Take Control of Apple Mail in Tiger
Product Review
Publisher: TidBITS Electronic Publishing
Price: $10
Pros: Mr. Kissell explains activities many PC users label as problems in the Mac system.
Cons: It seems to be for those familiar with previous Mail programs and Mac experience.
Product Rating
Impressive
by Jack A. Fiske, AAUG Member
The book, Take Control of Apple Mail in Tiger, is the coordination of both a reference and a ‘how-to’ book. It is one of a number of informative books showing focused and practical electronic technology, written by Joe Kissell. Several of those envelop computer usage with Interesting tips and activities.
Coming from a PC background, I have read other books explaining usage of several Microsoft programs, such as Word. Listed in reviewed book using pain, but not boring language, are explanations in usable language giving tips, gripes and notes, many in shaded, bordered boxes providing hints and solutions to problems to watch out for. Ways to modify and improve fonts and graphics on incoming mail is shown for better readability in saving communication as in address book etc. Tiger shows Modifications from previously used mail programs to deal with bugs. I find it very well organized using buttons, graphs and photo presentations to search for desired information. Helpful hints are found in shaded boxes giving facilitation on most pages. Many help points, both in handling previous recipients and cleaning up their list. Numerous pitfalls are noted to avoid.
A quantity of some twenty pages is given to aid in composing and sending messages. Perhaps seldom addressed, how to set up and utilize parental control methods is spoken to. These include both permission and alarm. High-quality graphs are shown to illustrate. Some humor is used to give a less encyclopedic appearance to suggestions.
Figures display easily read and understood graphic illustrations. The well-done glossary is handy to help with those of us not familiar with all “Mac” nomenclature. Using helpful graphics assistance in personalizing messages with custom signatures. After composing, formatting, addressing and signing message, one may size pictures and other illustrations to personalize a message. Photoshop or Elements may be used for this. Suggestions are made for making and using Smartmailboxes. Creating rules is encouraged with tips given to make them a useful feature.
Be sure to make use of the useful appendix and complete glossary on last pages.