About the Author
Mark L. Chambers has been a technology author, computer consultant, BBS sysop, programmer, and hardware technician for over 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 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 25 years or so of fun (disguised as hard work), Mark is a 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. Mark’s Internet radio station, MLC Radio (at www.mlcbooks.com), plays CD-quality classics from the 1970s, including everything from Rush to Billy Joel to favorites from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Mark’s rapidly expanding pantheon of books includes iMac For Dummies, 10th Edition; MacBook All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition; Mac OS X Yosemite All-in-One For Dummies; Macs for Seniors For Dummies, 4th 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 User’s 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 Gamer’s 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 can’t read them, he enjoys looking at the pictures a great deal.
Mark welcomes all comments about his books. You can reach him at MLC Books Online, his website, at www.mlcbooks.com.
Author’s Acknowledgments
It hit me in the middle of this project — while writing a book about Apple’s 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. That’s the Wiley Way.
First, I’d like to thank my technical editor, Ryan Williams, whose expert knowledge of Apple hardware and software ensured that I didn’t get Thunderbolt mixed up with Siri.
Also, I need to send my heartfelt thanks to two wonderful editors at Wiley: my superb project manager and editor, Susan Christophersen, and hard-working acquisitions editor, Kelsey Baird. A book like this wouldn’t be possible without the patience, guidance, and hard work that Susan and Kelsey provide — and they’re great friends as well. It’s win-win!
Finally, as with every book I’ve written, I’d 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!
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the memory of Dennis R. Cohen. He was not only the finest Apple technical editor I’ve 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.
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
Acquisitions Editor: Kelsey Baird
Project Manager and Copy Editor: Susan Christophersen
Technical Editor: Ryan Williams
Proofreader: Debbye Butler
Production Editor: Mohammed Zafar Ali
Cover Image: © Dzmitry Kliapitski/Alamy Stock Photo