Slowly but surely, both Microsoft and Apple are moving their user
bases over to the new operating systems each company released in 2007:
Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard", respectively. Neither comes
with much in the way of printed documentation. (Remember software
manuals?) That creates an opportunity for authors and publishers of
third-party volumes.
Windows Vista Annoyances
The title of David Karp's Windows Vista Annoyances (O'Reilly,
$35) shouldn't be taken as a comment about many users' opinion of
Vista. Karp, in fact, has run a popular Windows Annoyances website for over a
decade. His self-described mandate: "Do we continue to suffer with
Windows' shortcomings or take matters into our own hands?"
The resulting book, he suggests, "is not documentation; you can get
that anywhere." Instead, it's "a collection of solutions, hacks and
time-saving tips to help you get the most from your PC." Karp believes
that users can learn to make their computers work for them rather than
twisting themselves to adjust to their computer's setup.
That can take some doing, though. Karp wisely assumes his readers
might not have much background in fiddling with their computers and
provides thorough explanations. Many of the solutions he proposes are
somewhat complex, and despite Karp's care, may overwhelm many readers.
Karp's job is complicated by the various Windows Vista editions.
Fix-it tools included with Vista's Business or Ultimate editions may
not be included in other versions, and I suspect Vista users may not be
clear which version they're running. Karp tries to keep readers
informed, but it's an uphill battle.
Solid chapters on performance, security, and networking will make
this book worthwhile for many. The author's advice on customizing
Vista's UAC security nags to reduce nagging while maintaining security
may be worth $35 for many Vista users.
While Vista Annoyances was released prior to Microsoft's
Vista Service Pack 1 (due any time now), that release shouldn't
invalidate Karp's content.
It remains a worthwhile volume for anyone willing to spend the time
and effort to tame an annoying Vista system.
Mac OS X Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual
Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard has generally received a warmer
welcome from users than Vista, but even with Apple's focus on user
friendliness, Leopard is also filled with features that can benefit
from explanation and, in some cases, a bit of a tweak. That provides
the raison d'être for David Pogue's Mac OS X Leopard Edition:
The Missing Manual (Pogue Press/O'Reilly, $35).
As with other Pogue Missing Manuals, it tries to appeal to a broad
range of users, from new-to-Mac switchers to Mac lifers, and it does so
with style and wit. New to the series is a set of power users guides
serving up more advanced information, ranging from keyboard shortcuts
to tips on making use of Leopard's underlying Unix framework. If your
eyes glaze over when he mentions these, it's easy to skip those
sections.
Pogue includes tips for some of Leopard's useful but underused
features, such as the Spotlight search tool and Automator
macro-creator, building upon practical examples. The tip on enabling
the secret right mouse-button on Apple's mouse will surprise and please
many.
Despite having nearly 900 pages, Pogue had to leave some information
out. The book references a downloadable chapter on Apple's iLife '08
applications, which is not formally part of Leopard. I found that
invaluable in trying to find my way around Apple's presumably "easier
than ever" new version of iMovie.
Any Windows user new to Macs and many Mac users new to Leopard will
get their money's worth with Pogue's Missing Manual.
Speaking of getting one's money's worth: both of these volumes list
identical US and Canadian prices.
- Windows Vista Annoyances: Tips, Secrets, and Hacks, David
Karp, O'Reilly. US$23.09 from Amazon.com.
- Mac OS X Leopard Edition: The Missing Manual, David
Pogue, Pogue Press/O'Reilly. US$20.99 from Amazon.com.
First published in Business in Vancouver March 25-31, 2008;
issue 961. It is republished here with permission.
