Reviews (2)

After Effects book worked for me...
This book was a great help,Im currently attending the Art Institute of California-San Diego. and this book was recommended for my Motion Graphics class.It has a lot of good tutorials and pointers to do on your own.This book was a great asset to honing my motion graphics skills.

The best start to learn After Effect
Are you new with After Effects? Adobe After Effects 7 Visual Quickpro Guide for Antony Bolante really gives you fast steps toward learning more about this product. This book gives you a strong base to start a leading career using After Effects.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe After Effects    2. Adobe After Effects (Computer software)    3. Cinematography    4. Computer Animation    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computer Graphics - General    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Data processing    10. Microcomputer Operating Environments    11. Operating Systems - Macintosh    12. Operating Systems - Windows    13. Special effects    14. Computer Software Packages    15. Computers / Interactive Media   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (16)

Nice on concepts, poor on details
I had really high hopes for this book.I consider myself a pretty smart Mac tech, but Unix was the one thing that really scared me about OS X.To fix some esoteric problem, I'd have to follow some Unix recipe and it always annoyed me I didn't understand what I was typing.O'Relly books are well known not just for the animals on the cover, but excellent explanations of very technical concepts.
is this book UNIX for eunochs or what ?
I bought this book because I'm trying to get OS X to use a NFS mount off of a FreeBSD server - amongst other things.(Unix gurus will understand the irony of this seeing as how Apple OS X is based on FreeBSD - hello Jordan).
Great book for novices of unix
Great book that got me back into the unix command line world. Hadnt used any unix commands in a long time, after reading the first 3 chapters i was back up and running.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Macintosh (Computer)    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Operating Systems - UNIX    8. Operating systems (Computers)    9. Programming    10. Unix (Operating System)    11. Computer / Apple/Macintosh    12. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    13. Computers/Operating Systems - UNIX    14. Mac OS X, Mac OS, Tiger, OS X, Unix, UNIX, Darwin, Terminal, Finder, Aqua    15. Macintosh OS   

Reviews (26)

"AN APPLESCRIPT A DAY, KEEPS THE MUNDANE MAC TASKS AWAY"
Have you ever wondered how to get your Mac to do more work for you? If you have, then this book is for you! Author Matt Neuburg, has done an outstanding job of writing the second edition of a guide that teaches AppleScript like its never been taught before to allow you to create scripts for whatever you need your Mac to do.
This book really is definitive and realistic
I have programmed in Applescript for many years, but this book really helped to clarify a number of issues.This is no starry-eyed, AppleScript-can-do-anything fluff job, but a down-to-earth comprehensive description of a powerful, sometimes quirky, tool that will make your Mac even more useful, if you are willing to invest some time to learn.
Second Edition
Please note that any reviews prior to 2006 are for the first edition of this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. AppleScript (Computer program language)    3. Computer Books: Languages    4. Computers    5. Computers - Languages / Programming    6. Macintosh (Computer)    7. Operating Systems - Macintosh    8. Programming    9. Programming Languages - General    10. AppleScript, Apple, Mac OS X, Mac OS, MacOS, OS X, OSX, Apple Event, Apple Events, AE, AppleScript Studio, Automator, Action, Dictionary, Finder, Safari, Matt Neuburg, statements, properties, AppleScriptable, UI Scripting, Script Editor, Script Debugger, FaceSpan    11. Computers / Languages / Programming    12. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    13. Computers / Programming Languages / General    14. Macintosh OS   

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Macintosh (Computer)    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Operating systems (Computers)    8. Programming    9. Web servers    10. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    11. Macintosh OS   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (9)

Very Interesting Book: So many ideas, so little money!
This book presents a great variety of ideas for using the X10 protocol. I'm sure every reader will find several ideas or projects interesting enough to try.
Occasional gem, but disappoints overall
"Smart Home Hacks" provides a basic introduction to X10-based home automation, a technology that's been around since the 1970s.For the most part, the book just scratches the surface of the subject and often goes off on unrelated tangents, such as an example of how to build a robot lawnmower.What's missing is a more comprehensive overview of X10-compatible modules and the different ways they might be used to solve home automation problems.For example, irrigation is a very practical application that's ideal for a computer, and there are X10-based models, such as the Rain8 made by WGL designs. But the author chooses to ignore irrigation because of a perceived flooding hazard, even though the Rain8 has an internal limiter that shuts off the water even if no X10 "off" signal is received. Many pages are devoted to computer automation systems sending text-base messages, but no mention is made of voice-based solutions which are much more practical and cost-effective. The newer software applications that are available are impressive but it's amazing how primitive the available hardware is. The book fails to mention one of the biggest obstacles to X10 deployment: the need for a "neutral" (white) wire in household wiring. Since most light switches are wired with a simple 2-wire loop-back for economic reasons, it would require expensive re-wiring to use X10 switches.And, unless I missed it, it fails to discuss the problem of X10 signals not being passed to the "other side" of typical 2-phase house wiring. Only a passing mention is made to the new INSTEON technology that improves upon the old X10 protocol.So, although the book appears to be "current" it reads like it was written five years ago. "Smart Home Hacks" works best as sort of an idea cookbook.You'll find yourself bouncing around from one "recipe" to another but often finding most cool ideas can't be cooked up because of various obstacles (cost, permits, electronic expertise, obscure hardware, and so on).

SMART HOME HACKS: Tips & Tools for Automating Your House
SMART HOME HACKS: Tips & Tools for Automating Your House Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Communications / Networking    4. Do-It-Yourself - Electrical    5. Home automation    6. Home computer networks    7. Household electronics    8. Information Technology    9. Networking - Local Area Networks (LANs)    10. Computers / Communications / Networking    11. Computers / Networking / Local Area Networks (LANs)    12. Computers / Personal Computers & Microcomputers / General    13. Data security & data encryption    14. Hardware, smart home, home wiring, switches, sensors, home security, Mac OS X, Windows XP, Linux, Smart Home Hacks     15. House & Home/Do-It-Yourself - Electrical    16. Network security   

Reviews (5)

Review by Alaskan Apple Users Group member Ronald Schoedel
This is one hefty book, weighing in at over 1500 pages.Of small type.Did I mention the small type and 1500 pages?One can easily be overwhelmed by such a volume.I did not read it straight through.It is not the type of book you read, but rather the type of book you refer to when you have a specific question.It is an excellent reference book.It is not, however, something I would recommend to my mother or anyone else relatively new to Macs or scared of computers in general.Those types of audiences will get more out of a "Missing Manual" or "Dummies" book, and would likely find "Unleashed" way too in-depth.
A Helpful book
Like any good MAC enthusiast, as soon as a new operating system comes out, I get it. I know that there are always promises of more stability, faster running programs, etc. As a practical matter, I never notice the improvements, because my MAC always operates well. Of course, there are always the added benefits that any new software that comes out takes full advantage of the new and improved Operation System, and there is nothing like a smoking Photoshop experience.
A good book, but it is heading south
I bought the first edition and thought it was one of the best computer books I had ever read.I bought the second edition to keep current.Not a lot was new, and the new stuff was loaded with typos, clear evidence that it was a rush job.I skipped the third edition.I had a look at the forth edition.The good news is it is smaller -- they have trimmed some bloat.Unix-wise, there are only a few major changes, but they are important, so I immediately looked to see if they had much coverage.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Macintosh (Computer)    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Operating systems (Computers)    8. Programming    9. Programming - General    10. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    11. Macintosh OS   

Reviews (3)

Visual IPod
Excellent resource. If a manual came with IPod, this would be unnecessary, but since it does not, excellent handy reference

A must Buy
I have to state that I am an iPod fanatic and spend a good part of my day convincing others why they should own an iPod. I bought one of 1G iPods and currently own a 3G and a shuffle and enjoy using them all the time. The iTunesmusic store is great because I no longer need to worry aboutmy 400 cd collection getting any larger .. just a good backup.So when I took this book to review I thought to myself that there was very little that I could learn from this book cause I knew it already right ... WRONG !!
Great Book!
This book looked like a good value for the money, so I picked it up. Within ten minutes I had learned how to do ten new things with my iPod that I wasn't even aware were possible. Talk about an instant reference... Recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Graphics And Sound    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Animation    4. Computer Books: Operating Systems    5. Computers    6. Data Processing - Speech & Audio Processing    7. Interactive & Multimedia    8. Operating Systems - Macintosh    9. iPod (Digital music player)    10. iTunes    11. iTunes (Computer software)    12. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    13. Macintosh   

Reviews (5)

Very Helpful Guide to Illustrator CS
I purchased this book upon the recommendation of my professor for a college class in Computer Design. It is my first experience with the Visual QuickStart Guides and I am very impressed. It has been a valuable tool in helping me understand and use this previously unfamiliar software application. The table of contents is clear and well organized and the index is very extensive--I refer to it constantly. The book uses many illustrations with clear instructions and explanations. Commands and shortcuts and given for both Mac and Windows. I would definitely purchase another Visual QuickStart Guide.

Good reference book
this is a good reference book if you don't need to go to deep into the program.I recently upgraded to Illustrator CS and a few of the things confused me i.e. how the text to path tool works....so I bought this book as a quick reference and it has done a great job of fulfilling that purpose.
Visual QuickStart - Illustrator CS
The book has helped me learned or brush up on the application in matter of minutes.It's concise and it saves time when learning new things during crunch time.For more, in-depth, sunject matter, a more advanced book is required.This done does a job well for beginners! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Illustrator (Computer file)    2. Adobe Illustrator (Computer software)    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer Graphics - Illustrator    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Microcomputer Operating Environments    11. Operating Systems - Macintosh    12. Operating Systems - Windows    13. Computer graphics software    14. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Reviews (2)

Specific to .NET, but much to be gleaned in any case...
So what's an IBM Lotus Notes/Domino developer looking at a .NET book?Hey, solid fundamentals and learning can come from anywhere!:)And Guy Smith-Ferrier's book .NET Internationalization: The Developer's Guide to Building Global Windows and Web Applications has given me a greater appreciation for what it takes to make a multi-language application that actually works...
extensive i18n abilities
Nowadays, if you are a programmer, you might be coding an application that will be deployed globally. Very different from 30 years ago, when you would usually have English-only text for your user interface. Of course, then, the UI was often just standard out and standard in.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Application software    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. International Relations - General    6. Microcomputer Operating Environments    7. Microsoft .NET    8. Microsoft .NET Framework    9. Operating Systems - Macintosh    10. Operating Systems - Windows    11. Programming - General    12. Computers / Programming Languages / General    13. Software engineering   

Reviews (3)

Fine introduction for the new user, but a bit anemic for the exam
I used this book when studying for the ACHDS exam.While I passed without a problem, I do have a few criticisms regarding how well it helped me prepare.If you are using this book to prepare for the exam, then I would recommend supplementing it with David Pogue's Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition and perhaps Michael Bartosh's new Essential Mac OS X Panther Server Administration.That said, what are the pros and cons of this book?
Overall Decent Technical Resource
I am excited about this book because it is the first publication on one of the certification programs for Mac OS X.This is a great start and I hope there can be others in the series.From these types of books, one hopes to find materials that will assist in passing the certification exams for this program "Mac OS X Help Desk Essentials".
Just What the Help Desk Person Needs.
Even Apple users need help once in a while. So Apple shops have to have a help desk just like any other shop. This book presumes a basic level of familiarity with the Macintosh operating system, and then goes on to provide in-depth technical information and procedures that are used by Apple-certified technicians to install, configure, maintain, and diagnose Macintosh computers.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computer operating systems    5. Computers    6. Macintosh (Computer)    7. Operating Systems - Macintosh    8. Operating systems (Computers)    9. Programming    10. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh   

Reviews (2)

Printout of the PDFs included with FCP
I guess I missed in the online description that this book is actually a printout of the PDF tutorials already included with FCP Studio.Wish I knew before buying.Could be a good reference for those who don't like reading the PDF's and switching back and forth between programs.
Great for beginners.
The book arived earlier for about 10 days, got it today, opened it and I must say it's very well written with details for every begginer with Final Cut Studio.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Data Processing - General    5. Interactive & Multimedia    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    8. Image processing: video    9. Multimedia   

Reviews (2)

My first choice for a manual replacement
The Visual Quickstart series is, in my opinion, the best replacement for a manual, or for those excuses for a manual that appear in software boxes. The Photoshop Elements book fits that need to a T. Good Format, Good Writing, Good Book
I like the format of the Visual QuickStart Guides. Generally speaking, the pages are divided into two columns. The outside column has a headline explaining what the page is about and text to describe how to do it, and perhaps include a bit of explanation or a Tip. The inside column has a screen shot of what the monitor should look like as you do that particular operation. This is combined with an index that directs you to the page based on what you need to do.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Digital techniques    8. Operating Systems - Macintosh    9. Operating Systems - Windows    10. Photography    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    12. Photoshop   

Reviews (4)

Very usefull tool to have in your mac repair kit
I have relied on this book a few times now when repairing the older clamshell style ibooks and also some of the newer G3 and G4 white ibooks. It's got a pretty helpful guide for taking them apart and putting them back together. I have also used this book as a reference tool to determine what configurations various Macs I am selling or working on had when they were first introduced. For example I sold my G4 powermac sawtooth and wanted to know exactly what specifications it had, so I looked in the book and found the 500 mhz powermac G4 (gigabit ethernet) and found it was released in 2000, it also showed the cache, number of memory slots, expansion slots, basic stuff like that for a quick reference. And it covers all models of ibooks and powermacs, imacs, but not all powerbooks unfortunately. It does not have any info on the pismos, lombards or wallstreets powerbooks or any older macs. That would be the only draw-back, I wish it had some information on the G3 powerbooks. It also has chapter tests at the end of each chapter, that are unfortunately pretty basic simple questions. Great big useful book for any mac tech or just plain apple computer users who want a little more info on their computer.

Great Apple Hardware Manual
This book is part of the AppleCare training curriculum, designed to be a training manual for people who want to get certified by Apple to be an AppleCare-certified technician. As such, each chapter in the book is a Lesson. Early lessons cover topices such as "General Troubleshooting Theory," and "Safe Working Procedures and General Maintenance."
Everything in one Book
Apple makes it very simple. If you are not certified by Apple and you do almost anything inside of an Apple computer and the warranty is void. This is the book that Apple uses in their certification classes for desktop and portable systems.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computer Engineering    5. Computers    6. Desktop Publishing - General    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Hardware - Personal Computers - General    9. Macintosh (Computer)    10. Macintosh PowerBook notebook computers    11. Maintenance and repair    12. Operating Systems - Macintosh    13. iMac (Computer)    14. Computer Hardware & Operating Systems    15. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh   

Reviews (1)

Great Book Format, Knowledgable Author
The Visual Quickstart Guides from Peachpit Press have an interesting format that I rather like. Each page, or couple of pages, is devoted to a single subject. One of the two columns on the page has the text describing the subject and how to do whatever it is. The other column has a screen shot showing what the screen should look like.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Graphics And Sound    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Computers / Interactive Media    8. Image processing   

Reviews (7)

Good for the beginner
Good for the beginner, and since I am a beginner I guess it was good for me.However, I was hoping for something that got more into the guts and less into the application.

Teach Yourself Visually Mac OS X Tiger
Great Book, it helped me tremendously & very quick.

Teach Yourself Visually Mac OS X Tiger
To see instructions that are being read helps tremendously in understanding.Those of us who are older need all the help we can get.This book fills the bill. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Macintosh (Computing)    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Operating systems (Computers)    8. Programming    9. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    10. Macintosh OS   

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Programming    2. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Desktop Publishing    6. Desktop Publishing - General    7. Operating Systems - Macintosh    8. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    9. Macintosh OS   

Subjects:  1. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Programming Languages - General    6. Computer Programming    7. Macintosh OS   

Reviews (4)

Focus your reviews on the PRODUCT, people
I will be HAPPY to have this comment removed once the other Mac-bashing comments on the site have ALSO been removed.
Good for all
Even if you aren't switching, this book provides accurate information on Mac OS X and the technical help for transferring documents to a Windows computer. David Pogue, my favorite mac writer, known for his vivid style, won't let you down. Highly recommended.

Can't recommend enough
If you're a PC user and you're buying a Mac, for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and buy this book.I've been a PC user for most of my life, and all of my previous Mac experience had been with OS 9 or earlier.When I decided to buy a 12" Powerbook (also very highly recommended) I went out and picked up this book.Despite its size I had it read in less than a week.It's very well written, informative but still fun to read, and, a rarity in computer books, even not having the computer right in front of me didn't keep me from understanding and learning from this book.In short, it covers everything you'll need to know to get started, and it does it from the point of view of a PC user, making the transition a quick and relatively painless one.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Hardware - Personal Computers - Macintosh    6. Mac OS    7. Macintosh (Computer)    8. Operating Systems - Macintosh    9. Operating systems (Computers)    10. Programming    11. Computers / Operating Systems / Macintosh    12. Macintosh    13. Macintosh OS   

Reviews (5)

Very nice and useful reading!
OS X UNIX is amazingly friendly and accessible. Some people who had never used it before type commands and work with the operating system directly as a "cool guys" in movies! This book is very helpful and well written and it is serves as a very nice reference. I paired this book with that "UNIX Essentials" DVD I found here on Amazon and it is complete UNIX course recorded and this book and a video they contribute one another greatly. You improve the reading and by reading you improve what you have seen.
For the Adventurous and Curious
I didn't know I could...
....do that??!!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    2. Computer Books: General    3. Comput