"Robin Williams Cool Mac Apps"

"Robin Williams Cool Mac Apps, Third Edition"
Authors: John Tollett with Robin Williams
Publisher: Peachpit Press
511 pages … $24.99 
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-50896-6
Twelve apps for enhanced creativity and productivity

The purpose of this book, in addition to making money, is to get you to explore some Mac applications that you have not used before, or some new features in Mac applications that you have not tried, and for you to have fun doing so.

“We’re constantly amazed at how often dedicated Mac users neglect some of the fabulous apps that are on their Macs. The reason is always the same—once you learn how to use a program just well enough to do the basics (like a message to your email list, or visit web sites) you tend to stay in that comfort zone rather than experiment with a scary new feature or an unfamiliar application like iCal, iMovie, or iDVD. Even applications that are familiar to you probably have features that you’d love if you knew they were there. Well, get over it, and start having fun.”

Twelve applications are presented with just enough information for you to enjoy them, and not so much as to scare you off. The applications are:

Section one: The Coolest Mac Apps for Creativity”
1. iPhoto
2. iMovie
3. iDVD

Section two: The Coolest Mac Apps for Productivity
4. iTunes
5. Mail
6. Address Book
7. iChat AV and Bonjour
8. Safari
9. iCal
10. Dashboard
11. Photo Booth
12. Time Machine

with apologies for leaving out GarageBand and iWeb.

The book is clear, simple, and enjoyable. I liked the way it bring enthusiasm for using the applications.

I did however run into one problem where the, ”it just works,” did not work as expected. It is simple and enjoyable to follow the instructions to create a widget from a Web page in Safari. Once I had it I wondered where in Dashboard it was stored. Apparently it is not stored in Dashboard, it is only on your computer as long as you keep it active on your monitor. I did not find anything in the book about this, and had the unpleasant feeling like that of a beginner wondering what I had done wrong.

I hope that in a future revision, Apple will improve the way that Web page widgets are stored.

Overall, "Robin Williams Cool Mac Apps" is an enjoyable book that is easy to understand. It should help you to get more use and have more fun with the 12 applications.