Chambers - MacBook For Dummies

Mark L. Chambers has been a technology author, computer consultant, BBS sysop, programmer, and hardware technician for a whopping 30 years, pushing computers far beyond normal performance limits for decades. His first love affair with a computer peripheral blossomed in 1984 when he bought a lightning-fast 300 bps modem for his Atari 400. Now he spends entirely too much time on the Internet and drinks far too much caffeine-laden soda.

With a degree in journalism and creative writing from Louisiana State University, Mark took the logical career path: programming computers. However, after five years as a COBOL programmer for a hospital system, he decided there must be a better way to earn a living. So he became the documentation manager for Datastorm Technologies, a well-known communications software developer. Somewhere in between writing software manuals, Mark began writing computer how-to books. His first book, Running a Perfect BBS, was published in 1994. After a short 20 years or so of fun (disguised as hard work), Mark is a productive and best-selling technology author (and very happy to boot)!

His pastimes include collecting gargoyles, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, playing his three pinball machines, playing both classic and cutting-edge computer games, supercharging computers, and rendering 3D flights of fancy. During these activities, he listens to just about every type of music imaginable. Marks Internet radio station, MLC Radio (at www.mlcbooks.com ), plays CD-quality classics from the 1970s, including everything from Rush to Billy Joel to songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Marks rapidly expanding pantheon of books includes iMac For Dummies, 8th Edition; MacBook All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition; Mac OS X Mavericks All-in-One For Dummies; Macs for Seniors For Dummies, 2nd Edition; Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies; Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition; Scanners For Dummies, 2nd Edition; CD & DVD Recording For Dummies, 2nd Edition; PCs All-in-One For Dummies, 6th Edition; Mac OS X Tiger: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks; Microsoft Office v. X for Mac Power Users Guide; BURN IT! Creating Your Own Great DVDs and CDs; The Hewlett-Packard Official Printer Handbook; The Hewlett-Packard Official Recordable CD Handbook; The Hewlett-Packard Official Digital Photography Handbook; Computer Gamers Bible; Recordable CD Bible; Teach Yourself VISUALLY iMac; Running a Perfect BBS; Official Netscape Guide to Web Animation; and Windows 98 Optimizing & Troubleshooting Little Black Book.

His books have been translated into 15 languages; his favorites are German, Polish, Dutch, and French. Although he cant read them, he enjoys looking at the pictures.

Mark welcomes all comments about his books. You can reach him at mark@mlcbooks.com , or visit MLC Books Online, his website, at www.mlcbooks.com .

This book is dedicated to the memory of Dennis R. Cohen. He was not only the finest Apple technical editor Ive ever known, and a fellow author, but also an exceptional friend for well over a decade. I will never forget his humor, his enthusiasm for the world of computers, and his love for his family.

It hit me in the middle of this project while writing a book about Apples well-designed Macintosh laptops and software that I had the best designed people in the technology publishing business working alongside me! These folks made sure that what you read is accurate, funny, and easy to understand.

Coincidence? I think not. Thats the Wiley Way.

First, Id like to thank my technical editor, Ryan Williams, whose expert knowledge of Apple hardware and software ensured that I didnt get Thunderbolt mixed up with FireWire 800.

Also, I need to send my heartfelt thanks to two wonderful editors at Wiley: my superb senior project editor, Kim Darosett, and my long-standing acquisitions editor, Kyle Looper. A book like this wouldnt be possible without the patience, guidance, and hard work that Kim and Kyle provide and theyre great friends as well. Its win-win!

Finally, as with every book Ive written, Id like to thank my wife, Anne, and my children, Erin, Chelsea, and Rose, for their support and love and for letting me follow my dream!