OSX Introduction

For those of you unfamiliar with OS X, please spend a few minutes running through the basic operations.

Logging In

You have to log in, using your domain username and password

OS X is a multi-user operating system with security barriers between users, individual preferences and a host of other great features. Each Wellesley student has her own username and password (the same domain password used for the Windows machines). Please make sure you're logged in as yourself.

Please don't customize the machine (such as installing applications), since you'll affect other users. The machines are refreshed often, so don't store files on the hard drive overnight.

The Desktop

The area at the bottom is the "dock," which holds icons of certain programs. Many other programs are on the machine. The "Macintosh HD" is at the upper right; everything is there. Menus are at the top. Removable disks appear here, too. Use the button on your keyboard to open/close the CD door.

Launching Applications

Single Click on the "Dock" icon to launch

Try it with Safari (icon like a compass). Notice the Application Menu. Notice the triangle under the icon. Find the "quit" option. You can use Apple-Q as shortcut.

You can also try using Internet Explorer. (We'll use both in this class.) It is in the "All Applications" folder, at the end of the dock, near the trash can.

Try launching TextWrangler (icon like a big W)

Try launching Fetch (icon like a running dog)

Try it with FirstClass, too. (You might take this opportunity to put the CS110 course conference and maybe the "Announce" subconference on your FC desktop.)

Search on the "Macintosh HD" or under the "Go" menu in the Finder

Double-click the icon

Window Decorations

The buttons at the upper left of the window mean:

• red: close window (but not the application)
• yellow: "genie effect" shrink the window onto the right side of the dock
• green: resize window (rarely used). You can do a custom resizing of the window using the lower right corner.

Locating Files and Disks

Opening Files and Disks

Double-clicking on a file, only opens it in the default application. We'll manipulate, or look at, HTML files with several applications, like TextWrangler, Safari, or DreamWeaver later, so it's better to open your file from within the desired application, rather than double-clicking on it.

Try opening an HTML file using Safari, and then open the same file using TextWrangler.

Connecting to Servers

How to find 24-hour drop

• Using the "Go" menu in the Finder, select the "Connect to Server" item.
• Give the server address as "smb://ntm"
• Give your domain username and password.
• Select a share: Community
• Open the desktop icon
• Select 24-hour drop
• When you're done, drag the icon to the trash.

Logging Out

Always remember to log out. (Use the Apple menu.) It's a good habit to protect yourself and our computers.

Additional Info