Dear Tip-of-the-Day Patients,

I've been writing these tips for almost a year; I've written almost 200 so far and plan to write thousands more. But before I do, I'm going to take a little time off. And so, Dr. Mac's Tip-of-the-Day is going on vacation until Monday, January 13th, 2003 (the Monday _after_ Macworld Expo).

As for me, I'm going to spend some time hanging out with the family, but I'm also going to be working on several projects: An overhaul of my personal Web site (www.boblevitus.com); some audio production for our new radio gig (see www.osxfaq.com/radio for info); some painting and refinishing; and I'll be starting on the second edition of "Dr. Mac: The OS X Files."

Speaking of which, have I got a deal for you... How would you like an autographed copy of my next book: Dr. Mac: The OS X Files-Second Edition absolutely free? All you have to do to win one is send me a great tip for using OS X 10.2 Jaguar. If I use your tip in the book, in addition to your (roughly) fifteen minutes of fame, you'll receive, at absolutely no charge, your very own autographed copy (at least a $25 value!).

If you're interested, read on; if you're not, see ya on the 13th of January and have a great holiday and safe new year.

Now, here's more about the free book deal:

Long before I wrote a single book with Stupid or Dummies in its title, I wrote a book, way back in 1989, called, Dr. Macintosh: Tips, Techniques, and Advice on Mastering the Macintosh. And that's exactly what it was-- tips, techniques, and advice to help you use your Mac better, faster, and more elegantly.

Dr. Macintosh and its sequel, Dr. Macintosh: Second Edition were both quite popular, and I believe one of the reasons was that both books had a unique feature I've not seen in other books -- a section called "What Other Power Users Think You Should Know," which was a long chapter made up entirely of tips submitted by other power users. It was, in my humble opinion, the best stuff in the book

The sequel to the sequel, Dr. Mac: The OS X Files, (or, How to Become a Mac OS X Power User) was released early this year and was successful enough that my publisher, John Wiley & Sons (publisher of Herman Melville, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and now, Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus) asked me to do a second edition, with more Jaguar hints and tips.

So, I need to ask for your help. I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything about OS X and Jaguar, and much of what I know, I learned from someone else.

Here's the deal: Send me your best power user tips, hints, undocumented shortcuts, techniques, or tutorials. If you have a favorite utility or program, submit a description of it and why it's so great, or a tip for using it. And, if your OS X desktop is way-cool, send me a screen shot with a description of what makes it so special. Cool desktops will even get their own chapter - Cool Mac Desktops of the Power User Elite.

I'll reward you handsomely for your tips, hints, pictures, recommendations, and whatever else you care to send me. If I use your submission in the book, I will:

A) Publish your name with your tip (if you want me to), giving you at least 15 minutes of fame (give or take, depending how long it takes to read your submission...).

B) Say something nice about you and your powerful Mac-ing skills.

C) Send you an autographed copy, inscribed any way you like.

So, if you've got a hot tip, cool desktop, or favorite piece of software, just send it to me at: XFilesTips@boblevitus.com

IMPORTANT: Please include the words X-FILES TIPS in the subject line of your message (to double-insure that my junk mail filters don't eat your submission before I see it).

ALSO IMPORTANT: Every submission _must_ include your mailing address (so I know where to send your book), what you would like me to inscribe in your copy (if your submission is selected for publication), and a valid email address (so I can tell you if you're a winner).

Enter as often as you like, but I can only provide one book per person, even if you have multiple submissions accepted.

The contest will end February 1st, 2003, at midnight. In the case of duplicate submissions, the entry with the earliest time-stamp will get the goodies.

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it and I think readers of "Dr. Mac: The OS X Files-Second Edition" will appreciate it even more.

Sincerely yours,

Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus

To discuss this tip (or anything you like) in Dr. Mac's OSXFAQ Forum, click here:

Bob LeVitus is a leading authority on Mac OS and the author of 39 books, including Mac OS X For Dummies and The Little iTunes Book.