Rating: 
Summary: Funny but flawed
Review: I enjoyed the first few chapters of the book, but as the book wore on the constant harping on how stupid "PC weenies" are really got to me. By the time I was half way through the eighth chapter (which is entirely comprised of childish letters sent to the author and his equally childish replies), I was sick of it and wondering if I should ever identify myself as a Mac user. I don't want to be associated with Mr. Kelby, frankly.I have a different perspective than most Mac users, though, so maybe I'm missing something. For the last five years, I used Linux, then FreeBSD, then Linux again at home. So when I read the whiny (but still fairly humorous) chapter on how little Mac stuff there is at CompUSA, I couldn't relate at all. Heck, as a FreeBSD user, there was *nothing* at CompUSA for me, and as a Linux user, there was maybe one software package in the whole store that would work on my system. So I have little sympathy for my now-fellow Mac users who get so upset that there are merely scores instead of hundreds of titles for the Mac at CompUSA. As for the Windows-user bashing...well, I've been through that stage already. When I discovered Linux, I became a total snob, saying things like, "I use a *real* operating system" to any self-proclaimed Windows 'power user' asked me what version of Windows I was running. Since then, I moved on, and realized that I don't need to tear down other people's chosen OS. I finally decided that, *because* Linux is great, I have no need to tear down others' choices. I'll be happy to evangelize to anyone who is interested, but that doesn't require me to ridicule them...quite the opposite in fact. That's the way I feel about the Mac now, too. Of course OS X has all the power, stability, and security of UNIX with all the ease of use of Mac. Of course you get access to tons of free/open source software, plus access to oodles of commercial software. Of course you get rock-solid performance, plus the ability to be sure that a widget you buy at the store will work for you simply by looking for a logo on the box. None of that is true for any other operating system. Mac OS X is clearly the best OS out there, bar none. But, again, that doesn't mean I have to humiliate those who use other operating systems. I wish Mr. Kelby had toned that down a little bit more...his book would have been much more enjoyable if he had. After all, if you're using the best of the best, you have no need to tear others down. There's no reason to be defensive. Let the people using those other operating systems look like fools. Rise above it, secure in the knowledge that you've got the best personal computer system ever available. Eventually, if you don't play the "mine's better than yours, and you're an idiot for thinking otherwise" game, they'll get curious as to why you're so sure of yourself. Then you can evangelize gently, introduce them to the ways in which the Mac will make their lives better, and thereby actually /help/ others instead of hurting them. Then you'd really be "thinking different."
Rating: 
Summary: Funny!
Review: I had no idea this book would be so funny. CompUSA, Your Own Personal Hell was my favorite chapter. So true! Do yourself a favor, have some fun. Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Funny!
Review: I had no idea this book would be so funny. CompUSA, Your Own Personal Hell was my favorite chapter. So true! Do yourself a favor, have some fun. Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes insightful & often entertaining
Review: I have to start out by saying, if you use a PC... ummm... try searching in computing with "_____ for Dummies." You won't enjoy this book much at all. However... if you are reading this on your Multi-scan monitor or better yet a flatscreen G4 iMac, you've come to the right place!
This book has it's ups and downs. There were moments that to me sounded "dated" since the iMac revolution made Mac's far more acceptable and OS X started to make people question their Windows loyalty - and Mr. Kelby says from the start that much of the book is comprised of articles he'd written previously and now expanded upon for the book... unfortunately that often means they retain some of that Pre-iMac sensibility. There is also a large section of one chapter devoted to nasty letters he's receieved from the Windows Impaired along with his response. Unfortunately they boil down to little more than name calling on both sides. I wish he'd included letters showing how ill-informed about the Mac OS these people truly are and THEN made fun of their stupidity.
HOWEVER - there's a good side. A REALLY good one. First of all, he has a wonderful, casual writing style you can't help but enjoy. Second, and much more importantly, I came away from this book with a lot more ammunition to use in my efforts to convert friends from their ugly beige worlds.
He offers MANY unique insights into what it's like to live a Macintosh Lifestyle. I was particularly taken with his comparison of owning a Mac vs. PC to owning a Lexus vs. a Ford Escort. Both do essentially the same things, both have A/C, power windows and locks, and get you from A to B etc, etc - The Lexus is more expensive for the "same thing." Still, there are differences FAR beyond the cosmetic. Those of us with an Apple shaped heart understand... and you will be glad you read this book. Most of it anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended...
Review: I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANY mac user... it's so easy to relate to! I've ran into many of the situations posed, and I feel good to know I'm not alone! It's pure fun from page one! It's so good, I went online and posted this review! (This is my first amazon review EVER) But, if you're a PC user, you might not like it. If you're willing to take a new look at things and willing to try something different, go ahead! You have nothing to lose. If you don't like it, that's okay, even though I think you are missing out. If you like it, that's great! I hope you enjoy your macintosh experience!
Rating:
Summary: Alfred Burkhalter would be proud!
Review: I just finished "The Naked Truth" and Scott is as funny as ever. Cult founder Alfred Burkhalter would proud that the movement he started so many years ago is alive and well. As I have come to know and love Photoshop as became a member of NAPP, I began to worry. I'm I a "PC Weenie"? Do I revel in the torment that Windows has caused me over the years. After reading "The Naked Truth" is realized that I have latent Mac fan tendencies. Thank God! I was so inpired that I marched down to my local Apple Store and bought an iMac. When I got home the Fear struck. I have to set up another computer. Of course, I was remembering my nightmares of setting up my last couple of PC's. As I almost finsihed my Mac set up I thought, "is that it, I'm done!". Not one crash and the only restart was after a download of a couple of pre-installed upgrades. This is a fun, tongue-in-cheek book about a Mac users life in a PC world. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor. Of course, as Scott would say that might leave most PC users off the list. Great fun! Thanks Scott!
Rating:
Summary: Alfred Burkhalter would be proud!
Review: I just finished "The Naked Truth" and Scott is as funny as ever. Cult founder Alfred Burkhalter would proud that the movement he started so many years ago is alive and well. As I have come to know and love Photoshop as became a member of NAPP, I began to worry. I'm I a "PC Weenie"? Do I revel in the torment that Windows has caused me over the years. After reading "The Naked Truth" is realized that I have latent Mac fan tendencies. Thank God! I was so inpired that I marched down to my local Apple Store and bought an iMac. When I got home the Fear struck. I have to set up another computer. Of course, I was remembering my nightmares of setting up my last couple of PC's. As I almost finsihed my Mac set up I thought, "is that it, I'm done!". Not one crash and the only restart was after a download of a couple of pre-installed upgrades. This is a fun, tongue-in-cheek book about a Mac users life in a PC world. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor. Of course, as Scott would say that might leave most PC users off the list. Great fun! Thanks Scott!
Rating: 
Summary: Macs are cool and this author tries hard to be
Review: I make my living using a Mac. It is a wonderful tool with an OS I'm very comfortable using. I have no complex about using a Mac or a desire to convert anyone to the platform. I work with many people who use Windows. We all get along just fine.
Kelby tries real hard to be cute, clever and cool. He's none of these to this reader. A lot of what he says may be true, but most Mac loyalists know this stuff already, and the chatty writing style used to put down PC users might not win many converts.
Rating:
Summary: anything for a buck...
Review: I saw this book that Scott created. Why Scott?. Do you feel better that you got it all out of your system? I thought you were like a friend to me, now you sound like an jerk towards PC users. I'm a PC user and have bought your Books and Magazines and I don't hate Macintosh at all. You are speaking for all of us PC users. The first time I herd the fraze "PC Weenie" was from YOU in one of your articles. And what is a PC Weenie? Are you calling me a PC Weenie because I use PC? Well thanks Scott. But when it comes down to it, I think you are the real PC Weenie, or should I say PC Whiny? I'm sure there are some PC punks out there that bash on Mac - mostly teenagers that give some of us a bad name. I know the debate with Mac and PC is really a touchy subject, but I don't get involved. Macintosh is cool, I grew up with Macintosh, but I like to use a PC now for many reasons. I know what a Mac is, I've used them since the Mac512 days. I think they look very nice, but it's really not the Mac Computers I dislike, it's starting to be come the people that USE them. Windows Users are not stupid, Scott.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Book From A Rabid Partisan
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Kelby's take-no-prisoners attitude toward those who attack what they don't understand: Apple and the Mac platform. And I'll repeat (in my own words) a rhetorical question Kelby discusses: why is it that people who have little or no experience with Macs feel compelled to question (in frequently scathing terms) the wisdom of buying and using a Mac? Like Kelby, I find such questions rude in the extreme, especially since they (usually) come from people who have no clue what they're talking about. There is no "perfect, no-crash" computer, and there's no "perfect, no-crash" platform. But after having worked on both PCs and Macs for years, like Kelby, I can only recommend that people use Macs. You may pay more, but with Macs you get machines and software that are more reliable, and easier to use. Don't believe me (or Kelby, if you read the book)? Just try a Mac ... believe me, you'll switch.
| 
