- Table View
- List View
Take Control of High Sierra
by Scholle McfarlandHead off into High Sierra with confidence!Looking for a high-quality, in-depth guide to High Sierra? Look no further than Take Control of High Sierra by former Macworld editor Scholle McFarland! An expanded version of Scholle's popular Crash Course on macOS (previously for Sierra and El Capitan), Take Control of High Sierra covers all the changes Apple has made in High Sierra, and how best to adapt them to your own needs.You'll learn great details about High Sierra, like how it's now possible to take live photos of a FaceTime conversation, type instead of talk to Siri, and easily share files through iCloud. You'll also learn about the big changes Apple has made behind the scenes in High Sierra, including rolling out a new file system, improved video support, and support for VR. In addition, Scholle explains what has changed in Apple apps, including Safari, Mail, and Photos.You'll also discover lots of helpful tips on using High Sierra, including how to:Find files, tweak System Preferences, and control apps (like iTunes) with SiriUse Spotlight to find files and facts from all kinds of sourcesCreate tabs in a variety of Apple and third-party apps (not just Safari)Open Mission Control view to easily see all of your windows at onceNavigate Notification Center, including the new Now Playing widget in High SierraUpdate your Safari preferences for specific sites and preventing advertisers from tracking your searchesCreate, sync, and organize your Notes, and use new High Sierra features to Pin a Note and Add a Table in NotesUse Universal Clipboard to copy and paste between MacsShare files instantly between Macs, iPhones, and iPads with AirDropUse iCloud Drive to collaborate with other usersSet up separate user accounts to allow multiple people to use the same Mac
Take Control of Keynote
by Joe KissellGive better presentations with this handy guide covering Keynote for the Mac!Need to give a presentation, but worried about how you'll do? Steve Jobs relied on Keynote for his famous keynote presentations, and while using Keynote won't guarantee Jobs-level success, Joe Kissell's advice in Take Control of Keynote will get you closer.Drawing on years of speaking experience, Joe suggests you start by figuring out what you want to say -- and he explains exactly how to accomplish this task, even though you won't do it in Keynote. He then helps you work in Keynote with the right theme, and explains how to create slides by filling in placeholders, adding objects (images, movies, sounds, tables, and charts), and inserting and styling text. You'll also learn how to add build effects to slides and transitions between slides, as well as how to make self-playing presentations designed for kiosks, and presentations with recorded narration or a soundtrack.Finally, Joe offers real-world advice about delivering presentations, including tips on what to bring, making presenter notes and customizing the presenter display, setting up your display, and controlling your presentation."As someone whose life (and income) is doing training presentations, this ebook is the most useful I have ever bought. I know Keynote well and have used it since its first release; however, Joe's ebook has both challenged me to think about the way I structure my presentations and has taught me stuff about Keynote I didn't know." -Michael Durrant, Psychologist ... mental health & corporate trainer (Sydney, Australia)You'll learn how to use the features that go into making a great slide deck:Making master slides with carefully positioned placeholdersAdjusting the slide orderViewing more than one slide at onceUsing all the fancy layout features to position objects on a slideApplying cool visual effects to photos, such as masking and Instant AlphaSorting out builds gone wild with the Build Order paletteHiding particular slides from an audience without deleting themTaking control of text boxes and Keynote's many text styling optionsCreating a presentation that requires clicks in specific places to advanceCommenting on slides while collaborating on your presentationAdditional advice helps you prep for a successful delivery and avoid technical glitches:What to consider in advance, with respect to the screen(s) you'll be usingPracticing the mechanics of delivering from KeynoteViewing presenter notes while you speakPlaying a sound or movie from a slide during your presentationEvaluating the many options for remote control instead of a mouse or trackpadPacking your bag with the right set of cables and gadgetsSetting up once you're at the speaking venueYou'll find even more assistance with answers to questions like:Should I store my presentation on iCloud Drive?What are my options if I want to print my presentation?What's the best way to turn my slide deck into a PDF?The bulk of the book documents Keynote for the Mac, but an appendix explains what's similar and different about Keynote for iOS and Keynote for iCloud.
Take Control of Lightroom CC
by Jeff CarlsonImport, manage and edit your photos expertly with Lightroom CC!As more and more of us access and edit photos on many different devices--laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones--we increasingly expect a seamless experience, with our images and edits showing up on all our devices, immediately. To accommodate this shift, Adobe has released a new version of its Lightroom application, Lightroom CC, that is specifically designed for cloud interaction. Lightroom CC is streamlined and simplified, meant to appeal to those who want to do more than the basics with their photos, but who are intimidated by Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop.In Take Control of Lightroom CC, photography expert Jeff Carlson gives a thorough, but accessible, guide to the new Lightroom CC. He explains where it fits in the Lightroom ecosystem, then moves on to detail how to import, manage, and professionally edit your photos using Lightroom CC. For those who want to keep using Lightroom Classic CC, he also looks at how the two programs can work together.With this book, you'll:Get the big picture: See how Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic (as well as Lightroom Mobile and Lightroom for Web) work together Build your photo library: Learn how to import photos from cameras, memory cards, and locations on your hard disk; automatically add mobile photos; and sync photos, taking advantage of Lightroom CC's cloud-focused features. Organize your photos: Organize your photo library with rating and tagging, find photos using Adobe Sensei, manage your storage options, and back up your library.Edit your photos: Get a handle on essential editing basics (like working in the Edit panel); use crop, straighten, rotate and flip to re-orient photos; adjust lighting, color, and appearance; and apply presets.Share your photos: Post images directly to your friends online in Facebook, export them to disk in order to share them elsewhere, or make an entire album public for people to view and, optionally, to download.Work with Lightroom Classic CC: Learn how to migrate a Classic catalog, or discover how to run both programs together.
Take Control of Mac Basics (1.1)
by Tonya EngstMaster essential Mac facts, concepts, and skills!When we learn a new language, it's helpful to start with the basics, such as vocabulary and grammar. If we were to dive in without knowing these things, we'd have a hard time becoming fluent. In the same way, Take Control of Mac Basics is a primer for your Mac, giving you the basic facts and concepts you need, then moving on to explain how to put them to use in order to become "fluent" in macOS. But Take Control of Mac Basics is also meant for anyone--whether beginner, intermediate, or beyond--who wants to fill in any missing gaps in their knowledge of the Mac. Providing a carefully arranged and cross-referenced guide to the Mac, Take Control of Mac Basics brings together dozens of essential Mac topics in one place. Drawing on her years of experience as the former editor in chief of Take Control, author Tonya Engst presents a wealth of information in an easy-to-use format.After you read this book, you'll be able to:Get Your Bearings: Find out the names of the interface elements on your Mac screen and learn what you can do with them, including the menu bar, Apple menu, application menu, Siri, Spotlight, Notification Center, Finder, Finder windows, Dock, and Desktop. You'll also be introduced to each built-in app and utility on your Mac, and get expert advice on how to locate, install, and update additional apps.Use the Finder: Become confident with using the folders available to you on your Mac and with filing your files in both default and custom folders that work well for you. You'll find lots of tips for working on the Desktop, customizing the views in your windows, resizing windows, and understanding Mac paths.Manage Customization: Discover the many ways you can make your Mac work better for you, including making it easier to see, less of a power hog, more beautiful to look at, and easier to share with a child by creating separate accounts. Also learn how a wide variety of settings in System Preferences can improve the way you carry out essential tasks, such as copy/paste between your Mac and your iPhone, speaking through headphones on a FaceTime or Skype call, and viewing recent text messages or upcoming calendar events.Run Apps Effectively: Understand the best methods for getting in and out of apps, having apps launch on their own, quitting apps, dealing with frozen apps, opening new files, saving files, and more.Master Essential Tasks: Build your expertise with core Mac tasks and technologies including printing, copy and paste, keyboard shortcuts, connecting to a Wi-Fi network (in certain cases even if you don't know the password), Universal Clipboard, Mission Control, AirPlay, Sleep, Shut Down, what to do if you need to enter a Unix command in Terminal, how to think about backups, and more.This book is based on macOS 10.13 High Sierra, which Apple released in 2017. This book is compatible with earlier versions of macOS, but the newer the version, the more it will match what the book presents.Take Control of Mac Basics is based on an older book called Read Me First: A Take Control Crash Course, which contained information about core Mac skills useful to Take Control readers. Take Control of Mac Basics expands greatly on that idea, adding invaluable content that is pertinent to anyone interested in other Take Control titles.
Take Control of Mojave
by Scholle McFarlandLearn all the ins and outs of macOS 10.14 Mojave!Mojave brings new features and user interface options to macOS. Whether you're new to the Mac or a seasoned pro, you'll find tons of useful information in Take Control of Mojave, an in-depth guide by former Macworld editor Scholle McFarland. The book covers not only the many changes in Mojave, but also the fundamentals of getting around, customizing your experience, and solving problems.Among the many topics Scholle covers are new Finder features such as Dark Mode, stacks, and Gallery view; system-wide tools like Quick Actions (which let you perform common functions without opening an app), Mojave's enhanced screenshot features, and new capabilities built into Siri; revisions to Apple apps such as the App Store, Mail, and Safari; and features that span macOS and iOS platforms, such as Continuity Camera (using your iPhone's camera to insert a picture on your Mac) and updates to the Dock.You’ll also discover lots of helpful tips on using Mojave, including how to:Change the overall appearance of your Mac's display, modify the accent color, and use the new dynamic desktop imagesUse Stacks to keep the files on your desktop tidy and organized—effortlesslyChange the Dock's new way of showing recent apps if you don't like itPreview graphics and other files with Gallery view, and get more information about them in the Preview paneUse Quick Actions (in the Preview pane, Quick Look, contextual menus, and elsewhere) to modify documents directly, without finding and launching an appMake your own custom Quick ActionsUse Mojave's enhanced security and privacy features to keep yourself and your data safe and avoid unwanted trackingCapture your Mac's screen (as a photo or movie) in any of numerous ways, without needing an extra appUse Siri to find files, modify system preferences, find your Apple devices, perform specific tasks in apps, get answers to questions, and much moreMake Safari more friendly by selectively blocking pop-ups, showing favicons, and avoiding potentially harmful extensionsUse your iPhone to take a picture and insert it in a document on your Mac in one stepNavigate the updated App StoreUse the new Home, News, Stocks, and Voice Memos appsShare iCloud data and purchases within a familySolve common problems
Take Control of Notes
by Josh CentersUnlock the potential of Apple's Notes app! Apple's Notes has come a long way since it was first introduced with the iPhone as a simple note-taking app, but many users are still unaware of its expanded capabilities. Now available on Macs, iOS devices, and on the web at iCloud.com, Notes has become a surprisingly powerful tool for writing, sketching, organizing, and sharing information of all kinds. In Take Control of Notes, TidBITS Managing Editor Josh Centers provides a quick but thorough guide to this deceptively simple app, showing you how to master its many tools--and avoid or work around its limitations. Among many other things, you'll learn how to: Choose where to stores notes (iCloud, IMAP, or a device) and whether or how they sync Import notes from other apps and services Apply and modify character-level and paragraph-level formatting in a note Make lists (including checklists and lists with multiple levels of indentation) Work with tables in notes Encrypt notes with a password Add photos, videos, audio, maps, and other content to your notes Scan printed documents into Notes and save them as PDF attachments Draw and sketch using your finger or an Apple Pencil Share notes with other users Organize your notes into folders and search their contents
Take Control of Numbers
by Sharon ZardettoGet serious with Numbers, Apple's powerful spreadsheet for the Mac!Apple's Numbers has become a grown-up spreadsheet (and it's free on every Mac sold since October 2013!), but many of us still haven't learned even the basics, much less been able to take advantage of its surprisingly deep collection of features.With the advice in this 330-page ebook, you'll learn to input, calculate, sort, filter, format, and chart your data with ease, as author Sharon Zardetto guides you through the basics all the way to power-user features like conditional highlighting, custom data formats, and star ratings. Richly illustrated with hundreds of annotated screenshots, the ebook also includes a hands-on example spreadsheet you can use to try what you're learning, plus a special tutorial chapter that helps you put it all together. Of course, you can also treat the book as a reference, using the Quick Start to focus on a topic of interest.The book covers Numbers 3.5, which works on any Mac running OS X 10.10 Yosemite.You'll learn how to...Handle the basics:Input data into a table.Choose the best chart type for your data.Add, modify, and position shapes, such as arrows, comments, and text boxes.Import/export from Excel, text, CSV, and older versions of Numbers.Set up page numbers and other header/footer information for printing.See what you want to see:Know what to expect when you sort by column.Hide and show columns.Merge and unmerge cells.Create rules that filter data to display only specific rows.Set up and view interactive charts.Make formulas:Work fluidly in the formula editor to create formulas.Make formulas from the tear-off tokens on the Quick Calc bar.Nimbly use various types of cell references in formulas.Understand how to use IF, TRUE, and FALSE in formulas.Take charge of logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) in formulas.Concatenate and break apart text.Strip extra spaces out of data.Find medians, modes, ranks, percentiles, and more.Create clever formulas that can:Calculate a sales discount based on whether a total is over or under a certain amount.Sort seemingly unsortable data, such as items described as Poor, Good, or Excellent.Take a column of cells, with each cell containing a full name, and move all the last names into a different column.Apply formatting:Add and remove grid lines and cell borders.Work with a cell's background fill.Format a chart so it looks fabulous.Set up conditional highlighting that appears only when data meets certain criteria.Ensure accurate data entry with cell formats like sliders, menus, and checkboxes.Use and create templates.Format faster with character, paragraph, list, shape, and table styles.
Take Control of OS X Server
by Charles EdgeLearn to run your own server for file, calendar, backup, and other services!We won't beat around the bush -- running Apple's OS X Server requires a lot more knowledge and effort than most other activities on the Mac. No matter how easy Apple makes working within the Server app, there are terms, concepts, and procedures you should understand before tackling server installation and management. Unless you know what to enter and why, your server won't work, or worse, its important data might be vulnerable to outside attack or hardware failure.For anyone in a home or small office situation who needs help with OS X Server, Charles Edge draws on years of experience as the CTO of a national consultancy and managed services provider to give you the essential background explanations, step-by-step instructions, and real-world advice you need to set up and run OS X Server successfully. You'll learn how to set up file sharing, create shared calendars, run your own Web server and wiki, coordinate Mac and iOS software updates for your users, manage your organization's iOS devices (MDM), and provide networked Time Machine backups, among much else. A final chapter offers advice on how to keep your server running smoothly.What about Yosemite? This book was written with OS X 10.9 Mavericks and OS X Server 3.2.2, and nearly all the instructions also work with 10.10 Yosemite and OS X Server 4.0.In the book, you'll find answers to many OS X Server-related questions, including:What's the best Mac to use as a server?How much RAM and drive space should my server have?What's the best way to speed up a server whose performance is lagging?Why is it important to set up directory services early on?Which ports need to be opened to make services available to the Internet?What's the big deal about running a mail server?Is there a good way to share contacts between people? (No, sorry.)Can OS X Server provide a private messaging service?Will I be able to enforce iPad device restrictions via Profile Manager?Does setting up an organization wiki requires the Websites service?Should I use the Software Update or Caching service, or both?What should I do if Time Machine on a client Mac can't connect to the server?Note: This book assumes that the average reader has one router, one network, and one server (although there are a few spots where it discusses how multiple servers interact). Large installations will have different configurations by necessity. Similarly, the book does not cover imaging, Xsan, or VPNs.
Take Control of PDFpen 5
by Michael E CohenAfter a whirlwind history and overview of PDF, you'll take a tour through PDFpen's tools and navigation. With those basics taken care of, you'll learn how to: Scan a document to PDF and make the text editable with OCR Combine pages from multiple files into a single PDF Turn a Web site into a multi-page PDF Add or remove pages from a PDF Add a hand-written signature to a PDF Add page and URL links to a PDF Make a clickable table of contents for a PDF Use professional editing marks on a PDF Edit text within a PDF that was received in email Leave comments on a PDF document Remove sensitive or confidential text from a PDF Enhance the images in a PDF Fill out a PDF-based form Print just form entries on a pre-printed form Create an interactive PDF-based form that can collect data and send it to you via email or the Web An appendix describes the many useful AppleScripts that ship with PDFpen. This ebook was created in collaboration with Smile, with Michael providing feedback during the PDFpen 5 development process and PDFpen's developers tech editing the book for complete accuracy.
Take Control of PDFpen 7
by Michael E CohenLearn how to create and manipulate PDFs with PDFpen 7 and PDFpen for iPad & iPhonePDF serves as a universal document format for all manner of forms, statements, and receipts. And, whether you've moved a lot of your documents into the cloud or not, you've probably noticed that more and more "paper" is coming your way as PDF files.But, even as PDFs unstuff our filing cabinets and shrink the piles in our physical inboxes, we need to learn new skills to edit and manage PDFs effectively. Many Mac users have turned to Smile's affordable PDFpen app to help them sign PDF forms, handle scanned documents, edit PDFs, create PDFs, and even export PDFs to other file formats. With Take Control of PDFpen 7, you'll learn how to do all these tasks and more on a Mac with PDFpen or PDFpenPro, or on the go with PDFpen for iPad & iPhone.The book begins with a guide to purchasing options: PDFpen versus PDFpenPro, from Smile versus the Mac App Store, and the advantages of the iOS version. Next, you'll meet PDFpen with an overview of the PDF format and a tour of the interface.Compatibility? PDFpen 7 works with OS X 10.10 Yosemite; we also have Take Control of PDFpen 6 for users of older versions of OS X.With those preliminaries out of the way, you'll learn how to:Add and remove pages, and combine pages from multiple files into one PDF.Mark up a PDF with highlights, comments, professional editing marks, and more.Edit a PDF by fixing typos, adding text, formatting text, and redacting confidential text. Scan a document into a PDF, and make the text editable with OCR.View and work directly with OCRed text in the OCR layer (PDFpenPro only)Add clickable links, page numbers, and images.Make a clickable table of contents (PDFpenPro only).Reduce the file size with a Quartz filter.Password-protect a PDF. And (PDFpenPro only), prevent others from printing or editing a PDF. Turn a PDF into a formatted Microsoft Word document, or (PDFpenPro only) export it in Excel or PowerPoint format. And, you'll find directions for working with forms:Fill out forms with ease.Add a handwritten signature -- in the iOS versions, you can write with a stylus!Print just form entries on a pre-printed form.Create an interactive PDF form for both Mac and Windows (PDFpenPro only) that can collect data and send it to you via email or the Web.That's not all! The book also covers how to:Work with PDFs in PDFpen for iPad & iPhone.Get your PDFs into and out of PDFpen in iOS via iCloud Drive, iTunes, Dropbox, and Open In.Print a PDF with its annotations appearing at the end.Store frequently used items (like a logo or signature) in the PDFpen Library.Turn a Web site into a multi-page PDF (PDFpenPro only).An appendix describes the useful AppleScripts that ship with PDFpen.This ebook was created in collaboration with Smile, with PDFpen's developers tech editing the book.
Take Control of Pages
by Michael E CohenWork effectively in Pages in OS X Yosemite, iOS 8, and iCloud!Apple's Pages word processor is a big, sprawling app with hundreds of features tucked away in nooks and crannies, making Michael E. Cohen's comprehensive book an essential resources for newbies and experts alike. Those new to Pages, or still getting their sea legs in the transition to Pages 5 will appreciate Michael's guide to finding familiar tools, formatting text, and iCloud Drive quirks. And everyone will benefit from the book's discussion of advanced features like snaking columns (snarky columns are left as an exercise to the reader), list styles, layout options, and collaboration tools.Whether you need quick help with a particular feature or steel-toed documentation with which to kick Pages into shape, this book is for you.Still running 10.9 Mavericks? Mavericks users can still find plenty of Pages help here. To find out what's different, read What about Mavericks?.The book offers plenty of help with word processing:For everyday word processing, you'll find directions for working with fonts, tabs, indents, rulers, search and replace, spell checking, and more.For longer, more complex documents, you'll learn how to control headers, footers, page numbers, footnotes, and section breaks. Plus you'll find oodles of help with character styles, paragraph styles, and even list styles.For projects that go way beyond the norm, you'll learn how to create your own templates, complete with master objects.For collaborative projects, you'll come up to speed with the track changes and commenting features. You can also use the newfangled Share icon to collaborate with others (simultaneously) in an iCloud-based Pages document.Layout and graphics merit attention too, in terms of:Turning off the usual word processing text flow so you can lay out independent objects more easily (perfect for posters!)Inserting text boxes, vector graphics, and all manner of mediaStyling text boxes and vector graphics with whizzy object styles (for example, you can specify a specific color and shadow)Being precise with smart guides and vertical rulersCreating a custom look with fills, shadows, opacity, and moreWorking in tables (which can act as mini spreadsheets) and creating chartsYou'll also find thoughtful directions for managing your documents:What happens with fonts and features when you move Pages documents between Mac, iOS, and iCloudWhether and how to work with Pages documents in iCloud DriveHow to import from Pages 4 (aka Pages '09), Word, text, and RTFHow to export to Pages 4, Word, text, EPUB, and PDFAnd lots more!
Take Control of Pages
by Michael E CohenUnlock the power of Pages across Mac, iOS, and iCloud platforms!Apple's Pages word processor is a big, rich app with hundreds of features tucked away in nooks and crannies, making Michael E. Cohen's comprehensive book an essential resource for newbies and experts alike. Whether you prefer to dive into the details or get quick help with a particular feature, this book has got you covered.For this second edition, Michael expands his already extensive guide, detailing all the changes Apple has made to Pages since the last version of the book was released. Learn about new support for bookmarks, Web links, and Rich Text Format. Find out how you can now globally replace fonts, enter equations, and style tables and objects in your documents. Best of all, discover the possibilities for collaboration in real-time in Pages for Mac and Pages for iOS with iCloud!With Michael's help, you can navigate Pages like a pro. Learn how to:Find where the tools you need lie, whether on the Mac, in iOS, or in the Web appDo everyday word processing, including working with fonts, tabs, indents, rulers, search and replace, spell checking, and moreFormat longer, more complex documents, with customized headers, footers, page numbers, tables of content, footnotes, and section breaksManage styles, including paragraph styles, character styles, list styles, and object stylesCreate your own templates, complete with master objectsMaster the many multi-touch gestures on iOS that give you pinpoint control over page elementsInclude complex tables and charts and make them look exactly the way you wantCustomize layout and manipulate graphics like a proCollaborate with others in real time using iCloudShare your documents across devices, using Mac, iOS, or almost any Web browser
Take Control of Photos
by Jason SnellTake control of your photo collection in Photos for Mojave and iOS 12!Get to know Apple's Photos app and how best to use it to import, manage, edit, and share your photos in Mojave and iOS 12! As the successor to Apple's iPhoto and Aperture apps, Photos has a more refined interface and deeper connections to iCloud, and it runs faster. Following the expert advice of Jason Snell, publisher of Six Colors and former lead editor at Macworld, you'll learn how to navigate Photos like a pro!This 156-page book replaces and more than doubles the length of Jason's previous book Photos: A Take Control Crash Course. It's now a full-length Take Control title with much more detail.In this book, you'll learn how to:Migrate your library from iPhoto or Aperture (Apple's discontinued professional photography app) into PhotosImport photos from devices or memory cardsUse multiple Photos librariesNavigate the Photos interface, including the sidebar and iconsView, edit, or disable Live PhotosOrganize your library by using enhanced search features, adding metadata, building albums, and creating smart albumsEdit your photos using quick fixes like cropping, applying filters, and fixing red-eye and rotation problemsUse advanced editing techniques within Photos and edit using external apps like PhotoshopManage your photo collection using the Memories and People features, and get summary viewsSync and share your photos with iCloudView your photos on an Apple TVShare your photos via social media, export them out of Photos, or turn them into slideshowsCreate printed objects (such as books and calendars) from your photos using third-party servicesJason also highlights changes in Photos under iOS 12, including searching for multiple items at once, a For You tab, and an updated Import tab; plus changes in Mojave, including new keyboard shortcuts and the removal of built-in features for making calendars, books, and other printed materials (and alternative means of obtaining them).This book, which is about the new versions of Photos that Apple released in September 2018, covers Photos for macOS version 4.0 in Mojave, as well as Photos in iOS 12 and tvOS 12.
Take Control of Siri
by Scholle McFarlandMake the most of Apple's digital assistant!Siri, Apple's voice-controlled digital assistant, has been around since 2011, when it debuted on the iPhone. But since then, it has become vastly more powerful and useful, and has spread across Apple's entire ecosystem--it now runs on iOS, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. Siri can now listen and speak in a wide range of languages and accents, perform a long list of helpful day-to-day tasks, and keep you entertained in the process.Although Siri is easy to use, it's so multitalented that you might easily overlook some of its best features. In this book, former Macworld editor Scholle McFarland takes you deep into Siri's capabilities. You'll learn tons of tips and tricks about making the most of Siri. Discover how Siri can increase your efficiency and productivity, lend a hand when you're in the car or out for a jog, and even make it simpler to play music or find movies and TV shows to watch.Among many other things, this book teaches you:What hardware and software you need to use SiriHow to change Siri's language and voiceWays to personalize Siri by telling it about yourself, your contacts, and moreThe numerous ways to activate Siri (by touch or by voice)How to use Siri with AirPods, wired earbuds, or third-party headphonesWhat to do if the wrong device answers your "Hey Siri" requestHow to ask Siri about sports, math and conversions, time, food, movies, people, stocks, the weather, jokes, and random factsTips for asking Siri follow-up questionsHow to control music (on any device, with or without an Apple Music subscription)Techniques for using Siri to get directions, set reminders and appointments, send messages and email, and take notesWays to use Siri to search for files on your MacWhat Siri can and can't do for you on an Apple TV or HomePodHow to make and use Siri Shortcuts on an iOS device or Apple WatchEverything you need to know about your privacy where Siri is involvedPlus bonus videos! Since Siri is an audio-based, interactive tool, there are some things that are more readily demonstrated than written about. So Scholle has put together a series of videos that illustrate techniques from her book, allowing you to see and hear exactly what happens as you use Siri.Whether you're new to Siri or a seasoned pro, you're sure to find lots of tricks and suggestions in this book to improve your experience of using Siri.
Take Control of Slack
by Glenn FleishmanMaster Slack for work and fun!The Slack group messaging system has become an integral part of work life (and even social life) for millions of people. It's a feature of the modern business landscape, but how can you make the best use of this powerful, 21st-century tool to both get your job done and have fun? In this book, Glenn Fleishman addresses every major type of Slack user:New user: If you're interested in or tempted by Slack but have never used it, this book will help you get up to speed quickly.Experienced user: If you use Slack already and want to get more out of it, this book will guide you to more efficient and more sophisticated use and control.Reluctant user: If Slack is a requirement for your workplace, nonprofit group, or other organization, this book will help you overcome frustration and confusion.Slack can make your work life better. This book helps you master Slack! It shows you things you'll never learn by reading the online documentation or simply poking around, based on Glenn's years of experience in multiple Slack teams.Among the many questions this book answers are:How do I get started using Slack, including creating my first workspace?How can I manage the number (and manner) of notifications I get on my desktop and on my mobile devices?Is there any way to edit the message I just posted so I can fix a mistake?How do I find other channels in my Slack workspace--or make new ones?How do I make audio or video calls in Slack, or use screen sharing?What are the differences between direct messages and public messages in Slack?How much privacy can I expect in Slack from coworkers, bosses, owners, and Slack itself?How much can I do in Slack for free? What features make sense to pay for?How do people find and enter emoji in messages?What does it mean when names in the sidebar are bold or italic?What do the numbers next to channel or conversation names indicate?What exactly is Slackbot, and why is it talking to me?How do I perform advanced searches to find what I need?How do I find and install Slack apps?Take Control of Slack replaces two previous titles: Take Control of Slack Basics and Take Control of Slack Admin. Although this new book borrows some elements from its predecessors, it's a brand-new, completely rethought guide that's up to date with the latest versions of Slack (right down to its brand-new icon!).
Take Control of Upgrading to High Sierra (1.1.2)
by Joe KissellUpgrading your Mac to a new operating system can be a daunting prospect, but with some expert advice, you’ll be running macOS 10.13 High Sierra in no time. This book eliminates the uncertainty and the confusion, guiding you through every step of the process.
Take Control of Upgrading to Mojave
by Joe KissellSmooth your transition to Mojave!macOS 10.14 Mojave improves performance, fixes bugs, and adds new features. But upgrading from an older version of macOS can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating experience--especially if you're currently running a much older operating system, or if you encounter unexpected hiccups in the process. In Take Control of Upgrading to Mojave, Mac expert Joe Kissell outlines a process that will take the stress out of upgrading, showing you how to make the switch more efficiently and in the way that's right for you. Learn what you need to know before you begin, how to prepare your Mac and make backups, and be ready to make decisions about questions that arise during and after installation.In this book, you'll find out more about further changes Apple has made to the APFS file system in Mojave (and what they may mean to you), along with possible impediments to upgrading--including minimum system requirements, software incompatibilities, and lack of disk space--and how to resolve those issues.The book explains in detail how to...Start fast: A Quick Start overview helps you read lightly or more deeply, depending on your needs.Take in the view: Find out what you can look forward to in Mojave.Check for compatibility: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for Mojave and consider whether this is a good time to buy new hardware, even if it's not essential for your upgrade.Back up: Avoid upgrade anxiety by ensuring you can return to the previous state of your Mac--and that you can boot from your backup. Joe provides steps for carrying out this essential task in Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!.Pick a plan: Go for an easy in-place upgrade or consider a more complex clean install. Find out which option is right for you.Install: Download and store the installer where it won't be deleted, with special tips for people who want to install on multiple Macs or who have bandwidth limitations. And, although running the installer will be easy for many people, you'll find full steps for what to click and when.Do a post-installation tune-up: Make sure your new system is running smoothly by completing important housekeeping tasks and making a few key decisions. Troubleshoot: Yikes! It is possible that something will go wrong during installation, or that once you've booted up under Mojave that you'll encounter a serious problem. Joe's time-tested troubleshooting advice will help get your system working again.In addition, this book covers a number of new Mojave-specific topics:The good and bad aspects of Apple's changes to the APFS file systemChanges to Setup Assistant, what the new screens mean, and how to handle themNew, possibly confusing, and definitely annoying alerts asking you to grant accessibility, automation, and full disk accessAdjustments to the ways macOS can look for and install software updatesHuge changes to the way Mail handles plugins, and how to deal with themSafari's revised approach to extensions, and what to do if your favorite extension won't loadWhat's new, added, removed, and rearranged in System PreferencesWhat to do if you run the Mojave installer, restart, and find your Mac is still running your old version of macOSRevised instructions for downgrading to your earlier system if that becomes necessary
Take Control of Wi-Fi Networking and Security
by Glenn FleishmanGet more from your Wi-Fi networkPerhaps you already have a Wi-Fi network running in your home and office, but you're dissatisfied with it. Or maybe you're setting up a new house, apartment, business, or school room with Wi-Fi and need to know the basics about what to get and how to configure it. In either case, this book is for you. After over 15 years of writing regularly about Wi-Fi and answering reader questions, author Glenn Fleishman finds that the same issues still crop up:How do I spend the least money to the best effect?What's the best place to put my Wi-Fi gateways?How can I get both high throughput (speed) on my network and solid coverage across everywhere I want to use Wi-Fi?What can I do to secure my network against outsiders near my house and elsewhere on the internet?How do I add networked hard drives and printers?Interference is slowing my network; what can I do to reduce it?What's the best way to extend my network to a garage, yard, or nearby building?This book answers those questions in depth, as well as many others related to Wi-Fi, including how to set up a personal or mobile hotspot with all major operating systems, how to access computers on your network remotely, and why you should use a VPN (virtual private network).If you have any question about overhauling your network, setting up a new one, or just finally figuring out something that's never worked, this book has the answer.Covers macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS.
Take Control of Your Apple ID
by Glenn FleishmanPrevent (or solve) problems with your Apple ID!Your Apple ID is much more than a simple username. It's a key that unlocks a long list of Apple products and services on any of numerous devices. iCloud uses an Apple ID; so do iTunes, Apple Music, the App Store on Mac and iOS, the Books app, and more. An Apple ID protects your personal information, including email and iOS backups; helps you find a lost iPhone; and can even unlock your Mac. So it goes without saying that if something goes wrong with your Apple ID, you could be in for a world of hurt.Unfortunately, things go wrong with Apple IDs all the time. Fortunately, Glenn Fleishman, a veteran technology journalist and the author of Macworld's "Mac 911" column, is ready to help with expert advice on how to manage your Apple ID--including how to prevent, solve, or work around most common problems!In this book, Glenn answers questions like:What all is my Apple ID used for?How does my iCloud account relate to my Apple ID?What problems can two-factor authentication (2FA) solve, and how do I use it?Are there other mechanisms I can use to ensure that I can recover an Apple ID in the event of a problem? (Spoiler: yes!)What if I have a device that's too old to work with two-factor authentication?What should I do if I have two or more Apple IDs or iCloud accounts?Will I lose access to all my Apple media purchases if I move to another country?Can I share an Apple ID with someone else?What exactly should I do if I think someone is hacking my Apple ID account?How can I recover a forgotten Apple ID password?What steps should I take if Apple locks me out of my account?If I lose access to an email address associated with my Apple ID, what can I do?And that's just the beginning. Glenn has packed a remarkable amount of concise problem-solving information into this compact, 76-page book. Read it before you encounter Apple ID problems to minimize your risk, and if you've already encountered a problem, read it to find the best path to a rapid solution.
Take Control of Your Digital Legacy
by Joe KissellPreserve your data for posterity!How do you want to be remembered by future generations? You can make a will to handle your physical possessions, but what about your digital life--photos, videos, email, documents, and the like? This ebook, written by tech expert Joe Kissell, covers many aspects of preserving such electronic ephemera as part of your digital legacy. If you're not at the stage of life where you can think about this for yourself, consider that you may have to do so for your parents or other relatives. It's not all about posterity either, since following Joe's advice will also help loved ones access your key accounts and important info if you're incapacitated, which can happen at any time. The book will help you with these essential tasks: Identify your key digital assets: online accounts, photos, audio files, videos, passwords, documents, email, and more. Plan for each type of digital asset based on your priorities for today, for shortly after you are no longer around, and for posterity. Joe explains the ideal file formats to use, how to deal with social media sites, the best ways to digitize paper documents and photos, and strategies for sharing passwords with family members, among much else. Communicate your wishes in a "digital will" and designate someone to be its "digital executor." The book includes a template document that you can develop into a personalized digital will. Preserve your data for the future. You'll consider types of archival storage media, cloud-based storage services, backups, and what instructions to provide about maintaining your data as file formats and storage media types evolve. Whether you just want to ensure that your heirs get copies of your favorite family photos and a few key documents or you want to catalog and preserve tens of thousands of digital items, this book helps you make smart decisions about your digital legacy. Questions answered include: What strategies can I use for sorting and preserving email? How can I ensure that my email account will be available to those wrapping up my estate? What if I have digital data that should be destroyed when I die? What should I do with my huge photo collection (both digital and paper)? How can I make my passwords available to those who will need them--but keep them private for now?What should I think about when handing down purchased audio and video files? What should happen to my Facebook account when I'm no longer around? What choices are available for keeping my digital archive available and backed up? How long should I expect archival media to last? Should I write an autobituary? Are online digital legacy services any good? How will organizing all this stuff benefit me while I'm alive?
Take Control of Your Digital Storage
by Jeff CarlsonThe Mac user's guide to mass storageAs the amount of data we store continues to grow, figuring out where to put it and how to access it becomes more complicated. It's not just that we need to find space for our increasingly large collections of photos, videos, music, and apps--we want it to be available whenever we need it, and be sure that it's safe from hackers and thieves.Every Mac includes internal storage in the form of a hard drive, SSD, or Fusion drive. But you may also have one or more external devices (such as hard drives, flash drives, SD cards, or RAID devices), not to mention network-attached storage (NAS) devices or cloud storage (like Dropbox or iCloud Drive). Making sense of all your options, managing your stored data, choosing new devices or services when you're running out of space, or even just figuring out what's where can drive anyone to distraction.Fortunately, Jeff Carlson has a book with all the answers! After decades of working with Macs and accumulating massive collections of photos and videos, Jeff has pulled together a wide-ranging book about Mac storage that contains just the help you're looking for. Among many other topics, this book covers:How to choose a new (internal or external) hard drive, SSD, or hybrid driveDetermining how much storage space you needWhat you need to know about APFS, Apple's new filesystemFormatting and partitioning disks using Disk UtilityHow to repair a misbehaving diskRAIDs: what they are and how different types compareWhat to do with a hard drive when it has outlived its usefulnessWhen to use a flash drive or SD cardHow to create and use disk imagesDeciding among local, network, and cloud storage for various types of filesWhat a personal cloud is and why you might consider using oneStrategies for freeing up extra disk spaceNAS devices get special coverage, including:How to choose a NAS--and when it's a better idea than an external hard driveUsing a NAS with your Mac for a wide variety of purposesSpecial considerations when using a NAS for digital photosJeff also digs into details about numerous storage-related technologies:How to tell if your third-party SSD needs to have TRIM enabled (and what to do if the answer is yes)How to create a software RAID using Disk Utility or SoftRAIDWhat you need to know about filesystems--and how to choose among APFS, Mac OS Extended, FAT, and ExFATWhy and how to encrypt a disk using FileVault or the FinderUsing iCloud Drive's Optimized Mac Storage featureIf you've ever been stumped at the difference between a volume and a partition, need help figuring out whether to buy a big external hard drive or a NAS for extra storage, or wonder whether Apple's new APFS filesystem is right for your needs, this book will tell you what you need to know.
Take Control of Your Online Privacy
by Joe KissellLearn what's private online (not much)--and what to do about it!Do you have anything to hide? Whether or not you think you do, your online activities are certainly tracked -- and not just by well-meaning sites who want to keep you logged in or by marketing firms who want to show you targeted ads for products that you likely want to buy.In the full book, Joe helps you gain perspective on what is reasonable to expect about online privacy and develop a sensible online privacy strategy, customized for your needs. He then explains how to enhance the privacy of your Internet connection, Web browsing, email messages, online chatting, social media interactions, and file sharing. To bring home the most important privacy no-nos, Joe also encourages you to take The Pledge (OK, it's tongue-in-cheek, though it would have saved numerous politicians from ridicule and career-ending gaffes). Plus, parents will find important riinders about how your online actions can affect your children, far into the future.Teach This Book! Once you're satisfied with your own online privacy strategy, you may want to help friends or colleagues improve theirs. To that end, Take Control of Your Online Privacy includes links to a downloadable one-page PDF handout and to a PDF-based slide deck that you can show on any computer or mobile device screen.Whether you have a Mac or PC, iOS or Android device, set-top box, cell phone, or some other network-enabled gadget, Take Control of Your Online Privacy has the advice that ordinary people need to handle common privacy needs (secret agents should really look elsewhere). You'll receive savvy advice about:Why worry? Learn about who wants your private data, and, more important, why they want it. Even if you don't believe you have anything to hide, you almost certainly do, in the right context. Would you give just anyone your financial records or medical history? Didn't think so.Set your privacy meter: Develop your own set of personal privacy rules -- everyone has different privacy buttons, and it's important to figure out which are important to you.Manage your Internet connection: Understand privacy risks, prevent snoops, and take key precautions to keep your data from leaking out.Browse and search the Web: Learn what information is revealed about you when you use the Web. Avoid bogus Web sites, connect securely where possible, control your cookies and history, block ads, browse and search anonymously, and find out who is tracking you. Also, learn how to protect your passwords and credit card data.Send and receive email: Find out how your email could be intercepted, consider when you want email to be extra private (such as when communicating with a doctor or lawyer), find out why Joe doesn't recommend email encryption as a solution to ordinary privacy needs (but find pointers for how to get started if you want to try it -- or just encrypt an attachment, which is easier), get tips for sending email anonymously, and read ideas for alternatives to email.Talk and chat online: Consider to what extent any phone call, text message, or online chat is private and find tips for enhancing your privacy when using these channels.Watch your social media sharing: Social media is by definition social, so there's a limit to how private it can be. Understand the risks and benefits of sharing personal information online, tweak your settings, and consider common-sense precautions.Share files: What if you want to share (or collaborate on) a contract, form, or other document that contains confidential or personal information? Find out about the best ways to share files via file server, email attachment, cloud-based file sharing service, peer-to-peer file sharing, or private cloud.Help your children: As a parent, you know a lot about your children and you have access to lots of photos of thi. But that doesn't mean you should share everything without a thought to your children's privacy needs, either now or in the future, since data never disappears from the Internet. Find a few key tips to keep in mind before you tell all.If I don't li...
Take Control of Your Online Privacy
by Joe KissellLearn what's private online (not much)--and what to do about it!Nowadays, it can be difficult to complete ordinary activities without placing your personal data online, but having your data online puts you at risk for theft, embarrassment, and all manner of trouble. In this book, Joe Kissell helps you to develop a sensible online privacy strategy, customized for your needs. Whether you have a Mac or PC, iOS or Android device, set-top box, or some other network-enabled gadget, you'll find practical advice that ordinary people need to handle common privacy needs (secret agents should look elsewhere). You'll learn how to enhance the privacy of your internet connection, web browsing, email messages, online chatting, social media interactions, and file sharing, as well as your mobile phone or tablet, and Internet of Things devices like webcams and thermostats. Parents will find important reminders about protecting a child's privacy. The book also includes Joe's carefully researched VPN recommendations.The book is packed with sidebars that help you get a handle on current topics in online privacy, including international travel, quantum computing, why you should beware of VPN reviews online, two-factor authentication, privacy and your ISP, understanding how ads can track you, and more.You'll receive savvy advice about topics such as these:Why worry? Learn who wants your private data, and why they want it. Even if you don't believe you have anything to hide, you almost certainly do, in the right context. Would you give just anyone your financial records or medical history? Didn't think so.Manage your Internet connection: Understand privacy risks, prevent snoops by securing your Wi-Fi network, and take key precautions to keep your data from leaking out. Also find advice on using a VPN, plus why you should never believe a VPN review that you read on the Internet--even if it seems like it was written by Joe!Browse and search the web: Learn what is revealed about you when you use the web. Avoid bogus websites, connect securely where possible, control your cookies and history, block ads, browse and search anonymously, and find out who is tracking you. Also, take steps to protect passwords and credit card data.Send and receive email: Find out how your email could be intercepted, consider when you want email to be extra private (such as when communicating with a lawyer), find out why Joe doesn't recommend email encryption as a solution to ordinary privacy needs (but find pointers for how to get started if you want to try it--or just encrypt an attachment, which is easier), get tips for sending email anonymously, and read ideas for alternatives to email.Talk and chat online: Consider to what extent any phone call, text message, or online chat is private, and find tips for enhancing privacy when using these channels.Watch your social media sharing: Understand the risks and benefits of sharing personal information online (especially on Facebook!), tweak your settings, and consider common-sense precautions.Share files: What if you want to share (or collaborate on) a contract, form, or other document that contains confidential information? Find out about the best ways to share files via file server, email attachment, cloud-based file sharing service, peer-to-peer file sharing, or private cloud.Check your electronics: All sorts of gizmos can connect to the Internet these days, so everything from a nannycam to smart light bulbs should be considered in your online privacy strategy.Think mobile: Ponder topics like SIM card encryption keys, supercookies, location reporting, photo storage, and more as you decide how to handle privacy for a mobile phone or tablet.
Take Control of Your Passwords (3.0)
by Joe KissellPasswords are an irritating fact of modern life. It’s tricky to create and remember good ones, but dangerous to use simple ones (or reuse a password in multiple places). This book helps you overcome these problems with a sensible, stress-free strategy for password security.
Take Control of Your Productivity
by Jeff PortenIncrease Productivity and Reduce Stress!Being productive is never as simple as putting items on a calendar or to do list and checking them off. Most of us struggle with too much to do, too little time, and only a vague idea of how to plan each day so we can achieve the best results with the least stress. If that sounds like you (and especially if you've tried a bunch of productivity systems and found them lacking), Jeff Porten's expert guidance may be just what you need.As a professional technology consultant and an early adopter of both hardware and software, Jeff has tried nearly every productivity management system out there, and experimented with dozens of implementation styles. He brings his decades of experience to this book, helping you create a customized strategy that's ideal for your needs, and--crucially--avoid common mistakes. Whether you're a productivity junkie or someone who has struggled for years with a cobbled-together, informal task-management system, this book will help you get a much better grip on your personal and business time.In this book, you'll:Review the principles of successful planning--whether for immediate projects or for long-term and "someday" goals.Understand your natural working style and preferences, including comfortable habits that may not be productive but that you don't want to change, and create a more effective workflow that fits you.Discover the best ways to think about projects, tasks, events, due dates, flags, contexts, and more.Choose a task-management app that's appropriate for your needs, no matter what devices and operating systems you use, and that integrates with your calendar, reminders, notes, and the apps you use to actually do things.Develop a step-by-step process for tracking all your events and tasks and ensuring that everything happens in the right order.Transition from an old system to your new system without worrying that anything will fall through the cracks.Learn exactly how to keep track of all the things you need to remember throughout the day.Improve your time-estimation skills when planning how long future tasks and projects will take.Solve the problem of "10-minute tasks" that become all-day projects because they have a dozen things you discover you need to do first.Get better at managing other people (and their expectations of you).Review how well your productivity system has worked over time, using feedback loops and suggested best practices to continually improve your workflow.Fail successfully! If something goes wrong--from a derailing large project to a life-changing crisis--learn how to recover gracefully and improve your system the next time around.Know when and how to make changes to meet any new needs you have, and to ensure that what you do every Tuesday at 2 PM contributes to your overarching goals and most important roles in life.Although many of the examples in the book refer to Mac productivity tools, the advice is platform-neutral. The book contains tips applicable to any combination of operating systems, and a companion webpage provides additional details on apps running on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and the web.