Learning Unix for Mac OS X

by Dave Taylor, Brian Jepson, Grace Todino

Elegant, sleek, powerful, and stable, Mac OS X has delighted many a loyal Mac user, and gone one step further--it's turned them into Unix users, too. Perhaps you're already familiar with Unix, just not on the Mac. Or perhaps you opened your Utilities folder, spotted the Terminal icon and double-clicked on it just to see what it does. Suddenly faced with a command line interface, you probably asked what does it mean, and the more pressing question, why on earth would you ever want to venture into this seemingly user-unfriendly territory?

The new edition of "Learning Unix for Mac OS X" answers these questions and more. This compact book provides a user-friendly tour of your Mac's Unix base. As you explore Terminal and familiarize yourself with the command line, you'll also learn about the hundreds of Unix programs that come with your Mac and begin to understand the power and flexibility of Unix. And if Unix isn't new to you, you'll discover how it translates into this new Mac incarnation. Updated to cover Jaguar (Mac OS X, 10.2), this book will keep you current with the latest features of your Mac.

The book begins with a quick but in-depth introduction to Terminal and the command line interface. After learning about launching and configuring the Terminal application, you'll find out how to manage, create, edit, and transfer files. You'll find all the common commands simply explained with accompanying examples, exercises, and opportunities for experimentation. There are even problem checklists to help you along the way if you get stuck. You'll learn how to: Customize your shell environmentManage files and directoriesSuccessfully print from the Unix command lineEdit and create files with the vi editorPerform remote loginsAccess Internet functionsUnderstand pipes and filtersUse background processingUse Fink, an easy way to install open source Unix software on Mac OS X With Terminal, you'll access areas of your Mac that you just can't get to from the desktop. You may find yourself turning to Terminal for greater efficiency on a particular task or to use one of the thousands of open source programs that are now available to you. Unix continues to thrive as an operating system because of its power, flexibility, and simplicity, and the vast community that supports it. "Learning Unix for Mac OS X," Second Edition can be your key to understanding all of it.

The book has been reviewed by Apple for technological accuracy and brandishes the Apple Development Connection (ADC) logo.

Genres: Reference, Computer Reference

141 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Dave Taylor has been involved in the online world since the ARPANET era and is recognized internationally as an expert in technology and business. He has published more than a thousand articles, launched four Internet startups, written over twenty business and technical books, and holds both an MBA and an MS Ed.

He runs the popular YouTube consumer electronics review channel AskDaveTaylor, writes for the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper, and contributes to various other publications online and in print. Dave teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in marketing, public speaking, film, and media & society at the University of Denver, where he has been recognized as a Leader in Teaching Excellence.

Based in Longmont, Colorado, Dave is an award-winning speaker, frequent conference and workshop presenter, and regular guest on radio and podcast programs. He is also an active member of his community and the father of three avid readers.

You can find Dave online at AskDaveTaylor.com and catch up on his latest film, game, and car reviews at PlanetDave.com