Adam Engst and David Pogue are longstanding and prolific writers in the Mac community. Both have also made the transition to working with Windows as well.

Their book is a good reference work for any dual-platform user. It literally is organized like a Spanish-to-English/English-to-Spanish dictionary:

One half of the book gives Windows equivalents to various MacOS features such as Preferences, Extensions and Control Panels. The other half does the converse, explaining the Mac equivalents to Windows features. Differences in each case are spelled out. In some cases, there is no real equivalent and the particulars are explained (for instance, there is no Mac equivalent for the mysterious Windows "Registry" -- similar functions are handled very differently by "Preferences" on a Mac.)

This book has no real beginning or end and is mainly a reference book. Mac users wanting more of a start-at-the-beginning explanation of Windows should check out "Windows for Mac Users" by Robin Williams -- one of the most well-written computer books on the market.

A long-time Mac and Unix user, I recently started a new job where I have to use a Windows system. I wish this book had been published a couple months earlier, as it would have saved me much time trying to figure out how to do things in Windows that are automatic for me on the Mac. Even still, it has provided valuable explanations for differences I'd encountered, and has helped me out a number of times in the last few weeks. The book is objectively written, complete, and serves as a useful guide to both systems. (I've even found myself browsing the "Mac for Windows users" section several times.) I only wish that the book contained a detailed index; the A-Z approach is fine but a little constraining for a reference manual. But overall an excellent book that sits right on my computer at work.

As a translator, and Mac user, I was delighted to see that Adam Engst and David Pogue, who are, in a way, the Strunk and White of Macintosh journalism, released this original book. As a translator first, it is an essential reference book for terms on both platforms. But as a Mac user, confronted with Windows often (I do own a PC as well) this answers all my questions about how best to understand the different philosophies of the two operating systems.

Well written, clear and efficient, this book is really excellent. If you work with both platforms, don't hesitate to get it. The only drawback I found was the lack of an index. In spite of that, I couldn't recommend it more.

I heard about Will Durant, and his Story of Civilisation, from general meandering through the reviews on Amazon. It is to the shame of the UK, where I live, that he is virtually unknown here and his works unobtainable.

I bought this book via one of the used book suppliers on Amazon and the mystery of Durants' obscurity in England has only deepened. Here clearly is one of the major historical writers of the last century, possessing a skill of verbiage and phrase the equal of Churchills.

The Life of Greece is well named. You trul;y are lead by the hand into that long ago civilisation. You are shown its cities, its institutions, its armies, its arts, its gods, its hopes, its fears, all to a background cacophony of slaves chisels clinking in the silver mines at Laurinium, or the howls of outrage from the crowds in the theatre over Euripides' savage potrayal of the Gods' caprice and cruelty. You really feel that you begin to understand the ancients, and to a degree see through their eyes.

The book is very much for the general reader with a thirst for knowledge. One immediately feels upon finishing the book that further readings will be required, and enjoyed, because the is such a depth of detail in the book that it would be impossible to absorb more than a fraction of what is there.

A further reading will have to wait however. My copy of Caesar and Christ has just arrived - and I'm off to ancient Rome for a while.

This is one of those "important" books that I had been intending to read for more years than I want to admit. I truly regret not picking this up sooner (or any of the Durant's other works) as it reads almost like a novel, though it is also very scholarly as can be seen from the copious notes and bibliographic sources contained therein. Durant's observations about the personalities and their actions are often touching and sympathetic, but he doesn't shy away from stern criticism of the social weaknesses and short-sighted treacheries that finally destroyed the Greeks. As a society, these people had faults that were all too human, yet they had a creativity and vitality that Durant is able to bring to life with a startling immediacy. He manages to peel away the interveaning millenia between then and now and reveal the Greeks not as "ancients", but as our virtual contemporaries. Read this book and understand why Greece is the fountainhead of the West.

Will Durant is a prolific writer and historian. This book is a must for students or anyone studying Hellenic history. Durant's books will stand the test of time - his uniquely orthodox perspective and the keen insights offered in his books are a welcomed break from the revisionist history of today.

For students of political science and history, studying ancient Greece offers insightful lessons of history in relation to politics and government. Greek history is full of political turmoil and change. The Greco-Roman contribution that shaped the ideas of the founding fathers of the American Republic were in part based on the lessons of Greek history. History, Greek history especially, offers keen insight on why the American founders were weary of unchecked democracy and the absence of a rule of law.

Ah, a book displaying the fears and conspiracy theories of the eighties (a bad time period indeed). Oh, sure, there are still 'interesting' people out there right now, but i recommend reading this book as solely the relic of a bygone era. According to some accounts in the books, we should already have mechanical replacments for every organ, and have our hands serve as credit cards. Oh, and the apocalypse is already supposed to have happened. Perhaps the only use for this book is to read it for the shock value, for it still supplies plenty of that. The oft-lauded tale of the necrophiliac is actually quite tame compared to the interveiw with Peter Soto- a misogynist, sado-masochist who admires someone who tortured a girl to death after raping her in every way possible (and then the book goes on to say free speech as we know it is going down the drain, presumably because of this man's arrest. Ideals in the wrong places guys?)
However, not all of the articles are solely for shock value. 'Agriculture: demon instrument of civilization' has fascinating things to say about 'progress,' Surprisingly other articles are down-right boring (as if we didn't already know about revenge in secret societies!), but this doesn't mean that the book as a whole doesn't have the effect on the reader it's supposed to have. I made the mistake of reading some over midnight, and sub sequentially lost a night of sleep!
This book could be read by those with weak stomachs, but i don't recommend it for those who still have faith in human beings. It is not the 'truths' presented in it (weather control? really.) but the people who write those truths that are so upsetting.

Reality is mediated, and most people don't have the time or interest in exploring different realities -- but for those of us who know that reality is a strange and wonderful place, AC is alot of fun. This book opens up the world for the reader and explores regions of mankind which are ignored by the national media. Get this book and read it, and never again be satisfied with the commodified, safe version of humankind delivered by traditional sources. Conspiracy, freaks, the end of civilization; Take a look.

_Apocalyspe Culture_ edited by Adam Palfrey (second edition) is a hard book to classify; perhaps the closest one could get is to describe it as a compilation of alternative writings on the sorry state of current society.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part points to the evidence of our society's moral decay, with essays ranging from one that encourages self-castration, to an interview with an admitted necrophiliac, to the Muslim program as outlined by Elijah Muhammed. The second part of the book purports to show the sociopolitcal results of the decay of our culture, and includes an essay by the founder of the Church of Satan, much about the supposedly secret role that the Freemasons play in the political arena, and the connection between the atomic bomb and mysticism.

This book isn't for everyone, particularly not the faint of heart because of some of the photos included. However, I found it interesting, if disturbing, reading. Highly recommended for people who think the world's going to hell in a handbasket, or just like to read material about the outer fringes of society.

I picked up this book, because it seemed intersting, before heading out the airport for my flight home to Australia. What a mistake. I was up for hours reading about the shape of the world to come. What an amazing amount of research, though written in an easy-to-read, lighthearted style -- and some well-placed humour -- yet with deep intelligence and insight on every page. I am always drawn to books about the future, but most of them disappoint -- filled, as they are, with warmed-over nonsense and silly predictions. This one is both rooted in reality and in tomrroow at the same time, a fine balancing act brilliantly puilled off by the authors.

I really did enjoy this and decided not to sell this book, it's a definite keeper. There is considerable more here than future jargon, substantial details are included of our immediate future workings based on superior foresight of current conditions. Yes, read this book, it will give you added delivery in your chat when the time comes.
If you are truly interested in future workings with this well balanced humor and realism read a phenom, Karl Mark Maddox's SB 1 or God.

Did Faith Popcorn have a brain transplant? Her earlier books were frothy and insubstantial, lacking substance and simply restating the obvious with a superficial twist. So when I received the Dictionary of the Future as a Christmas gift, I groaned. But what a surprise when I began to leaf through it. Page after page of insight, fascinating peeks into the future, and intellectual fun. I cannnot recommend this book highly enough -- I can't think of anyone who wouldn't find rich value and stimulating thought here. I don't know who this new co-writer is, but she should stick with him in the "future."

This book is a "must read" for anyone who is serious about understanding the history of economics and taxation, regardless of point of view. If you are a libertarian you will enjoy it - and learn a lot. If you are a tax and spend liberal, you will probably just learn a lot.

Many of the reviews posted are so obviously biased for and against taxes or big governement as to make their review worthless.

The book has 38 chapters, nearly every one discusses taxation in a different society starting in ancient Egypt and disucsses taxation by the Greeks, Roman, Russians, French, English, and finally Americans among others. The point is not that taxation is bad, but that corrupt systems of taxation are bad and that taxation above a certain level is bound to fail since people will find ways to avoid it. This is not made up history, there are 23 pages of endnotes and a twelve page bibliography.

There are a number of illustrations, as well as, well written stories from the Rosetta Stone (it was actually a grant of tax immunity); to how Muslims taxed infidels more in order to get them to convert; to Lady Godiva (she made her ride get the King, her husband, to remit the heavy taxes he imposed on the Coventry);, to taxation as one cause of the Civil War that few are aware of (there are 16 endnotes on this chapter alone, many from articles written during the Civil War).

This is a facinating book that should be required reading for every member of Congress.

Every single person who has ever paid taxes should read this book. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Although this book was written in a dialogue or conversational form, the storyline was very strong, well developed and complete. I loved the open ended situations and the "cliff-hanger" ending.

This plot also demonstrated a side of gay the lifestyle, which is seldomly demonstrated in the media. Kudos to Ricc for delivering a book which is clever, intriguing and overwhelmingly entertaining. Can't wait to "Breathe Again".

This is truly a landmark book. This book contains everything a reader could wish. There is romance, humor, hardship, family, and spirituality. This book is one of hope for African American gay males. It is very reassuring and positive to read about an African American gay male who is not a BBoy(not that this is a bad thing), but not everyone is a BBoy. Like Breathing seems so real to me. It offers hope for familial relationships by viewing the relationship between Zander and his mother.

Thanks to Ricc Rollins for providing us with this awesome reading material. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

I am trully thankful for Ricc Rollins step up to the scene of Black Gay Literature. Like Breathing was wonderul. I laughed, cried, yelled, and just was. I can't wait until the next novel : Breath Again is released so i can breath again. Like Breathing was so real and needed. Move over E. Lynn, Ricc is here. Thank you

This is an excellent book on the subject; it is comprehensive and very well-written. The authors explain not only how things work, but in many cases they include historical background to explain why things work as they do.

The book is clearly targeted at professional system administrators. There is little discussion of the GUI-based administration tools that come with most Linux distributions, nor are there enough examples to simply use the book as a cookbook.

The book is primarily concerned with server rather than client administration; it won't tell you how to get your sound card to work or configure your desktop environment.

For the amateur trying to configure a home Linux system, this may be the wrong book, but for a professional systems administrator, or a developer curious about the mysteries of system administration, this book is a five-star must-have.

I have owned several editions of Nemeth's 'UNIX System Administration Handbook' (USAH) and I have always been highly impressed by the quality of writing and instruction. In that book, Nemeth et al brilliantly (and humorously) packed material into 853 pages where other lesser authors (J. Winsor comes to mind) have needed several (dry) volumes. Most Unix System Administration books merely regurgitate or re-word 'man' pages and are entirely useless.
So, being as familiar as I am with their past performances, I did not hesitate to buy this their latest work from Amazon. Understand that there are a lot of similarities between Unix and Linux and as such, this book doesn't really differ that much from USAH. There is still the same highly informative prose, the same humorous approach to instructing via the written word. I think this is an attempt by the authors to capitalize on the popularity of the Linux Operating System and in any other author, this would be gauche. Not so with Nemeth and her team of writers. Here, they have again done an extra-ordinary job of instructing both experienced and novice sysadmins in the fine art and science of being that most noble of professions: a Unix/Linux System Administrator.
Good job!

Hands down, the best book I've read on Linux System Administration. Nemeth et al. explain everything you need to understand Linux from the ground up. They don't just tell you things, they explain WHY it is that way and things relating to it. They give a great list of references at the end of each chapter and sometimes RFCs relating to it. Though not for the absolute beginniner, anyone with semi-rudamentary knowledge of Linux (if you know what kernel modules, bash, and init are) you will keep this handy reference and bedtime read by your side at all times.

One thing that is not included is the X Windowing System. Tough unnessecary for a server configuration, that is one aspect of Linux I would love to have explained with the clarity and voice of this book. Aside from that, this book is great!

I think Vincent Lardo has done a wonderful job in taking over the Archy McNally series where Lawrence Sanders left off and I really enjoyed this latest book in the series. On the positive side, I was happy to see the wonderful descriptions of Ursi's marvelous cooking as well as Archy's eclectic wardrobe. On the negative side, I would have liked to have seen more dialogue with Lolly Spindrift and I was annoyed at how much he "dumbed down" Al Rogoff. Any true Archy McNally fans will be very disappointed at how stupid Al is portrayed in this latest novel and as anyone knows, Archy would never associate with someone that "low rent".

Renowned collector Deci Fortesque hires Palm Beach private sleuth Archy McNally to find an alleged original complete text of Truman Capote's Answered Prayers. Archy quickly learns that Claudia Lester asserts that she possessed the manuscript, but her former lover Matthew Harrigan stole it from her. Matthew insists he took nothing and that Claudia is just a former lover causing him trouble.

Antiques dealer Rodney Whitehead informs the sleuth that neither Claudia nor Matthew is credible not that Rodney is any better. The search turns nasty when the supposed owner of the Capote manuscript is found dead in the sleazy Crescent Hotel not long after Archy visited the place. Police Lieutenant Georgia O'Hara knows Archy is holding out on her, but he refuses to reveal anything that might interfere with completing his client's assignment as the fee is too good.

When Lawrence Sanders died a few years ago and Vincent Lardo took over the McNally franchise, this reviewer howled about another series of lite books. Several novels later, this reviewer still howls that Mr. Sanders would have been proud to claim the Lardo books as his own. The latest MCNALLY'S ALIBI is a strong novel containing an intriguing investigative story line and three women making Archy's life miserable in different ways. Fans of Mr. Sanders, McNally, or a strong private investigative novel will want to read Mr. Lardo's latest take and like this reviewer demand early release of another Arch book ASAP.

Harriet Klausner

When confidential investigator Archie McNally is hired to deliver a blackmail payment, he figures it is money in the bank. But Archie hadn't been counting on ...

Fans of Archie McNally will be overjoyed to see him back in action. His off-again-on-again relationship with the beautiful Connie is more off than on in this novel and Archie continues to battle with the question of his single status. That Archie got a little bit back from his co-workers and friends kept McNally's Alibi from being as smug or superior as some other novels in this series.

Author Vincent Lardo delivers a fast-paced and enjoyable read. Archie's observations on the personalities of Palm Beach, Florida, the foibles of the rich, and Archie's own reasoning to wear another pink shirt add to the depth of the novel.

My girlfriend loved Housekeeping (I never read it or even heard of it until recently) so I bought this to please her and because it looked interesting. I finished it two days ago, blown away, still reeling from the powerful intellect and moral arguments and passion Robinson brings to all her essays. She is at once fresh, direct, brilliant, dismissive of commonly accepted notions (and a helluva lot of other things), persuasive, thorough in her reasoning, a painter of dark times, and a light that shines through the dangerous triviality that pervades our global culture. I can't say enough about this book and, quite frankly, it's changing me even as I write this, as I know I need to react to it in an immediate way, but am as yet unsure how to do so. It's a highly "christian" book in many ways, at times heavily so, not in a doctrineaire way, but as the history of this country, the history of John Calvin (Jean Cauvin), the history of abolitionists and the opposition church of Nazi Germany, as moral/philosophical ethic. Her critique of "Darwinism" (and Nietzche and Freud) is both fascinating and chilling, and incredibly brilliant. (Her discussion of the Scopes trial is worth the price of the book alone.) Her dismissive put-downs of contemporary scholarship is witty, poignant and devastating, and when she gets too high on her high horse, she cuts herself down with a similarly poignant, self-depracating, remark. She often paints a bleak picture of today's world as it heads inevitably towards calamity and horrific climax, but the truth of her thought and writing creates just enough optimism so you don't end up feeling complete despair. I did find myself wishing she had written an essay or two of ideas on how to head out of our both individual and collective mess, if only because she comes across as so thoughtful, intelligent and possessive of grace that I would appreciate listening to them. I think, ultimately, any ideas about genuine alternative possibilities to the "global economic" cultural road we head down each and every day are tied up with her example - her approach to history, the directness, forcefulness and moral passion of her writing, and her belief in a moral ethic, Judeo-Christian or otherwise. An incredible book. Anyone who is remotely a serious thinker and wants some fresh ideas, buy this one. You may not be interested in all her topics, but you'll be in the grip of a terrific thinker, scholar and writer, and you will have discovered a real gem. I will reread this book and its various essays numerous times as I try to find a moral compass to guide myself in this world, and to give myself strength in facing our mass culture inanity as it spirals towards Lord knows where.

If you've been wondering what Sylvie has been up to these many years, wonder no more. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book--a humbling lesson in how much care is needed in using a language.

I found the book remarkable, and I am not now religiously observant in the least. Wonderful, clear prose. Sensible. Modulated. A word of caution:
Do NOT lend this book to anyone. You will never get it back.

I've been playing White Wolf games for a few years. I gotta say I love the game, and I've been waiting for this book since I heard it was coming out, and in fact pre-ordered it through my local bookstore so I got it the day after release. I was a little dissapointed that the book left out a system for dealing with other World of Darkness creatures such as Vampires, Werewolves, Magi, etc, like the other rule books contain, so that they could put in the long (and sometimes redundant) history of the fallen and rules on the faith and torment system (which the first time through I had trouble understanding, probably cause I hadn't slept in a day because I was so interested in getting into the game). Overall, it's a great game, but I'm hoping the Storyteller's Companion, dated to be released December 9th, contains some of the info that this book lacked.

White-Wolf has churned out another good crock of butter. Demon is a superb game, and tottally seems to be fitting the White-Wolf concept of the final days, but also manages to portray the typical duality that it's games seem to hold. On the one hand, not all demons are crazed and want to be evil, most of them fight against it. On another hand demons also fight between holding onto hope or becoming completely fatalist. This part of the plot is fine, the game is fine enough, although it restricts things more to Judeo-Christian philosophy a bit more then usual (it doesn't do it exactly).

My only true gripe is that White-Wolf has done this for expansion and money. It's become almost a white-wolf trend to increase the amount of supernaturals running around solely because they need new projects. You can only write about but so many cities that Vampires live in.

Demon: The Fallen is in my opinion the best game that White Wolf has made since Mage: The Ascension. White Wolf obviously put their best writers on this and it definitely shows. The system that was designed for showing off the players supernatural prowess is great! Sure it isn't as versatile as a Mage's sphere magic or as overtly powerful as a Vampire's disciplines but it can sure kick some serious tale if used correctly. The beauty of the system of the book as that characters can be made SO distinct. They can be fighters, manipulators, redeemers, assassins, etc. As to their power-level relative to the other denizens of the WoD... lets just say that a well-made Angel of Death (slayer) could probably send any elder vampire into the afterlife. That said... if you are a die-hard roleplayer pick up this book.