My macOS™, Sierra Edition

My macOS™, Sierra Edition

by John Ray
Released November 2016
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780134581958

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

My macOS 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 newest release of macOS. 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 macOS, you will find:
Step-by-step instructions with callouts to macOS 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 macOS.

Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping macOS 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

    •

    Table of contents

    1. About This E-Book
    2. Title Page
    3. Copyright Page
    4. Contents at a Glance
    5. Table of Contents
    6. About the Author
    7. Dedication
    8. Acknowledgments
    9. We Want to Hear from You!
    10. Reader Services
    11. Prologue: Getting Started with the Mac
      1. Getting to Know the Mac Hardware
        1. Built-In Batteries
        2. Special Keyboard Keys
      2. What You Need to Know
        1. The Menu Bar
        2. The Dock
        3. The Finder
        4. Tags
        5. Tabs
        6. The Launchpad
        7. Mission Control
        8. Spotlight
        9. The App Store (and Security)
        10. The Notification Center and Today View
        11. System Preferences
        12. Window Controls
        13. Contextual Menus
        14. Gestures
        15. Siri and Dictation
        16. Emoji
      3. Understanding iCloud and Apple ID
      4. Windows Compatibility
        1. Boot Camp
        2. Virtualization
    12. 1. Managing Your Desktop
      1. Organizing in the Dock
        1. Add and Remove Items from the Dock
        2. Use Folders and Stacks in the Dock
        3. Configure Folders and Stacks
        4. Navigate Files and Folders in Grid Mode
        5. Customize the Dock’s Appearance
      2. Customizing Finder Windows
        1. Configure the Sidebar’s System Shortcuts
        2. Manually Modify the Sidebar
        3. Modify the Finder Toolbar
        4. Use Finder Window Tabs
        5. Open Tabs with a Click
      3. Arranging and Grouping Files
        1. Use All My Files
        2. Arrange a Finder View
        3. Assign Tags
        4. Remove Tags
        5. View Tags
        6. Manage Tags
      4. Previewing Document Contents
        1. View a File with Quick Look
        2. Add a Finder Preview Panel
        3. Preview Files Using Finder Icons
      5. Finding Information with Spotlight
        1. Search for Files and Information
        2. Customize Spotlight Searching
        3. Save Searches as Smart Folders in the Finder
      6. Managing Your “Today” and Notifications
        1. Receive Notifications
        2. View Notifications in Notification Center
        3. Customizing the Notification Display
        4. Activating Do Not Disturb Mode
        5. Customize Do Not Disturb Mode
        6. Using Notification Center’s Today View
        7. Work in the Today View
        8. Manage Today View Widgets
      7. Using Siri
        1. Enable and Configure Siri
        2. Talking to Siri
        3. Making a Siri Widget
    13. 2. Managing Your Applications and Windows
      1. Maintaining Order of Application Windows with Mission Control
        1. Open and Close Mission Control
        2. Navigating Applications and Windows
        3. Create and Populate a New Space
        4. Switch Between Spaces
        5. Close a Space
        6. Create Fullscreen Application Spaces
        7. Create Split-Screen Application Spaces
        8. Choose Between Application Windows
        9. Show the Desktop
        10. Configure Mission Control Features and Shortcuts
      2. Managing and Launching Applications with Launchpad
        1. Start Launchpad
        2. Navigate Launchpad
        3. Search Launchpad
        4. Rearrange Icons
        5. Create New Folders
        6. Delete Folders
        7. Delete Applications
      3. Managing Auto Open and Save Features
        1. Toggle Application Auto Open
        2. Set Window Restoration
        3. Enable Manual File Saving
    14. 3. Connecting Your Mac to a Network
      1. Connecting to a Wired Network
        1. Make an Ethernet (Wired) Connection
      2. Connecting to a Wireless Network
        1. Find and Connect to a Wireless Network
        2. Manually Choose a Wireless Connection
        3. Authenticate on a Wireless Network
        4. Disable (and Enable) Wireless Networking
      3. Manually Configuring Network Settings
        1. Configure TCP/IP and Proxy Settings
        2. Activate PPPoE for DSL Connections
      4. Making Connections with Cellular Data Modems and iOS Devices
        1. Configure a WWAN Modem for Use with Your Mac
        2. Manage Your WWAN Connection
        3. Use Your iOS Instant Hotspot
      5. Creating Virtual Private Network Connections
        1. Create a VPN Connection
      6. Managing Multiple Connections with Locations and Configurations
        1. Create Configurations
        2. Add and Use Locations
      7. Seeking Automated Network Assistance
        1. Launch Diagnostics
        2. Launch the Setup Assistant
    15. 4. Setting Up iCloud and Internet Accounts
      1. Setting Up iCloud
        1. Configure iCloud for the First Time
        2. Browse iCloud Services
        3. Activate iCloud Services
      2. Exploring Unique iCloud Services
        1. Access iCloud Applications Online
        2. Use Find My Mac
        3. Use iCloud Drive
        4. Activate iCloud Drive’s Desktop and Documents
        5. Navigate iCloud Desktop and Documents
        6. Navigate the Rest of iCloud Drive
        7. Open iCloud Files within an Application
        8. Save iCloud Files from an Application
        9. View and Manage iCloud Syncing Status
        10. Open iCloud Files on the Web
        11. Using iCloud Photos
        12. Enable iCloud Photo Sharing
        13. View iCloud Photos
        14. Share Photos
        15. Interact with Shared Photos
      3. Getting Started with Accounts
        1. Add an Account
    16. 5. Accessing Email and the Web
      1. Getting Started with Mail
        1. Things You Need Before Setting Up an Email Connection
        2. Add a Common Email Account
        3. Add a Non-Standard Account
        4. Finding Your Way Around Mail
        5. Reading Email
        6. Sort Mail
        7. Filter Mail
        8. Preview Attachments
        9. Save Attachments
        10. View Web Pages within an Email
        11. Organize with Email Conversations
        12. Manage Spam Filtering
        13. Change How Often Mail Is Retrieved
        14. Composing Email
        15. Send Messages with Attachments
        16. Annotate Attachments with Markup
        17. Use Stationery Templates
        18. Create Signatures
      2. Managing Your Email with Mailboxes
        1. Create Mailboxes
        2. Delete and Rename Mailboxes
        3. File Messages in Mailboxes
        4. Automatic Email Organization with Smart Mailboxes
        5. Keep Track of Your Very Important People with VIP Mailboxes
        6. Search for Messages
        7. Write Email Rules
      3. Web Browsing in Safari
        1. Manage Your Bookmarks, Bookmarks Menu, Favorites, and Reading List
        2. Add a Web Page to Bookmarks, Bookmarks Menu, Favorites, or Reading List
        3. Organize Bookmarks, Favorites, and the Bookmarks Menu
        4. Manage Your Reading List
        5. Consuming Web Content
        6. View All Tabs
        7. Silence Tabs
        8. Pin Tabs
        9. View PDFs Online
        10. Use Picture-in-Picture Video
        11. Distraction-Free Reading with Reader
        12. Using Apple Pay for the Web
        13. Enable Websites to “See” Apple Pay Devices
        14. Use Apple Pay
        15. Resting Your Fingers with Autofill
        16. Save and Share Account Information
        17. Manage AutoFill Data
        18. Edit AutoFill Usernames and Passwords
        19. Edit AutoFill Credit Cards
        20. Choosing What to Share... and What Not to Share
        21. Share with Others
        22. Enable Private Browsing
        23. Protect Your Mac and Yourself Online
        24. Extending Safari’s Capabilities with Extensions
        25. Install an Extension
        26. Manage Extensions
    17. 6. Sharing Files, Devices, and Services
      1. File Sharing on Your Mac
        1. Configure AirDrop
        2. Send Files with AirDrop
        3. Receive Files with AirDrop
        4. Use the Share Menu to Send via AirDrop
      2. Configuring Traditional File and Folder Sharing
        1. Enable File Sharing
        2. Choose File Sharing Protocols
        3. Select Folders and Permissions
        4. Set Folder Access Permissions
        5. Browse and Connect to Network Shares
        6. Connect to Remote Shares
      3. Sharing Files via the Share Menu
        1. Share Files via Messages
        2. Upload Files to an Online Service
      4. Sharing Printers
        1. Enable Network Printer Sharing
        2. Set Printer Sharing Permissions
        3. Access a Network Printer
      5. Sharing an Optical Drive
        1. Enable DVD Sharing
        2. Access a Shared Optical Drive
      6. Sharing Your Mac Screen
        1. Enable Screen Sharing
        2. Set Screen Sharing Permissions
        3. Access the Screen of a Local Mac
        4. Access Remote Computers and Non-Macs
      7. Sharing Your Internet Connection
        1. Share Your Connection
    18. 7. Being Social with Messages, FaceTime, Twitter, and Facebook
      1. Instant Messaging with Messages
        1. Adding Accounts to Messages
        2. Configure Your Account During Startup
        3. Edit Your iMessage Account Settings
        4. Add a Traditional IM Account to Messages
        5. Edit Your Traditional IM Account Settings
        6. Logging in to (and out of) Your IM Account
        7. Configuring Your IM Identity
        8. Set the Messages Picture
        9. Configure Custom Status Messages
        10. Managing Your IM Buddy List
        11. Add Buddies
        12. Add Groups
        13. Communicating with Messages
        14. Start a Chat
        15. Send Emoji in Messages
        16. Send Audio Snippets
        17. Send Tapback Responses
        18. Transfer Files over Messages
        19. Start a Chat via Notification Center
        20. Respond to an Incoming Chat via Notification Center
      2. Voice, Video, Screen Sharing, and Location
        1. Start a Voice or Video Chat
        2. Start a Screen-Sharing Session
        3. View Your Friend’s Location
        4. Review Files and Photos Shared in a Conversation
      3. Video Calls with FaceTime
        1. Set Up FaceTime
        2. Place Calls
        3. Receive a FaceTime Call
        4. Access Your Call List
        5. Disable FaceTime
        6. Update Account Information
      4. Using Twitter and Facebook Posting Support
        1. Enable Twitter
        2. Enable Facebook
        3. Post from the Finder and Other Apps
        4. Post via Notification Center
    19. 8. Managing Who, Where, When, and What
      1. Managing Contacts
        1. Adding Groups
        2. Create a Group
        3. Create a Smart Group
        4. Adding Contacts
        5. Create a New Contact
        6. Set a Profile Picture
        7. Auto Information Gathering
        8. Create “My” Card
        9. Edit the Contact Template
        10. Search Contacts
        11. Detect and Merge Duplicates
        12. Use Server-Based Contacts
        13. Set Up Server Contacts
        14. Share Contacts via Email, Messages, and AirDrop
        15. Print Addresses
      2. Finding Your Way with Maps
        1. Start and Navigate Maps
        2. Using Map Views
        3. Choose a View Mode
        4. View Maps with 3D Flyover
        5. Finding Places
        6. Find Yourself
        7. Find Contact Entries
        8. Search the Map
        9. Working with Points of Interest
        10. See Point of Interest Details
        11. Make Your Own Point of Interest
        12. Share a Point of Interest
        13. Traveling with Maps
        14. Get Directions
        15. Show Traffic Indicators
      3. Working with Schedules in Calendar
        1. Adding Calendars
        2. Create New Calendars
        3. Connect to Server-Based Calendars
        4. Subscribe to a Public Shared Calendar
        5. View Calendars
        6. Working with Events
        7. Create a New Event
        8. Use the Quick Event Feature
        9. Edit Event Information
        10. Sending Event Invitations
        11. Accept Invitations
        12. Accept Invitations Through Notification Center
        13. Confirm “Found in App” Invitations
        14. Search Events
        15. Print Calendars
      4. Remembering with Reminders
        1. Create a List
        2. Add a Reminder
        3. Set Reminder Attributes, Including Location
        4. Mark Reminders as Complete
        5. Finding Reminders
        6. View Reminders by Date
        7. Search Reminders
        8. Share Reminder Lists
        9. Use Server-Based Reminders
      5. Keeping Track with Notes
        1. Add Folders
        2. Add Notes
        3. Prettify Your Most Mundane Notes
        4. Add Notes from Other Applications
        5. Lock Notes
        6. Read Locked Notes
        7. Manage Locked Notes
        8. Move Notes Between Folders
        9. Search and Display Notes
        10. Show Attachments
        11. Share Notes for Collaboration
        12. Share Notes via Email and Messages
        13. Use Server-Based Notes
    20. 9. Organizing Your Media
      1. Creating a Media Library in iTunes
        1. Run iTunes for the First Time
        2. Find Your Way Around iTunes
        3. Interact with Your Library
        4. Control Playback
        5. Rock Ewe Like a Hurry Cane
        6. Share Your Good Taste
      2. Building Your Media Library
        1. Add Existing Media
        2. Purchase Digital Media on the iTunes Store
        3. Use Genius Recommendations
        4. Download Podcasts
        5. Do Simple Searches
        6. Search Across All Media
      3. Using Playlists
        1. Create Playlists
        2. Define Smart Playlists
        3. Access Playlists
        4. Use the Mini Player
      4. Using iTunes Radio
        1. Listen to iTunes Radio
        2. Create Your Own iTunes Radio Station
        3. Fine-Tune Your iTunes Radio Station
        4. Answer the “What Was That Song?” Question
      5. Using Apple Music
        1. Subscribe to Apple Music
        2. Add Songs to Your Library
        3. Use Apple Music Recommendations
        4. Connect with Artists
        5. Follow New Artists
        6. Manage Followed Artists
      6. Syncing Media Between Devices
        1. Sync Purchases
        2. Sync Your Media with Your iPod, iPad, or iPhone
        3. Share Media Between Home Computers
      7. Keeping an iCloud Library with iTunes Match
        1. Activate iTunes Match
        2. Access Purchases and Matches in iCloud
      8. Viewing and Managing Photos
        1. Starting Photos and Importing Images
        2. Get Started
        3. Import Photos from a Camera or Memory Card
        4. Add Photos from Your iOS Device
        5. Finding Your Way Around Photos
        6. View Photo Collections
        7. View Photo Details
        8. View and Edit Photo Details
        9. Edit Photos
        10. Managing and Searching Albums
        11. Identify Faces
        12. Create and Fill Albums
        13. Define Smart Albums
        14. Search Your Albums
        15. Work with Photos Projects
      9. Building a Digital Library with iBooks
        1. Start iBooks
        2. Purchase Books
      10. Viewing and Arranging Your iBooks Library
        1. Browse the iBooks Library
        2. Organize by Collection
      11. Reading iBooks
        1. Reading Basics
        2. Use Annotations
        3. Add Bookmarks
        4. Fine-Tune Your Reading Experience
    21. 10. Installing and Managing Applications and Extensions on Your Mac
      1. The Mac App Store
        1. Log In to the App Store
        2. Browse for Software
        3. Search for Software
        4. Purchase Software
        5. Reinstall Software and Install Purchases on Other Macs
        6. Hide Apps You No Longer Want
      2. Installing Non–App Store Applications
        1. Unarchive Zip Files
        2. Access Disk Images
      3. Sharing Purchases with Family Sharing
        1. Set Up Family Sharing (Organizer)
        2. Add a Family Member
        3. Manage Family Members
      4. Keeping Your Applications and Operating System Up to Date
        1. Configure Software Updates and Auto Downloads
        2. Manually Apply Software Updates
      5. Managing Extensions
        1. Manage Installed Extensions
    22. 11. Making the Most of Your Mac Hardware
      1. Energy-Saving Settings
        1. Monitor Battery Life and Application Energy Use (MacBook Only)
        2. Configure Display, Computer, and Hard Disk Sleep
        3. Create a Sleep/Wake Schedule
      2. Updating Keyboard and Dictation Settings
        1. Set Keyboard Repeat Rate
        2. Change Keyboard Illumination (MacBook Only)
        3. Creating Keyboard Shortcuts
        4. Enable Text Shortcuts and Spelling Correction
        5. Set Shortcuts for Existing Sierra Actions
        6. Set Shortcuts for Arbitrary Applications
        7. Activating Dictation
        8. Enable Dictation
        9. Use Dictation
      3. Changing Trackpad and Mouse Options
        1. Set the Trackpad Speed and Click Pressure
        2. Control Trackpad Gestures
        3. Configure the Magic Mouse Speed
        4. Configure Magic Mouse Gestures
      4. Adjusting Your Display
        1. Set Display Resolution
        2. Control Display Brightness
        3. Choose a Color Profile
        4. Calibrate the Display
      5. Setting Sound Input and Output
        1. Set the Output Volume and Device
        2. Configure Alert Sounds
        3. Fine-Tune an Audio Output Device
        4. Pick and Calibrate an Input Device
      6. Recording Audio and Video
        1. Record Audio
        2. Record with the FaceTime HD Video Camera
      7. Optimizing Storage
        1. Access Sierra Storage Management
        2. Use Storage Recommendations
        3. Save More Space
    23. 12. Using macOS with Your iDevices
      1. Enabling Sierra and iDevice Communication
        1. Verify Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings
      2. Using AirDrop
        1. Send Files to iOS via AirDrop
        2. Send Files to Sierra via AirDrop
      3. Using Handoff and Universal Clipboard to Move Between Devices
        1. Enable Handoff
        2. Hand Off from Sierra to iOS
        3. Hand Off from iOS to Sierra
        4. Use the Universal Clipboard
      4. Using Your iPhone to Cell-Enable Your Mac
        1. Enable Sierra Cellular Calls
        2. Place a Phone Call
        3. Receive a Phone Call
        4. Text Messaging with Sierra
        5. Enable Text Message Forwarding
        6. Send a Text Message
      5. Using Your iOS Device as an Instant Hotspot
        1. Share Your iOS Internet Connection
      6. Unlocking Your Mac with Apple Watch
        1. Set Up Unlocking
        2. Unlock Your Mac
    24. 13. Connecting Peripherals to Your Mac
      1. Connecting USB Input Devices
        1. Configure a USB Keyboard
        2. Configure a USB Mouse
      2. Using Bluetooth Devices
        1. Pair a Bluetooth Mouse or Trackpad
        2. Pair a Bluetooth Keyboard
        3. Connect a Bluetooth Headset
        4. Add and Use the Bluetooth Status Menu
      3. Using External Displays and Projectors
        1. Extend Your Desktop to Another Monitor
        2. Set Monitor Arrangements
        3. Add the Display Mirroring Menu to Your Menu Bar
        4. Use Mirrored Displays
      4. Connecting to an Apple TV (or Other Device) with AirPlay
        1. Mirror Your Display to an Apple TV
        2. Set the AirPlay Apple TV Resolution
        3. Extend Your Desktop to an Apple TV
        4. Share Multimedia to an Apple TV
        5. Send System Audio to an Apple TV
      5. Connecting and Using a Printer
        1. Set Up a USB Printer
        2. Print to a Printer
      6. Connecting and Using a Scanner
        1. Add a Scanner
        2. Scan in Preview
    25. 14. Securing and Protecting Your Mac
      1. Working with Users and Groups
        1. Creating User Accounts
        2. Add Accounts
        3. Enable the Guest Account
        4. Apply Parental Controls
        5. Create Groups
        6. Configure General Account Security
        7. Assign File Permissions for Users and Groups
      2. Tracking Passwords with Keychain Access
        1. View Keychain Items
        2. Add Data to the Keychain
        3. Create a New Keychain
        4. Add a Keychain Menu Item
      3. Encrypting Your macOS Disk
        1. Activate FileVault
      4. Application Execution Security
        1. Set Application Execution Limits
      5. Adding Network Security with the Built-In Firewall
        1. Activate the Sierra Firewall
        2. Configure Incoming Services
        3. Hide Location Information and Application Data
      6. Backing Up Important Information
        1. Using Time Machine
        2. Activate Time Machine
        3. Customize the Time Machine Backups
        4. Add a Time Machine Menu Item
        5. Recover Data
        6. Restore a Machine from Scratch
        7. Using File Versions
        8. Manually Save a Version
        9. Restore a File Version
    26. Index
    27. 15. Troubleshooting Your System
      1. Dealing with Troublesome Software
        1. Force-Quit Applications
        2. Test with the Guest Account
        3. Remove Corrupted Application Files
      2. Restarting and Correcting a Frozen Machine
        1. Start in Safe Mode
        2. Change Login Applications
        3. Remove Startup Applications and Launch Daemons
        4. Disable Extensions
        5. Remove System Preferences Panes
      3. Fixing Disk Problems
        1. Perform Simple Disk Repairs
        2. Repair Your Disk Using the Recovery Partition
      4. Gathering Information About Your Mac
        1. Monitor System Activity
        2. Generate a System Profiler Report
        3. View the System Logs
      5. Remember Your Backups!
        1. View System Support Options
    28. 16. Upgrading Your Mac
      1. Upgrading Your Built-In Hardware
        1. General Guidelines for Conducting Mac Surgery
        2. Verify Your Mac RAM Upgrade
        3. Prepare a New Boot Drive
      2. Adding External Storage
        1. Prepare the Storage Device
        2. Initializing Your Storage Device
        3. Mount and Unmount Devices

    Product information

    • Title: My macOS™, Sierra Edition
    • Author(s): John Ray
    • Release date: November 2016
    • Publisher(s): Que
    • ISBN: 9780134581958