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Books, the kind made of paper

generic chick

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I'm looking for a sort of Macbook Pro for dummies so that I can get a better handle on how things on my new computer work. I could start an endless stream of threads asking idiotic questions like; "how do I stop mail from automatically logging into to my email account and where is the GD log out/sign out button?", but I've already annoyed cwa... with my joke about widgets and I can only imagine how he might react to a load of inane threads asking those questions ad infinitum.

So, I'm looking for a book. I'm sure there are already threads here asking that very question, but I dare you to do a search with the word "book" in it and not lose the will to live. Point me in the direction of the existing threads, I'm not even sure if they would be considered hardware, software, or notebooks, and I'd be happy to read them, or you can give me your suggestions here. I don't promise to read them all, but I'll review the ones I do.

Thanks.
 
pigoo3

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generic chick said:
I'm looking for a sort of Macbook Pro for dummies so that I can get a better handle on how things on my new computer work. I could start an endless stream of threads asking idiotic questions like; "how do I stop mail from automatically logging into to my email account and where is the GD log out/sign out button?", but I've already annoyed cwa... with my joke about widgets and I can only imagine how he might react to a load of inane threads asking those questions ad infinitum.

So, I'm looking for a book. I'm sure there are already threads here asking that very question, but I dare you to do a search with the word "book" in it and not lose the will to live. Point me in the direction of the existing threads, I'm not even sure if they would be considered hardware, software, or notebooks, and I'd be happy to read them, or you can give me your suggestions here. I don't promise to read them all, but I'll review the ones I do.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I did a Google search for..."MacBook Pro for Dummies"...and guess what the very first hit was???:

Amazon.com: MacBook For Dummies

Here's the 2nd edition of the same book:

http://www.dummies.com/store/product/MacBook-For-Dummies-2nd-Edition.productCd-0470278161.html

And here's a whole list of Macintosh related books you may find interesting:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...19&ref=pd_sl_570x8npmgp_e?tag=macforums0e4-20

...in about 10 seconds you would have had at least one good answer/option!;)

- Nick
 
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generic chick

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I did that too. I don't like the dummies books. I was hoping for suggestions that people have actually read. I spent 45 minutes in a bookstore yesterday staring at titles. I got a headache and left.
 
pigoo3

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generic chick said:
I did that too. I don't like the dummies books. I was hoping for suggestions that people have actually read. I spent 45 minutes in a bookstore yesterday staring at titles. I got a headache and left.
Click to expand...

You should have said..."I don't like the Dummies books"!;)

What exactly do want to learn from the books?

Sometimes just learning by doing is the best way to learn with a computer...and if you want to do something specific that you can't figure out...you can either do:

- an internet search
- a search here at Mac-Forums
- or post a question

That way you save some money...and you don't end up with a computer book that in a year or 2 from now will just be gathering dust.

I find old computer books to be about as useful as a typewriter...unless you need doorstops!;)

- Nick
 
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generic chick

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bobtomay:

I saw that Snow Leopard book yesterday. Thanks.


Nick:

I get what you are saying about the books. I have rooms full of them, but I like them. I prefer to look stuff up in a book than the internet. You have to wade through so much unwanted crap online, plus, nothing beats curling up with a good book. Trying stuff with the book beside you as reference is good too. The problem with asking me what I want to know, is that I don't know enough to even formulate a proper question. There's lots I know, and I'm not afraid to try stuff, but my free time is coming to an end soon and I don't want to be annoyed with the mac because the owner is too stupid to use it properly. Books are my friends. I trust them. Coincidentally, I have 2 old manual typewriters, in case you live in an old house with uneven floors and sloppy doors.
 
firesidedog

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Do yourself a favor and purchase The missing maual, "Switching to Macs". I started using Macs last August for the first time and bought this book. It is my bible for Macs. You won't regret it. Also the people of Macforums are of tremendous help!
 
cwa107

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bobtomay said:
Here's the one you want.

Amazon.com: Mac OS X Snow Leopard: The Missing Manual (9780596153281): David Pogue: Books
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. I'm more of a tinkerer who likes to find his way on his own, but on the advice of other members, I bought this one in its "Tiger" iteration and read it cover to cover. It's well-written in a style that is suitable to novices and computer veterans alike - and it doesn't read like an instruction manual (like the name would suggest).

Additionally, it covers the iLife suite, which is handy when you're trying to be productive with a suite of new apps.

Highly recommended.
 
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generic chick

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Thanks, looks like I'll be looking at The Missing Manuals tomorrow.

I like to tinker too, I just don't know enough to knowif I'm improving, or "improving"!
 
Tater2Stock

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I switched about 3 months ago and "The Missing Manual" is a godsend!
 
clayneal

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+1 for all the Missing Manual books ! I even have the iPhone one.

Clay
 
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generic chick said:
I have rooms full of them, but I like them. I prefer to look stuff up in a book than the internet. You have to wade through so much unwanted crap online, plus, nothing beats curling up with a good book. Trying stuff with the book beside you as reference is good too. The problem with asking me what I want to know, is that I don't know enough to even formulate a proper question.

Coincidentally, I have 2 old manual typewriters, in case you live in an old house with uneven floors and sloppy doors.
Click to expand...

I can understand "curling" up with a good book...the only problem with computer books is they get obsolete about as fast as the latest computers!:(

One good thing about searching on the internet (yes you do get a bunch of garbage many times)...is sometimes you find things you weren't necessarily looking for...which can be helpful.

By the way...I have two manual typewriters as well...and I bet mine are MUCH older than yours!!!;)

Good luck with the book search,

- Nick
 
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generic chick

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One more for The Missing Manual. I think we may have a winner.

Nick:

This is a MAC we are talking about. They never get obsolete, do they?

Those typewriters make really good ballast for the back of your car, when the roads are slippery. They also give an encouraging "ding" when you go around a corner. I like to think of it as affirmation that I'm going the right way.
 
cuhnool

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Macs become obsolete? never!!!!

Good luck on your learning experiences with the Mac environment. I have always loved it's beautiful interface and how everything works together. Just have fun!!!

*edit: wait, paper? this is new to me. . .

(btw, I'm not poking fun at the cube there ;) )
 
TattooedMac

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generic chick said:
One more for The Missing Manual. I think we may have a winner.
Click to expand...
Yep +1 it was invaluable to me when i Switched 2 months before SL came out. He has a way with words for the non-technical :) Good buy


generic chick said:
This is a MAC we are talking about. They never get obsolete, do they?
Click to expand...
And just before the Zealots get hold of you FYI ..

A MAC isnt a Mac
As in its a Apple Mac Not a Apple MAC :)
 
pigoo3

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generic chick said:
This is a MAC we are talking about. They never get obsolete, do they?
Click to expand...

I was sort of talking computer books in general. For example, if you purchase a Mac OS related book (such as OS 10.6)...as soon as OS 10.7 comes out...the 10.6 book will be at least partially obsolete.

And in 2-3 years that OS 10.6 book will be as ancient as the tablets the 10 commandments were written on!;)

But since your new to Mac's...any info is good info!:)

As far as Macintosh computers going obsolete...I just acquired a circa 1990 Macintosh computer a couple weeks ago.:)

- Nick
 
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generic chick

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cuhnool said:
...

*edit: wait, paper? this is new to me. . .

...
)
Click to expand...

I know, it's like I'm speaking a foreign language, or something.

TattooedMac said:
Yep +1 it was invaluable to me when i Switched 2 months before SL came out. He has a way with words for the non-technical :) Good buy



And just before the Zealots get hold of you FYI ..

A MAC isnt a Mac
As in its a Apple Mac Not a Apple MAC :)
Click to expand...

I was shouting, for emphasis. How does one shout Mac without poking the zealots with a stick? Exclamation marks perhaps?

pigoo3 said:
...

...I just acquired a circa 1990 Macintosh computer a couple weeks ago.:)

- Nick
Click to expand...

So, do you want the typewriters, or not. I could spray them silver, although, they are a lovely glossy black at the moment.
 
TattooedMac

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generic chick said:
I was shouting, for emphasis. How does one shout Mac without poking the zealots with a stick? Exclamation marks perhaps?
Click to expand...

I gathered lol But perhaps !!!!!!!!!! :)
 
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generic chick

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I'm not usually intimidated by zealots, but perhaps I'll save my poking for when they aren't expecting it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
pigoo3

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generic chick said:
So, do you want the typewriters, or not. I could spray them silver, although, they are a lovely glossy black at the moment.
Click to expand...

No thanks...I have enough already! Besides...the shipping would be outrageous!:(

Get reading you bookworm!;)

- Nick
 

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