UGN User Group Bookshelf

Mac OS X in a Nutshell


Book Review by Kathryn Barrett

Mac OS X is a stunning technical achievement--a virtually crash-proof Unix core paired with the sleek Aqua interface, bringing style, usability, and stability to a new level. It has almost everything that Macintosh fans have been waiting for: protected memory, crash resistance, and the ability to run the 18,000 existing Mac programs and an unlimited supply of Unix and Open Source software. An instant success among longtime Apple users and developers, the new Mac operating system is becoming the system of choice among serious Unix users as well. There is plenty of territory to explore in Mac OS X, and O'Reilly's latest Nutshell book, Mac OS X in a Nutshell, offers all audiences--both longtime Mac users and converts--the most complete guide to this remarkable operating system.

In the tradition of O'Reilly's Nutshell series, this new title offers a thorough treatment of Mac OS X version 10.2, from its BSD Unix foundation to Aqua, the new user interface. The book's "Unix Command Reference" is the most complete and thorough coverage of Mac OS X Unix commands you can find anywhere. Each command and option in this section has been painstakingly tested and checked against Jaguar--even the manpages that ship with the system can't compete in accuracy. The reference incorporates the new command-line tools that come with Apple's Developer tools. It familiarizes readers with the Finder and the Dock, file management, system configuration, network administration issues, and more. Later chapters include bonus material for the Unix user, including advanced use of the Terminal and how to configure a DAMP (Darwin, Apache, MySQL, Perl/PHP) web publishing system.

Download the Chapter 14: Web Publishing with a DAMP System (PDF)

Mac OS X in a Nutshell
By Jason McIntosh, Chuck Toporek, Chris Stone; 826 pages, $34.95 US, $54.95 CA, £24.95 UK (Click here and save up to 30%); 0402-16; Click above for more details or to purchase.

Reviewed by Kathryn Barrett

 
Browse more books:

In the User Group Bookshelf. If you would like to review a book for the User Group Bookshelf, just contact the Editor, or if you would like to submit your own book or book review use our Reviews input form.
Check out the latest articles in the
User Group Library; catch up on the
MUG NEWS, or check out the latest
Shareware / Freeware Downloads.
Books for graphic designers, illustrators, desktop publishing, photography, web design, programming, and for specific image editing digital photo software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator go to the Designers' Bookshelf.

Credits:
O'Reilly & Associates is a favorite information source for computer technologies and caters to user groups. The company's books, conferences, and web sites bring to light the knowledge of technology innovators. O'Reilly books, known for the animals on their covers, occupy a treasured place on the shelves of the developers building the next generation of software. O'Reilly conferences and summits bring alpha geeks and forward-thinking business leaders together to shape the revolutionary ideas that spark new industries. From the Internet to XML, open source, .NET, Java, and web services, O'Reilly puts technologies on the map. For more information: http://www.oreilly.com
Footnotes:
The User Group Network is a member of: The Association of Apple Computer Users & Groups, the MUG News, and is sponsored in part by: The Design & Publishing Center, The News Serve Network, and the Designers' Bookshelf. The User Group Network is the first, and the original user group network for computer users everywhere including, Apple, Mac-Pro, User Group Organization to support Macintosh, IBM PC, Microsoft, Compaq, Amiga, BE/OS, Linux, UNIX, and other leading computer platforms. Hosting services are provided by The Graphic Design Network to serve the computing community. For information about the UGNetwork, to get involved or have your own groups' home page located at user-groups.net, please contact us. Copyright 1994 through present. This site is maintained in the community interest by The Graphic Design Network c/o Showker Graphic Arts & Design, a Corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 22801, established in 1972.