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Take Control of Solving Mac Problems
by Joe KissellMacs are generally quite reliable computers, but things still can and do go wrong. When you encounter an error message, an ornery app, or other unwanted behavior, don't panic. Take a deep breath and turn to the expert advice in "Take Control of Solving Mac Problems."
Take Control of Sonoma
by Joe KissellmacOS 14 Sonoma makes your Mac more secure and easier to use, with a wide array of new and improved features. Learn how to upgrade your Mac from an earlier version of macOS, find your way around Sonoma, use new features, and discover extensive changes to built-in apps such as Safari and Messages.
Take Control of Spam with Apple Mail
by Joe KissellQuestions answered in this book include: How does Mail's Junk Mail filtering really work? How does the spam filter use my Previous Recipients list? How could a spammer's email addresses get on my Previous Recipients list? What can I do to not get so much spam in the first place? What's the deal with email that pretends to come from my bank? What features should I look for in a spam-fighting utility or service? Should I try server-based filtering?
Take Control of Speeding Up Your Mac
by Joe KissellWith this 204-page book, you can: Save money: Extend your Mac's useful life and postpone buying an expensive new computer. Save time: Work more efficiently rather than constantly waiting for your Mac to catch up with you. Eliminate irritations: Banish the spinning pizza of death. Reduce startup and application launch times. Work smarter: Learn power user tricks for getting more done with less effort. You'll learn answers to questions like: What are the eight quickest fixes for Mac performance problems? Which common claims about Mac performance are myths? How can I objectively measure my Mac's performance? Which popular Mac OS X features have hidden (and severe) speed penalties? What are the best ways to find and eliminate CPU and RAM hogs? Can I make my Mac faster by freeing up disk space? Will defragmenting my disk, repairing permissions, or clearing caches speed up my Mac? When is an SSD (solid-state drive) a smart upgrade choice? Which hardware upgrades are worth the money, and which should I avoid? If Web browsing is slow, how can I tell where the bottleneck is? How can I make my Mac start up, go to sleep, or wake up faster? How can I type faster? How can I make my mouse pointer move faster or more fluidly?
Take Control of Speeding Up Your Mac
by Joe KissellDon’t settle for a sluggish Mac! If it seems your Mac has become slower and less responsive over time, it’s not your imagination—but it’s also a problem you can solve without buying a new computer. This comprehensive book teaches you how to find the exact causes of slow performance and take steps to make your Mac zippy again.
Take Control of Speeding Up Your Mac (2.0)
by Joe KissellDon’t settle for a sluggish Mac! If it seems your Mac has become slower and less responsive over time, it’s not your imagination—but it’s also a problem you can solve without buying a new computer. This comprehensive book teaches you how to find the exact causes of slow performance and take steps to make your Mac snappy again.
Take Control of Spotlight for Finding Anything on Your Mac
by Sharon ZardettoYou'll learn these search-related techniques: Improve search accuracy by limiting Spotlight to searching just where you want. Reduce result clutter by choosing which categories should appear in the Spotlight menu. Learn what to do when the Spotlight menu doesn't list an item that it should be able to find. Use criteria bars (and even the elusive Boolean bars!) to create complex search queries. Bypass criteria bars by typing complex, powerful queries in any Spotlight search field. Build Boolean searches with AND, OR, and NOT to narrow your search results precisely. In addition, you'll find out how to make your files even easier to find with these techniques: Customize a file's metadata. Employ free third-party utilities to give your files useful, searchable tags. Set up sophisticated smart folders that provide dynamic file organization. In these days of terabyte drives, your Mac has enormous storage capacity, and you may have many thousands of files squirreled away (we don't even want to admit to how many hundreds of thousands of files are filling up our disks!). But with the Spotlight expertise you'll gain from this ebook, you'll be able to retrieve anything on your Mac, no matter how deeply it's buried or how specific you need to make your search (how about every GarageBand song in the key of E-flat, or every graphic that's smaller than 500 by 500 pixels?).
Take Control of Switching to the Mac
by Scott KnasterSwitching to the Mac is easier than ever with our real-world advice! You're using Windows, so we're guessing that you're considering a switch to the Mac (good for you!) or that you're a Mac user on a PC at work. (If the latter, you may want to read the Mac-user version of this page.) There has never been a better time to switch to the Mac, but it's easier said than done. Never fear, because Scott Knaster, an alumnus of both Apple and Microsoft, has written a concise guide to speed you on your way. He starts by showing you what's cool about the Mac and how you can work around any troublesome bits, and, if you haven't already picked a Mac, he helps you choose among the different models. Then it's into the nitty-gritty, where Scott explains how to set up your Mac and navigate the Macintosh interface before clarifying which Mac applications replace familiar Windows programs and how to move your data to the Mac, including documents, email messages, address books, music, and Web bookmarks. Once you're set up, Scott helps you learn the basics of using the Mac, including how to set up multiple users, work effectively in Finder windows, search with Spotlight, manage applications and windows, use the network, print, download software updates, and more. As a bonus, you'll learn five Mac features you can't live without and find five more useful tips to help you become a power user. Finally, Scott has some advice if you must share documents with Windows users or run the occasional Windows application. This book covers the steps needed to switch your computing life from Windows to the Macintosh. It covers a lot of ground and by the end, you'll be running on your Mac with your files moved over from your Windows PC, and you'll know how to get around on your new Mac.
Take Control of Syncing Data in Leopard
by Michael E CohenIs your data stuck on your Mac? Learn how to sync it with another Mac, iPhone, iPod, mobile phone, or PDA! With clear directions and a humorous touch, Take Control of Syncing Data in Leopard explains how to sync data from a Mac running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard with a variety of devices from Apple and other companies. Whether you want to sync phone numbers between your Mac and your mobile phone, share calendars and keychains between Macs, or move only new podcast episodes to a small iPod, syncing expert and master punster Michael Cohen has the answers. You'll learn what software and gear you need and the best ways to move data between different devices. The ebook also explains how syncing works under the hood and provides troubleshooting advice in case your sync engine throws a rod. Types of sync data covered include:Calendar items stored in iCal, Entourage, and Google Contacts stored in Address Book, Entourage, Yahoo, and Google Data on Exchange servers Dock items and Dashboard widgets Apple Mail account settings, Safari bookmarks, and application preferences Apple Mail and Entourage notes Keychains (user names and passwords) Items from software that uses Leopard's Sync Services, including NetNewsWire and Yojimbo Audio, video, photos, and associated metadata from iTunes Types of devices covered include:Macs, with details on MobileMe and overviews of popular third-party options iPhone and iPod touch, via MobileMe or iTunes Old and new iPods via iTunes, with details on USB and FireWire connections The Apple TV via iTunes Mobile phones, smartphones, BlackBerries, and Palm OS PDAs
Take Control of Syncing Data in Snow Leopard
by Michael E CohenYou'll learn about syncing managed data on a Mac running Snow Leopard with:Another Mac Microsoft Exchange The cloud (i.e. MobileMe or Google) An iPhone, iPod, or Apple TV A non-Apple mobile phone A PDA (i.e. a Palm or Blackberry, specifics are brief) Types of sync data covered include:Calendar items stored in iCal, Entourage, Google, and Yahoo Contacts stored in Address Book, Entourage, Google, and Yahoo Data on Exchange servers Data on MobileMe Dock items and Dashboard widgets Apple Mail account settings, Safari bookmarks, and application preferences Apple Mail and Entourage notes Keychains (user names and passwords) Items from software that uses Mac OS X's Sync Services, such as Yojimbo Audio, video, photos, apps, and associated metadata from iTunes Types of devices covered include:Macs, with details on MobileMe and overviews of popular third-party options The iPhone and iPod touch, via Microsoft Exchange, MobileMe, or iTunes Old and new iPods via iTunes, with details on USB and FireWire connections The Apple TV via iTunes Mobile phones, smartphones, BlackBerries, and Palm OS PDAs via iSync and/or third-party utilities Connection technologies and software examined include:Bluetooth, USB, FireWire, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet MobileMe, iTunes, iSync, IMAP (IMAP discussion is limited to Apple Mail), Exchange Third-party products from BusyMac, Feisar, Mark/Space, Nova Media, PocketMac, and Spanning Sync Sampler of special questions you'll find answers to: What is the truth database? And what should I do if I think it's lying? When a sync occurs, what's going on behind the scenes? What is push syncing and how does it work? What is the difference between syncing and a backup? What does Bluetooth "discovery" mean, and what should I do about it? Can I control exactly which audio and video files sync to my iPod? How do I override automatic syncing when I connect my iPod to iTunes? How does iTunes decide if a video file is a movie, TV show, or music video? How does the Apple TV figure out what to sync if it fills up? How do I sync everything possible to my iPhone--calendars, contacts, Safari bookmarks, the works? How do I sync a mobile phone that Apple doesn't support? Argh! Snow Leopard's iSync doesn't support the Palm! What third-party software can I use instead? I want to sync directly with an Exchange server... what do I need to know? What's the smartest way to sync keychains between Macs? I have a syncing feeling about my data--what should I do?
Take Control of TextExpander
by Michael E CohenRunning TextExpander is like embedding a superhero typist in your Mac. Read Take Control of TextExpander to learn how to: Reply faster: If you frequently send similar bits of text--directions, chunks of legal writing, bios, product descriptions, company names, addresses, URLs, and so forth--let TextExpander quickly type all that text for you, making it a snap to respond quickly to customer questions or requests from colleagues, and a breeze to send other routine correspondence ("Dear Mom, I'm still not pregnant. Love, Me"). You can even create fill-in snippets that ask you for details and fill in all the rest of the text automatically. Make typing more exciting: Discover how to grab and insert the URL in your browser's frontmost window into whatever you're writing, to insert HTML or CSS tags in a flash, to automagically add the date to filenames as you save, and more. It's like having another set of fingers. Type more accurately: Find out how to add the auto-correct dictionary groups from Smile and to create your own auto-correction options, so you'll spend less time fixing common typing mistakes or going red-faced when you spot an egregious error too late. Enjoy life more: When you let TextExpander handle your routine typing, your brain will be free to think more creatively about the rest of what you type. And you just might knock off work a little sooner some days. Specific questions answered in this ebook include: How do I register my demo copy of TextExpander and buy a family pack? What are some common uses of TextExpander that I can try as I learn? How do I use TextExpander to timestamp my text automatically? How can I put the clipboard contents into an expanded snippet? How can I make a TextExpander snippet that expands into a fill-in form? How do I work with formatted text and pictures in snippets? How do I handle capitalization and snippet expansions? How can I get to TextExpander quickly, and hide it when I don't need it? What do I do if I can't remember a snippet's expansion abbreviation? How can I edit my snippets quickly? How can I quickly insert special characters like smileys and stars? How do I insert a snippet and move the insertion point into the middle of it? How do I insert a snippet immediately after a quotation mark or bracket? I do a lot of CSS coding. TextExpander sounds great, but how can I leverage someone else's work and not have to create my own set of CSS expansions? How can I invoke an AppleScript from within a TextExpander snippet expansion, and use the result in my snippet?
Take Control of the Cloud
by Joe KissellCut through the hype, understand cloud services, and enhance your privacy and security!What, exactly, is the Cloud? What are cloud services, and how can you make smart decisions about which ones to use and how to set them up? Join award-winning author Joe Kissell as he pins down nebulous cloud concepts, helps you evaluate claims about cloud services, and points out how to enhance your privacy and security in the Cloud.You can read this approachable ebook quickly in your recliner, deck chair, or airplane seat, but you'll want to pull it out again next time you're considering signing up for yet another cloud-based product or service, whether it's data storage, syncing, or sharing; a productivity or entertainment app; or something else. Along with lists of popular, recommended, or interesting cloud-based services, Joe provides advice on desirable (and undesirable) features. And, if you'd like still more control over your data, there's a special chapter about setting up your own personal cloud.Teach This Book! Do you need to give a presentation concerning the Cloud? We'd like to help. This ebook includes links to a free PDF cheat sheet and a PDF-based slide deck that you can show on any computer or mobile device.Here's what you'll find inside Take Control of the Cloud:18 essential FAQs about the CloudWhat's special about modern-day, cloud-based data syncingWhy it's so hard to mingle calendars from different servicesHow using the Cloud can reduce your hardware costsPopular cloud apps and what they can do for youHow to run Windows or Linux in the CloudWhy Adobe Creative Cloud is a lame example of cloud computingWhat a VPS (virtual private server) is, and why you might want oneWho are the big players who want to grab your cloud dataHow to avoid the weak points when it comes to cloud securityWhy you should back up to and from the CloudHow to know if a particular cloud service is right for youBarriers and benefits to running your own personal cloudHow to choose hardware and software for a personal cloudFree download of a cheat sheet and training materials about the Cloud
Take Control of the Cloud
by Joe KissellCut through the hype, understand cloud services, and enhance your privacy and security!To some people, the Cloud is a hard concept to grasp; what does it mean exactly? For others, it's the sheer complexity of the Cloud that is confusing; how to choose among the ever-increasing number of options. And for yet others, it's the security of the Cloud that is a concern; do I need to worry that my data isn't safe?With Take Control of the Cloud, Second Edition, award-winning author Joe Kissell cuts through the confusion and gives his expert advice on how to make the Cloud work best for you, no matter your needs. From a detailed explanation of what the Cloud is, to his top picks for cloud products and services, to how to enhance privacy and security in the Cloud, Joe covers the topics that are crucial to a clear understanding of what the Cloud can (and can't) do for you.Free Webinar As an added bonus, this book includes a free webinar for additional advice and problem-solving! (Although the webinar has already occurred--twice--purchasers can view recordings of the events at their leisure.)Cloud-related topics covered in this book include:Basic concepts, like "cloud computing" and "personal cloud"StorageSyncingBackupsProductivity appsEntertainment appsVirtual private serversComputing enginesPrivacy and securityMobile devicesThe personal cloudChoosing cloud providersThe Internet of ThingsAutomationTeach This Book! Do you need to give a presentation concerning the Cloud? We'd like to help. This ebook includes links to a free PDF cheat sheet and a PDF-based slide deck that you can show on any computer or mobile device.
Take Control of the Cloud
by Joe KissellThe array of tasks you can perform using cloud products and services is almost endless, but what’s the best way to navigate the Cloud? In "Take Control of the Cloud, Second Edition," Joe Kissell gives you the most up-to-date advice and information about choosing, using, and personalizing cloud products and services to take advantage of their potential, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Take Control of the Mac Command Line with Terminal
by Joe KissellIf you've ever thought you should learn how to use the Unix command line that underlies Mac OS X, or felt at sea when typing commands into Terminal, Joe Kissell is here to help! This ebook will help you become comfortable working on the Mac's command line, starting with the fundamentals and walking you through more advanced topics as your knowledge increases. And if you're uncertain how to put your new-found skills to use, Joe includes numerous real-life "recipes" for tasks that are best done from the command line. The book begins by teaching you these core concepts: The differences between Unix, a command line, a shell, and Terminal Exactly how commands, arguments, and flags work The basics of Terminal's interface and how to customize it Next, it's on to the command line, where you'll learn: How to navigate your Mac's file system Basic file management: creating, copying, moving, renaming, opening, viewing, and deleting files The types of command-line programs How to edit a text file in nano (even if you are not named Mork) What a profile is, why it's cool, and how to customize yours The importance of your PATH and how to change it, if you need to How to get help (Joe goes way beyond telling you to consult the man pages) You'll extend your skills as you discover how to: Create and run scripts to automate repetitive tasks. See which programs are running and what system resources they're consuming. Quit programs that refuse to quit normally. Enable the command line to interact with the Finder. Control another Mac via its command line using ssh. Understand and change an item's permissions, owner, and group. Run commands as the root user using sudo. Questions answered include: Which shell am I using, and how can I change my default shell? How do I quickly figure out the path to an item on my Mac? How can I customize my Terminal window so I can see man pages behind it? How can I make a shortcut to avoid retyping the same long command? Is there a trick for entering a long path quickly? What should I say when someone asks if I know how to use vi? How do I change my prompt to suit my mood or needs? Finally, to help you put it all together, the book showcases 40 real-world "recipes" that combine commands you've learned to perform useful tasks, such as listing users who've logged in recently, figuring out why a disk won't eject, changing filename extensions, copying the source code of a Web page, downloading a file via FTP, determing which programs have open connections to the Internet, learning details about a domain name, and deleting stubborn items from the Trash.
Take Control of the Mac Command Line with Terminal
by Joe KissellRelease your inner geek and harness the power of the Unix underpinnings to Mac OS X! This 167-page ebook from Joe Kissell explains everything you need to know to become comfortable working on the command line in Terminal, and provides numerous "recipes" for performing useful tasks.
Take Control of the Mac Command Line with Terminal
by Joe KissellRelease your inner geek and harness the power of the Unix underpinnings to Mac OS X! This 167-page ebook from Joe Kissell explains everything you need to know to become comfortable working on the command line in Terminal, and provides numerous "recipes" for performing useful tasks.
Take Control of the Mac Command Line with Terminal
by Joe KissellRelease your inner geek and harness the power of the Unix underpinnings to Mac OS X! This ebook from Joe Kissell explains everything you need to know to become comfortable working on the command line in Terminal, and provides numerous "recipes" for performing useful tasks.
Take Control of TK
by Glenn FleishmanThe digital and “real” worlds can both be scary places. The smartphone (and often smartwatch) you already carry with you can help reduce risks, deter theft, and mitigate violence. This book teaches you to secure your hardware, block abuse, automatically call emergency services, connect with others to ensure you arrive where and when you intended, detect stalking by compact trackers, and keep your ecosystem accounts from Apple, Google, and Microsoft secure.
Take Control of Troubleshooting Your Mac
by Joe KissellThis essential guide teaches you 17 basic troubleshooting procedures and how to solve 21 common problems, along with an easy-to-follow way to troubleshoot novel problems. Whether your Mac fails to boot, loses its Internet connection, or won't cooperate, this book has the advice you need to find a solution.
Take Control of Troubleshooting Your Mac
by Joe KissellThe 17 basic troubleshooting procedures (along with the reasons why they can help) you'll learn are: Restart your Mac Force-quit an application Start up from another volume Run disk-repair utilities Erase and restore from backup Repair permissions Start up in safe mode Turn off login items Check preference files Reset PMU, SMU, SMC, NVRAM, or PRAM Use Activity Monitor Check free disk space Check log files Clear caches Check your RAM Test for reproducibility Get system information Joe also explains how to solve 15 common problems, including: Your computer won't turn on Your computer keeps turning itself off You experience repeated kernel panics Your Mac is abnormally slow You can't empty the Trash An application grinds to a halt An application crashes The keyboard or mouse doesn't work You lose your Internet connection Printing doesn't work Spotlight searches fail Keychain (seemingly) forgets passwords Apple Mail fails to connect Time Machine misbehaves A volume won't unmount
Take Control of Troubleshooting Your Mac (3.0)
by Joe KissellMacs are easy to use, but they can experience problems like any other machine. When something goes wrong with your Mac, use this book to figure out how to get back up and running. It teaches you basic troubleshooting steps, how to solve numerous common problems, and what to do if you encounter a novel problem with no apparent solution.
Take Control of Untangling Connections
by Glenn FleishmanFrustrated with your peripheral cables? Tangled up in standards and compatibility? Glenn Fleishman figuratively cuts through the mess of ports, cables, and protocols with his new book, "Take Control of Untangling Connections." The book sets out to answer the most common questions and troubleshoot frequently occurring problems. You’ll learn how to buy the best cable, identify the cables you have, and recognize and research ports. You get all the answers on how to connect USB, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI, and audio at the fastest, best, or highest-fidelity method available.
Take Control of Untangling Connections
by Glenn FleishmanFrustrated with your peripheral cables? Tangled up in standards and compatibility? Glenn Fleishman figuratively cuts through the mess of ports, cables, and protocols with his new book, "Take Control of Untangling Connections." The book sets out to answer the most common questions and troubleshoot frequently occurring problems. You’ll learn how to buy the best cable, identify the cables you have, and recognize and research ports. You get all the answers on how to connect USB, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI, and audio at the fastest, best, or highest-fidelity method available.
Take Control of Untangling Connections
by Glenn FleishmanFrustrated with your peripheral cables? Tangled up in standards and compatibility? Glenn Fleishman figuratively cuts through the mess of ports, cables, and protocols with this book. It sets out to answer the most common questions and troubleshoot frequently occurring problems. You’ll learn how to buy the best cable, identify the cables you have, and recognize and research ports. You get all the answers on how to connect USB, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI, and audio at the fastest, best, or highest-fidelity method available.