General (Macs) Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-28-2022

Macs come in all shapes and sizes, but you turn all of them on and off, and do things with the keyboard and mouse or trackpad the same way. This Cheat Sheet of timesaving keyboard shortcuts, mouse and trackpad actions, Mac-related websites, and definitions can help you get the most from your Mac right away.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-25-2022

As an older adult entering the world of Mac computers, you can use a few basic things: a guide to prices and uses for various types of Macs and helpful keyboard shortcuts that get you quickly where you want to go. And you can never be too safe, so it pays to know how to avoid potential predators on the internet.

Article / Updated 11-02-2021

Before you can use your Mac, you obviously have to start it up. And, of course, it's important to know the correct way to shut it down. Starting up your Mac Here’s the simple way to start up your Mac desktop computer — the way you’ll probably do it 99 percent of the time: Press the power button. Newer Macbook laptops start up automatically when you open their lids. Depending on the type of Mac you have, the power button might be in back (Mac Mini and some iMacs), front (Mac Pro and some iMacs), or above the keyboard (on laptop models like the MacBook and MacBook Pro). As soon as you press the power button, your Mac plays a musical chime to let you know that it’s starting up. Your computer displays a big gray Apple logo on the screen to let you know that the computer is working. When you unpack your Mac and turn it on for the very first time, it will ask that you type your name and make up a password to create an account for using your Mac. To guide you through the process of setting up a Mac for the first time, a special program called the Setup Assistant runs, and it asks for information, such as the current time zone, the current date, and whether you want to transfer files and programs from another Mac to your newer one. You also have to go through this procedure if you reinstall your operating system. Normally, you need to run through this initial procedure only once. The most important part of this initial procedure is remembering the password you chose because you’ll need this password to log into your account or install new software. After the operating system loads, you can start using your computer to run other programs so you can write a letter, browse the internet, balance your checkbook, or play a game. How to shut down your Mac You can shut down your Mac if you won’t be using it for a while, or even perform a forced shutdown, which forces all running programs to shut down immediately. You have three ways to shut down your Mac: Choose the Apple key→Shut Down. A dialog box appears, asking whether you’re sure you want to shut down. Click Cancel or Shut Down. (If you don’t click either option, your Mac will shut down automatically after a few minutes.) Press Control+Eject (or press the power button). When a dialog box appears, click the Shut Down button. Press and hold the power button to force your Mac to shut down. You can also force shutdown your Mac by pressing the Control+Option+Command+Eject keystroke combination. Generally, a force shutdown is handy if your entire Mac suddenly freezes or hangs, making it unresponsive. If only a single program is freezing or acting flaky, you’re usually better off to force quit that single program instead of shutting down your entire computer. Avoid using a force shutdown if at all possible. If you do nothing when you see the dialog box that asks, “Are you sure you want to shut down your computer now?” the machine will turn itself off in two minutes. If you want to shut down immediately, click the Shut Down button. If you’ve changed your mind, click Cancel.

Article / Updated 10-29-2021

You know that frustrating, annoying, sometimes panicked feeling you get when your Mac isn’t doing what you expect? If an application freezes or your computer is generally misbehaving, try these tips to escape with minimal disruption. Use Force Quit when an application is unresponsive. Choose Force Quit from the Apple menu or press Command+Option+Esc keys. Click the name of the deviant application (it probably has not responding next to its name). You typically won’t have to reboot. Restart. If Force Quit doesn’t bail you out, try rebooting the computer. If a frozen Mac prevents you from clicking the Restart command on the Apple menu, hold down the power button for several seconds or press the Control+Command keys and then press the power button. If all else fails, pull the plug, but remember that powering down without logging out should be used only as a last resort. Restart in Safe Mode. Press the power button to turn on your computer, and then press and hold the Shift key the instant you hear the welcome chime. Release Shift when the Apple logo appears. You will see a status bar as the computer boots, after which the words Safe Boot appear in red in the upper right corner of OS X’s login screen. In Safe mode, the Mac unleashes a series of troubleshooting steps designed to return the computer to good health. If Safe Boot resolved the issue, restart the Mac normally the next time.

Article / Updated 10-01-2021

Files you download from the internet are often compressed or zipped so that they take up less space and arrive much faster than files that haven’t been compressed. You can easily identify compressed files by their extensions, such as .zip (a common standard used in OS X and Windows) and .sit. Before you can use these files, you must learn how to unzip files on Mac computers for proper access ― luckily the process isn’t that complicated. How to unzip files on Mac computers Unzipping a file on a Mac computer is user-friendly and intuitive. To unzip files on a Mac, simply follow the steps below: Double click the zipped file. The file will automatically be decompressed by Archive Utility into the same folder the compressed file is in. Access the extracted files by clicking the appropriate icons. Alternatively, if the method above does not work, you can right-click on the .zip package, and select Open With > Archive Utility (default). Apple and third party software Apple used to include a program called StuffIt Expander to decompress zipped files, but doesn’t now that OS X lets you unzip files (but not .sit files). However, StuffIt from SmithMicro Software still comes in handy for opening other types of compressed files, notably the .sit or .sitx compressed types. Go to Stuffit.com to download a free version of the software or to splurge for the Deluxe version. In addition to compressing files, StuffIt Deluxe lets you encrypt and back up files. Meanwhile, you can archive or create your own .zip files through OS X, which is useful if you’re emailing a number of meaty files to a friend. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) files you want to compress inside Finder and choose Compress Filename. The newly compressed files carry the .zip extension. The archive is created in the same location as the original file and is named originalfilename.zip. You can also choose File→Compress. If you compress a lot of files at once, the archive takes the name Archive.zip. By default, compressed files are opened with the Archive Utility. It appears in the Dock (in Leopard) while the files are being unsqueezed, unless you choose to open them with Stuffit Expander or some other program. How to zip files on a Mac On the flip side, you can also archive or create your own .zip files through OS X, which is useful if you’re e-mailing a number of meaty files to a client or friend. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to easily zip files on a Mac: Right-click or Ctrl-click the multiple files you want to compress (whether on the desktop or inside the Finder). Select Compress Filename from the pop-up menu. The files are now compressed in a .zip extension and the archive is created in the same location as the original file name, except with the .zip appended to its name. On some Apple computers, you can also compress a file by simply choosing File→Compress. If you compress a lot of files at once, the archive takes the name Archive.zip.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-10-2021

Macs and Windows computers have unique operating systems. They see things differently, and most Mac users would argue that Macs do things better. Macs come equipped with helpful keyboard shortcuts and a short list of procedures to follow if your Mac freezes.

Article / Updated 08-12-2021

Nowadays, there are multiple avenues to choose from when it comes to picking a bank. Are you more of a local, national, or digital type of customer? Find the benefits to each option below. Online banks Although traditional banks with walk-in branch locations are shrinking in number because of closures, consolidations, and some failures, online banking is growing — and for good reason. One of the biggest expenses of operating a traditional retail bank is the cost of the real estate and the related costs of the branch. Online banks generally don't have any or many retail branches and conduct their business mostly over the Internet and through the mail. By lowering their costs of doing business, the best online banks may offer better account terms, such as paying you higher interest rates on your account balances. Online banks can also offer better terms on loans. (The only downside? No lobby means no basket of free lollipops.) Online banking is convenient, too — you can conduct most transactions more quickly on the Internet, and by banking online, you save the bank money, which enables the bank to offer you better account terms. And because online banking is generally available 24/7, you don't need to rush out at lunchtime to make it to your bank during its limited open hours. (Note: Traditional brick-and-mortar banks now generally offer many online services.) According to a recent customer ratings' summary done by Consumer Reports, the highest-rated online banks are (in order, starting with the highest rated): USAA, Schwab Bank, Everbank, Discover Bank, Ally Bank, State Farm Bank, Capital One 360, and E-Trade Bank. Brick-and-mortar banks The most obvious choice for banking is using a local bank you pass by on a regular basis. Although these types of banks are conveniently located, these banks may not be the most cost efficient. You can find two main types of brick-and-mortar banks: Small-town bank: These banks only have a handful of branches. Some of the tellers may even remember your name and face. Hours are generally limited, and you may face extra ATM fees for using ATMs that aren't at one of the bank's branches. A sometimes attractive, "small-town" banking option is credit unions. To join, you generally need to work for a particular employer (such as General Electric) or industry/occupation (for example, teachers). Thanks to a federal government exemption on income taxes, credit unions tend to be able to pay higher interest rates on deposits and charge lower rates on loans. Don't assume, however, that a local credit union always has the best deals; be sure to comparison shop. To locate credit unions near you, visit the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) website for consumers and click on the "Find a Credit Union" link or call them at 800-356-9655. Big banks: Such banks tend to be regional, national, and sometimes even multinational. You may recognize their name from extensive advertising campaigns. They tend to have extensive ATM networks, which may reduce your ATM fees, but you pay for it in other ways, such as through less-competitive terms (interest rate paid, service fees levied) on checking and savings accounts. Be sure to comparison shop among several banks and scrutinize their fees and interest rates on their checking accounts and any other type of account you may be interested in.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-23-2021

Investing as a young adult holds the promise of paying off big for decades to come if you know what you’re doing. This Cheat Sheet highlights important beliefs that can help guide you in your investment journey. When you understand your investing goals and beliefs, you can build your knowledge, do research, and make good choices that make the most of your money and investments. Copyright © 2021 Eric Tyson All rights reserved.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-20-2021

Managing a small computer network is well within your reach! But it's vital that you keep track of key information that's unique to your network. This cheat sheet is designed to give you quick access to your network information, explanation of some basic network concepts, such as pin connections and IP address ranges, and a list of useful websites for networking information.

Article / Updated 04-23-2021

If you own Intel-based Macs, you can run OS X and Windows on one machine. In fact, it’s been possible to run Windows on a Mac for some time — with agonizing limitations. Near-extinct Mac models loaded with Virtual PC emulation software could do Windows, too, but the program was painfully slow. Even if you find an old copy of the software, it won’t work with any current Macs. Credit: © iStockphoto.com/BernardaSv Boot Camp software from Apple shook up the computing public on its apocalyptic arrival in April 2006. Boot Camp graduated from beta, or nearly finished, status with the arrival of Leopard. Boot Camp Assistant software is stored in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder. Boot Camp itself is free. You have to supply your own single-disc or downloadable full-install version of Windows; an upgrade disc won’t cut it. It’s also important to note that you can use a 64-bit version of Windows, Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate), Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. Consult Apple support to see which Mac models are compatible with which versions of Windows. In its current incarnation, Boot Camp isn’t compatible with 32-bit versions of Windows. Other requirements follow: An Intel Mac with OS X version 10.6 or later At least 2GB of RAM and 20GB of available space on the Mac’s storage drive that you want to donate to Windows A blank CD or USB storage device that you’ll use for Windows software drivers If you don’t run into snags, the entire installation should take about an hour. Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are optimized for a touchscreen environment, though you can use it with a standard mouse and keyboard. For now, Macs don’t support touchscreen computing. To install Windows 8 via Boot Camp, you still must have a legitimate Windows 8 license from Microsoft and a Win8 installation disc, assuming that you have an optical drive. If you don’t have an optical drive, you may be able to create a Windows installer from an ISO file downloaded from Microsoft on a USB flash drive that’s 8GB or larger. Because snags are possible, back up all your important information on the Mac’s startup disk. Basic training Following are the basic steps to get through Boot Camp: Run Boot Camp Assistant (in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder) to make sure that you have the latest firmware on your computer and to install any support software from Apple that you might need. You’ll find any updates at Apple support. If you’re using a laptop, make sure to connect the power adapter. You will also be given the option to create a Windows 7 (or later version) install disk for which you’ll need a USB flash drive and an ISO image downloaded from Apple. Follow the prompts in Boot Camp Assistant to create a partition for Windows. You’re essentially carving out an area of your hard drive for the Windows operating system. This partition must be at least 30GB and can swell to the total free disk space on hand minus 30GB. If you don’t plan on doing much in Windows, keep the partition small. Drag the divider to set the partitions for both OS X and Windows, or click Divide Equally to make equal partitions. You can’t resize a Windows partition after creating it, though you can replace it with a larger Windows partition. If you have a Mac Pro with more than one internal hard drive, you can select which drive to partition. If any of this makes you nervous, know that you can remove the Windows partition later and go back to a single-partition Mac. Insert the Windows CD or a USB flash drive with the Windows ISO file and then click Start Installation. If you exited Boot Camp Assistant before installing Windows, open it again, choose Start the Windows Installer, and click Continue. When you’re asked to choose the Windows partition, select the partition that says BOOTCAMP. You may have to scroll down to see it. Don’t erase any partitions that you see or create a new partition here. Failure to heed this warning could wipe out your entire Mac OS X startup disk. (Optional) If you see a listing for Drive Options, click it; otherwise, proceed to Step 6. Reformat the partition by using the Windows installer: Click Format. You’re using the reliable and secure NTFS file system, but you won’t be able to save files to Windows from Mac OS X, at least not without a techie workaround. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish installing Windows. Boot Camp 5.1 includes several Mac drivers so that Windows will recognize your trackpad, Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, the iSight (or FaceTime) camera, the Eject key on the Mac keyboard, networking, audio, graphics, and so on. A Boot Camp Control Panel for Windows and an Apple Boot Camp system-tray item will be added. As with any new Windows computer, Microsoft requires that you activate your Windows software within 30 days. Switching operating systems You can go back and forth between OS X and Windows on your Mac, but you can’t run both operating systems simultaneously under Boot Camp. Instead, you have to boot one operating system or the other — thus, the name Boot Camp. Restart your Mac, and hold down the Option key until icons for each operating system appear onscreen. Highlight Windows or Macintosh HD, and click the arrow to launch the operating system of choice for this session. If you want OS X or Windows to boot every time, choose app → System Preferences, click Startup Disk, and choose the OS you want to launch by default. You can perform the same function in Windows by clicking the Boot Camp system-tray icon and selecting the Boot Camp Control Panel. Click either the Macintosh HD or Windows icon, depending on your startup preference.