Mike Clark

I used to be a Mac OS X newbie. A zealot perhaps, but still a newbie. Oh, I was productive with most of the applications after a day or two playing with this machine. I had to unlearn a few things from that "other" operating system, but the transition was quick and painless. But even then I was just your average consumer user. I had taken the Blue Pill.

I've been a Unix hack since 'talk' was the killer instant messaging app. Underneath all these pretty aqua windows I know there's a real operating system that feels like home to me. Better yet, between that OS and its sexy interface is a world teeming with life.

I've seen the lights of Zion: the real world anti-Matrix. I've just finished reviewing James Duncan Davidson's latest book, Running Mac OS X Panther. It's the Red Pill for Mac OS X users. Indeed, this book is an excellent companion to the Missing Manual because it takes you beneath the applications into the Panther underworld where all the interesting stuff happens. From Panther's killer app -- the Terminal -- to how Panther networks with other machines, reading through the book is a journey that's sure to transform you from a mainstream Mac junkie to an enlightened power user.

The book is due to go to press really soon now. You can pre-order it just in time for the holiday season. Take the Red Pill. You'll be glad you did.