Need a crash course in the basics of operating and working with your Snow Leopard Mac? This 126-page guide will help teach you the ins and outs to get you up to speed and computing like a pro. The readers of Macworld are amazingly diverse. Among our audience are some incredibly tech-savvy folks, and we're glad to have them. There are also some people among us who are relatively novice Mac users, who avidly read what we write in order to flex and improve their Mac skills. For the past few years we've offered a book, the Mac Basics Superguide, that's been a hit with both audiences. And I'm happy to announce that we've just updated that book for Snow Leopard. If you're someone who's struggling with the basics of operating a Mac, or someone who's a new user of Mac OS X (perhaps you've made the switch from Windows to Mac) this new 126-page guide will get you up to speed. Written in an easy-to-follow style, the Mac Basics Superguide, Snow Leopard Edition will give you detailed tips and information about using the Finder and the Dock, switching between programs, using Apple's Spotlight search tool, opening and saving your files, and setting up system preferences and user accounts. We've tossed in some basic security and troubleshooting advice to keep your Mac up and running smoothly. And our own Dan Frakes, who pens our Mac Gems blog and magazine column, has assembled a list of 20 great low-cost programs that will enhance your Mac experience. But I said this book was for the Mac experts among us, too. Here's what I mean by that: It's the book you give to the people you know who need a leg up on using their Mac-all of your friends and family members who use you as the be-all, end-all Mac resource. The reality is, a Mac expert can only be in one place at any given time. This book can always be around as a handy reference when there's no flesh-and-blood expert nearby. (I sent my mom a copy of the first edition of this book, and I like to think it's reduced the number of questions she asks of me.) You Mac experts out there might also appreciate the writers who contributed to this book: Christopher Breen, Dan Frakes, Glenn Fleishman, Rob Griffiths, Joe Kissell, Ted Landau, Harry McCracken, and Kirk McElhearn.

When it comes to uncovering your Mac's hidden powers, there's no better resource than MacOSXHints.com, a collaborative Website that lets Mac users share their favorite tips and tricks. In fact, over the past ten years, the site has collected more than 13,000 hints. We've done more than just copying-and-pasting the hints from the site, though. We've also rewritten them all in a clear, straightforward fashion, complete with screenshots, to make them as easy-to-use as possible. We've tried to address nearly every aspect of Snow Leopard, including customizing the look of Finder windows, searching hidden system files with Spotlight, and making the most of OS X navigation tools like Quick Look, Exposé, and Spaces. Save time with undocumented shortcuts and unlock powerful file sharing and printing features. Follow the step-by-step advice on squeezing more power from OS X's productivity programs, including Mail, iCal, and iChat. Track down anything online and stay organized with Safari tips. Finally, take a trip to Terminal. If you're new to OS X's command-line interface, we'll show you how to get started and how to protect yourself from dangerous actions. If you're a command-line veteran, you'll find tips for taking advantage of hidden commands and strategies for working in Terminal more efficiently. And yes, if you are still using Leopard, we've still have the previous version of this book available. If you're looking to get the most out of Snow Leopard, this book is a great way to help you do just that. And once you're up to speed, we encourage you to share the wealth-post your own discoveries and tips at www.macosxhints.com.

Every time Apple releases a new operating system, we pull together the most essential, in-depth, and up-to-date information about the Mac OS and create a new book that gives our readers access to it all in one place. With Snow Leopard now out and rapidly gaining acceptance, it's time for us to release Total Snow Leopard. Following in the footsteps of our popular, everything-in-one-place guides to Mac OS X (Total OS X, Total Panther, Total Tiger, andTotal Leopard),Total Snow Leopard is an information-packed 102-page book featuring just about everything you'll need to know about Snow Leopard-all features, great and small. We've taken the best of Macworld's coverage of Mac OS X and distilled it into this book, including contributions from such luminaries as Christopher Breen, Glenn Fleishman, Dan Frakes, Rob Griffiths, Joe Kissell, Ted Landau, Kirk McElhearn, Rich Mogull, Dan Moren, Jonathan Seff, Michael Scalisi, Derrick Story, Ben Waldie, and Sharon Zardetto. The book includes information to help you set up Snow Leopard smoothly and take advantage of its most important features. It'll also help you master the Web with Safari 4, get e-mail with Exchange, keep your Snow Leopard Mac secure, and increase productivity with text substitutions and the Services menu. We think this book is a great resource for everyone who uses Snow Leopard and hope you enjoy our Superguide. If you're looking for more help with OS X, iOS, and all things Apple, make sure to check out our other Superguides.

Macs run smoothly most of the time. This book will prepare you for the rare occasions when yours doesn't. Whether you're using an iMac, MacBook, or Macbook Air, our Superguide is filled with solutions for many of the common problems that you might run into. In the United States, when you're in real trouble you have but one number to call: 911. Back in 2000, while we were racking our brains for a title for Macworld's tips and troubleshooting column, we invoked this emergency calling code, preceding it with "Mac" so that its humble author (me) wouldn't be additionally inundated with requests for help with small appliances and domestic disputes. Thus Mac 911became the primary place to go within Macworld's pages for help with all things Apple. We've distilled the Mac troubleshooting knowledge we've acquired over the past 10 years of putting together columns, and created the Mac Troubleshooting Superguide, the latest in Macworld's popular Superguide series. Since the Mac 911 column's birth, we've seen the death (OS 9) and rebirth (OS X) of the Mac OS, the coming and going of countless Mac models, and the explosion of the Internet. We've also witnessed the metamorphosis of Apple the computer company into Apple the media and telecommunications giant, responsible for two of the most game-changing products of the young century, the iPod and iPhone. Yet through all these changes, one constant remains: the desktops and laptops that we increasingly rely on for our work and pleasure sometimes act up in frustrating ways. Fortunately, as exasperating as these hiccups may be, they are often predictable. In this guide, we attempt to present the difficulties you might encounter in the order in which you're likely to encounter them. If, for example, something goes amiss as you're installing the latest greatest version of OS X, you can be assured that you'll find it in the first chapter, Installation. If, later in the day, you press your Mac's power button and nothing good results, you'll find help in the next chapter, which addresses start-up issues, crashes, and freezes. Have a problem with hardware next? Simply page on to Hardware Help. And so on through the System Issues & Fixes, OS X's Applications, the Internet & Networking, and Mac Maintenance chapters. And if, despite all of your diligent efforts, no solution is found, there are directions for what to do next in the Support Tricks chapter. But allow me to also extend a personal invitation to Macworld's Mac 911 forum, where I and other knowledgeable Mac users are eager to lend a helping hand.

The latest book in our popular Superguide series, Macworld's Switching to Mac Superguide , is aimed at new Mac owners who are making their first baby steps into the OS X world. If you or someone in your family is finally making the switch to a Mac from a PC, this indispensable guide can help with the big move. Moving from Windows to OS X means rewiring your muscle memory and learning to do old things in new ways. The basic stuff you do dozens of times a day-opening and closing programs and files, managing windows-are all done differently on a Mac. Switching can feel like you've been transported to a country where the language sounds vaguely familiar, but is definitely not your native tongue. This book will be your guide and interpreter. In Macworld's Switching to Mac Superguide, we give you a quick orientation to your new computing landscape and its principal parts (the Finder, the Dock, the Menu Bar). We explain how to work with files and programs and how to get started with OS X's built-in applications. We also walk you through the process of moving-transferring old files to the new system and customizing, and even show you how to run Windows on your Mac (if you must) or to share files, screens, backup drives, and routers between your new Mac and Windows PCs. Think of us as a friendly new neighbor: eager to welcome you and happy to do whatever we can to help you settle in. If you can't quite leave Windows behind, don't worry. You can run Windows right on your Mac. We'll tell you what tools you need and how to get started. Finally, just in case you hit a few bumps on the road with your Mac, you'll find instructions on how to troubleshoot your Mac like a pro.

Research digital cameras and accessories. Improve your photography workflow. Manage images on your Mac or on the go. Edit and tweak your pictures to perfection. Print, share, and display photos to the world. Protect your images from disaster. For all the work camera companies have put into making their cameras as easy to use as possible, many people still find the process of getting a good shot shrouded in mystery. Add in the camera capabilities of most modern smartphones, and it's easy to get quickly overwhelmed by all the possibilities. Enter Macworld's Digital Photography Superguide, fourth edition, for all your photographic needs. While Macworld regularly features photography tips and how-to articles, we know that digging back through all of those stories can be a hassle, if not impossible. For readers who want all the information in one place, we're pleased to present our Digital Photography Superguide .In the fourth edition of our popular photography book, we offer the latest advice on buying a new camera; getting great shots; managing and editing your growing photo library with desktop applications like iPhoto '11, Aperture, and Photoshop Elements; and much more. We've even included a special section on iPhone photography for any budding iPhone-ographers out there. The information has been updated and expanded to cover all the latest developments in digital photography, and we've organized it in this easy-to-follow guide for beginners and pros alike. In this 196-page book, you'll learn about the entire photography process: We'll walk you through purchasing the digital camera that's right for you; shooting in difficult situations; importing photos quickly and safely; managing your image collection by adding valuable information like names, locations, and ratings; and sharing your photographs with the world by taking advantage of both print products and online services. We'll also explain how to protect your photos from hard-drive disasters. If you've been wishing you knew more about your camera, or you feel overwhelmed by your photo library and aren't sure where to turn, this book can help.

From the Editors of Macworld, learn how to activate and sync your iPad 2 with ease. Multitask and organize like a pro. Manage your media, be productive, and unleash your creativity. Video chat with friends using FaceTime. Find solutions for common troubleshooting issues. Outfit your device with the latest accessories. Now let the editors at Macworld help you learn everything you need to know about it with our iPad 2 Superguide. The book has something for everyone, whether you're brand-new to the iPad or old hand. This in-depth Superguide covers everything you need know about your iPad's hardware and software, including the latest on iOS 4.3. We also highlight and recommend some great apps and accessories to get you started. In this 181-page book, we provide step-by-step instructions for getting acquainted with your iPad 2. Familiarize yourself with every port, button, and switch on your device with a labeled diagram and descriptions of each. Customize your settings by setting parental controls, changing the behavior of your iPad's side-switch, and creating a data plan (3G-enabled iPads only). Learn about the many multitouch gestures you'll be using to open, close, zoom, and swipe on the 9.7-inch LED-backlit screen. Communicate with others using Mail, Safari, and FaceTime. In addition, we'll show you how to sync and load all your favorite music, movies, television shows, podcasts, apps, and files using iTunes; how to convert any file to work on the iPad; and how to stream your media to a television or other source using AirPlay. Organize your life using the iPad's built-in Calendar, Notes, and Contacts apps, and get the best recommendations for third-party apps to help increase productivity. Discover how to get work done on the iPad using iWork, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office files. Even without a tech support background, it's easy to troubleshoot most simple problems on the iPad. In our Troubleshooting Tips chapter, we give a run-down of common questions plaguing users and the easiest ways to fix them. We'll also share some simple tricks to keep your device up and running, and suggestions for when you need to consult with the experts.

Whether you've just purchased your very first Mac or you're a long-time Mac user who wants a comprehensive guide to their OS, let Macworld's Mac Basics Superguide welcome you to the Mac and latest version of OS X, Mountain Lion. We'll help you move files from your old Mac or PC, get acquainted with the desktop, the Dock, Mission Control, and gestures. We'll provide a primer for tweaking your system preferences, changing your desktop wallpaper, setting parental controls, and adding third-party utilities. And we'll introduce you o the many built-in apps OS X has to offer, along with an overview on buying apps from the Mac App Store. When it comes to security, the Mac has some great features, and you needn't be confused: We explain just what Gatekeeper and app sandboxing are, and what they have to offer. And in case you get jammed up, the book has a whole chapter dedicated to basic troubleshooting and when to call in the experts. That's why we make Mac Basics, the Macworld Superguide dedicated to getting started with all things Mac. There are plenty of manuals and guides that explain every single system feature and setup detail; this book is instead designed to actively get you (or your family member) up and running without making you feel like you're studying a textbook. Our 230-page book has you covered from the first time you turn on your Mac. We walk you through the setup process and transferring any old files you might have; and introduce you to the menus, windows, and places you need to know about to get going. From there, we help you customize Multi-Touch gestures, organize your files, and tweak your preferences. We'll get your Mac suited up with third-party apps and accessories. And you can follow our troubleshooting tips and security suggestions to keep your computer safe and sound. You won't find everything they need to know about the Mac in this book. (That's what Macworld.com is for.) But we hope it can provide you with the tools you'll need and make you excited to learn more. If you are debating the upgrade to Mountain Lion, you might instead consider getting our Total Mountain Lion Superguide, which collects all our top-notch Mountain Lion coverage into one easy-to-read ebook. If you're insistent on staying with Lion or Snow Leopard, there's always our best-selling Total Lion Superguide, and our Snow Leopard version of Mac Basics.

Since Lion's release, Macworld has published a deluge of Lion news, how-tos, and guides about Apple's newest version of Mac OS. Now, you can get all that information and more in one place with our Total Lion Superguide. Total Lion is the latest in our “Total” Superguide series (following Total Tiger, Total Leopard, and Total Snow Leopard). It covers just about everything you need to know about OS X 10.7 in an information-packed 132-page book. We’ve taken the best of Macworld’s coverage of Lion and distilled it into our Superguide: Read the entirety of Dan Frakes’ six-part Lion Installation guide, along with contributions from Macworld staff members Lex Friedman, Dan Moren, Chris Breen, Roman Loyola, Jonathan Seff, and Jackie Dove. In this book, we walk you through everything you need to know about Lion, starting with a comprehensive rundown of all the new features present in this version of Mac OS X. We help you install Lion, troubleshoot any installation woes, and learn how to set up a boot disc or drive. Once you’ve got Lion up and running, discover how to navigate the new interface by using Multi-Touch gestures, Mission Control, and Launchpad; share files in AirDrop; and control other screens via Screen Sharing. Avoid ever having to manually save documents again with Lion’s new Auto Save, Versions, and Resume features. Protect yourself from would-be data thieves by using Apple’s FileVault 2 encryption functionality. And finally, find out about tons of new features, big and small, that Apple has added to the OS’s included applications. We want to make sure you can read the Total Lion Superguide wherever and whenever you’d like to; as such, we’ve put the book up for sale in a variety of formats-just choose the one that works best for you.

Since Lion's release, Macworld has published a deluge of Lion news, how-tos, and guides about Apple's newest version of Mac OS. Now, you can get all that information and more in one place with our Total Lion Superguide. Total Lion is the latest in our “Total” Superguide series (following Total Tiger, Total Leopard, and Total Snow Leopard). It covers just about everything you need to know about OS X 10.7 in an information-packed 132-page book. We’ve taken the best of Macworld’s coverage of Lion and distilled it into our Superguide: Read the entirety of Dan Frakes’ six-part Lion Installation guide, along with contributions from Macworld staff members Lex Friedman, Dan Moren, Chris Breen, Roman Loyola, Jonathan Seff, and Jackie Dove. In this book, we walk you through everything you need to know about Lion, starting with a comprehensive rundown of all the new features present in this version of Mac OS X. We help you install Lion, troubleshoot any installation woes, and learn how to set up a boot disc or drive. Once you’ve got Lion up and running, discover how to navigate the new interface by using Multi-Touch gestures, Mission Control, and Launchpad; share files in AirDrop; and control other screens via Screen Sharing. Avoid ever having to manually save documents again with Lion’s new Auto Save, Versions, and Resume features. Protect yourself from would-be data thieves by using Apple’s FileVault 2 encryption functionality. And finally, find out about tons of new features, big and small, that Apple has added to the OS’s included applications. We want to make sure you can read the Total Lion Superguide wherever and whenever you’d like to; as such, we’ve put the book up for sale in a variety of formats-just choose the one that works best for you.