Mac Live IT

Backup and restore your Mac

admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 06:44:48 +0000

Backup and restore your Mac (length 0:02:45, source: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/)
Automatic back-up and restore of your Mac and your files with TimeMachine. Time Machine is a back-up technology introduced to the Mac with OS X 10.5 Leopard. Earlier versions did not have this facility.

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

Time Machine

Can backup your whole Mac

Setup Time Machine

Wireless backup via Time Capsule

Restoring lost files

Finding lost files anywhere on your Time Machine backup

Restore your data to a new Mac

Full wireless backup and restore can take a long while. The video does not explain how to exclude something from the backup. If you want to exclude items, open Time Machine Preferences either from within System Preferences, or from the Time Machine menu at the top of your screen. There you see an options button. Click it, and any folder or volume you add in the window that follows will be excluded from the back-up.

Basic wireless networking

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:23:49 +0000

Basic wireless networking (length 0:02:48, source: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/)
A very basic overview of wireless connections available to your Mac. Included here because it does simply explain some basic terms. However, there is the impression given that you need an Apple Airport Basestation to set up wireless networking in your home or office. This is not so, as is indicated towards the end of the video when connecting to wireless networks in other places is explained.

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

Wifi – used for access data, internet, email

Bluetooth – shorter range compared to wifi. Used to transmit data between close or adjacent devices, i.e headsets or keyboards, mice

Wireless networking in the home – basestation connects to modem. Computer connect wirelessly to basestation or printer

Connecting to existing networks – Airport symbol in menubar, select from list of networks, enter password if prompted to do so

Don’t read the manual

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 02:00:20 +0000

If you can find a manual for your new Mac, or for the new software you’ve bought for it, the chances are it won’t be a great read. Reading manuals is an acquired taste, and it is in decline.

We hope to post videos from around the web that explain the ways to get the most out of Macs and their software. Hopefully as the collection grows there will be something here for beginner and guru alike, and for everyone inbetween. But though many videos will take you step by step, the best thing you can learn to do is to relax and play with the Mac. Try things out. Experiment. What does this do? And what about that? Your Mac will usually reward the curious. Note that though you can indeed do things that could harm your Mac, just pay attention because it will try to warn you first.

If your Mac ever does go wrong, as long as you still have an internet connection (even if no Safari, etc) we can connect to your Mac and get it sorted out in situ. This method is also excellent for live tuition so that we can guide you without the need for you to find an Apple Store.

Indesign: Create a new document

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:34:06 +0000

Getting started with Adobe Indesign (CS4 – but good for any version, length 0:05:15, source: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-indesign-cs4/getting-started-01-starting-a-new-document/)
The Indesign welcome screen and options in the New Document dialog box.

What you can do with Indesign: multipage documents for different purposes

The welcome screen

Creating a new document, ‘Book’, ‘Library’

Using templates (via Bridge)

Create a new document from scratch

New document dialog options

Single and facing pages

Entering custom page sizes. Options entered in the dialog box can be changed later! So don’t worry if you haven’t got all the information… Columns, margins, and presets

Save your settings as a custom preset

Voila! Your new document…

Switching from PC to Mac

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:33:09 +0000

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

From PC to Mac length: 0:05:40, source: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/
Don’t be intimidated by the Mac. If you have used Windows, you will soon be up and running with the Mac.

Start menu and taskbar functions in Apple Menu and Dock.

Opening applications. Pinning applications. Finding your applications, files and downloads.

Minimalising windows. Trash/Recycle Bin

Right-clicking, control-click, double tapping trackpad.

Menubar, switching and quitting applications. Keyboard shortcuts

Windows Explorer function in the Finder

Customize Your Mac Desktop

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:10:43 +0000

Personalize your Mac (length 0:02:12, source: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/)
Some built-in customization options for your Mac, to change your Mac wallpaper, screensaver and what’s in your Dock.

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

Changing the desktop background

Screensavers and photo slideshows

Customize the Dock: size, position, effects. Add folders or applications to the Dock

This all offers only a basic makeover. Many of us have been disappointed with how little can be customized with OS X as compared to the earlier Mac OS9. For a more complete transformation of OS X, checkout Candybar, which will allow you to change the look and feel of system icons, folders, and the Dock to a remarkable degree. The trial download gives you plenty of time to get your Mac looking the way you want before it runs out.

Mac OS X Finder Basics

admin — Sat, 08 May 2010 08:30:42 +0000

Mac Finder Basics length 0:01:15, source: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/
Get to know the Finder and find your way around your Mac.

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

Opening a Finder window

Finder windows: the sidebar; Devices, Shared, Places, Smart searches, Spotlight.

Changing your view of your files and folders; icon view, list view, column view, cover flow.

Where to find more help.

How to start using your new Mac

admin — Sat, 08 May 2010 07:10:32 +0000

Mac Basics (source: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/)
Short video to explain the things you see when you first set up your Mac.

[See post to watch QuickTime movie]

Start using your new Mac

Anatomy of a Mac

Setup Assistant

The Desktop

The Dock (1) how to open applications: Finder, Dashboard (Widgets), Mail, Safari, iChat, Address Book, iCal, Preview, iTunes, Photo Booth, iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Time Machine, System Preferences
(2) Stacks: Application folder, Document folder, Downloads folder

The Menu bar, changes with open application, status icons

Finder Basics, Quick View, create and rename folders

Spotlight, finding anything on your Mac, calculator functions

Mac Help menus

Apple’s support website

AppleCare.