Labs

Living up to its name, this For Dummies title offers descriptions of the most basic terms - such as point, click and double-click - that only a total novice will find useful. On that level, it even provides a detailed walk-through of the system's Save dialog box.

In the page margin are markers to draw attention to tips and Leopard features. There are groan-inducing puns too, though talk in the third person is more off-putting. Nonetheless the language is suitably chatty to attract reticent technophobes who need easing into the subject matter.

In spite of this, the book admirably teaches a useful range of keyboard short cuts and provides a tear-out sheet of common ones. And when it comes to backups, coverage isn't simplified and biased towards Time Machine. Alternative applications and regimes are there as well.

Patience with the writing style is rewarded with a good introduction to the Mac. But those wanting to cut to the chase should seek a straight-laced option.