Chapter 9: The Joys of Maintenance
In This Chapter
Deleting applications
Using Apple System Information Utility
Using Activity Monitor and Disk Utility
Updating OS X and your drivers
Backing up your system with Time Machine
Using a disk defragmenter and start-up keys
The title of this chapter really sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn’t it? The concepts of joy and maintenance are likely mutually exclusive to you — and it’s true that most OS X owners would rather work or play than spend time under the hood, getting all grimy. I understand completely; maintenance is far less sexy than a game like BioShock 2 or even an exciting productivity application like Pages.
However, if you do want to work or play uninterrupted by lockups and crashes — yes, believe it or not, the Big X can indeed take a dive if it’s not cared for — and you’d like your Mac to perform like Lance Armstrong, ...