My OS X (El Capitan Edition)

About

Features

• A full-color, visual guide to practical tasks that students need to know
• Full updated for OS X El Capitan
• Fully illustrated
• Step by step resource to using a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or iMac with OS X.

Description

My OS X is filled with beginning through intermediate tasks, presented in a thorough step-by-step format, that guide you through learning everything you need to know to use the El Capitan release of OS X. The goal is not to teach you how to type or click a mouse but how to configure network settings, customize your desktop, use built-in apps, optimize battery life, set up backup solutions, and much more.

In My OS X, you will find:
Step-by-step instructions with callouts to OS X photos that show you exactly what to do.
Help when you run into hardware or operating system problems or limitations.
Tips and Notes to help you get the most from OS X.

Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping OS X working just the way you want. The tasks include:

• Managing, arranging, and tagging your files
• Staying informed and productive with Notification Center
• Creating and navigating virtual workspaces in Mission Control
• Opening and organizing apps with Launchpad
• Accessing network devices and resources
• Activating and using iCloud services
• Communicating online with email, instant messaging, and video
• Keeping appointments with Calendar and Reminders
• Planning trips and checking traffic with Maps
• Keeping up-to-date with friends and family via Twitter and Facebook
• Downloading and enjoying music, movies, books, and more
• Sharing purchases with your family
• Challenging your friends to games with Game Center
• Working seamlessly with iOS Devices with Handoff and AirDrop
• Protecting and securing your system and data
• Expanding your system with peripheral devices
• Troubleshooting common system problems

Downloads

Downloads

Please download bonus Chapters 15 and 16 from My OS X here.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Sharing Files, Devices, and Services on Mac OS X (El Capitan Edition)

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 6 and Index)

Table of Contents

Prologue: Getting Started with the Mac     1
Getting to Know the Mac Hardware     2
Built-In Batteries     3
Special Keyboard Keys     4
What You Need to Know     4
The Menu Bar     5
The Dock     5
The Finder     6
Tags     7
The Launchpad     7
Mission Control     8
Spotlight     9
The App Store (and Security)      9
The Notification Center and Today View     10
System Preferences     11
Window Controls     12
Contextual Menus     13
Gestures     13
Dictation     14
Understanding iCloud and Apple ID     14
Windows Compatibility     15
Boot Camp     16
Virtualization     16
Chapter 1: Managing Your Desktop     19
Organizing in the Dock     20
Adding and Removing Items from the Dock     20
Using Folders and Stacks in the Dock     21
Configuring Folders and Stacks     22
Navigating Files and Folders in Grid Mode     23
Customizing the Dock’s Appearance     24
Customizing Finder Windows      26
Configuring the Sidebar’s System Shortcuts     26
Manually Modifying the Sidebar     27
Modifying the Finder Toolbar     28
Using Finder Window Tabs     29
Opening Tabs with a Click     30
Arranging and Grouping Files     31
Using All My Files     31
Arranging a Finder View     32
Assigning Tags     33
Removing Tags     34
Viewing Tags     34
Managing Tags     35
Previewing Document Contents     37
Viewing a File with Quick Look     38
Adding a Finder Preview Panel     40
Previewing Files Using Finder Icons     41
Finding Information with Spotlight (New!)      41
Searching for Files and Information     42
Customizing Spotlight Searching     44
Saving Searches as Smart Folders in the Finder     45
Managing Your “Today” and Notifications (New!)      47
Receiving Notifications     47
Viewing Notifications in Notification Center     48
Customizing the Notification Display     49
Activating Do Not Disturb Mode     50
Customizing Do Not Disturb Mode     51
Using Notification Center’s Today View     52
Working in the Today View     52
Managing Today View Widgets     53
Using Utilities in the Dashboard     54
Turning on the Dashboard     55
Showing the Dashboard     56
Adding and Removing Dashboard Widgets     56
Configuring Dashboard Widgets     58
Chapter 2: Making the Most of Your Screen Space     61
Swimming the Sea of Application Windows with Mission Control (New!)      62
Opening and Closing Mission Control     62
Navigating Applications and Windows     63
Creating and Populating a New Space     65
Switching Between Spaces     66
Closing a Space     67
Creating Fullscreen Application Spaces     68
Creating Split-Screen Application Spaces     69
Choosing Between Application Windows     70
Showing the Desktop     71
Configuring Mission Control Features and Shortcuts     72
Managing and Launching Applications with Launchpad     74
Starting Launchpad     75
Navigating Launchpad     76
Searching Launchpad     76
Rearranging Icons     77
Creating New Folders     78
Deleting Folders     79
Deleting Applications     80
Managing Auto Open and Save Features     81
Toggling Application Auto Open     81
Setting Window Restoration      82
Enabling Manual File Saving     83
Chapter 3: Connecting Your Mac to a Network     85
Connecting to a Wired Network     85
Making an Ethernet (Wired) Connection     86
Connecting to a Wireless Network     87
Finding and Connecting to a Network     88
Manually Choosing a Wireless Connection     .90
Authenticating on a Wireless Network     91
Disabling (and Enabling) Wireless Networking     92
Manually Configuring Network Settings     93
Configuring TCP/IP and Proxy Settings     93
Activating PPPoE for DSL Connections     96
Making Connections with Cellular Data Modems and iOS Devices     98
Configuring a WWAN Modem for Use with Your Mac     98
Managing Your WWAN Connection     99
Using Your iOS Instant Hotspot     100
Creating Virtual Private Network Connections     101
Creating a VPN Connection     101
Managing Multiple Connections with Locations and Configurations     103
Creating Configurations     104
Adding and Using Locations     105
Seeking Automated Network Assistance     107
Launching Diagnostics     107
Launching the Setup Assistant     108
Chapter 4: Setting Up iCloud and Internet Accounts     113
Setting Up iCloud     113
Configuring iCloud for the First Time     114
Browsing iCloud Services     116
Activating iCloud Services     117
Exploring Unique iCloud Services (New!)      118
Accessing iCloud Applications Online     118
Using Find My Mac     119
Using iCloud Drive     121
Using Photo Sharing     126
Getting Started with Accounts     130
Adding an Account     131
Chapter 5: Accessing Email and the Web     135
Getting Started with Mail (New!)      136
Things You Need Before Setting Up an Email Connection     136
Adding an Email Account     137
Configuring Advanced Account Settings     139
Finding Your Way Around Mail     142
Reading Email     143
Composing Email     150
Managing Your Email with Mailboxes      156
Creating Mailboxes     157
Deleting and Renaming Mailboxes     158
Filing Messages in Mailboxes     159
Automatic Email Organization with Smart Mailboxes     160
Keeping Track of Your Very Important People with VIP Mailboxes     161
Searching for Messages     162
Writing Email Rules     164
Web Browsing in Safari (New!)      165
Managing Your Bookmarks, Bookmarks Menu, Favorites, Top Sites, and Reading List (Whew!)      165
Advanced Browsing Features      171
Silencing Tabs     173
Pinning Tabs     173
Adding Web Content to the Dashboard     181
Extending Safari’s Capabilities with Extensions     183
Chapter 6: Sharing Files, Devices, and Services     187
File Sharing on Your Mac     188
Configuring AirDrop     189
Sending Files with AirDrop     190
Receiving Files with AirDrop     191
Using the Share Menu to Send via AirDrop     192
Configuring Traditional File and Folder Sharing     193
Enabling File Sharing      194
Choosing File Sharing Protocols     195
Selecting Folders and Permissions     197
Setting Folder Access Permissions     198
Browsing and Connecting to Network Shares     200
Connecting to Remote Shares     202
Sharing Files via the Share Menu     203
Sharing Files via Messages     203
Uploading Files to an Online Service     204
Sharing Printers     205
Enabling Network Printer Sharing     205
Setting Printer Sharing Permissions     206
Accessing a Network Printer     207
Sharing an Optical Drive     209
Enabling DVD Sharing     209
Accessing a Shared Optical Drive     210
Sharing Your Mac Screen (New!)      211
Enabling Screen Sharing     211
Setting Screen Sharing Permissions     212
Accessing the Screen of a Local Mac     214
Accessing Remote Computers and Non-Macs     216
Sharing Your Internet Connection     218
Sharing Your Connection     218
Chapter 7: Being Social with Messages, FaceTime, Twitter, and Facebook     221
Instant Messaging with Messages (New!)      222
Adding Accounts to Messages     222
Configuring Your Account During Startup     223
Editing Your iMessage Account Settings     224
Adding a Traditional IM Account to Messages     225
Logging into (and out of) Your IM Account     226
Configuring Your IM Identity     227
Setting the Messages Picture     227
Configuring Custom Status Messages     229
Managing Your IM Buddy List     230
Adding Buddies     230
Adding Groups     231
Communicating with IM and iMessage     233
Responding to an Incoming Chat via Notification Center     234
Responding to an Incoming Chat in Messages     234
Starting a Chat in Messages     235
Starting a Chat via Notification Center     237
Using Voice or Video for Chatting     238
Starting a Voice or Video Chat     238
Sharing Your Files and Screen     239
Transferring Files over Messages     240
Starting a Screen-Sharing Session     241
Video Calls with FaceTime     242
Setting Up FaceTime     242
Placing Calls from the Contacts List     244
Receiving a FaceTime Call     245
Accessing Your Call List     246
Disabling FaceTime     247
Updating Account Information FaceTime Preferences     247
Using the El Capitan Twitter and Facebook Posting Support     249
Enabling Twitter     249
Enabling Facebook     251
Posting from the Finder and Other Apps     253
Posting via Notification Center     254
Chapter 8: Managing Who, Where, When, and What     257
Managing Contacts     258
Adding Groups     259
Creating a Group     259
Creating a Smart Group     260
Adding Contacts     261
Creating a New Contact     262
Setting a Contact Image     263
Auto Information Gathering     264
Creating “My” Card     264
Editing the Contact Template     265
Searching Contacts     266
Detecting and Merging Duplicates     267
Using iCloud and Server-Based Contacts     267
Connecting to iCloud Contacts Syncing     268
Connecting to Other Contact Servers     268
Sharing Contacts via Email, Messages, and AirDrop     270
Printing Addresses     271
Finding Your Way with Maps (New!)      272
Starting and Navigating Maps     273
Using Map Views     274
Choosing a View Mode     274
Viewing Maps with 3D Flyover     275
Finding Places     276
Finding Yourself     277
Finding Contact Entries     277
Searching the Map     279
Working with Points of Interest     279
Seeing Point of Interest Details     279
Making Your Own Point of Interest     281
Sharing a Point of Interest     282
Traveling with Maps     282
Getting Directions     283
Showing Traffic Indicators     284
Working with Schedules in Calendar (New!)      286
Adding Calendars     287
Creating New Calendars     287
Connecting to iCloud and Server-Based Calendars     289
Connecting to iCloud Calendar Syncing     289
Connecting to Other Calendar Servers     290
Subscribing to a Public Shared Calendar     292
Viewing Calendars     293
Working with Events     294
Creating a New Event     295
Using the Quick Event Feature     296
Editing Event Information     297
Sending Event Invitations     298
Accepting Invitations     299
Accepting Invitations through Notification Center     301
Confirming “Found in Mail” Invitations     301
Searching Events     302
Printing Calendars     303
Remembering with Reminders     304
Creating a List     305
Adding a Reminder     306
Setting Reminder Attributes, Including Location     306
Completing Reminders     308
Finding Reminders     308
Viewing Reminders by Date     309
Searching Reminders     310
Using iCloud and Server-Based Reminders     310
Keeping Track with Notes (New!)      311
Adding Folders     312
Adding Notes     313
Prettify Your Most Mundane Notes     313
Adding Notes from Other Applications     315
Moving Notes Between Folders     317
Searching and Displaying Notes     317
Showing Attachments     319
Sharing Notes via Email and Messages     320
Using iCloud and Server-Based Notes     320
Connecting to iCloud Note Syncing     321
Connecting to Other Note Servers     321
Chapter 9: Entertainment on the (Big) Little Screen     325
Creating a Media Library in iTunes (New!)      325
Running iTunes for the First Time     326
Finding Your Way Around iTunes     327
Interacting with Your Library     328
Controlling Playback     329
Building Your Media Library     329
Purchasing Digital Media on the iTunes Store     330
Using Genius Recommendations     332
Downloading Podcasts     334
Quick Searches     336
Setting a Search Filter     337
Using Playlists     337
Creating Playlists      337
Defining Smart Playlists     339
Accessing Playlists     341
Using the Mini Player     342
Using iTunes Radio     344
Listening to iTunes Radio     344
Creating Your Own iTunes Radio Station     345
Fine-Tuning Your iTunes Radio Station     346
Answering the “What Was That Song?” Question     347
Sharing Your Good Taste     347
Using Apple Music     348
Subscribing to Apple Music     348
Adding Songs to Your Library     350
Using Apple Music Recommendations     351
Connecting with Artists     352
Following New Artists     353
Managing Followed Artists     353
Syncing Media Between Devices     354
Syncing Purchases     354
Syncing Your Media with Your iPod, iPad, or iPhone     355
Sharing Media Between Home Computers     357
Keeping an iCloud Library with iTunes Match     359
Activating iTunes Match     359
Accessing Purchases in iCloud     361
Reading Your iBooks     362
Starting iBooks     363
Authorizing Your Mac     364
Purchasing Books     365
Viewing and Arranging Your iBooks Library     366
Browsing the iBooks Library     366
Organizing by Collection     369
Reading iBooks     371
Reading Basics     371
Using Annotations     373
Adding Bookmarks     374
Fine-Tuning Your Display     374
Getting Your Game on with Game Center     375
Signing into Game Center     376
Navigating the Me Screen     377
Managing Friends and Friend Requests     377
Sending a Friend Request     378
Responding to a Friend Request     379
Getting Friend Recommendations     380
Sizing Up Your Friends     381
Browsing by Game     383
Making and Taking a Challenge     385
Chapter 10: Installing and Managing Applications and Extensions on Your Mac     389
Mac App Store     390
Logging into the App Store     390
Browsing for Software     391
Searching for Software     392
Purchasing Software     393
Reinstalling Software and Installing Purchases on Other Macs     395
Hiding Apps You No Longer Want     396
Installing Non–App Store Applications     397
Unarchiving Zip Files     397
Accessing Disk Images     398
Sharing Purchases with Family Sharing     399
Setting Up Family Sharing (Organizer)      400
Adding a Family Member     401
Managing Family Members     404
Keeping Your Applications and Operating System Up-to-Date (New!)      405
Configuring Software Updates and Auto Downloads     406
Manually Applying Software Updates     407
Managing Extensions     408
Managing Installed Extensions     409
Chapter 11: Making the Most of Your Mac Hardware     411
Energy-Saving Settings     412
Monitoring Battery Life and Application Energy Use (MacBook Only)      412
Configuring Display, Computer, and Hard Disk Sleep     413
Creating a Sleep/Wake Schedule     415
Updating Keyboard and Dictation Settings     416
Setting Keyboard Repeat Rate     416
Changing Keyboard Illumination (MacBook Only)      417
Creating Keyboard Shortcuts     418
Activating Dictation     421
Changing Trackpad and Mouse Options     423
Setting the Trackpad Speed and Click Pressure     424
Controlling Trackpad Gestures     424
Configuring the Magic Mouse Speed     426
Configuring Magic Mouse Gestures     427
Adjusting Your Display     428
Setting Display Resolution     428
Controlling Display Brightness     429
Choosing a Color Profile     430
Calibrating the Display     431
Setting Sound Input and Output     433
Setting the Output Volume     433
Configuring Alert Sounds     434
Choosing and Adjusting an Output Device     435
Picking and Calibrating an Input Device     436
Recording Audio and Video     438
Recording Audio     438
Recording with the FaceTime HD Video Camera     439
Chapter 12: Using El Capitan with Your iDevices     443
Enabling El Capitan and iOS Communication     443
Verifying Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings     444
Using AirDrop     444
Sending Files to iOS via AirDrop     445
Sending Files to El Capitan via AirDrop     446
Using Handoff to Move Between Devices     447
Enabling Handoff     448
Handing Off from El Capitan to iOS     449
Handing Off from iOS to El Capitan     450
Using Your iPhone to Cell-Enable Your Mac     451
Enabling El Capitan Cellular Calls     452
Placing a Phone Call     452
Receiving a Phone Call     453
Text Messaging with El Capitan     454
Using Your iOS Device as an Instant Hotspot     455
Sharing Your iOS Internet Connection     455
Chapter 13: Connecting Peripherals to Your Mac     457
Connecting USB Input Devices     457
Configuring a USB Keyboard     458
Configuring a USB Mouse     459
Using Bluetooth Devices     460
Pairing a Bluetooth Mouse or Trackpad     461
Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard     462
Connecting a Bluetooth Headset     464
Adding and Using the Bluetooth Status Menu     465
Using External Displays and Projectors     466
Extending Your Desktop to Another Monitor     466
Setting Monitor Arrangements     467
Adding the Display Mirroring Menu to Your Menu Bar     468
Using Mirrored Displays     469
Connecting to an Apple TV (or Other Device) with AirPlay (New!)      469
Mirroring Your Display to an Apple TV     470
Setting the AirPlay Apple TV Resolution     471
Extending Your Desktop to an Apple TV     472
Sharing Multimedia to an Apple TV     473
Sending System Audio to an Apple TV     473
Connecting and Using a Printer     474
Setting Up a USB Printer     475
Printing to a Printer     478
Connecting and Using a Scanner     480
Adding a Scanner     480
Scanning in Preview     481
Chapter 14: Securing and Protecting Your Mac     485
Working with Users and Groups     486
Creating User Accounts     486
Adding Accounts     487
Enabling the Guest Account     488
Applying Parental Controls     488
Creating Groups     491
Configuring General Account Security     492
Assigning File Permissions for Users and Groups     493
Tracking Passwords with Keychain Access     495
Viewing Keychain Items     496
Adding Data to the Keychain     497
Creating a New Keychain     498
Adding a Keychain Menu Item     499
Encrypting Your El Capitan Disk     500
Activating FileVault     500
Application Execution Security     501
Setting Application Execution Limits     502
Adding Network Security with the Built-In Firewall     502
Activating the El Capitan Firewall     503
Configuring Incoming Services     503
Hiding Location Information and Application Data     505
Backing Up Important Information     506
Using Time Machine     506
Activating Time Machine     507
Customizing the Time Machine Backups     508
Adding a Time Machine Menu Item     509
Recovering Data     510
Restoring a Machine from Scratch     512
Using File Versions     513
Manually Saving a Version     513
Restoring a File Version     514
Chapter 15: Troubleshooting Your System     Online-only chapter
Chapter 16: Upgrading Your Mac     Online-only chapter
Index     516

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