My iMac (Mountain Lion Edition)

John Ray is a life-long fan of Apple products; he has been an avid Mac user since its inception in 1984. He relies on Mac OS X both at work and at home because it is a robust, flexible platform for programming, networking, and design. Over the past 14 years, John has written books on OS X, iOS development, Linux, web development, networking, and computer security. He currently serves as the interim director of the Office of Research Information Systems at The Ohio State University. He lives with his long-time girlfriend, their dogs, a collection of vintage arcade games, and an assortment of tech toys.

Prologue: Getting Started with the iMac   1

Getting to Know the iMac Hardware   1

What You Need to Know   4

Understanding iCloud and Apple ID   12

Windows Compatibility   13

Chapter 1: Managing Your iMac Desktop   19

Organizing in the Dock   20

Customizing Finder Windows   24

Arranging and Grouping Files   26

Previewing Document Contents with Quick Look   28

Using Instant-Access Utilities in the Dashboard   31

Finding Information with Spotlight   34

Keeping Track of Application Events with Notifications   38

Chapter 2: Making the Most of Your iMac’s Screen Space   43

Swimming in a Sea of Application Windows with Mission Control   44

Managing and Launching Applications with Launchpad   53

Managing Auto Open and Save Features   61

Chapter 3: Connecting Your iMac to a Network   65

Connecting to a Wired Network   66

Connecting to a Wireless Network   67

Manually Configuring Network Settings   72

Creating Virtual Private Network Connections   78

Managing Multiple Connections with Locations and Configurations   80

Seeking Automated Network Assistance   83

Chapter 4: Accessing iCloud, Email, and the Web   87

Setting Up iCloud   88

Exploring Unique iCloud Services   92

Getting Started with Accounts   100

Using Mail   102

Web Browsing in Safari   128

Chapter 5: Being Social with Messages, FaceTime, Twitter, Facebook, and Game Center   149

Instant Messaging with Messages   150

Video Calls with FaceTime   168

Using the Mountain Lion Twitter and Facebook Posting Support  174

Getting Your Game on with Game Center   178

Chapter 6: Keeping Contacts, Appointments, Reminders, and Notes   191

Managing Contacts in Contacts   192

Working with Schedules in Calendar   206

Remembering with Reminders   220

Keeping Track with Notes  226

Chapter 7: Sharing Devices, Files, and Services on a Network   237

File Sharing on Your iMac   238

Sharing Files via Share Sheets   250

Sharing Printers   255

Sharing a Scanner   258

Sharing an Optical Drive   260

Sharing Your iMac Screen   262

Sharing Your Internet Connection   268

Chapter 8: Entertainment on the (iMac’s) Big Screen   273

Using DVD Player   274

Viewing Browser Video or Downloaded Video Files   277

Creating a Media Library in iTunes   281

Building the Ultimate Media Center   309

Chapter 9: Installing and Managing Software on Your iMac   319

Mac App Store   320

Installing Non-App Store Applications   326

Keeping Your Applications and Operating System Up-To-Date   329

Chapter 10: Making the Most of Your iMac Hardware   333

Going Green with Energy Saver   334

Updating Keyboard and Dictation Settings   336

Changing Trackpad and Mouse Options   341

Adjusting the iMac Display   346

Setting Sound Input and Output   350

Recording Audio, Video, and Screen Actions   355

Chapter 11: Connecting Devices to Your iMac   361

Connecting USB Input Devices   362

Using Bluetooth Devices   364

Using External Displays and Projectors   369

Connecting to an Apple TV (or Other Device) with AirPlay   373

Connecting and Using a Printer   .377

Connecting and Using a Scanner   382

Chapter 12: Securing and Protecting Your iMac   387

Working with Users and Groups   388

Tracking Passwords with Keychain Access   396

Encrypting Your Mountain Lion Disk   400

Limiting Application Execution   402

Achieving Network Security with the Built-In Firewall   403

Backing Up Important Information   406

Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Your iMac System   417

Dealing with Troublesome Software   418

Restarting and Correcting a Frozen Machine   422

Fixing Disk Problems with Disk Utility   427

Gathering Information About Your iMac   431

Remember Your Backups!    435

Chapter 14: Upgrading Your iMac   437

Upgrading Your Built-In Hardware   437

Adding External Storage   441

Index   447