Chapter 8. A Visual Tour of Mac OS X Tiger

Let's look around Mac OS X 10.4. If you've never used a Mac before, this chapter should get you started. And if you've used previous versions of Mac OS X, it will help you get up to speed with some of the features of the latest version.

As you read this chapter, you will learn:

• Some of the most important features of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.

• That your Windows knowledge can quickly translate to your Mac mini.

• About Spotlight and Dashboard, two powerful new Mac OS X features.

Congratulations! If you can operate a Windows PC, you've already done all the hard work involved in learning Mac OS X. Your next step is to sit down at your Mac mini and start exploring.

But first, I hope you'll consider this chapter a travel guide and let me show you the sights of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. I've tried to keep the tour short, so there are many things I won't show you. But you will get a taste of your new operating system.

note

Tiger was the code name for Mac OS X 10.4, but Apple uses it widely in the product promotion and branding, and it has become the operating system's post-release nickname as well. In case you're interested, Tiger is the fifth in Apple's series of big-cat code names for its operating system releases. It was preceded by Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, and Panther.