iPad: The Missing Manual Review

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(More customer reviews)The extensive features in Apple's newest creation, the "magical" iPad, deserve this new book in The Missing Manual series. In addition to its paperback version, iPad: The Missing Manual is available from the publisher, O'Reilly, in four different electronic media versions including ePub. This reviewer downloaded the ePub version to the iPad in order to read it there while exploring the very device it described.
A veteran author of books in The Missing Manual series, Biersdorfer, a New York Times tech columnist, provides clear, detailed explanations and helpful illustrations of the iPad's many features in a very readable, often entertaining way.
Experienced Apple users and iPhone users will find much of the text very elementary (e.g., "Turn the iPad On and Off" and "Find the Home Button," in Chapter One). The five chapters devoted to the multi-media iPod functions of the iPad, music, videos, audiobooks, podcasts, photos and the newest addition, books, will be very helpful to those who come to the iPad without any prior experience with Apple products. But for those who have used a Mac, an iPod or an iPhone even for a short time, they seem superfluous. Not only do all these Apple devices have an easy and intuitive user interface, but also they are similar.
Justifiably, an entire chapter is devoted to the newest feature on any Apple device, books. Helpful sections on how to find books in the new iBookstore and elsewhere, ways to make the reading experience pleasant (changing font size, searching within a book, using bookmarks, etc.) are included in Chapter 8.
Owners who rely on the iPad as a productivity tool will welcome the chapters on email, the internet, and the iWork apps (Pages, Numbers, Keynote). There are many useful explanations and tips such as "all the programs in the iWork suite can export files as PDF documents [and] can export files in their native iWork formats...[but] although Pages can export to the native Microsoft Word .doc format, Numbers and Keynote can't export their contents as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint files. Yet, anyway." Important information to know--and not obvious.
A very helpful feature of the ebook version of iPad: The Missing Manual is that tapping on any entry in the Table of Contents and/or the Index takes the reader immediately to that precise point in the book.
iPad: The Missing Manual will be most valuable to those with little or no previous Apple device experience. Nonetheless, even those who have used Apple products for years will find insights and tidbits that make using the iPad a more productive and pleasurable experience.

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Apple's iPad is the perfect personal media center. It lets you search the Web with WiFi, helps you stay in touch with its built-in email application, and allows you to read books, magazines, and newspapers in full color. You can also play games, listen to music, watch videos, view photos, and create documents, layouts, and slideshows with iPad's iWork suite. With iPad: The Missing Manual, learning how to use this new device is a snap. The clear step-by-step instructions, undocumented shortcuts, workarounds, and lots of practical timesaving advice help you learn each feature and application -- presented with the renowned Missing Manual wit and easy-to-read format. Learn how to shop in the iPad's integrated, custom-designed bookstore Use its full-color, large-screen eBook and ePeriodical reader Create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with the iWork "lite" productivity suite Use iTunes to organize and manage media files Get connected to the Web with built-in WiFi and the Safari browser Orient yourself with the iPad's GPS and map technologies Locate and download custom-built games Use the iPad's built in email, calendar, and contact applications Run any and all iPhone apps on the iPad View Pictures on Your iPad By J. D. Biersdorfer To see the pictures you synced from your computer, tap the Photos icon on the iPad's Home screen. Then tap the Photos button at the top of the screen to see your pictures in thumbnail view, filling the iPad screen in a grid. If you chose to copy over specific photo albums, tap the name of the album you want to look at. Mac syncers can also tap the Events, Faces, or Places button to see photos sorted in those categories, as page xx explains. On the thumbnails screen, you can do several things:
Tap a photo thumbnail to see it full-size on the iPad screen.
Double-tap an open photo to magnify it.
Spread and pinch your fingers on-screen (those fancy moves described in Chapter 2) to zoom in and out of a photo. Drag your finger around on-screen to pan through a zoomed-in photo.
Flick your finger horizontally across the screen in either direction to scroll through your pictures at high speeds. You can show off your vacation photos really fast this way (your friends will thank you).
Rotate the iPad to have horizontal photos fill the width of the screen or to have vertical photos fill its height.
With a photo open, tap the iPad's glass to display a strip of itsy-bitsy thumbnails of all the photos in the current album at the bottom of the screen. Tap or slide to a thumbnail to jump to a particular picture.

When you tap the ^ icon in the menu bar, you can set a photo as wallpaper, assign a picture to your iPad's Contact's program, send a pic to MobileMe, or start a photo slideshow. To get back to your library, tap the Photos or album-name button at the top of the screen.
Email Photos If you want to share your photographic joy, you can email one or a bunch of pictures right from the Photos program:
One photo. To email the photo currently on-screen, tap the iPad's glass to make the photo controls appear, and then tap the ^ icon in the upper-right corner. Tap the Email Photo button. The mail program attaches the photo to a new message, ready for you to address.
Multiple photos. To email a bunch of pictures at once, tap open the album containing the photos. Tap the ^ icon in the top-right corner and then tap the pictures you want to send (blue checkmarks appear in the corner of the thumbnails to show you've selected them). Tap the Email button to attach them to a new message. If you have a draft message in progress, tap the Copy button, then switch to the mail program, open your message, and hold down your finger until the Paste button appears. Tap it to paste in the pictures.
Delete Photos You have two ways to delete photos from your iPad. If you synced photo albums from iTunes, connect the iPad to the computer, open iTunes, hit the Photos tab, and turn off the checkboxes by those albums. Click Apply and then Sync to 'unsync," or remove, those pix from the iPad's gallery.
If you have pictures in your Saved Photos album you want to ditch, you can delete a currently open picture by tapping the T icon and then tapping the Delete Photo button. To delete multiple pictures from the Saved Photos thumbnail view, tap the ^ icon, then tap the unwanted pictures to assign the Blue Checkmarks of Selection. Tap the small red Delete button on the top-left side of the menu bar. There's a blue Cancel button on the other side of the menu bar if you change your mind.

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iPad For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've bought several books about the iPad 2, but this is the best and most entertaining. Since the iPad lacks a real manual this book fills that need and covers just about anything you'd want to know about using an iPad or iPad 2. I wish I had bought this book first as it makes all other superfluous. Truth be told, the iPad is very intuitive, but there are some features one would not know about or find if one were just experimenting on one's own. There are also no help files from Apple that can be brought up without downloading some sort of book to help you along. So whatever you bought your iPad for be it a humble eReader or a netbook replacement you'll find the information you need here.

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The up-to-date guide to getting the most out of your iPad or iPad 2!
There are many tablets, but there's just one iPad, beloved by everyone from techies and business people to toddlers and their grandparents. With an elegantly thin new form, front-and-rear-facing cameras, and more exciting new features, the iPad 2 puts beauty and function together in one great device. This full-color guide helps you get up to speed and on the go with Apple's latest iPad and iOS operating system software.
Mac experts and veteran For Dummies authors Edward Baig and Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus walk you through the basics as you set up and explore the iPad, master the multitouch interface, set up your iTunes and your iPad preferences, and start loading your iPad with cool content from iTunes, the App Store, and the iBookstore. You'll get your data synchronized, browse the Internet, and hook up your e-mail; discover how to listen to your music; shoot and view videos and photos; make FaceTime video calls; get directions with Maps; or curl up with a great e-book. Whatever you want your iPad to do, the fun begins right here.
Full-color guide unveils the new iPad 2 and what you can expect from the latest updates to iOS
Expert authors Edward Baig and Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus share helpful hints and useful tips to getting more out of your iPad or iPad 2
Covers the newest iPad features including FaceTime, Photo Booth, Smart Covers, cameras, and more
Explains how to record HD video; take fantastic photos; surf the web; organize your e-mail and calendar; and find your favorite music, movies, games, and apps
Includes tips on protecting your information and troubleshooting

From no-nonsense basics to slick and savvy tips, iPad For Dummies, Second Edition will have you swiping your way to iPad bliss in no time at all. From the Authors: 5 Incredible Things Your iPad 2 Can Do The iPad 2 is a combination of a killer audio and video iPod, an e-book reader, a powerful Internet communications device, a superb handheld gaming device, a still and video camera, and a platform for well over 150,000 apps-and growing! In fact, it's one of the most amazing handheld devices we've ever seen, and we think you'll agree. Here's a closer look at five incredible things your iPad 2 can do to help you keep your world at your fingertips wherever you go. HD VideoWhile the iPad is not going to replace a wall-sized high-definition television as the centerpiece of your home entertainment system, its gorgeous, nearly 10-inch, high-definition display is one of the best we've seen on a handheld device and makes watching movies and other videos on the iPad a cinematic delight. What's more if you have the iPad 2, you now have front and rear facing cameras that can help turn you, under certain circumstances, into a filmmaker-right from the device. FaceTimeAs if HD video was not enough to be excited about, the iPad 2 ventures into another area, video chat. You can keep in touch with friends and loved ones by gazing into each other's pupils with FaceTime, a clever video chat program built right into the device. The iPad 2's front camera lets you talk face to face while the back camera can be used to show the person you're talking to what you're seeing. Your conversation partner must have an iPad 2, an Intel-based Mac computer, an iPhone 4, or a recent model iPod touch to use FaceTime with you. Front and Rear CameraThe iPad 2 brings both a front and rear camera to the iPad experience and allows you to shoot pictures directly with your prized tablet. Although the iPad 2 will never be a substitute for a point-and-shoot digital camera or pricey DSLR, having cameras on your iPad 2 is a godsend when no better option is available plus the device makes a spectacular photo viewer for crisp and vivid images that were shot with your own digital camera and imported to the iPad. Photo Booth is another fun feature that takes advantage of the iPad 2's cameras.Modeled after the old-fashioned photo booths of days gone by, the Photo Booth app is a modern alternative to a photo booth machine and allows you to ham it up solo or with a friend to capture fun and kooky images using your iPad 2. You'll have a blast with this blast from the past! Awesome AccessoriesAnyone who has purchased a new car in recent years is aware that it's not always a picnic trying to escape the showroom without the salesperson trying to get you to part with a few extra bucks for the latest accessories. Similarly, Apple and several other companies are all too happy to outfit your iPad 2 with extra doodads from wireless keyboards and stands to battery chargers and carrying cases. So just as your car might benefit from dealer (or third-party) options, so too might your iPad. There are few Apple-branded accessories worth checking out: Smart Cover: More a cover than case and made specifically for iPad 2, the Smart Cover is ultrathin and attaches magnetically. Open the cover, even just a little bit, and your iPad 2 wakes up; flip it shut and it goes back to sleep. The cover can also be converted into an iPad stand. Wireless Keyboard: Apple's Wireless Keyboard gives you a way to use a top-notch physical keyboard without tethering it to the iPad 2. It operates from up to 30 feet away from the device via Bluetooth and runs on two AA batteries. Digital AV Adapter: The newest edition to the Apple adapter family, Apple's Digital AV Adapter lets you connect your iPad 2 to TVs, projectors, and larger VGA displays so you can watch videos, slide shows, and presentations on the big screen. But, the fun doesn't stop there, this adapter lets you mirror the iPad 2 display via HDMI on a big screen TV, too, which is great for playing Angry Birds among other things, of course. The App StoreOkay, so the App Store was around before the iPad 2, but it's such an amazing feature that we think it bears mentioning here anyway. In fact, you could make the argument that the most compelling app on the iPad is the App Store app itself. This online emporium has an abundance of splendid programs-dare we say killer apps in their own right?-many of which are free. These cover everything from food (hey you gotta' eat) to show biz. And, although there may be some rotten apples (aren't we clever) in the bunch, the App Store abounds with applications that are so sweet and so useful that just about everybody wants or must have them! Feeling overwhelmed by all those apps? Check out the What's Hot, New and Noteworthy and Staff Favorites departments in the App Store to see what apps are popular with other iPad users. You can also visit the Top Charts section to see a list of the Top 100 bestselling paid and free apps available in the App Store.

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Apple Training Series: Desktop and Portable Systems (3rd Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is intended for use in, "An Apple Certified hardware training course designed for professionals who support Apple computes and Mac enthusiasts who want to upgrade, service, or troubleshoot their favorite machines."
This book is surprisingly readable considering that it is the official book for Certification preparation for: Apple Certified Desktop Technician, and Apple Certified Portable Technician ACPT.
The book begins with a chapter on reference materials and how to get them. Many of these materials are publicly available. Others are only available to those certified in an Apple-authorized service training program. However, Peachpit has provided a web site containing the necessary resources for registered purchasers of this book.
I would recommend this book for you if you are seriously interested in learning more about how your Macintosh laptop or desktop system works and what it is like inside, or you are generally interested in how and what an AppleCare Technician is trained to do. However, you are warned that if you are going to take your computer apart, no matter how carefully you follow the instructions, you will probably void your warranty.
AppleCare Technician Training costs $299 for one year of on-line training and resources. One review complained that the training was all on-line. No books were provided which made it more difficult to learn. So, you might want to buy this book even if you are going to spend $299 to start their training.
If you are, or want to become, a Macintosh guru or if you seriously want to learn how to repair your own computer regardless of the risk, I think you would learn a lot from this book
If you simply want to learn more about maintaining and troubleshooting your Macintosh there are other sources that may more will directly meet your interests.

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Easy Microsoft Windows 7 Review

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(More customer reviews)Easy Microsoft Windows 7 is a good basic manual for the new Windows 7 platform. The book begins with a summary of all the new features of Windows 7. Then, the author goes into detail about specific topics.
Given that Easy Microsoft Windows 7 includes full step by step instructions about topics ranging from managing folders through connecting a wireless network to surfing the Internet, this book is appropriate to those new to computing. Nonetheless, given the many new features of Windows 7 (Aero Snap, libraries, Windows Action Center, the ability to share files between computers, etc), those upgrading to Windows 7 will likely find this book just as helpful.

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MacBook Air Portable Genius Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've used any kind of MacBook, you probably won't learn anything from this book that previous experience, the Help menu, and intuition already know. But if you'd like the security of a book devoted to the MacBook Air (my personal favorite of all Apple's products, with the possible exception of the iPod Touch 4th generation), it's important not to error in matching your Air with the appropriate book.
Any book published before August 2011 is NOT going to address any of the changes (admittedly minor) that have been made to the hardware as well as the OS (now Lion) of both Airs (11" and 13") that were released for the first time in late July of 2011.
Any book published before November of 2010 will NOT address the specific changes Apple made to the machine released during October 2010 (when the company first supplemented the 13" with an 11" model).
Books published before November 2010 will deal only with the 1st generation 13" Air (we're now at Generation 3), and they also should explain some subtle but crucial differences between the conventional hard drive model and the solid state model (in October 2010 Apple went exclusively to solid state machines in their Air line). Some experts and even certified technicians will tell you that a first generation Air with a broken hinge (caused by a defective design) cannot be repaired. Untrue. (But you may need to consult a number of repair services and be prepared to pay a price approaching the original cost of a new machine.)
The pictured book, incidentally, deals with the 2nd generation 13" model and the 1st generation 11" model, but it was published before the current versions of either Macbook Air. Its audience is necessarily directed at those consumers who acted within the 9-month time window when the previous generation of Airs (without Lion) were being sold.

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Get the most from Apple's ultracool new MacBook Air
Apple's newest MacBook Air is smaller, lighter, and more powerful than ever. And this convenient little book is loaded with tips and techniques for everything from getting started with your MacBook Air to maximizing power and battery life. Learn innovative ways to accomplish a task more efficiently, master the new features of the MacBook Air, and take advantage of all the remote features and accessories. Fun, hip, and portable, this guide has what every Mac fan needs to know about the MacBook Air.
The new MacBook Air features flash storage, longer battery life, a full-sized keyboard with multitouch trackpad, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and extreme portability
This convenient, portable guide explains popular new features and how to make the most of them
Covers all the key skills, tools, and shortcuts to make you a more efficient MacBook user
Includes plenty of hip tips for configuring the multitouch trackpad, maximizing power, streamlining common tasks, and more

As cool as the MacBook Air itself, this book has what you need to maximize your portable computer.

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iPhone 4 Portable Genius Review

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(More customer reviews)The Portable Genius series of books is consistently excellent, well illustrated and well indexed. The iPhone4 book is no exception. Many years ago Apple offered excellent documentation with its products but today it is a pamphlet, an inscrutable website and 3rd party publishers. Portable Genius and David Pogue and others have done an excellent job of filling the gap. Unfortunately ever secretive Apple does not share its' new product information with the outside publishers during development so user-orientied books lag product introduction by several months if not longer.
The current example of Apple's disregard for its early adopters is iLife 11 released October 20, 2010. The portable Genius book will not be available until February 8, 2011 and David Pogue not until March 15, 2011. As a committed Apple customer I wish that Apple would become collaborate with the writing community during development and not subject its customers to a six month wait from time of release until something coherent was available. Until then Portable Genius, David Pogue, Jeff Carlson and others fill the void but not until the product is half-way towards the next release.

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Teach Yourself VISUALLY iPad 2 (Teach Yourself VISUALLY (Tech)) Review

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(More customer reviews)The iPad is such an intuitive device for anyone who has used any other MAC product, it doesn't even come with instructions. There is a quick start guide that tells you where the power button and a few other buttons are, but after that you're pretty much on your own. This is probably fine for most users who already love the MAC format and bought the iPad as soon as it came out. But as its popularity spreads, more individuals with less experience are likely to buy one-- and this is the perfect guide for them. Teach Yourself Visually iPad follows the format of the other books in this series-- lots of step-by-step illustrations to walk you through every aspect of the iPad. The chapters include Exploring the iPad (which explains every button, the home screen and basic settings), Understanding What You Can Do with Your iPad (which covers apps, music, videos, etc.), Configuring the iPad, Getting the Most from the Internet, etc. The chapters go into detail on how to get email, explains YouTube and other popular internet sites, how to download podcasts, etc. While these are things that many computer-savvy individuals won't need help with-- again, for someone just starting out this could be very helpful.
This is a great guide to give along with the iPad if you're thinking of buying an iPad as a gift to older parents or other individuals who are relatively new to computers. It will save you many phone calls and visits. Very clear instructions and very helpful. And it also serves as a great user's manual for people who prefer to read instructions rather than experiment or search them out online.

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See your iPad 2 in a whole new way!
As the amazing iPad continues to evolve, so does this feature-rich book. As, colorful, and accessible as your new iPad 2, this book is the iPad's perfect companion. Open it and find over a hundred tasks succinctly explained using easy-to-follow, side-by-side, full-color screenshots. Want to download books or apps or videos? Send photos or emails? Sync with your other devices? Learn how and much more in this practical, visual guide.
Helps you get the most out of the new Apple iPad 2
Shows you how to download apps from the App Store, send photos or emails, access rich multimedia content and social media, use the multi-touch display, and more
Uses easy-to-follow, full-color, two-page tutorials, so you can quickly get the information you need and see step by step how to do tasks

Now that you've got the latest iPad, make sure you have the latest version of this practical, visual guide!iPad 2 Tips from the Book Protect Your iPad with a Passcode(Click on the image for instructions)

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Apple Training Series: Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.6: A Guide to Supporting and Troubleshooting Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Review

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(More customer reviews)As the title says, this is an excellent book.
There are some things to keep in mind, however:
This book was made specifically for passing the exam, and therefor if you wish to delve into various capabilities of things like the command line in-depth, you'll need further resources. (Especially things like full-on scripting.) If you're jumping into the command line "cold," something like the O'Reilly BASH book would make a good companion.
AppleScript, it should be noted (beyond a half dozen pages in this book), is in another book in this series.
If you wish to become knowledgeable about Mac Servers and you're not seasonably Mac proficient (esp in the 'Apple Way' of doing things...), you'll need this book as the Server book alone will not do. You'll also want the Directory Services book. (Actually, if you start working with DS in any format, you'll want the DS book, Server notwithstanding.)
Again, it's a sweet book and gave me the foundation so I can continue taking my skills to the next level.
Small Nitpicks: Only a few errors, but they will bite you if you don't catch them (Which you will if you try the examples.) If it doesn't look/work right, websearch it, try it both ways, and you'll be good to go.
The top of the page doesn't give you the chapter number (just name), while many pages refer to explanations of various resources in different chapters. As I'm one of those people who "can't let it go," (and look it up immediately) this was irksome.
The nitpicks aren't enough to cut it a full star: 4.5, rounded to 5.

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The only Apple-certified book on Mac OS X v10.6, this revised best-seller will take you deep inside the latest big-cat operating system—covering everything from installation to automation, customizing the operating system, supporting applications, setting up peripherals, and more. Whether you're a support technician or simply an ardent Mac user, you'll quickly learn and master the new features in Mac OS X 10.6, including native support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Following the learning objectives of the Apple Certified Support Professional exam, this self-paced book is a perfect guide for Apple's training and a first-rate primer for computer support personnel who need to troubleshoot and optimize Mac OS X as part of their jobs. Chapter review sections and quizzes summarize and reinforce acquired knowledge.The Apple Training Series serves as both a self-paced learning tool and the official curriculum for the Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server certification programs.

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iPad 2: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm not sure why Amazon felt the need to put the reviews from the Ipad Missing Manual under the Ipad 2 Missing Manual but this review is for the Ipad 2 Missing Manual.
I have almost completed the book but I would have said that what I learned in the first 50 pages alone was worth the price of the book. I also had a question about something that was mentioned in the book. I was able to Email my question in and I received a quick response from the people at the Missing Manual. Since this first email didn't resolved my questions, they continued to work with my, via emails until all many questions were completely resolved. Note that I had also contacted Apple tech support. They didn't know anything about the subject I was asking them about. I was basically told it didn't exist on the Ipad 2. After further discussing the situation with the people from the Missing Manual, I located the information I was searching for on my Ipad 2. So in the end the Missing Manual's information was accurate while the Apple's Tech information was incorrect.
The apple manual is very good and covers most of the information most people would need. But if you're like me and want more information (the apple manual did not contain any information regarding the subject I was looking for, it exist but it's not in the Apple manual) and you like to have a manual in book form then I can't imagine there could be a better book out there.


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MacBook For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)I really am a computer dummy. I feel in love with Quick Books for Dummies. It was on my low level & I could follow everything in the book. But this book is not nearly that simple. The guy who wrote it simply knows too much & doesn't realize how the real dummies think. He uses a lot of MAC jargon without realizing it. It has hardly helped me at all. I have to keep getting my children & friends to help me.

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Mac OS X Unwired: A Guide for Home, Office, and the Road Review

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(More customer reviews)If only this book had been available when I started delving in wireless networking! While my network is simple - and getting the AirPort network up and running for my Macs was a breeze - it does involve a DSL modem, a switch, an AirPort base station acting as a bridge to a wired Ethernet network, and several computers, including PCs. I remember spending a fair amount of time when first setting it up to get everything working correctly, especially the link between the wired and wireless network. Negrino and Smith walk the reader through all the steps required to set up and configure an 802.11 network, and cover the sticky issues concerning IP addresses, DHCP addressing and many other acronyms that novice users may be unfamiliar with.
One of the strengths of this book is the authors' tone of voice. Negrino and Smith assume that the reader does not know a lot about the many protocols and acronyms used, and they explain these elements in a cool and patient manner. There is no talking down to the reader, nor is there any obfuscation. The explanations are clear and simple, and readers will be able to set up a wireless network - no matter how complex - with ease.
But the book goes beyond mere WiFi networking, with a thorough presentation of Bluetooth, cellular connectivity, Rendezvous and more. No matter which wireless technologies you want to use with Mac OS X, this book explains them in simple, non-geeky language.
As more people - even home users - have multiple computers, connecting them is the best way to leverage all their functions. Wireless networking is, as the authors say, "simple the most cost-effective and least obtrusive way to connect all of your computers." If you've been tempted by wireless networking, and have been hesitant, thinking that it's complex and complicated, invest in this book - it's the perfect toolkit for setting up all kinds of wireless networking with Mac OS X.

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Incredible iPhone Apps For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)Good attempt! If you are buying this book in 2010 or beyond be aware that is quite dated... A new edition should speak better volume...

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A full-color directory of must-have iPhone and iPod touch apps!
The App Store allows you to browse and download thousands of applications that were developed with the iPhone SDK and published through Apple. The popularity of iPhone and iPod touch apps is exploding and this handy guide helps you sort through the tens of thousands of available apps so you can find the ones that are ideal for you.
Packed with tips and tricks on how to make the most of each app, this book escorts you through a vast selection of apps and then helps you narrow down the most essential and most entertaining apps for your needs and interests. You'll encounter amazing apps in business, education, entertainment, finance, cooking, nutrition, games, healthcare, news, music, social networking, news, weather, and more.
Helps you sort through the tens of thousands of available apps for the iPhone and iPod touch so you can find what's right for you
Shares unique tips and tricks for making the most of the apps that appeal to you
Shows you a variety of apps in the fields of weather, news, photography, cooking, entertainment, business, education, healthcare, social networking, sports, and more
Presents information in the straightforward but fun language that defines the For Dummies series

With Incredible iPhone Apps For Dummies, you'll discover how to have fun, get more done, and make the most of your iPhone or iPod touch.

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iPhone SDK Development (The Pragmatic Programmers) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought a Macbook, bought an iPod Touch, bought iPhone SDK Development book (in beta at the time) ... read, experimented, followed tips and used on-line examples from excellent web site associated with book ... result: "BeatTheSwine09" game now for sale in iTunes app store. Thank you Dudney and Adamson for providing the right stuff at the right time.
Clearly written, well-organized, comprehensive (includes chapters on debugging, performance tuning and marketing). The right mix to train and guide programmers through all stages of the development and deployment of an iPhone app.

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Packing the power of desktop applications into a small mobile device, the iPhone SDK offers developers the ability to create dynamic, visually-appealing, and highly-capable mobile applications, using the same APIs and tools that Apple uses for its own applications. However, harnessing that power means learning new tools, new APIs, and even a whole new programming language.iPhone SDK Development is a Pragmatic guide to get you started developing applications for iPhone and iPod touch.With it, you'll get a complete understanding of the tools and techniques needed to succeed on the platform: Use the XCode IDE to manage your source code, images, sounds, database files, and other application resources, building your app and deploying it onto your own device for testing. Develop your user interface the visual, code-free way, with Interface Builder. Master the iPhone's unique user interface components, including tables, tab bars, navigation bars, and the multi-touch interface. Connect your iPhone to the outside world with networking, exploit the power of a relational database with SQLite, and rock out with first-class support for audio and video. Make use of the iPhone's unique mobile APIs, like geolocation and the motion-sensing accelerometer Use XCode's powerful performance and debugging tools to eliminate memory leaks, zombies, and other hazards. * Understand the process for packaging your application for end-user distribution through Apple's App Store. With explanations of the big picture and an eye to the little details that you'll need, iPhone SDK Development will help you succeed on today's most important mobile platform.

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iPhone SDK Programming: Developing Mobile Applications for Apple iPhone and iPod touch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this book after I'd gone through Beginning iPhone Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK (Beginning from Novice to Professional), hoping to get another set of useful skills and tools to use, such as a reference for XML & RSS, SQLite, and a little more depth on the collections objects such as NSArrays, etc. that was only brushed over in the Beginning iPhone Development book. Overall, this book does fill in some of those gaps, but it really doesn't stand well as a standalone iPhone programming book. I'm glad this is my second choice, because if it were my first I'd probably be more confused!
If you're building your foundation, this book may be worth your while.
My largest complaint about this book is actually the way the code is written out on the page. Instead of clear, Courier-font code blocks, the editors just stuck code in Times Roman font. Anyone who's ever read their share of programming books knows this just complicates life by making it harder to differentiate code from content and better recognize typos, etc. I hope they revise this and publish another edition of the book - it's extremely noticeable. Also, I think this book was pushed to market without double-checking that the graphic examples are copyright compliant, because instead of icons in some of the screenshots the author substituted ugly character graphics that just looked dumb.
Overall, this is an okay programming book. There are some nuggets of good information, but as a beginner's book it's too complex, nor does it have enough depth to be a compendium for an advanced programmer.

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With iPhone SDK Programming, developers have the expert guidance they need to begin building native applications for Apple's new iPhone 3G as well as the iPod touch. Inside, veteran mobile developer and Bell Labs scientist Maher Ali begins with a foundational introduction to Objective C and Cocoa programming, and then guides you through the building programs with Apple's iPhone SDK.

iPhone SDK Programming covers a wide range of topics, including:
The Objective-C programming language

Collections

Cocoa Touch

Building advanced mobile user interfaces

Core Animation and Quartz 2D

Model-View-Controller (MVC) designs

Table Views File management

Parsing XML documents using SAX and DOM

Working with Google Maps API

Consuming REST Web Services

Building advanced location-based applications

Developing database applications using the SQLite engine

Building Multimedia applications

Making use of the camera and video Working with the accelerometer

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BlackBerry Planet: The Story of Research in Motion and the Little Device that Took the World by Storm (Wiley) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The good news is that chapter 2 was interesting and good and shows that the author has potential writing skills. The bad news is that chapter 1 was total drivel like obama likes his blackberry a lot and a lot of people use it. The rest of the book was boring and lacked any substantial real information.
Unfortunately I would recommend that others spare themselves the agony of reading it.

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BlackBerry Planet is a new tribe of people who simply cannot get along without their favorite device, Research in Motion's innovative electronic organizer, the BlackBerry. This omnipresent device has gone beyond being the world's foremost mobile business tool and entered the consumer mainstream as the Swiss Army Knife of smart phones.
BlackBerry Planet tells the behind-the-scenes story of how this little device has become the machine that connects the planet. Starting with the early years of Mike Lazaridis' invention and his founding of RIM at age 23, it details his drive to innovate, developing what was a glorified pager into the essential corporate communicator, used by everyone from dealmakers to the Queen, from movie stars to the entire US Congress. Since 1992, Lazaridis and co-CEO Jim Balsillie together have been the driving force behind the RIM story.
With access to senior staffers and former RIM employees, BlackBerry Planet tells the inside story about the branding and marketing success of the BlackBerry, from its use during 9/11, which earned RIM a reputation for security and reliability, to the cultural adoption of the iconic device as a must-have symbol, to the backlash against the addictive properties of the "CrackBerry," and the various patent suits RIM has had to fight off – including the five-year court battle that resulted in the largest technology patent settlement in US history.
As the incredible story of the BlackBerry unfolds, and as RIM battles global giants like Nokia and Apple in the emerging super-phone marketplace, users, fans, investors and competitors can look to BlackBerry Planet for the insight and context of where they've been, to try and predict where they're going.

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How to Do Everything iPod, iPhone & iTunes, Fifth Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have the Sony e-book edition of this title, which has the same content as this paperback edition.
This book, now in its 5th edition (published June 2009), is probably the best book that covers the basics of using an iPod (classic, nano and shuffle), iPod touch, iPhone 3G, and the iTunes software. It's by no means an advanced user's guide, so if you're looking for expert tips and hacks, this is not it. Indeed, it doesn't even tell you much about the sound-quality options in iTunes and on iPod and iPhone; it just scratches the surface, that's it.
That said, if you're a novice to the iPod/iPhone/iTunes dynasty, this book will help you aplenty. Contrary to what Apple's marketing tells us or what its collaborators in the "unbiased" mass media would like us to believe, iPod, iPhone and iTunes are actually quite difficult to use, with many features hidden in places you don't expect to find them. That's why there're so many iPod and iPhone books on the market.
This book succeeds in being a beginner's guide because it's easy to understand and covers areas where a beginner usually stumbles, from understanding the iPod or iPhone's controls to using iTunes to organize one's music. You'll find plenty of screenshots to help you along, and both PC and Mac versions of iTunes are covered. The index is pretty good, making the book a good basic reference on various topics related to the iPod, iPhone, iTunes empire.
So, if you need a book to help you get to the many features of iPod or iPhone and iTunes, this book is your best bet. But if you want in-depth coverage of these products, you'll have to look elsewhere -- or wait, as I have not found a single book that covers the many advanced features (e.g., real interaction between sound check and volume adjustment and EQ) and many bugs and annoyances of the iPod and iTunes.

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Enjoy your iPod, iPhone, and iTunes to the fullest!

Fully revised and updated, this easy-to-use guide covers the iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPhone, and iTunes--including the App Store. Download music, podcasts, videos, games, and applications; load your calendar and contacts; select accessories; and connect to the Web. Discover how to easily manage your iTunes library, convert file formats, use networking features, troubleshoot your device, recover data, and so much more. How to Do Everything: iPod, iPhone & iTunes, Fifth Edition covers it all!

Configure iTunes and load your iPod or iPhone with music, video, and data
Select accessories, including speakers, cases, adapters, docks, remote controls, and radio transmitters
Use your iPod or iPhone as a home or car stereo
Create high-quality AAC or MP3 files from CDs, vinyl, or other sources
Synchronize your iPod or iPhone with multiple computers
Create video files that work with the iPod or iPhone
Use your iPod or iPhone as an external drive or backup device
Troubleshoot problems with your iPod, iPhone, or iTunes
Connect to wireless networks and use VPNs
Set up e-mail accounts and surf the Web
Install applications and play games

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Mac Security Bible Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is definitely a book written by and for tech-heads. I consider myself a little bit of a geek, having used Macs for design, video and educational purposes since the mid-1980's. If not a full-fledged geek, I am at least very comfortable managing and administering my Macs myself with few serious mistakes or issues over the years. Even with this comfort level, I found that this book provides vastly more than I would or could ever use.
Perfect for an IT person or a user who needs to understand every (metaphorical) nut and bolt in his or her system, but if you are just looking for some tips on how to tighten up the basic security of your Mac, this book may end up being a bit more than you are interested in digesting.
That said, the writing is clear, concise, and meticulously organized. The parts that addressed my areas of interest were very well presented and easy to understand, but I definitely bit off more than I am interested in chewing when I ordered this book.

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