Want to be a Mac Power User? The truth is in Dr. Mac's latest book
December 11, 2002 | by Chuck La Tournous
Howard Stern may like to describe himself as the "King of All Media," but in the Mac world at least, that crown probably fits better on the head of Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus. With over 40 books to his credit, a newspaper column in the Houston Chronicle, frequent speaking engagements, an upcoming DVD (a Mac OS X training video from TackyShirt) and a new weekly radio show on CNET, LeVitus pretty much has all the bases covered. If the guy learns to do skywriting, we'll call it a clean sweep.
What's most impressive about all the hats LeVitus wears is that he wears them so well. He's an engaging speaker (just try to get a seat at one of his Macworld seminars), a good (and improving) talk show host, and a writer whose self-described mission in life is "to translate 'techie' jargon into usable and fun advice for normal folks."
And therein lies much of LeVitus' charm. He's got a genuine talent for explaining complicated issues and technical information without coming across as a tech snob. His explanations are never condescending; his tone never superior. At times, in fact, Bob seems as delighted as his readers at discovering tips and tricks. Perhaps never has a "Mac authority" come in such an affable package.
His latest book Dr. Mac: The OS X Files, is LeVitus at his best, and probably the work that most lets his personality shine, and it?s easy to believe, as Bob says, this was his favorite book to write. Reading The OS X Files is a lot like having a conversation with Bob, and I don't mean because he does all the talking. (sorry, Bob, I couldn't resist.) It's a breezy, fun-filled romp through the OS, mixing pertinent information with light-hearted touches about "big, honking icons" and finding "really cool stuff' to do with your Mac.
Weighing in at 638 pages, The OS X Files covers just about anything you could think of, including nicely in-depth looks at UNIX and the Terminal, AppleScript, Classic and more. Plus Bob adds vintage "Dr. Mac" touches, like a slew of freeware and shareware utilities, recommendations (and more than a few tips) on applications, backup strategies and customization.
Bob is generous with his praise, and quick to give credit where it's due, even when it means promoting someone over his own efforts. In a chapter about troubleshooting, for instance, he cheerfully recommends Ted Landau's Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters, as well as the MacFixIt forums. At times, LeVitus turns the book completely over to his readers, with an entire chapter devoted to "What Other Power Users Think You Should Know about OS X," and another on "MacStyles of the Not-So-Rich-and-Famous (Power Users)."
The OS X Files is jam-packed with -- as Bob might say -- "big, honking" screenshots and a clean, easy-to-read layout. Following a recommendation we made for David Pogue's Missing Manual series, the book's chapters are marked by grey boxes on the outside edge of the page. Each succeeding chapter's box is slightly lower on the page than the chapter before it, making it easy to find each section.
The "super-title" of The OS X Files is "How to Become a Mac OS X Power User." If you (or someone you know) fits that bill, LeVitus' book is a fine way to go about it. But even if your aspirations aren't so grand, The OS X Files is a genuinely fun trip through the Mac, and you couldn't ask for a better tour guide than Dr. Mac himself.
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