Chapter . Introduction

Our goal in creating this book is to give you, the reader, the most information possible about Mac OS X 10.3 (also known as Panther) in as friendly and straightforward a manner as possible. Although we’ve included tips that even seasoned Mac users can benefit from, this book is especially written for the following:

  • People who have recently switched to the Mac who want to learn the basics of the operating system, as well as some of the best Mac programs available.

  • Long-time Mac users who want to learn the new Mac OS X operating system, as well as work more productively with common OS X applications.

  • People who are already familiar with some aspects of Mac OS X but want a helpful reference for those parts they haven’t yet mastered.

How This Book Is Organized

The chapters of this book are categorized into seven sections:

Part I, “Mac OS X Basics,” explores fundamental elements of the operating system, including the Finder, the Dock, and System Preferences. It also explains the basics of how to work with windows, files, and applications.

Part II, “Common Applications,” introduces several programs that come bundled with OS X, including Calculator, Preview, QuickTime, and DVD Player, as well as software installation and other applications you may want to add to your system.

Part III, “Internet Applications,” covers how to connect to the Internet and several applications from Apple that use a network connection, including the Safari Web browser, the email program Mail, and the instant messaging client iChat.

Part IV, “Hardware and Related Settings,” focuses on peripheral devices, including monitors, printers, and USB and FireWire devices, as well as some of the settings needed to run them.

Part V, “Apple’s iLife Applications,” explores Apple’s digital media applications—iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD.

Part VI, “System Administration and Maintenance,” explains several topics—such as setting up your Mac for multiple users, securing your system, recovering from crashes, and backing up your data—that can make your system run smoother or, at least, help in times of trouble.

Part VII, “Advanced Topics,” introduces some aspects of Mac OS X that the average user may not be aware of, including using the Unix command line, running AppleScript, and working with various system utilities.

An Invitation from the Authors

If you have questions or comments about Mac OS X or this book, please feel free to email us.

Thanks for reading!

Robyn Ness ()

John Ray ()

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