Home > Store

OS X Mountain Lion Absolute Beginner's Guide

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

OS X Mountain Lion Absolute Beginner's Guide

Book

  • This product currently is not for sale.
Not for Sale

eBook (Watermarked)

  • Your Price: $15.99
  • List Price: $19.99
  • Includes EPUB and PDF
  • About eBook Formats
  • This eBook includes the following formats, accessible from your Account page after purchase:

    ePub EPUB The open industry format known for its reflowable content and usability on supported mobile devices.

    Adobe Reader PDF The popular standard, used most often with the free Acrobat® Reader® software.

    This eBook requires no passwords or activation to read. We customize your eBook by discreetly watermarking it with your name, making it uniquely yours.

Description

  • Copyright 2013
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-5014-7
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5014-3

Make the most of your new OS X® Mountain Lion notebook or desktop computer—without becoming a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to get comfortable, get productive, get online, connect with friends and family, explore the Web, enjoy music and video, and have way more fun! Even if you’ve never used a Mac before, this book will show you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time.
OS X Mountain Lion has never been this simple!

Who knew how simple OS X Mountain Lion could be?

This is today’s best beginner’s guide to using your new OS X Mountain Lion desktop or notebook computer: simple, practical instructions for doing everything you really want to do! Here’s a small sample of what you learn:

•    Master Mountain Lion’s new iPad®/iPhone®-like features

•    Learn Mac essentials, from bootup to the Dock

•    Sync your data on iCloud, and use it anywhere

•    Personalize your Mac to match your style and make you more productive

•    Use iTunes® to enjoy music, Internet radio, TV, movies, podcasts, and even college courses

•    Stay organized with Contacts, Calendar, Notes, and Reminders

•    Connect with people via Mail, Messages, and FaceTime® video calls

•    Get instant access to weather, stock, and flight information

•    Compete against gamers running Macs, iPads, or iPhones

•    Explore the Web with Apple’s speedy Safari browser

•    Use Photo Booth® to capture, edit, and share photos and video

•    Automatically back up your Mac with Time Machine®

•    Protect your Mac (and yourself) against online threats

Category: Computers

Covers: Macintosh Operating System

User Level: Beginning

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Absolute Beginner's Guide to OS X Mountain Lion: Using iCloud

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 5 and Index)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I Getting Acquainted with Mountain Lion Basics

Chapter 1 Booting Up and Shutting Down

Turning on Your Mac

Taking a Close Look at the Desktop

Putting Your Mac to Sleep or Shutting It Down

    Using the Sleep Modes

    Shutting Down the Computer

    Restarting Your Computer

Chapter 2 Using Menus and Dialog Boxes

Using the Menu Bar

    Examining the Elements of the Menu Bar

    Examining the Elements of a Menu

Using Dialog Boxes

Using Context Menus

Using Menu Extras

Chapter 3 Using the Dock

Examining the Parts of the Dock

Launching Applications from the Dock

Opening Folders on the Dock

    Opening the Downloads Folder

    Opening the Trash Folder

Chapter 4 Working with Windows

Performing Common Window Functions

Taking a Closer Look at Windows

    Closing Windows

    Minimizing Windows

    Resizing Windows

    Moving Windows

    Scrolling Windows

Using Full Screen Mode

Switching Between Windows

    Using Mission Control to Navigate Windows

    Creating Separate Spaces for Applications

Chapter 5 Using iCloud

What Is the iCloud?

What Does It Do?

Why Do I Want It?

How Can I Get It?

How Does It Work?

    Turning On iCloud

    Accessing iCloud Data Without Your Apple Devices

    Stopping iCloud Services

How Can I See What’s on the iCloud?

How Can I Get More of It?

Part II Customizing the Way Your Mac Works

Chapter 6 Using and Controlling Your Hardware

Setting Hardware Preferences

Using the CD/DVD SuperDrive

    Inserting and Ejecting Discs

    Setting Preferences for CDs and DVDs

Using External Drives

    Connecting an External Drive

    Ejecting an External Drive

Controlling the Brightness and Resolution of the Screen

Setting Up the Keyboard

    Controlling the Behavior of the Function Keys

    Lighting Up the Keys on a Laptop

    Setting Up Keyboards for Different Languages

Operating the Mouse or Trackpad

    Setting Magic Mouse Preferences

    Setting Trackpad Preferences

Installing and Managing Printers

    Manually Installing a Printer

    Setting a Default Printer

Controlling Speaker Volume and Sound Alerts

    Using the Keyboard to Adjust Sound

    Setting Alerts and Interface Sounds

Enabling Dictation

Chapter 7 Personalizing the Desktop

Changing the Background

Using a Screen Saver

Displaying and Using Icons on the Desktop

    Displaying Device and Server Icons

    Storing Files, Folders, and Aliases on the Desktop

    Arranging Icons on the Desktop

    Customizing the Icons on the Desktop

Configuring Notifications

    Opening and Closing the Notification Center

    Showing or Hiding Notifications

    Setting Preferences for Notifications

Modifying the Menu Bar

    Adding and Deleting Menu Extras

    Showing or Hiding the Date and Time

Chapter 8 Customizing the Dock

Setting the Preferences for the Dock

Examining Icons in the Dock

Removing Icons from the Dock

Adding Application Icons to the Dock

Adding File or Folder Icons to the Dock

Rearranging Icons on the Dock

Customizing Folder Icons

Part III Working with Files, Folders, and Applications

Chapter 9 Getting Acquainted with the Finder

Getting Started with the Finder

    Examining the File Structure

    Exploring the Default Folders

Exploring the Finder Window

Configuring the Sidebar

Using Finder Views

    Using the Icon View

    Using the List View

    Using the Column View

    Using the Cover Flow View

    Changing the Item Arrangement in Any View

    Customizing the Finder Views for Specific Folders

    Using Your Preferred View

Opening Multiple Finder Windows

Chapter 10 Creating Folders in the Finder

Creating “Regular” Folders

Creating and Using Smart Folders

Creating and Using Burn Folders

Chapter 11 Working with Files and Folders in the Finder

Opening Folders and Files in the Finder

Finding Files and Folders

    Searching with Spotlight

    Examining Files with Quick Look

    Using Color Labels to Help Identify Files

Renaming Files and Folders

Copying and Moving Files

    Copying Files Using Shortcuts

    Copying or Moving Files and Folders by Dragging

Sharing Files

    Sharing Files in the Finder

    Sending Files by AirDrop

Moving Files to the Trash a.k.a. Deleting Files

Burning Files to a Disc

Chapter 12 Working with Applications

Launching Applications

Using Launchpad

    Arranging Icons in the Launchpad

    Working with Folders in the Launchpad

    Searching for Applications in Launchpad

    Adding and Deleting Icons in Launchpad

Closing Applications

    Using Autosave

    Using Resume

Quitting Applications

Installing Applications

    Installing Apps from the Mac App Store

    Installing Mac Applications from Third-Party Sources

Getting the Most from the Mac App Store

Part IV Using Mountain Lion Apps

Chapter 13 Using Safari

Launching Safari the First Time

Using Top Sites

Navigating the Web

    Using the Omnibar

    Retracing Your Steps

    Using History

Browsing in Tabs or Windows

Using the Tab View

Synchronizing Tabs

Getting a Better View of Web Pages

Using Bookmarks

    Bookmarking Web Pages

    Using a Bookmark

    Creating Bookmark Folders

    Customizing the Bookmarks Bar

Using the Reading List

    Adding Pages to the Reading List

    Reading Pages in the Reading List

    Deleting Pages in the Reading List

Downloading and Viewing Files

Sharing Web Content

Chapter 14 Using Contacts

Exploring the Contacts Window

Creating a New Contact

Dictating a Contact

Customizing the Contact Template

Working with Groups

    Adding Contacts to a Group

    Deleting a Group

Working with Your Contacts

    Searching for a Contact

    Editing a Contact

    Deleting a Contact

    Sharing a Contact

    Archiving Contacts

Closing the Contacts Application

Chapter 15 Using Calendar

Exploring and Navigating the Calendar Views

Adding Events to the Calendar

    Creating an Event Using Quick Event

    Using Dictation

    Creating an All-Day Event

    Creating a Recurring Event

    Setting Event Alerts

Working with Events

    Finding Events

    Editing Event Dates and Times

    Deleting Events

Inviting People to Events

Creating Additional Calendars

Chapter 16 Using Notes

Exploring the Notes Window

Creating a Note

Pinning a Note to the Desktop

Finding, Editing, and Deleting Notes

Sharing a Note

Creating and Deleting Your Own Note Folders

Chapter 17 Using Reminders

Exploring the Reminder Window

Creating a Simple Reminder

Dictating a Reminder

Adding Options to a Reminder

    Setting an Alert for a Reminder

    Creating a Reminder That Repeats Automatically

    Setting a Priority Level for a Reminder

Marking Reminders off the List

Finding, Editing, and Deleting Reminders

Sorting Reminders

Creating and Working with New Reminder Lists

    Viewing Multiple Reminder Lists

    Moving a Reminder to Another List

    Deleting a List

Chapter 18 Using Mail

Setting Up Mail Accounts

    Setting Up a New Account

    Upgrading Existing Accounts

Exploring the Mail Window

    Using the Mailbox List

    Using the Message List Pane

    Using the Message Pane

    Exploring the Favorites Bar

    Using the Classic View

Getting and Reading Email

    Reading a Message

    Handling Attachments

Sending Messages and Replies

    Filling Out Header Information

    Typing and Formatting the Message

    Attaching Files

    Sending the Message

Forwarding a Message

Finding Messages

Deleting Messages

Dealing with Junk Mail

Creating Mailboxes

Chapter 19 Using Messages

Getting Acquainted with Messages

Setting Up Your Messages Account

Sending and Receiving Messages

Sending More Than Text in a Message

Deleting Conversations

Searching for Messages

Chapter 20 Using FaceTime

Getting Acquainted with FaceTime

Setting Up the FaceTime Application

Making a Call

    Searching for Contacts

    Populating Your Favorites List

Receiving a FaceTime Call on the Mac

Turning FaceTime Off and On

Chapter 21 Using TextEdit

Launching TextEdit

Setting TextEdit Preferences

Creating and Saving Documents

    Examining Autosave and Versions

    Using Versions

    Saving a Duplicate of the File

    Saving Documents in the Cloud

    Locking a Document

    Resuming Your Work

Boiling It Down

Navigating

Editing Text

    Finding and Replacing Text

    Inserting Symbols and Other Special Characters

    Correcting Misspelled Words

Formatting

    Setting the Paper Size

    Setting Margins

    Setting Tabs

    Inserting Page Breaks

    Setting Paragraph Alignment

    Setting Paragraph Indents

    Setting Paragraph Spacing

    Numbering or Bulleting Paragraphs

    Adding Emphasis to Characters

    Changing the Font and Size

Creating a Table

Chapter 22 Using the Dashboard

Exploring the Dashboard

Managing Widgets

Downloading and Installing Widgets

Organizing and Finding Widgets on the Widgetpad

Creating Your Own Web Clip Widget

Chapter 23 Using Preview

Launching Preview

Editing Files

    Magnifying a Portion of a Page

    Drawing Shapes and Lines

    Adding Text

    Cropping a Page

    Rotating a Page

    Sharing

Viewing PDF Files

    Changing the View of a PDF File

    Searching in a PDF File

    Using Bookmarks in a PDF File

Modifying PDF Files

    Copying Text in a PDF File

    Modifying Text in a PDF File

    Adding a Note to a PDF

    Using a Signature in a PDF File

Part V Entertaining Yourself

Chapter 24 Using the Game Center

Getting Started with the Game Center

    Launching Game Center and Signing In

    Adding or Changing Your Photo

    Setting Your Status

    Changing or Viewing Your Game Center Account

Acquiring Games

Playing Games

Adding Friends

Chapter 25 Using Video Applications

Using DVD Player

Using QuickTime Player

Playing a Video on QuickTime Player

Recording with QuickTime Player

    Recording a Movie

    Recording an Audio File

    Recording the Screen

Editing Movies with QuickTime Player

    Trimming a Movie

    Splitting a Movie into Clips

Sharing QuickTime Files

Chapter 26 Using iTunes

Exploring the iTunes Window

Listening to a Music CD

Using Visualizer

Adding Music to the Library

    Importing Music

    Downloading Music from the iTunes Store

    Importing Cover Art

Creating and Playing Playlists

    Creating a Playlist

    Letting Genius Create a Playlist

    Creating Your Own Smart Playlists

    Sharing a Playlist via the iTunes Store

Burning a Music CD

Listening to Radio

Acquiring and Playing Movies and TV Shows

Acquiring and Playing Podcasts

Acquiring and Playing Courses from iTunes U

Chapter 27 Using Photo Booth

Exploring the Photo Booth Window

Taking and Viewing Photos

    Taking a Still Picture

    Taking a Four-Up Picture

    Viewing Photos

Recording and Viewing Movies

Trimming a Video

Using Effects

Deleting Items in Photo Booth

Sharing Your Photos and Movies

Part VI Performing Administrative Routines

Chapter 28 Managing User Accounts

Creating a User Account

Enabling and Disabling the Guest Account

Setting Login Options

Working with Multiple User Logins

Modifying a User Account

    Changing Your Password

    Changing the Account Picture

Deleting a User Account

Chapter 29 Maintaining and Securing Your Mac

Maintaining Your Mac

    Getting Software Updates

    Backing Up Data with Time Machine

    Restoring Data with Time Machine

Securing Your Mac

    Setting System Security Preferences

    Setting Safari Security Preferences

    Using a Firewall

    Encrypting a Drive

Securing Your Privacy

    Securing Your Privacy on the Mac

    Securing Your Privacy on the Web

9780789750143   TOC   8/13/2012

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020