Rating: 

It would be impossible to do a review of this book, and cover everything. There is simply far too much to comprehend, let alone try and figure out. Its more a book that you will have at your side as you explore Leopard, and Pogues clear, and sometimes humorous, explanations will go a long way in helping you understand, and make use of the many, many new features.

Now I have to say at the start that a few of the new features are glossy window dressing, and may not be of great practical use, for example, Stacks; but on the other hand, of great value is Time Machine, the automated back up program.

There are numerous other Leopard features you will love, like Quick Look - a fast and easy way of having a quick look at just about document, without actually opening the program. Its a time saver.

Spaces is also good for a person who typically has a number of apps open at one time, and makes it super easy to flit from one to the other, like your web browser, and email. Parental controls are also great, enabling you to keep track of what your kids are looking at, and who they are writing to.

Numerous other improvements have been added, from a more expansive iCal, improved mail, and a lot of new stuff on iChat - which you will find quite superior to Skype. And its free, of course, even to showing you how to get a .Mac name without paying a bunch, and thus avoiding opening an account with AOL, another alternative. Its hard to see how phone companies can make any money with programs like IChat being readily available..

There are payoffs of course - you can not use any OS9 software any more, and if there is something you obviously must keep, lets say Print Artist, then you may opt to keep your old Mac handy.

Otherwise buy Leopard, get this book, (which should have been in the carton)and enjoy the finest operating system money can buy.

Review by Ellis Brayham