UGN books

Synopsis:

guiding switchers through the process
 

Go To:

Go for it...

Helping Windows users switch

Take Control of Switching to a Mac

An increasing number of Windows users are switching to the Mac, but as easy as Mac OS X is to use, making the jump from Windows is still a daunting proposition.

In a new ebook, "Take Control of Switching to a Mac," best-selling author Scott Knaster, who has worked at both Apple and Microsoft, guides switchers

• through the process of
• making the decision to switch,
• choosing the right Mac model,
• setting up the Mac,
• choosing the appropriate Macintosh applications to replace common Windows programs, and
• moving data - documents, email, address books, and Web bookmarks - to the Mac.

Scott then teaches readers the basics of using a Mac from the perspective of someone who knows only Windows, starting with an explanation of user interface differences and moving on to lessons on how to use the Finder effectively, search with Spotlight, manage applications and windows, connect to network resources, download software updates, and more.

A collection of five key Macintosh features and five useful tips help readers move beyond the basics and become more capable with their new Macs, and the ebook offers extra help for those who must share documents with Windows users or run the occasional Windows application.

In keeping with the practical nature of all Take Control titles, Scott includes essential troubleshooting advice in case problems appear, along with a glossary to help familiarize Windows users with Macintosh terminology.

"Scott's ebook comes just in time for the traditional holiday switching season," Take Control publisher Adam Engst quipped, "It's the perfect gift to accompany a new Mac for that special someone, or if your budget is more constrained, a great way to nudge a friend or relative in the direction of the Mac. And since it's a PDF file, it can be purchased and sent via email at the last possible minute, requires only a double-click to open, and needs no batteries or assembly."

Book Details

"Take Control of Switching to the Mac"
by Scott Knaster
PDF format, 93 pages,
free 21-page excerpt (PDF)
Publication date: November 17, 2005
Price: $10
ISBN: 1-933671-04-1

Scott Knaster has been writing about Macs for as long as there have been Macs. Scott's Mac programming books were required reading for Mac developers for more than a decade. A regular speaker at Mac industry conferences, Scott writes books for non-programmers too, including Hacking Mac OS X Tiger and Mac Toys (with John Rizzo). Scott has every issue of MAD magazine, which explains a lot about him.

About TidBITS and the Take Control Series:

TidBITS Electronic Publishing has been publishing highly regarded news and editorial since 1990 when Adam and Tonya Engst created their online newsletter, TidBITS, about Macintosh- and Internet-related topics. The Take Control series has been aiding readers with high-quality, timely, real-world, cost-effective documentation since 2003. To learn more, visit our FAQ

UGN Site Navigation:

Return to: the top of this page, or the INDEX for this department
Exit to: The User Group Network front page
Contact: The Editor, Webmaster or Membership Director

CREDITS:

Reviewed by Fred Showker for the User Group Network News Service. (C) 2005, all rights reserved. Affiliate groups may freely republish this piece so long as they include the tag line: "From the User Group Network News Service at http://www.user-groups.net/ " ... Event dates are subject to change. Some products, programs, or promotions are not available outside the U.S. Prices are estimated retail prices and are listed in U.S. dollars. Product specifications are subject to change. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Power Mac, Velocity Engine, FireWire, AirPort, Safari, Sherlock, QuickTime, iLife, iTunes, iChat, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iCal and Apple Store are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.

The User Group Network is a member of:, 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, Commonwealth of Virginia, 22801, Harrisonburg, VA, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, established in 1972.