Good computer books make assumptions about the reader: what they do and don’t know when they pick up the book, and what they want to know when they put it down. For each reader this could be very different; therefore, a book that suits one person may not be the best for another. Mac OS X Leopard: Beyond the Manual makes some assumptions too, ones that tend to differ from other Mac OS X books.

First of all, we assume that you have used a computer in that past: that you know how to use a mouse and you know the proper place to stick a DVD to get it to play in your computer. We won’t be showing you these things. (We will however demonstrate to our Mac converts how to “right click” on a trackpad with only one button!).

Second, we assume you know what you want to do with your computer. We won't waste your time showing you specifically, step–by–step how to order a pizza from Pizza Galaxy in Milwaukee Wisconsin on the with Safari (though, when you’re done with this book we think you’ll be able to do this just fine… if such a place exists anyway).

Finally, we assume that you are a reasonably intelligent person with who realizes the value of such phrases as “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime” and can imagine how that might apply to a computer book.

If this sounds like you, then we think you'll find this book rewarding.

Inside you will find everything you need to get up to speed with Mac OS X Leopard including:

• Using the standard included Leopard applications including Mail, Safari, Preview, and more
• Taking advantage of the Darwin subsystem in Leopard
• Learning all the ins and outs of the Finder and Leopards improved interface
• Administering your computer for yourself and for others
• Working with other computers and operating systems from you Mac
• Configuring the network to take full advantage of the powerful networking capabilities in Leopard
• Working with add on devices via USB, Firewire, and Bluetooth
• Effectively implementing data backup, recovery and security
• Getting started with OS X development in Leopard

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"Every C++ professional needs a copy of Effective C++. It is an absolute must-read for anyone thinking of doing serious C++ development. If you've never read Effective C++ and you think you know everything about C++, think again." -- Steve Schirripa, Software Engineer, Google"C++ and the C++ community have grown up in the last fifteen years, and the third edition of Effective C++ reflects this. The clear and precise style of the book is evidence of Scott's deep insight and distinctive ability to impart knowledge." -- Gerhard Kreuzer, Research and Development Engineer, Siemens AG The first two editions of Effective C++ were embraced by hundreds of thousands of programmers worldwide. The reason is clear: Scott Meyers' practical approach to C++ describes the rules of thumb used by the experts -- the things they almost always do or almost always avoid doing -- to produce clear, correct, efficient code. The book is organized around 55 specific guidelines, each of which describes a way to write better C++. Each is backed by concrete examples. For this third edition, more than half the content is new, including added chapters on managing resources and using templates. Topics from the second edition have been extensively revised to reflect modern design considerations, including exceptions, design patterns, and multithreading. Important features of Effective C++ include: *Expert guidance on the design of effective classes, functions, templates, and inheritance hierarchies. *Applications of new "TR1" standard library functionality, along with comparisons to existing standard library components. *Insights into differences between C++ and other languages (e.g., Java, C#, C) that help developers from those languages assimilate "the C++ way" of doing things....

Praise for Scott Meyers' first book, Effective C++: "I heartily recommend Effective C++, to anyone who aspires to mastery of C++ at the intermediate level or above." -- The C/C++ User's Journal

From the author of the indispensable Effective C++, here are 35 new ways to improve your programs and designs. Drawing on years of experience, Meyers explains how to write software that is more effective: more efficient, more robust, more consistent, more portable, and more reusable. In short, how to write C++ software that's just plain better.

More Effective C++ includes:

Proven methods for improving program efficiency, including incisive examinations of the time/space costs of C++ language features

Comprehensive descriptions of advanced techniques used by C++ experts, including placement new, virtual constructors, smart pointers, reference counting, proxy classes, and double-dispatching

Examples of the profound impact of exception handling on the structure and behavior of C++ classes and functions

Practical treatments of new language features, including bool, mutable, explicit, namespaces, member templates, the Standard Template Library, and more. If your compilers don't yet support these features, Meyers shows you how to get the job done without them.

More Effective C++ is filled with pragmatic, down-to-earth advice you'll use every day. Like Effective C++ before it, More Effective C++ is essential reading for anyone working with C++....

You’re smart and savvy, but also busy. This comprehensive guide to Apple's latest version of Mac OS X 10.6, Snow Leopard, gives you everything you need to know to live a happy, productive Mac life. Learn Mac OS X Snow Leopard will have you up and connected lickity–split. With a minimum of overhead and a maximum of useful information, you’ll cover a lot of ground in the time it takes other books to get you plugged in.

If this isn’t you’re first experience with Mac OS X, skip right to the "What’s New in Snow Leopard" sections. You may also find yourself using this book as a quick refresher course or a way to learn new Mac skills you’ve never tried before.

What you’ll learn

• Discover all the ins and outs of the Finder and Snow Leopard's streamlined workflow.
• Use the latest features of Apple’s built–in applications, including Mail, Safari, iCal, Address Book, iChat, Preview, and more.
• Learn about Snow Leopard’s improved security and reliability, and how to take full advantage of the connected world and a wealth of new mobile devices.
• Administer your computer and network for yourself, your family, or your business.
• Work with add–on devices via direct connection or wirelessly.
• Master effective strategies for data backup, recovery, and security.
• Explore all of Apple’s improved iLife applications, including iTunes, iPhoto, and iMovie.
• Delve into more advanced topics, such as how to take advantage of the Darwin subsystem in Leopard, how to run multiple operating systems on your Mac, and how to cooperate with other operating systems (and help them cooperate with you).
• Get started with your own Mac OS X development in Snow Leopard

Who is this book for?

New Mac users, existing Mac users upgrading from older versions of Mac OS X, and PC users making the switch to Macs. These people share a common desire to learn stuff fast and keep learning! Because this book goes into greater depth than your average Mac OS X guide, it is also excellent for small business owners, user support personnel, and system administrators. There’s even an introduction to Mac OS X development for nascent programmers and the DIY crowd.

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