My OS X (El Capitan 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 OS X both at work and at home because it is a robust, flexible platform for programming, networking, and design. Over the past 16 years, John has written books on OS X, iOS development, Linux, web development, networking, and computer security. He currently serves as the Director of the Office of Research Information Systems at The Ohio State University. When he isn’t writing, he is either re-creating a marine disaster in his living room or planning a highly elaborate electronics project that will quadruple his carbon footprint.

Prologue: Getting Started with the Mac   1
Getting to Know the Mac Hardware   2
Built-In Batteries   3
Special Keyboard Keys   4
What You Need to Know   4
The Menu Bar   5
The Dock   5
The Finder   6
Tags   7
The Launchpad   7
Mission Control   8
Spotlight   9
The App Store (and Security)    9
The Notification Center and Today View   10
System Preferences   11
Window Controls   12
Contextual Menus   13
Gestures   13
Dictation   14
Understanding iCloud and Apple ID   14
Windows Compatibility   15
Boot Camp   16
Virtualization   16
Chapter 1: Managing Your Desktop   19
Organizing in the Dock   20
Adding and Removing Items from the Dock   20
Using Folders and Stacks in the Dock   21
Configuring Folders and Stacks   22
Navigating Files and Folders in Grid Mode   23
Customizing the Dock’s Appearance   24
Customizing Finder Windows    26
Configuring the Sidebar’s System Shortcuts   26
Manually Modifying the Sidebar   27
Modifying the Finder Toolbar   28
Using Finder Window Tabs   29
Opening Tabs with a Click   30
Arranging and Grouping Files   31
Using All My Files   31
Arranging a Finder View   32
Assigning Tags   33
Removing Tags   34
Viewing Tags   34
Managing Tags   35
Previewing Document Contents   37
Viewing a File with Quick Look   38
Adding a Finder Preview Panel   40
Previewing Files Using Finder Icons   41
Finding Information with Spotlight (New!)    41
Searching for Files and Information   42
Customizing Spotlight Searching   44
Saving Searches as Smart Folders in the Finder   45
Managing Your “Today” and Notifications (New!)    47
Receiving Notifications   47
Viewing Notifications in Notification Center   48
Customizing the Notification Display   49
Activating Do Not Disturb Mode   50
Customizing Do Not Disturb Mode   51
Using Notification Center’s Today View   52
Working in the Today View   52
Managing Today View Widgets   53
Using Utilities in the Dashboard   54
Turning on the Dashboard   55
Showing the Dashboard   56
Adding and Removing Dashboard Widgets   56
Configuring Dashboard Widgets   58
Chapter 2: Making the Most of Your Screen Space   61
Swimming the Sea of Application Windows with Mission Control (New!)    62
Opening and Closing Mission Control   62
Navigating Applications and Windows   63
Creating and Populating a New Space   65
Switching Between Spaces   66
Closing a Space   67
Creating Fullscreen Application Spaces   68
Creating Split-Screen Application Spaces   69
Choosing Between Application Windows   70
Showing the Desktop   71
Configuring Mission Control Features and Shortcuts   72
Managing and Launching Applications with Launchpad   74
Starting Launchpad   75
Navigating Launchpad   76
Searching Launchpad   76
Rearranging Icons   77
Creating New Folders   78
Deleting Folders   79
Deleting Applications   80
Managing Auto Open and Save Features   81
Toggling Application Auto Open   81
Setting Window Restoration    82
Enabling Manual File Saving   83
Chapter 3: Connecting Your Mac to a Network   85
Connecting to a Wired Network   85
Making an Ethernet (Wired) Connection   86
Connecting to a Wireless Network   87
Finding and Connecting to a Network   88
Manually Choosing a Wireless Connection   .90
Authenticating on a Wireless Network   91
Disabling (and Enabling) Wireless Networking   92
Manually Configuring Network Settings   93
Configuring TCP/IP and Proxy Settings   93
Activating PPPoE for DSL Connections   96
Making Connections with Cellular Data Modems and iOS Devices   98
Configuring a WWAN Modem for Use with Your Mac   98
Managing Your WWAN Connection   99
Using Your iOS Instant Hotspot   100
Creating Virtual Private Network Connections   101
Creating a VPN Connection   101
Managing Multiple Connections with Locations and Configurations   103
Creating Configurations   104
Adding and Using Locations   105
Seeking Automated Network Assistance   107
Launching Diagnostics   107
Launching the Setup Assistant   108
Chapter 4: Setting Up iCloud and Internet Accounts   113
Setting Up iCloud   113
Configuring iCloud for the First Time   114
Browsing iCloud Services   116
Activating iCloud Services   117
Exploring Unique iCloud Services (New!)    118
Accessing iCloud Applications Online   118
Using Find My Mac   119
Using iCloud Drive   121
Using Photo Sharing   126
Getting Started with Accounts   130
Adding an Account   131
Chapter 5: Accessing Email and the Web   135
Getting Started with Mail (New!)    136
Things You Need Before Setting Up an Email Connection   136
Adding an Email Account   137
Configuring Advanced Account Settings   139
Finding Your Way Around Mail   142
Reading Email   143
Composing Email   150
Managing Your Email with Mailboxes    156
Creating Mailboxes   157
Deleting and Renaming Mailboxes   158
Filing Messages in Mailboxes   159
Automatic Email Organization with Smart Mailboxes   160
Keeping Track of Your Very Important People with VIP Mailboxes   161
Searching for Messages   162
Writing Email Rules   164
Web Browsing in Safari (New!)    165
Managing Your Bookmarks, Bookmarks Menu, Favorites, Top Sites, and Reading List (Whew!)    165
Advanced Browsing Features    171
Silencing Tabs   173
Pinning Tabs   173
Adding Web Content to the Dashboard   181
Extending Safari’s Capabilities with Extensions   183
Chapter 6: Sharing Files, Devices, and Services   187
File Sharing on Your Mac   188
Configuring AirDrop   189
Sending Files with AirDrop   190
Receiving Files with AirDrop   191
Using the Share Menu to Send via AirDrop   192
Configuring Traditional File and Folder Sharing   193
Enabling File Sharing    194
Choosing File Sharing Protocols   195
Selecting Folders and Permissions   197
Setting Folder Access Permissions   198
Browsing and Connecting to Network Shares   200
Connecting to Remote Shares   202
Sharing Files via the Share Menu   203
Sharing Files via Messages   203
Uploading Files to an Online Service   204
Sharing Printers   205
Enabling Network Printer Sharing   205
Setting Printer Sharing Permissions   206
Accessing a Network Printer   207
Sharing an Optical Drive   209
Enabling DVD Sharing   209
Accessing a Shared Optical Drive   210
Sharing Your Mac Screen (New!)    211
Enabling Screen Sharing   211
Setting Screen Sharing Permissions   212
Accessing the Screen of a Local Mac   214
Accessing Remote Computers and Non-Macs   216
Sharing Your Internet Connection   218
Sharing Your Connection   218
Chapter 7: Being Social with Messages, FaceTime, Twitter, and Facebook   221
Instant Messaging with Messages (New!)    222
Adding Accounts to Messages   222
Configuring Your Account During Startup   223
Editing Your iMessage Account Settings   224
Adding a Traditional IM Account to Messages   225
Logging into (and out of) Your IM Account   226
Configuring Your IM Identity   227
Setting the Messages Picture   227
Configuring Custom Status Messages   229
Managing Your IM Buddy List   230
Adding Buddies   230
Adding Groups   231
Communicating with IM and iMessage   233
Responding to an Incoming Chat via Notification Center   234
Responding to an Incoming Chat in Messages   234
Starting a Chat in Messages   235
Starting a Chat via Notification Center   237
Using Voice or Video for Chatting   238
Starting a Voice or Video Chat   238
Sharing Your Files and Screen   239
Transferring Files over Messages   240
Starting a Screen-Sharing Session   241
Video Calls with FaceTime   242
Setting Up FaceTime   242
Placing Calls from the Contacts List   244
Receiving a FaceTime Call   245
Accessing Your Call List   246
Disabling FaceTime   247
Updating Account Information FaceTime Preferences   247
Using the El Capitan Twitter and Facebook Posting Support   249
Enabling Twitter   249
Enabling Facebook   251
Posting from the Finder and Other Apps   253
Posting via Notification Center   254
Chapter 8: Managing Who, Where, When, and What   257
Managing Contacts   258
Adding Groups   259
Creating a Group   259
Creating a Smart Group   260
Adding Contacts   261
Creating a New Contact   262
Setting a Contact Image   263
Auto Information Gathering   264
Creating “My” Card   264
Editing the Contact Template   265
Searching Contacts   266
Detecting and Merging Duplicates   267
Using iCloud and Server-Based Contacts   267
Connecting to iCloud Contacts Syncing   268
Connecting to Other Contact Servers   268
Sharing Contacts via Email, Messages, and AirDrop   270
Printing Addresses   271
Finding Your Way with Maps (New!)    272
Starting and Navigating Maps   273
Using Map Views   274
Choosing a View Mode   274
Viewing Maps with 3D Flyover   275
Finding Places   276
Finding Yourself   277
Finding Contact Entries   277
Searching the Map   279
Working with Points of Interest   279
Seeing Point of Interest Details   279
Making Your Own Point of Interest   281
Sharing a Point of Interest   282
Traveling with Maps   282
Getting Directions   283
Showing Traffic Indicators   284
Working with Schedules in Calendar (New!)    286
Adding Calendars   287
Creating New Calendars   287
Connecting to iCloud and Server-Based Calendars   289
Connecting to iCloud Calendar Syncing   289
Connecting to Other Calendar Servers   290
Subscribing to a Public Shared Calendar   292
Viewing Calendars   293
Working with Events   294
Creating a New Event   295
Using the Quick Event Feature   296
Editing Event Information   297
Sending Event Invitations   298
Accepting Invitations   299
Accepting Invitations through Notification Center   301
Confirming “Found in Mail” Invitations   301
Searching Events   302
Printing Calendars   303
Remembering with Reminders   304
Creating a List   305
Adding a Reminder   306
Setting Reminder Attributes, Including Location   306
Completing Reminders   308
Finding Reminders   308
Viewing Reminders by Date   309
Searching Reminders   310
Using iCloud and Server-Based Reminders   310
Keeping Track with Notes (New!)    311
Adding Folders   312
Adding Notes   313
Prettify Your Most Mundane Notes   313
Adding Notes from Other Applications   315
Moving Notes Between Folders   317
Searching and Displaying Notes   317
Showing Attachments   319
Sharing Notes via Email and Messages   320
Using iCloud and Server-Based Notes   320
Connecting to iCloud Note Syncing   321
Connecting to Other Note Servers   321
Chapter 9: Entertainment on the (Big) Little Screen   325
Creating a Media Library in iTunes (New!)    325
Running iTunes for the First Time   326
Finding Your Way Around iTunes   327
Interacting with Your Library   328
Controlling Playback   329
Building Your Media Library   329
Purchasing Digital Media on the iTunes Store   330
Using Genius Recommendations   332
Downloading Podcasts   334
Quick Searches   336
Setting a Search Filter   337
Using Playlists   337
Creating Playlists    337
Defining Smart Playlists   339
Accessing Playlists   341
Using the Mini Player   342
Using iTunes Radio   344
Listening to iTunes Radio   344
Creating Your Own iTunes Radio Station   345
Fine-Tuning Your iTunes Radio Station   346
Answering the “What Was That Song?” Question   347
Sharing Your Good Taste   347
Using Apple Music   348
Subscribing to Apple Music   348
Adding Songs to Your Library   350
Using Apple Music Recommendations   351
Connecting with Artists   352
Following New Artists   353
Managing Followed Artists   353
Syncing Media Between Devices   354
Syncing Purchases   354
Syncing Your Media with Your iPod, iPad, or iPhone   355
Sharing Media Between Home Computers   357
Keeping an iCloud Library with iTunes Match   359
Activating iTunes Match   359
Accessing Purchases in iCloud   361
Reading Your iBooks   362
Starting iBooks   363
Authorizing Your Mac   364
Purchasing Books   365
Viewing and Arranging Your iBooks Library   366
Browsing the iBooks Library   366
Organizing by Collection   369
Reading iBooks   371
Reading Basics   371
Using Annotations   373
Adding Bookmarks   374
Fine-Tuning Your Display   374
Getting Your Game on with Game Center   375
Signing into Game Center   376
Navigating the Me Screen   377
Managing Friends and Friend Requests   377
Sending a Friend Request   378
Responding to a Friend Request   379
Getting Friend Recommendations   380
Sizing Up Your Friends   381
Browsing by Game   383
Making and Taking a Challenge   385
Chapter 10: Installing and Managing Applications and Extensions on Your Mac   389
Mac App Store   390
Logging into the App Store   390
Browsing for Software   391
Searching for Software   392
Purchasing Software   393
Reinstalling Software and Installing Purchases on Other Macs   395
Hiding Apps You No Longer Want   396
Installing Non–App Store Applications   397
Unarchiving Zip Files   397
Accessing Disk Images   398
Sharing Purchases with Family Sharing   399
Setting Up Family Sharing (Organizer)    400
Adding a Family Member   401
Managing Family Members   404
Keeping Your Applications and Operating System Up-to-Date (New!)    405
Configuring Software Updates and Auto Downloads   406
Manually Applying Software Updates   407
Managing Extensions   408
Managing Installed Extensions   409
Chapter 11: Making the Most of Your Mac Hardware   411
Energy-Saving Settings   412
Monitoring Battery Life and Application Energy Use (MacBook Only)    412
Configuring Display, Computer, and Hard Disk Sleep   413
Creating a Sleep/Wake Schedule   415
Updating Keyboard and Dictation Settings   416
Setting Keyboard Repeat Rate   416
Changing Keyboard Illumination (MacBook Only)    417
Creating Keyboard Shortcuts   418
Activating Dictation   421
Changing Trackpad and Mouse Options   423
Setting the Trackpad Speed and Click Pressure   424
Controlling Trackpad Gestures   424
Configuring the Magic Mouse Speed   426
Configuring Magic Mouse Gestures   427
Adjusting Your Display   428
Setting Display Resolution   428
Controlling Display Brightness   429
Choosing a Color Profile   430
Calibrating the Display   431
Setting Sound Input and Output   433
Setting the Output Volume   433
Configuring Alert Sounds   434
Choosing and Adjusting an Output Device   435
Picking and Calibrating an Input Device   436
Recording Audio and Video   438
Recording Audio   438
Recording with the FaceTime HD Video Camera   439
Chapter 12: Using El Capitan with Your iDevices   443
Enabling El Capitan and iOS Communication   443
Verifying Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings   444
Using AirDrop   444
Sending Files to iOS via AirDrop   445
Sending Files to El Capitan via AirDrop   446
Using Handoff to Move Between Devices   447
Enabling Handoff   448
Handing Off from El Capitan to iOS   449
Handing Off from iOS to El Capitan   450
Using Your iPhone to Cell-Enable Your Mac   451
Enabling El Capitan Cellular Calls   452
Placing a Phone Call   452
Receiving a Phone Call   453
Text Messaging with El Capitan   454
Using Your iOS Device as an Instant Hotspot   455
Sharing Your iOS Internet Connection   455
Chapter 13: Connecting Peripherals to Your Mac   457
Connecting USB Input Devices   457
Configuring a USB Keyboard   458
Configuring a USB Mouse   459
Using Bluetooth Devices   460
Pairing a Bluetooth Mouse or Trackpad   461
Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard   462
Connecting a Bluetooth Headset   464
Adding and Using the Bluetooth Status Menu   465
Using External Displays and Projectors   466
Extending Your Desktop to Another Monitor   466
Setting Monitor Arrangements   467
Adding the Display Mirroring Menu to Your Menu Bar   468
Using Mirrored Displays   469
Connecting to an Apple TV (or Other Device) with AirPlay (New!)    469
Mirroring Your Display to an Apple TV   470
Setting the AirPlay Apple TV Resolution   471
Extending Your Desktop to an Apple TV   472
Sharing Multimedia to an Apple TV   473
Sending System Audio to an Apple TV   473
Connecting and Using a Printer   474
Setting Up a USB Printer   475
Printing to a Printer   478
Connecting and Using a Scanner   480
Adding a Scanner   480
Scanning in Preview   481
Chapter 14: Securing and Protecting Your Mac   485
Working with Users and Groups   486
Creating User Accounts   486
Adding Accounts   487
Enabling the Guest Account   488
Applying Parental Controls   488
Creating Groups   491
Configuring General Account Security   492
Assigning File Permissions for Users and Groups   493
Tracking Passwords with Keychain Access   495
Viewing Keychain Items   496
Adding Data to the Keychain   497
Creating a New Keychain   498
Adding a Keychain Menu Item   499
Encrypting Your El Capitan Disk   500
Activating FileVault   500
Application Execution Security   501
Setting Application Execution Limits   502
Adding Network Security with the Built-In Firewall   502
Activating the El Capitan Firewall   503
Configuring Incoming Services   503
Hiding Location Information and Application Data   505
Backing Up Important Information   506
Using Time Machine   506
Activating Time Machine   507
Customizing the Time Machine Backups   508
Adding a Time Machine Menu Item   509
Recovering Data   510
Restoring a Machine from Scratch   512
Using File Versions   513
Manually Saving a Version   513
Restoring a File Version   514
Chapter 15: Troubleshooting Your System   Online-only chapter
Chapter 16: Upgrading Your Mac   Online-only chapter
Index   516