Finally, a book that really makes Macs plain and clear. These have existed in the past (the old book by Robin Williams’ The Mac Is Not A Typewriter springs to mind) but it’s been a while since one has been so plain and so clear and so aimed at news users and switchers from the PC world.

Wallace proves he’s a multi-talented individual with this book – his previous tome Steal This Computer Book is a particular favourite of mine, but it couldn’t be much more different to this.

Turn over the orange-coloured My New Mac and you’ll see ‘Need a helping hand?’ in prominent letters – and this is exactly what this book sets out to be, with clear and informative chapters in the categories Basic Training, Making Life Easier with Shortcuts, Putting Your Macintosh to Work, Touching the World Through the Internet, and Maintaining your Macintosh.

To give you an idea of the projects, #1 is called Turning a Macintosh On and Off Manually and Automatically, and others include Tagging and Sorting Digital Photos in iPhoto, Remembering Your Favourite Websites and Installing, Updating and Uninstalling Software.

Each chapter starts off with a list of what you’ll be using, – ie, “The iPhoto program”,

Even on page 11 in Project 1 – hold down the Control key then press the Eject key (usually at top right of your keyboard with a triangle-over-line icon) and your get the restart/shutdown dialogue (pictured above). That’s great – but how come I never knew that? Weird.

Perhaps being a comedian is responsible for the origami Mac pattern in the back of the book, too. I count this as a kooky but nice extra – even without buying the book No Starch Press lets you download instructions to build your own origami Mac.

And to get an idea of this book’s contents, why don’t you download Project 29: Turning your Macintosh into an Electronic Picture Frame?

Conclusion an excellent book I’d recommend to anyone wanting to make real progress with a new Mac. 

What’s great  clearly-written projects that will instantly net you more from your Mac. 

What’s not no colour inside, although that hardly matters with a book like this. 

Needs  a little willpower to work through the projects – which is very worthwhile.

Looks 9/10

Usability 9/10

Value for money 9/10

> My New Mac: 52 Simple Projects to Get You Started, by Wallace Wang, published by No Starch Press

NZ RRP $69.99 plus postage

* Prices in NZ dollars at time of review

Description a hands-on how-to project-based book that turns newbies into Mac mavens

System one or more eyes, prescription lenses as required

Contact No Starch Press. A closer link for online ordering (cheaper freight) is Woodslane Pty Ltd in Australia.