Old Fart's Guide to the Macintosh

By Aaron Rosenzweig

From Trafford Publishing
(c) 2002 Aaron Rosenzweig
ISBN 155395358-4
269 pps
$25.00 (US), $39.50 (CAN)

Review by Gary Coyne

Intended user: Beginner

The author, Aaron Rosenzweig, explains in his forward that while the term Old Fart is often used to describe old people in a negative way, like many pejoratives, the word can also be a sense of pride when used by an old person for describing him or herself. Rosenzweig also explains that while he grew up in the computer age, his parents didn't. This book is, therefore, written for them. Similarly, those who eagerly pick up an "Idiot's Guide..." book might not have any feeling of personal insult. Aaron hopes that the term Old Fart won't also scare away those who are not in advancing years.

Despite the title's implication that this book be used only by "people of advancing age," there simply are people who just don't get it when it comes to using computers. This is okay, really; some people don't "get" cooking, balancing checkbooks, or gardening (ergo their title as Professional Plant Killers).

However, that doesn't mean that people who don't "get" computers have to avoid computers. For families who've moved far away, communication via e-mail is often a wonderful and easy means for a family to stay connected. The intended focus of this book is on people who grew up before computers became a way of life. As such, the "Old Fart's Guide to the Macintosh" may be able to simplify the history, process, and use of the computer.

Now, I don't know what was Steve Job's reaction to the use of the iMac as a cap (assuming that he's seen it at all), but I wasn't impressed. I also wasn't impressed with the Photoshop job, but that's another story. I don't know how the author expects this image to appeal to older Mac users other than those who found Jerry Lewis as one of the greatest comedians of all time. The cover notwithstanding, please open the darn book.

Rosenzweig starts the book with simple explanations and definitions of what a computer is, what software and hardware are, and what an OS is and the differences between OS 9 and OS X. Then, after an extended advertisement for Macs over PCs, where to buy Macs and non-computer peripherals like desks and chairs, it isn't until page 55 that the subject of turning on the computer even comes up.

Like I said, this book is covering the basics.

Rosenzweig suggests scanning through the book and then reading it from cover to cover. While all the chapters are independent, the fact is that in the simple collected series of operations of starting the computer, opening a program, typing a letter, saving the letter, printing the letter, closing the application, and turning off the computer are collectively a very varied series of procedures and operations. Once one has done them several times, it is quite easy. But for those to whom all this is new, that whole process is not all that easy--even if it is a Mac.

Not necessarily meant as a fault, but more as a warning: this book is intended only for users of new, OS X compatible computers (specifically, v10.2). That is, all screen shots are of OS X and all Macs mentioned are still available. Thus, if you know someone using OS 9 who could use a book to better explain its nuances, this is not the book. [My mother-in-law is using OS 9 and could use a book like this, but she's had enough of a hard time learning OS 9. Moving to the new OS X, despite its tremendous advantages, is just not worth it for her.]

Probably my biggest disappointment with this book is the lack of an Index and no cross-referencing. While the book has an okay Table of Contents, one should never ignore the value of an Index (and hopefully) cross-referencing. For example, in the section discussing the advantages of larger monitors and more pixels, the author does not explain how one can change the monitor's resolution. So, I went to the Index to see how he explained this process only to discover the book had no Index. Then, as I was thumbing through the book I saw the System Preference window for Screen Resolution. The author does explain the process and does a fine job. Curiously, changing monitor resolution was under the Table of Contents' subject of "Turning Your Mac On and Off." (No wonder why I could not find this subject in the ToC.) A cross-reference in either (or both) of these selections would also have helped the reader.

Despite these limitations, Aaron does do a fine job explaining the basics. If you know people who are just starting out with computers, but "just don't get it," suggest this book, or get them this book.

Aside from basic "how to use the computer" information, also included are some basic information on how to do word processing and even spreadsheet operations (both via AppleWorks). While this is not likely to be the last book for many people, for a surprising number, this may be all the 3rd party book some may ever require.

Just for those who might be getting a little cocky with a little knowledge, the author does include a bit of more advanced computer information and introduces the Terminal and Console application and where to go for further information on UNIX.

Considering that Apple provides essentially no information on how to use their computers, the rank beginner is likely to depend upon one or more 3rd party book. If such a 3rd party book is too sophisticated and/or complex, it may turn the new computer user into a computer hater. This would be a lose-lose situation that this book can hopefully help prevent.

The cover has a small collection of words claiming "Old Fart's Guide™ Series." Although this is still the only one in this series, I'm curious to see if there will be more. I'm also curious to see if this may one day challenge that other series of explaining books (Idiots ...). We'll see. Meanwhile, while this is not the perfect book (show me the Index?), it's certainly a good book for those who need this level of hand holding.

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