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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.
Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina
by Joe KissellMake a painless move to macOS 10.15!macOS 10.15 Catalina makes your Mac more powerful, safer, and easier to use. 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. And this time, there are a few more gotchas than usual--including the elimination of support for 32-bit apps and certain other types of third-party software, additional changes to the disk structure that may affect your backups, and an unexpectedly large number of security alerts. But forewarned is forearmed, and this book guides you through everything you need to know to successfully upgrade your Mac to Catalina.In Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina, 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.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 Catalina.Check for compatibility: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for Catalina.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.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.Deal with all those dialogs: Your Mac will probably ask you a long list of questions during and after the upgrade. Learn the best ways to answer them.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 Catalina 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 topics such as:How Catalina affects your bootable duplicatesChanges to Setup Assistant, what the new screens mean, and how to handle themWhat's new, added, removed, and rearranged in System PreferencesWhat to do if you run the Catalina 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 Upgrading to Catalina
by Joe KissellManage your upgrade to Catalina with ease using Joe Kissell's expert advice in "Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina." Learn what you need to know before you begin, how to prepare your Mac, and be ready to make decisions about installation questions. Find out how to resolve common upgrading problems, and what has changed in macOS since the last version.
Take Control of Upgrading to El Capitan
by Joe KissellMake a smooth transition to OS X 10.11!Gain confidence and stay in control as Mac guru Joe Kissell explains how to ensure that your hardware and software are ready for El Capitan, prevent problems by making a bootable duplicate of your main drive, eliminate digital clutter, prepare your Mac, and decide on the best installation method for your particular situation. You'll also find full installation directions, plus advice on over a dozen things to do immediately after installation and troubleshooting techniques.The book covers upgrading from 10.10 Yosemite all the way back to 10.4 Tiger. It also looks at upgrading from the El Capitan public beta and at "upgrades" that involve moving your data to a new Mac from an old Mac or Windows PC.You'll experience an easy upgrade and quickly deal with post-installation quirks with these topics:Start fast: A two-page 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 El Capitan if you are upgrading from 10.10 Yosemite, and get an idea of some of the important changes in store for you if you're upgrading from an older version of Mac OS X.Catch-up upgrade: If you're upgrading from 10.8 Mountain Lion or earlier (especially if you're coming from 10.4 Tiger or 10.5 Leopard), find out about significant changes and compatibility issues you can expect.Compatibility check: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for El Capitan, and consider whether this is a good time to buy new hardware, even if it's not essential for your upgrade.Backing up: Avoid upgrade stress by ensuring you can go back 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.Cleaning up: Your operating system is getting a fresh start, but what about the rest of your stuff? Whether you need the disk space or just want to delete some digital detritus, you'll find helpful tips. You'll also run either Apple Hardware Test or Apple Diagnostics as well as Disk Utility, to be sure your disk is good to go.Prepping your disk: For those who need it, a chapter helps you handle special cases relating to disk encryption and partitioning.Picking a plan: Most people can go with an easy in-place upgrade, but some will want the more complex clean install. Find out which option is right for you.Installing: Find out the smartest way to download and store the installer, 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 get full steps for what to click and when.Post-installation tune-up: Make sure your new system is running smoothly by completing a few important housekeeping tasks and making a few decisions.Troubleshooting: Yikes! It is possible that something will go wrong during installation, or once you've booted up under El Capitan that you'll discover an important incompatibility. Joe's time-tested troubleshooting advice will help get your system working again.Migrating to a new Mac: If your "upgrade" includes moving from an older computer (a Mac or Windows PC) to a new Mac that's running El Capitan, learn the best way to move your user account and its data to the new Mac.
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 Leopard
by Joe KissellStart on the right foot with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard! Little is more exciting and unnerving than a major operating system upgrade for your Mac, but thousands of people have upgraded to Panther and Tiger calmly and successfully with the advice in Joe Kissell's previous hit Take Control of Upgrading... titles. Joe's expert guidance, developed over innumerable test installations, walks you through the six steps necessary before upgrading, which of Leopard's three installation options is right for you, how to perform the actual upgrade, and post-installation checking and cleanup. Worried that something might go wrong? Joe provides in-depth discussions of what exactly each installation option does (and does not do), how to restore missing files, practical troubleshooting tips for the most common problems, and even step-by-step instructions to downgrade to your previous system if necessary. You'll also find tips on a few things that may surprise you, including special notes on Spotlight, Apple Mail, Keychain, and Time Machine. Bonus Section! Direct links to software update sites for FireWire hard drives, keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, video cards, audio equipment, common utilities, and more. Read this ebook to learn the answers to questions like: Will my Mac and peripherals work with Leopard? Which upgrade method should I use? Should I partition my hard disk before upgrading? Which files aren't copied by Archive and Install? What if I can't print after upgrading? Do I need new versions of my utilities for Leopard? What should I do if my Mac refuses to boot under Leopard? What should I do if Time Machine wants me to let it start backing up?
Take Control of Upgrading to Lion
by Joe KissellYou'll get specific advice for how to: Prepare for a Problem-free Upgrade Part with Rosetta: Understand and manage the fact that PowerPC-based software will not run under Lion, given the lack of the Rosetta emulator that was used in recent versions of Mac OS X. Handle your hardware: Check your hardware for Lion compatibility. Also, in order to fully enjoy Lion, it might be time for more RAM, disk space, or other peripherals, particularly a Magic Trackpad. Deal with duplication: Learn what a disk duplicate is, why having one is essential before installing Lion, and how to make one easily and affordably. Also, get help with backing up a Windows volume, should you be running Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp. Verify that all systems are go: Test to be sure your memory and disks are running properly--better to discover and correct a problem now during your upgrade--and find advice on clearing extra files and software off your disk so that you get a fresh start with Lion (and more disk space for it!). Consider a few geeky details: If you secure your data and documents with some form of disk encryption now, or would like to under Lion, get advice on what to do before you upgrade and learn how Lion's much-improved FileVault 2 will operate, plus consider the pros and cons of running FileVault 2. Also, read about what Joe thinks of partitioning and what you might want to do about it before installing. Make a plan: Learn how to install Lion if you're installing over 10.6 Snow Leopard, and consider the pros and cons of several techniques for how to install onto a Mac running either 10.5 Leopard or 10.5 Tiger. Also, if you have more than one Mac in your home, get ideas for downloading the Lion installer only once, but using it legitimately on your different Macs. And, if a nearly 4 GB download is unrealistic, get guidance for how to best obtain Lion. If your "upgrade" involves moving to a new Mac from an old Mac (or a Windows PC), learn how to best install Lion (if needed) and transfer your old stuff. A tip: ideally, do not even turn on a new Mac that has Lion installed until you've read this ebook! Install Lion! Install with confidence: Buying, downloading, and running the Lion installer isn't all that difficult, but it is an an entirely new (and rather slow) way of installing an operating system upgrade, so Joe explains what to expect. Solve problems If your Mac won't restart after the installation, this ebook explains exactly what to do (knock on wood!). Start Smart with Key Post-installation Tasks Avoid slowdowns: Put off a few tasks (running Spotlight, turning on Time Machine) that will slow you down during your first few hours in Lion. Get set and go: Joe reminds you to run Software Update, helps you set up an extra user account while noting a few account-related changes in Lion, discusses the pros and cons of the new FileVault 2 and gives directions for enabling it, explains the Incompatible Software Folder, explains need-to-know-now Time Machine basics (including encryption of Time Machine backups), helps you understand what's going on with Apple Mail plug-ins, and more. Go beyond...Learn why the $49.99 Lion Server is interesting for Lion users, and how to complete a basic installation. Reconnoiter with Recovery Mode: A final chapter explains the new-in-Lion Recovery HD volume, and even tells you what to type in Terminal so you can check it out. It also explains how to boot in Recovery mode, in case your Mac won't boot and you don't have a convenient way to boot it otherwise.
Take Control of Upgrading to Mavericks
by Joe KissellInstall Mavericks easily, and fly through important post-installation steps!Gain confidence and stay in control as Mac guru Joe Kissell explains how to ensure that your hardware and software are ready for OS X 10.9 Mavericks, prevent problems with a bootable duplicate of your main disk, and decide on your best installation method, whether you're upgrading from 10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion, or 10.8 Mountain Lion. You'll find smart suggestions for managing the installer, with tips for installing on multiple Macs and dealing with bandwidth limitations. Joe walks you through installing Mavericks and then gives important advice for handling your Mac when it first starts up in Mavericks, including working through a pile of post-installation alerts, signing in with the right Apple ID(s), turning on iCloud Keychain, enabling enhanced (and local) dictation, managing user accounts, and quite a bit more. Additional important topics include troubleshooting installation problems, upgrading from an older Mac or PC to a new Mac running Mavericks, and a brief look at installing OS X Server.You'll experience an easy upgrade and quickly deal with post-installation quirks with these topics:Start fast: A short Quick Start overview links to detailed content behind each topic, letting you read lightly or more deeply, depending on your specific needs.Catch the wave: Find out what you can look forward to in Mavericks, and why this upgrade is important for Apple.Older cat upgrades: For people who are upgrading from 10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, or 10.6 Snow Leopard, Joe offers advice about the most effective way to carry out an upgrade.Compatibility check: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for Mavericks, and consider if this might be a good time for new hardware, even if it's not essential for your upgrade. (Tip: if your Mac can run Mountain Lion, it can also run Mavericks.)Prep steps: Avoid upgrade calamities by ensuring you can go back to the previous state of your Mac - and that you can boot from your backup. This crucial step can save a lot of trouble, and Joe recommends software that can make a bootable duplicate without a huge hassle. Also, your operating system is getting a fresh start, but what about the rest of your stuff? Whether you need the disk space or just want to delete some digital detritus, you'll find helpful tips. You'll also run Apple Hardware Test (or Apple Diagnostics) and Disk Utility, to be sure your disk is good to go. Finally, for those who need it, Joe discusses special cases relating to disk encryption (including FileVault) and partitioning.Picking a plan: Decide on your installation method. Most people can go with an easy in-place upgrade, but some will want the more complex clean install. 10.5 Leopard users will find special help, and those still on 10.4 Tiger get a special sidebar.Installing: Find out the smartest way to download and store the installer, with special tips for people who want to install on more than one Mac or who have bandwidth limitations. And, although running the installer will be easy for many people, you'll get full steps for what to click and when.Post-installation tune-up: Make sure your new system is running smoothly with a few important housekeeping tasks, including managing Spotlight, Software Update, Java Runtime, enhanced dictation, user accounts, Apple IDs, iCloud Keychain, FileVault, Time Machine, iTunes changes, and more. Plus learn how to unhide the user Library folder.Troubleshooting: Yikes! It is possible that something will go wrong during installation, or once you've booted up under Mavericks that you'll discover an important incompatibility with an existing piece of software. Find time-tested troubleshooting advice to get your system working again. Plus learn what the Recovery HD volume can do for you.Migrating to a new Mac: If your "upgrade" includes moving from an older computer (Mac or Windows PC) to a new Mac that's running Mavericks, learn the best way to move your user account to the new Mac.Installing OS X Server: Find a brief intro...
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 Upgrading to Mojave
by Joe KissellManage your upgrade to Mojave with ease using Joe Kissell's expert advice in "Take Control of Upgrading to Mojave." Learn what you need to know before you begin, how to prepare your Mac, and be ready to make decisions about installation questions. Find out how to resolve common upgrading problems, and what has changed in macOS since the last version.
Take Control of Upgrading to Mountain Lion
by Joe KissellIn particular, you'll learn how to: Manage iCloud: During your Mountain Lion installation, you'll be asked for an Apple ID, but should you enter one? And, if you have more than one, which one? You'll find advice for sorting out your Apple ID before you enter the installer. Upgrade from Tiger or Leopard: How will you download the installer from the Mac App Store on one of these Macs? What about Rosetta for PowerPC-based apps? Joe answers these questions and discusses the special challenges you'll encounter when trying to upgrade efficiently from 10.4 Tiger or 10.5 Leopard. Handle Your Hardware: Check for Mountain Lion compatibility, clear extra files and software off your disk, and test your Mac to be sure all the hardware and disks are running properly--better to discover and correct a problem now than on upgrade day. Deal with duplication: Learn why having a duplicate of your hard disk is essential before installing Mountain Lion, and how to make one. Also, get help with backing up a Windows volume, should you be running Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp. Consider a few geeky details: If you secure your data and documents with disk encryption now, or would like to under Mountain Lion, get advice on what to do before you upgrade and learn why Joe likes Apple's FileVault 2. Also, read what Joe thinks of partitioning and what you might want to do about it before installing. Do the upgrade: Run the Mountain Lion installer, choosing all the optimal settings and options for your computer and tastes, and make sure all your personal data is still in place afterward. Perform post-installation tasks: You're not done when the installer is - be sure to run Software Update, set up necessary user accounts, and (perhaps) turn on FileVault and Time Machine. You'll find help with troubleshooting any problems that may have occurred with your upgrade. Go beyond the basics: Joe even covers topics such as the basics of installing Mountain Lion Server; moving from an older Mac to a newer one that already has Mountain Lion installed; and using Recovery mode to fix disk problems, reinstall Mountain Lion, and perform other maintenance tasks.
Take Control of Upgrading to Sierra
by Joe KissellAvoid anxiety and enjoy an easy upgrade!Upgrade with confidence as you follow Mac guru Joe Kissell's essential advice. You'll ensure that your hardware and software are ready for Sierra, prevent problems by making a bootable duplicate of your main drive, and decide on the best installation method for your particular situation. You'll also find full installation directions, plus suggestions on what to do immediately after the install. The book ends with a look at how to handle a failed or problematic installation.You'll experience an easy upgrade and deal quickly with post-installation quirks with these topics: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 Sierra. Compatibility check: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for Sierra and consider whether this is a good time to buy new hardware, even if it's not essential for your upgrade. Backing 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. Picking a plan: Go for an easy in-place upgrade or consider a more complex clean install. Find out which option is right for you. Installing: 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. Post-installation tune-up: Make sure your new system is running smoothly by completing a few important housekeeping tasks and making a few key decisions. Troubleshooting: Yikes! It is possible that something will go wrong during installation, or that once you've booted up under Sierra that you'll encounter a serious problem. Joe's time-tested troubleshooting advice will help get your system working again.
Take Control of Upgrading to Snow Leopard
by Joe KissellThe ebook will help you: Evaluate whether your Mac is ready to run Snow Leopard Prepare for changes in Snow Leopard, such as software that may no longer work Complete crucial pre-upgrade steps that help you avoid trouble Make a bootable duplicate in case Joe's easy Plan A doesn't work for you Understand everything you need to know about what the installer will do Decide which optional software you should install Perform a few important post-installation tasks and tweaks Solve problems that might arise after installing-such as a Mac that won't boot You should buy this ebook if one or both of the following describes your situation:You want to ensure a calm, successful update with no data loss or other unpleasant surprises. You could run the Snow Leopard installer on your own, but you want to know the ins and outs of what's new with the installer because you are a Mac consultant, because friends and relatives rely on you for tech support, so you can wow everyone at your next MUG meeting, or simply because you like knowing exactly how things work behind the scenes. Specific questions answered in this ebook include:Is my Mac ready for a Snow Leopard installation? What's new in the Snow Leopard installer? What's the deal with QuickTime and Snow Leopard? What's Rosetta, why should I care, and what should I do about it? Is it ever a good idea to partition my startup drive? How can I check if I need to run a firmware update before installing? What are smart ways to free up disk space so I have more room for Snow Leopard? How do I back up Boot Camp before upgrading, just in case something goes horribly wrong? The installer won't let me do what was previously called an "Archive and Install." What's the best alternative? Now that I've clicked Customize in the installer, how do I figure out which checkboxes to select? I just installed Snow Leopard and my Mac won't boot. Help! What kinds of software that I depend on might not initially work in Snow Leopard?
Take Control of Upgrading to Yosemite
by Joe KissellMake a smooth transition to 10.10 Yosemite!Gain confidence and stay in control as Mac guru Joe Kissell explains how to ensure that your hardware and software are ready for Yosemite, prevent problems by making a bootable duplicate of your main drive, eliminate digital clutter, prepare your Mac, and decide on the best installation method for your particular situation. You'll also find full installation directions plus advice on over a dozen things to do immediately after installation and troubleshooting techniques. The book covers upgrading from 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.7 Lion, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.5 Leopard, and even 10.4 Tiger. It also looks at upgrading from the Yosemite public beta and at "upgrades" that involve moving your data to a new Mac from an old Mac or Windows PC.You'll experience an easy upgrade and quickly deal with post-installation quirks with these topics:Take in the view: Find out what you can look forward to in Yosemite, and why this upgrade is important for Apple.Catch-up upgrade: If you're upgrading from 10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, or 10.6 Snow Leopard, you'll want to know about a few special compatibility issues and decide on the most effective way to upgrade.Compatibility check: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for Yosemite (and for the new Continuity features that work with iOS 8), and consider if this might be a good time for new hardware, even if it's not essential for your upgrade.Backing up: Avoid upgrade calamities by ensuring you can return your Mac to its previous stateâ "and that you can boot your Mac from a backup. This crucial step can save a lot of trouble, and Joe recommends software that can make a bootable duplicate with minimal hassle.Cleaning up: Your operating system is getting a fresh start, but what about the rest of your stuff? Whether you need the disk space or just want to delete some digital detritus, you'll find helpful tips. You'll also run either Apple Hardware Test or Apple Diagnostics as well as Disk Utility, to be sure your disk is good to go.Prepping your disk: For those who need it, this chapter covers special cases relating to disk encryption and partitioning.Picking a plan: Most people can go with an easy in-place upgrade, but some will want the more complex clean install. Yosemite beta testers will find a special sidebar, 10.5 Leopard users will find special help, and those still on 10.4 Tiger will learn about the extra steps they'll have to go through.Installing: Find out the smartest way to download and store the installer, 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 get full instructions on what to click and when.Post-installation tune-up: Make sure your new system is running smoothly by answering questions posed by Yosemite, specifying your Apple ID in all the right places (and perhaps setting up Family Sharing), checking your Handoff status, and handling translucency. You'll also find advice on Spotlight, Java Runtime, iBooks, enhanced dictation, and more. Plus, learn how to unhide the user Library folder.Troubleshooting: Yikes! It's possible that something will go wrong during installation, or once you've booted up under Yosemite that you'll discover an incompatibility with an essential piece of software. Find time-tested troubleshooting advice to get your system working again. Joe also explains what the Recovery HD volume can do for you.Migrating to a new Mac: If your "upgrade" includes moving from an older computer (Mac or Windows PC) to a new Mac that's running Yosemite, learn the best way to move your user account to the new Mac.