Mac® Bible

Chapter 6. Manage User Accounts

IN THIS CHAPTER

• User account types

• Create new user accounts

• Set Parental Controls

Does your spouse or child frequently use your Mac, and subsequently rearrange its icons and delete items you would prefer he or she didn't? Do you have co-workers who need to use your Mac, but you don't want them getting their mitts within 10 feet of your computer for fear that it might meet a terrible fate? If this experience sounds anything like you, or if you are an IT professional who needs to restrict access to a Mac, this chapter is right up your alley.

Mac OS X allows your Mac to be used by more than one person by adding multiple user accounts. User accounts have become a necessity in my home and business. You can create user accounts for each individual who accesses your Mac. These user accounts are secure and are meant to be utilized only by the person assigned to the account, or by an administrator of the computer. The best thing about user accounts is that each user can customize their account to their specs, personalizing the work environment to suit their tastes without affecting any of the other users. The people at Apple think of everything, don't they?

User Account Types

Imagine that your Mac is a highly secured government building that you work in. In order for security to be, well, secure, there must be appropriate levels of access assigned to everyone who works in the building. You're in charge of security in your building, and you have access that most others ...