MLMUG Book Review

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A Book Review
by Mary Keil-Welsh
Review Date: February 2007

TITLE: Macs for Dummies
AUTHOR: Edward C. Baig

PUBLISHER: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
WEBSITE: www.dummies.com

ISBN: 0-470-04849-2

MEDIA: Book, 386 pages, soft cover, tutorial and reference

LEVEL: Clueless to Beginner

PRICE: $21.99 USD

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

So what would I learn from a "Dummies" book since I have used Macs for over 16 years? Maybe some tidbits about operations that I never took time to actually read about? In other words... the little things. "Dummies" books are just the place for finding out about the little things and what they do. If I were a new user, my hand would be held every step of the way through this book. The application descriptions and directions give you just enough information and come to a grinding halt before overloading a new user.

Have you been left out of the computer technology revolution of the last 20 years? Wonder what you would do with a computer if you bought one? Your answers are all here. Learn how to type basic documents in a word processor, or how to move your photos from your digital camera to your computer.

Now that Macs for Dummies has you set up for surfin' the Internet, what wave are you riding? You can purchase almost anything and some trustworthy sites are listed in Chapter 11. Learn how to look for secure websites before making online purchases. Would you like to know how to use iChat for instant messaging those distant friends and relatives? Quickly learn the basic abbreviated language of instant messaging and emails:

LOL (laughing out loud),
IMHO (in my humble opinion),
etc.

Emily Post would be proud that email etiquette is so strongly defined for the new user. Social chat rooms (and just what is a chatroom?) and online dating sites are discussed as well.

The iLife software package is broken down nicely, with something for everyone. I felt as though a beginner's Mac knowledge base would "grow" nicely by the end of this book. And if after reading most of the book, you feel you're more of a Mac intermediate-level user, dive into the Creepy Geeky Section towards the end. Chapter 19 discusses the "convert"! PC to Mac movers can pack up and make the shift. Granted it's at the back of the book and you should have learned a lot by the time you get to it, but it seemed pretty intense for a new, "dummie" user.

The trouble shooting section in Chapter 20 was VERY heavy — technically speaking it would scare off a new user.

Have some fun in the end. After riding through the dark and scary pages of the Creepy Geeky section, Part VI is like seeing the daylight walking through a dark haunted mansion. Relax and have fun as you peruse the "top ten lists" consisting of dashboard widgets, Mac websites and other little tidbits the author just had to share. It's as if he's now given you wings, and set you free and tells you to enjoy your Mac. Don't we all?

Mary K-W
About the reviewer:
Mary Keil-Welsh

Mary has worked in the print industry for 22 years. She is currently working for a credit union marketing association as a graphic designer of print promotion materials.

She has also been self-employed for 15 years with Keewell Graphics, working as a freelance designer for local printers.

This site has many more reviews, all written by MLMUG members.
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