Crossing Platforms a Macintosh/Windows Phrasebook: A Dictionary for Strangers in a Strange Land

Recently I took a job which required me to work in an office that was mostly Windows-driven. Knowing Adam's and David's reputation, I decided that their book was a good choice.After skimming through "Crossing Platforms," I was able to tell the Information Support guy how to do something under Windows that he wasn't aware of. Four days after I was hired! Within two weeks I was completely comfortable using Windows (except for that silly mouse design and other poor UI choices, but that's another matter). Now I have a reputation as a computer genius. I just hope it's reflected in my paycheck."Crossing Platforms" is, as the title of this review hints, as far from a "Dummies" book as you can get. It starts by assuming that you're an intelligent person who simply doesn't have the experience on one of the world's two major computer operating systems.Much of what you want to do on a computer is possible under either Mac OS or Windows-- after all, they were built to manipulate files, send and modify information, etc.-- but there are different terms and some different ways of treating the information. In other words, you know the music, but not the words. "Crossing Platforms" will allow you to make the paradigm shift and use what you've spent years learning. It helps you avoid the pitfalls and gotchas, and is laid out in a manner which makes it easy to reference. In short, twenty-four of the best dollars I've spent recently.

As a translator, and Mac user, I was delighted to see that Adam Engst and David Pogue, who are, in a way, the Strunk and White of Macintosh journalism, released this original book. As a translator first, it is an essential reference book for terms on both platforms. But as a Mac user, confronted with Windows often (I do own a PC as well) this answers all my questions about how best to understand the different philosophies of the two operating systems. Well written, clear and efficient, this book is really excellent. If you work with both platforms, don't hesitate to get it. The only drawback I found was the lack of an index. In spite of that, I couldn't recommend it more.

A long-time Mac and Unix user, I recently started a new job where I have to use a Windows system. I wish this book had been published a couple months earlier, as it would have saved me much time trying to figure out how to do things in Windows that are automatic for me on the Mac. Even still, it has provided valuable explanations for differences I'd encountered, and has helped me out a number of times in the last few weeks. The book is objectively written, complete, and serves as a useful guide to both systems. (I've even found myself browsing the "Mac for Windows users" section several times.) I only wish that the book contained a detailed index; the A-Z approach is fine but a little constraining for a reference manual. But overall an excellent book that sits right on my computer at work.

every new Wintel convert and for those of us who have to work on the "other" side occasionally. This is the second book of this genre that I have purchased for my wife the teacher who now teaches on the Wintel platform. The first, "Windows for Mac Users" is 421 pages of details, details. I would rate it 4 stars. "Crossing Platforms" is 321 pages of dictionary-like listings of phrases "cross" referenced to the other platform e.g. Force Quit (Mac) = End Task (Win); Key Caps = Character Map, etc. If you want a quick reference book to help you with that temporarily borrowed (or newly purchased) "other" platform, this is the one! (If I were providing marketing advice to Sears, CompUSA et al, this would be bundled with every iMac and IBook purchased by a Wintel user.)

I enjoy using a computer and begin with a Mac. I eventually starting using Windows to gain an understanding of that platform. I wish such a text as Crossing Platforms would have been available three years ago. It would have reduced my learning curve time a considerable amount. I currently use both platforms but prefer the Mac. I especially like the cross index approach. This is a text most any computer user should find useful.