Master Your Mac

11/06/2012 · No Responses

OS X is a lot more than just a pretty face. Sure, the basics are easy, but beneath that gorgeous surface lie countless powerful features.

If you want to go beyond the basics, Master Your Mac will take you there. With tips on everything from organizing your workspace to strengthening your computer’s security, author Matt Cone will show you how to tweak, customize, and control your Mac. And since many of the best tools for unlocking your Mac’s potential don’t come with OS X, you’ll discover the best apps to fix those everyday Apple annoyances and make your computer do things your way.

In Master Your Mac, you’ll find out how to change hidden defaults and enable undocumented features; repair disk permissions to improve performance and keep things humming along; monitor your system; and even create a bootable USB drive for emergencies. You’ll also learn how to:

Automate day-to-day tasks with AppleScript, triggers, and Automator macros
Handle massive amounts of email and media with synced accounts and spam filters
Turn your Mac into a file or web server
Improve your web experience by creating Safari extensions and using site-specific browsers
Secure your Mac with firmware passwords, firewalls, and FileVault full-disk encryption

Master Your Mac is packed with tips and addons to make everything you do with your Mac faster, easier, and better. Make OS X your own.

Covers OS X Mountain Lion.

Table of Contents
Part 1: Back to Basics
Chapter 1. The Best Shortcuts (and How to Make Your Own)
Chapter 2. Starting Applications Automatically at Login
Chapter 3. Finding Files and Folders Fast
Chapter 4. Organizing Windows
Chapter 5. Cleaning House
Chapter 6. Adjusting Energy and Display Settings

Part 2: Boosting Productivity
Chapter 7. Launching Applications Fast
Chapter 8. Customizing Trackpad and Mouse Gestures
Chapter 9. Connecting Multiple Displays to Your Mac
Chapter 10. Talking to Your Mac

Part 3: Automation
Chapter 11. Automating Tasks with Macros
Chapter 12. Automating Tasks with AppleScript
Chapter 13. Creating a Bluetooth Proximity Monitor
Chapter 14. Automating File and Folder Actions
Chapter 15. Triggering Location-Based Actions

Part 4: Managing Your Life
Chapter 16. Managing Your Email
Chapter 17. Killing Spam
Chapter 18. Creating Quick and Easy Alerts
Chapter 19. Managing Your Music

Part 5: Internet and Networks
Chapter 20. Creating Your Own Safari Extension
Chapter 21. Turning Websites into Applications
Chapter 22. Storing Files in the Cloud
Chapter 23. Accessing Your Mac Remotely
Chapter 24. Turning Your Mac into a Web and FTP Server
Chapter 25. Wirelessly Sharing a Printer and Hard Drive
Chapter 26. Synchronizing Files Between Computers

Part 6: Serious Security
Chapter 27. Creating Strong Passwords and Storing Them Securely
Chapter 28. Enabling Firmware Password Protection
Chapter 29. Encrypting Your Mac’s Internet Connection
Chapter 30. Enabling Firewalls
Chapter 31. Preserving Your Anonymity Online
Chapter 32. Encrypting Your Hard Disks and Backups

Part 7: Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance
Chapter 33. System and Process Monitoring
Chapter 34. Repairing Disk Permissions
Chapter 35. Verifying and Repairing the Hard Disk
Chapter 36. Making Better File Backups
Chapter 37. Maintaining a MacBook’s Battery
Chapter 38. Creating an Emergency USB Drive