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by Macworld
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• FAQ

Read this ebook to learn the answers to questions such as:

• How do I add and remove items from the Dock?
• What's the deal with user accounts and logging in?
• How do I set up my screen saver?
• Can I hide an application instead of quitting it?
• What are the best places to save files?
• What should I do if an application crashes?
• What should I do about viruses and other security problems?

We encourage you to download the free sample to see what it looks like, since it is rather different from our Take Control design. If you plan to print, print a few test pages from the sample first in case you wish to consider Macworld's $24.99 print version, which has higher-resolution images than are feasible in an ebook.

Foreword

We're very lucky here at Macworld. In both print and on the Web, we've got an amazingly diverse readership. Among our readers are some incredibly geeky, tech-savvy people who can write programming code in their heads and disassemble a MacBook Pro with only a paper clip. But we've also got a lot of readers who consider themselves novice Mac users and who avidly read what we write in order to flex and improve their Mac skills.

Believe it or not, this book is for both kinds of readers. If you're someone who's struggling with the basics of operating a Mac, or someone who's a new user of Mac OS X, the Mac Basics Superguide book will get you up to speed.

This book is filled with easy-to-follow, detailed tips and information about using the Finder and the Dock, switching between programs, using Apple's Spotlight search tool, opening and saving your files, and setting up system preferences and user accounts. We've tossed in some basic security and troubleshooting advice to keep your Mac up and running smoothly. And our own Dan Frakes, who pens the Mac Gems column in print and on the Web, has assembled a list of 24 great low-cost programs that will enhance your Mac experience.

So that covers the novice users. But what about those geeky Mac experts? Why is this book for them?

The answer is simple: It's for them because it helps everyone they know. It's for all of their friends and family members who use them as the be-all, end-all Mac resource. The reality is, a Mac expert can only be in one place at any given time. This Mac Basics Superguide can always be around as a handy reference when there's no flesh-and-blood expert nearby. And with any luck, the expert will also be getting fewer calls as his or her friends and family start to master their Macs on their own.

Or to put it another way, this is the book I gave to my mom so that she could figure things out on her Mac when I'm not available to help.

With this edition of the Mac Basics Superguide, we've updated the entire book to reflect the changes in Apple's latest version of Mac OS X, "Leopard." Leopard adds some exciting new features and makes some changes to the familiar Mac interface. This book covers it all. And if you find yourself wanting more, please consider the other books in our Superguide series, Total Leopard and Mac OS X Hints, Leopard Edition.

I hope you enjoy the book—no matter which kind of Mac user you are.

—Jason Snell, Editorial Director, Macworld
San Francisco, May 2008

Table of Contents

Mac OS X at a Glance

Wondering where your applications are? Not sure where to find your Home folder? This cheat sheet will help you identify OS X's main interface elements.

Your Mac's Ports at a Glance

Take a visual tour of every port on your Mac. We'll point out exactly where to plug in your speakers, digital camera, monitor, and more.

Finding Your Way in OS X

Use the Finder to quickly navigate your system. Learn how to keep files and folders organized, use shortcuts, and become more efficient with your Mac.

Using the Dock

Access important files and applications quickly by storing them in the Dock--the thin, reflective shelf filled with icons at the bottom of your screen. Learn how to create and use Stacks, the Dock's newest way to keep your files and programs organized.

Modifying System Preferences

One of the best parts of a Mac is that most aspects of OS X are customizable, including background appearance, keyboard shortcuts, and network settings. We'll show you how to adjust them to fit your style and your setup.

Setting Up User Accounts

Do you share your Mac with other people? OS X's user accounts let each Mac user customize his or her settings while also protecting sensitive files from other users. Learn how to set up multiple accounts, use parental controls, and determine how much access each user has to settings, applications, and files.

Working with Applications

Before loading up your Mac with new software, get the skinny on how to install applications. Find out where to put programs, how to keep them up-to-date, the best way to get rid of them, and tricks for keeping them organized in Spaces.

Get Started with OS X's Programs

Whatever tasks you use your Mac for, chances are they involve an e-mail program or a Web browser. OS X comes with important programs like these already built in. Get started with Mail, Safari, iChat, and many more OS X applications.

Opening, Saving, and Printing

These are the three tasks you'll be tackling the most often. Learn the secrets of OS X's save dialog box, the proper way to share files with Windows users, and details on how to hook up a new printer.

Searching Your Mac

Even the most organized Mac user can lose track of files. When that happens, turn to Spotlight—OS X's built-in bloodhound--to track them down. We'll show you the basics of using Spotlight for searches, along with some of its cooler tricks.

Keeping Your Mac Secure

Are you worried about viruses, malicious hackers, nosy coworkers, and other computer dangers? This chapter is filled with steps you can take to keep your Mac healthy, safe, and secure.

Troubleshooting Your Mac

OS X may be one of the most stable operating systems around, but it's not immune to hiccups, crashes, and other troublesome behavior. When your Mac misbehaves, get it back on track with these tips and tricks.

Great OS X Add-Ons

Sometimes you need features that don't come with OS X and you have to look to other software makers. This is a list of some of the most useful third-party utilities, for everything from managing shortcuts to converting media files.

Ask a Question

Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this book!

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