control and click" to obtain a "Right Click" was extremely helpful when I did not have my external mouse attached to my laptop. The information on the Finder was a little frustrating because it did not initially disclose that the cool "Finder cover-flow view" must only be on the 10.5 (Leopard) version. Since I have trouble looking at the Figure 5-8, it took me awhile to notice I did not really have the 4th choice to click on. I had had the experience of working on many applications and trying to bounce back and forth. To do so, I was trying to click on a portion of the window to bring the application forward. I needed to shrink, expand and try to move them around to slightly different locations to perform the tasks I wanted. On Page 98, I learned how to press the command key plus the tab key. This brings a docking station like display of the applications you are using. You merely press the tab repeatedly until you land on the application you want, and it brings it to the forefront. Then I learned about the "Expose'" with F9 separating the open windows, F 11 making all the open windows "scurry to the edges so that you can see the desktop. Click in the empty desktop so that you can see the Finder." The mere repeating of the button restores your screen how you were using it. Pretty clever! With your discussion on the Time Machine that is available on OSX 10.5 (Leopard) on the ability to do backups significantly impressed me. I had to hire a computer geek to format my external hard drive to do my back ups on my PC. I could never understand the process fully to retrieve data off the back up. With the ease you described, I believe I will seriously consider purchasing the new Leopard program.
Chapter 6: Moving Your Files from Your PC to the Mac:
If I had not read this book I would have been unable to prepare this article in the .txt format as requested. I would have used the TextEdit program with the .rtf format that was the default position. Without reading Page 129, would be clueless, nor would I have known about the clever "secure trash", nor the Disk Utility on my Mac. The latter cleans up my previously used regularly trashed items that could be still floating around in my Mac. Concern over security on my old PC was addressed by this book. Unfortunately, my PC was no longer able to boot up and I could not take advantage of the ideas to move documents over to my Mac. But taking it to a computer store, they were able to get some of the files off even though they could not really get the computer to fully boot. I did learn how to dispose of the remnant of my PC so I have a method to permanently prevent others from taking further information off the computer.
Chapter 7: Switching Application:
In exploring the IWork application, I was trying to access the tour to explore "Keynote and Pages". However, something went wrong and the "tour" did not start. I tried pushing esc (escape) and command + Q for Quit, and nothing helped. I went back to the "magic page" inside the front cover of this book and found the solution! It was command+option+W, and the window that was locked up in front of me went away! Later I was able to take the tour and see what was offered and I found out that there was an extra charge if I wished to use the program I life '06. Since there is now an I life '08 I will obviously wait.
I wish that I had read this book before I bought the Mac version of Office. I was very intrigued with the information that the Mac has ability to write to .doc. Also with the information that you could use websites such as Google for documents and spreadsheets. Even downloading to your Mac with formats such as .doc, .xl, .csv, .pdf, .rtf, etc. provides lots of other options. However, by not having this information before making my choice, I was not able to know what was fully available in order to let go of my habit of using PC paraphernalia.
I have been frustrated not knowing how to view items sent to my email account from my friends who still have PC's. I wasn't sure what application was needed to open the files of .wma or .wvm that were so easily opened on my PC. I was fearful that accepting "application" changes on the emails without knowing what the problem really was. On Page 147, you solved my problem with a free download. I read in the book that the reason the Mac is safer from viruses is that we have to give approval for each change in an application. This is different from the PC as it requires a high level integration of all processes working together. This makes them susceptible to viruses and worms to do their...Read more›Switching to a Mac For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) Overview

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