Book tip: “macOS Catalina – seeing and knowing” by Philip Kiefer

macOS Catalina Manual - Seeing and Ability

A few days ago I got the fresh off the press macOS Catalina manual from Markt + Technik Verlag reached. In the "Picture by Picture" series, in which this book was also published, the publisher publishes further instructions for operating systems or Office programs, which all have one thing in common: They guide the reader through the various functions of the programs or systems using detailed screenshots and instructions.

In this article I'll take a look at the manual and show you the advantages and disadvantages of this work.

The book "macOS Catalina - Seeing and Ability" introduces the reader to the Mac with many screenshots (Photos: Sir Apfelot).
The book "macOS Catalina - seeing and knowing" introduces the reader to the Mac with many screenshots (photos: Sir Apfelot).

Transparency notice

At this point, the usual note: The publisher gave me the book for a review free of charge. A big thank you for that.

Even though I am pleased that I received a free review copy, I can assure you that the publisher has not influenced my evaluation of the book. I am honest about my opinion on the book and hope that this helps you in your purchase decision.

The technical data of the book

  • Title: macOS Catalina - Seeing and Ability
  • Author: Philip Kiefer
  • Published by Markt + Technik Verlag GmbH
  • ISBN: 978-3-95982-192-6
  • Printing: completely 4-colored, paperback
  • Scope: 336 pages
  • Price: 16,95 EUR https://amzn.to/2CX36yF

Picture by picture - a good concept for beginners

The concept of picture-by-picture instructions is a good idea, especially for Mac beginners, so that they can be taken by the hand and explained basic functions without a lot of technical gibberish. In the beginning, many Mac users find it difficult to use terms such as dock, menu set, menu bar, application folder or system settings.

Thanks to the detailed screenshots and the mouse symbol, which even shows which mouse button you have to click where, you can quickly reach your goal, even if you are a greenhorn.

Easy-to-follow instructions that even show which mouse button to press will help even the bloodiest of beginners to use the Mac.
Easy-to-follow instructions that even show which mouse button to press will help even the bloodiest of beginners to use the Mac.

Knowledge and tips condensed at the bottom

Another nice thing are the little text boxes that you can find at the bottom of the colored border of the pages. There is a bit of “Knowledge”, a “Tip” and a “Hint” in it – all related to the current topic of the chapter. This way you can learn a few more things about Macs and macOS Catalina with minimal reading effort.

On all pages of the book there is a bar at the bottom where you can find knowledge, tips and information on the respective topic.
On all pages of the book there is a bar at the bottom where you can find knowledge, tips and information on the respective topic.

Colored divisions on overarching topics

The colored bars on the underside can also be seen very well from the outside. This way you can quickly find your way around while leafing through the pages.

The main topics are divided into the following areas:

  • Set up your Mac perfectly
  • Set up your Mac's user interface
  • Set up WiFi and iCloud
  • Manage files and locations with your finger
  • Install apps and devices
  • Surf the web with Safari
  • E-mails, messages and phone calls on the Mac
  • Manage and edit photos
  • Play music, movies, and other media
  • Even more useful apps
  • Secure your Mac and solve problems
  • Moving from Windows, using useful keyboard shortcuts
The table of contents includes many topics, whereby the colored marking makes it easy to keep an overview.
The table of contents includes many topics, whereby the colored marking makes it easy to keep track of things.

Lots of good topics for Mac novice users

I have to say that I find the subject selection of the book very good. It was certainly a challenge for the author to cope with almost 336 pages and still put together an appealing selection of topics. From my point of view, it has succeeded. You will find many tips on the basic setup of the Mac, but also functions such as screen time, Time Machine or the firewall explained in the book.

What I also find very positive: There is also a chapter for those switching from Windows PCs to the Mac. From feedback from my readers, I know that this group is not small, but the question always arises as to how you can transfer your data from PC to Mac. The setup of a Virtual Box in case you want to use Windows programs on a Mac is also shown on one page.

For beginners who want a little more, there is an extensive collection of keyboard shortcuts that can be used in many places.
For beginners who want a little more, there is an extensive collection of keyboard shortcuts that can be used in many places.

The “Useful Keyboard Shortcuts” chapter is the icing on the cake for all readers who would like to work more effectively with their Mac. All sorts of helpful keyboard shortcuts can be found here on more than seven pages, from general operation to shortcuts in certain apps to those that can be used when restarting the Mac.

Target group: beginners and Mac newbies

The publisher has named beginners and advanced users of the book's information as a target group, but I would say that the book is more for computer newbies. Anyone who has ever had a Mac or a Windows PC will be able to cope with space-saving text explanations and can certainly do without many of the screenshots.

But if you are a visually-focused person and can absorb information better in this way, you should take a look at the book.

Content limited by screenshots

I don't have any real criticism of the book, but I would like to point out one thing that can also be explained from pure logic: The book works a lot with screenshots that take up a lot of space. For this reason, one cannot expect it to have the depth of content of a Catalina book that works with fewer graphics and more text.

There is no entry on APFS in the book's index. I don't think that's a problem for beginners.
There is no entry on APFS in the book's index. I don't think that's a problem for beginners.

Due to this "restriction" there is no background information on many topics in the book. You don't read anything about that, for example APFS file format via the HEIC image format used by Apple or the use of single-user mode for Mac problems.

Beginners may not need to know anything about these things in order to work with their Mac. For that reason, being limited to the essentials isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, if you like to go deeper or are already an advanced Mac user, you may be less happy with the book.

Conclusion: A great entry-level work for Mac newbies

The picture-by-picture instructions in the book are so vivid and clear that even a novice computer user could set up and use the Mac.

The topics addressed are diverse and cover everything that a beginner would like to know. The only thing missing a bit is an emergency chapter on how to get your Mac going again when it doesn't like anymore. But that's what Sir Apfelot is for. ;-)

The screenshot-based imparting of knowledge uses a lot of space but is very helpful for newbies.
The screenshot-based imparting of knowledge uses a lot of space but is very helpful for newbies.

No, seriously: Philip Kiefer's macOS Catalina manual is definitely something if you want to be taken by the hand a little while exploring your new Mac. The quick start guide, so to speak, which also covers many later questions about macOS Catalina, Finder or the apps.

The clear structure and the appealing page structure with the areas for knowledge, tips and hints is very good for conveying knowledge without turning the book into a wasteland of text. It is fun to leaf through and the screenshots should make it clear to every user where and when to click.

The little tips in the corners help to convey additional knowledge.
The little tips in the corners help to convey additional knowledge.

At just under 17 euros, the book is also very affordable and also a good gift idea for friends who are just beginning their Mac careers. So Sir Apfelot gave the go-ahead for this macOS Catalina guide.

You can find the book here via this link on Amazon or you can access the details of the book via this product box:

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The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de

2 comments on “Book tip: “macOS Catalina – seeing and knowing” by Philip Kiefer”

  1. Irene Keidel-Aparcev

    I once looked at the pages of the Mac book that you introduced.
    I've been with it for some time now. But as a beginner - and I still remember my beginnings very well - I don't want to be alone with this book.

    To get a fair judgment, you would have to put a beginner in front of this book and see how he fares.
    You're an old hand who can hardly understand beginners.

    1. Hello Mrs. Keidel-Aparcev! I know the book would be too superficial for me, but I can imagine that it is helpful at the beginning if you see a few things as a picture and not just described in the text. That is certainly a good compromise of the two Premium video book by Anton Ochsenkühn. It has a lot of text content and this is supplemented by screencasts that can be called up via QR codes in the book.

      Regarding the fact that I can't put beginners in the shoes: I've been around for a long time, of course, but through acquaintances and the website I keep in touch with Mac newbies and notice what their questions and problems are when they get started. So I know a little how they are doing.

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