Apple Confidential - The Real Story of Apple Computer, Inc.
by Owen W. Linzmayer
http://www.owenink.com
http://www.nostarch.com
ISBN 1-886411-28-X
$17.95 U.S., $27.95 Canada

I'll bet that most of you thought that Steve Jobs alone started Apple Computer. Or that Steve Job and Steve Wozniak together were the only two people involved with the development of Apple Computer. Owen Linzmayer opens his book, Apple Confidential, with the complete story of the 3 people that were involved in the development of Apple Computer-- Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Gerald Wayne.

Mr. Linzmayer's book, from start to finish, is a continual fountain of information on Apple Computer and the people involved. He delves into how the original Apple was taken to numerous companies, like Hewlett-Packard, Atari and Commodore Business Machines in an attempt to sell them the Apple computer concept. No takers. He covers all the little things (and BIG things) that were done right and wrong along the way. He provides the reader with information on how things came to be, who thought of what, who never got the credit that they so justly deserved, or who took the blame when things went wrong. He includes time lines for Apple computers, Apple Operating Systems, the Newton, Windows (yes, Windows!), Mac models and even code names.

If you thought that you knew everything there is to know about Apple, you don't... at least not until you finish reading this book. The book is jam packed with everything you need to know, is easy to read and follows Apple from its humble beginnings in a bedroom (yes, bedroom, not a garage) to the introduction of the iMac. If you want to find out the real story of Apple, take the time to sit down and read Owen Linzmayer's book. A must-have to true Apple enthusiasts book shelves.

MacMice Rating: 5

Eudora for 4.2 Windows & Macintosh,
Visual QuickStart Guide
by Adam Engst
http://www.peachpit.com
ISBN 0-201-35389-X
$16.99 U.S., $25.50 Canada

When I first started using a Mac, and first started using an email program, it was Eudora Lite. I soon "graduated" to eMailer, OutLook Express, QuickMail Pro, to name a few. When Qualcomm recently released Eudora 4.3 (beta) I decided that it was time to go back to my roots and see if things had changed any.

One of the first things that I did do was obtain a copy of Adam Engst's book, Eudora 4.2, so that I would have a better understanding of Eudora and its capabilities. Mr. Engst has come through with this book, providing the reader with a complete walk-thru of Eudora and all the things that have made it such a great email program. He starts with the basics of Eudora, walks you through creating Messages, writing messages and sending/receiving messages. He shows you the ins and outs, the features of Eudora that are sometimes forgotten and the ones that it is well known for.

The book is set up for both Mac and Windows users, is easy to follow, and walks you easily through all aspects of Eudora. When you set up Eudora, you can use this book as a great reference source or a quick-check bible to work you through any problems that you may encounter. If you use Eudora now, or plan to in the future, then get yourself this book. You won't regret it!

UPDATE: Adam Engst has advised me that he has now posted a 7 page update in PDF at http://www.tidbits.com/eudora/ so people can see what's changed from 4.2 to 4.3... Check it out!

MacMice Rating: 4

Russ Walkowich
editor@mymac.com