Introduction

Having used a Macintosh computer since 1991 and since the advent of Apple’s System 7, the initial release of Mac OS X was quite a surprise. It took a while to get used to the major changes that Apple had wrought in this operating system, but the rewards were many: a more attractive, easier-to-use interface; a more stable operating system; and the solidity of Mac OS X’s Unix underpinnings.

Mac OS X 10.3, code named Panther, is a mature operating system; and many changes and refinements have been made since the first version of Mac OS X. Apple has been especially attentive to user feedback in improving the interface and adding features to the operating system (or in same cases restoring features lost since Mac OS 9).

Panther is the third major upgrade of Mac OS X and by far the most satisfying version of this operating system. Panther introduces many new features and functions that make working with your Mac even easier: a redesigned Finder with new windows; new Open and Save dialogs; a new approach to using an iDisk; refinements to Mac OS X’s built-in applications, such as Mail, iCal, and Address Book; and a host of new features, improvements, and tweaks that make this version of Mac OS X the fastest yet.

The improvement in speed is one of the most impressive changes in Panther: even with older Macs, Panther runs faster than Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar), and recalcitrant Mac OS 9 users have extra motivation to take the leap and upgrade to a more modern operating system.

In this book I’ll tell you all about Mac OS X 10.3. You’ll learn how to work with the Finder and customize it to fit your own style. You’ll discover how to work with files, folders, and windows, and how to save time in the most common tasks. I’ll show you how to surf the Web easily with Apple’s Safari web browser, how to use Mail to manage your e-mail, and how to keep in touch with your friends with iChat.

You’ll see how easy it is to manage your personal information with Apple’s programs, such as iCal, its calendar program; Address Book, its contact manager; and iSync, which lets you synchronize your information with another Mac.

I’ll tell you about printing, faxing, connecting computers on a network, and keeping your Mac in good shape. I’ll also talk about computer security and tell you about adding hardware to your Mac, such as mice, keyboards, external disks, and more.

Mac OS X shines in the area of digital media: Apple’s suite of programs for working with music, photos, video, and DVDs are some of the most powerful and easy-to-use tools for these tasks. I’ll tell you all about iTunes, iPhoto, iVideo, and iDVD, and you’ll see how easy it is to turn your Mac into a digital hub.

But I also went out and talked to other Mac users, who share their experiences with you. Throughout the book you’ll see how all kinds of Mac users—from best-selling authors to musicians, translators, and photographers—leverage the Mac and use it to get their work done every day.

For in the end, that’s what a computer is for: getting things done. After reading this book, you’ll see how easy it is to use Mac OS X and how much you can do with this powerful operating system. If you’re new to the Mac, you’ll find out how to do everything you need with Mac OS X. If you’ve just upgraded from Mac OS 9 or earlier, you’ll see how easy it is to get up to speed with this new operating system. And even if you’re a seasoned Mac user, you’ll find lots of new features and functions that will make your computer use more efficient and more fun.

This book was created on an 800 MHz G3 iBook and a 933 MHz G4 iBook, with the assistance of a 400 MHz iMac, using Microsoft Word for writing and reviewing, Snapz Pro X for screen shots, and Photoshop Elements 2 for touching up illustrations. I used Inspiration to create the book’s outline, Microsoft Entourage to manage my correspondence, and iChat to keep in touch with some of the people involved in the book (especially with my technical reviewer Joe Kissell; we often chatted when it was late at night for him and early in the morning for me). Finally, iTunes provided a soundtrack as I was working, playing Bach, Handel, Schubert, the Grateful Dead, Bill Evans, Brian Eno, and much more.