iMac For Dummies E-Book

Mark L. Chambers

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 540

Beschreibung

Congratulations! When you bought that shiny new anodized aluminumiMac, you made a great choice. Now you want take advantage andcontrol of that baby's awesome speed, high performance, powerfuloperating system, and fantastic applications, and iMac forDummies, 5th Edition is here to help you do just that! This easy-to-use guide covers both the iMac's splendid,cutting-edge hardware and Leopard, the latest version ofApple's superb Mac OS X operating system. It gives you thebasic information that every iMac owner should know and then moveson to explore the software that comes with your iMac. And,everywhere you look, you'll find plenty of power-user tips andtricks that'll save you time, effort, and money. You'll findout how to: * Set up and customize your iMac * Import files from your old computer * Send and receive mail * Store, and organize digital photos, music, and video * Back up your system with Time Machine * Browse the Internet with Safari * Keep in touch with iChat * Make your iMac a digital media hub with iLife * Connect your iMac to a wireless network * Troubleshoot problems * Keep your iMac safe and secure Your iMac is an elegant and sophisticated machine -- and asfast, powerful, and easy-to-use as a computer can be. With the helpyou get from iMac For Dummies, 5th Edition you'll be an iMacpower user in no time!

Leseprobe

iMac For Dummies, 5th Edition

by Mark L. Chambers

iMac For Dummies, 5th Edition®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008924085

ISBN: 978-0-470-13386-6

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4

About the Author

Mark L. Chambers has been an author, computer consultant, BBS sysop, programmer, and hardware technician for more than 20 years — pushing computers and their uses far beyond “normal” performance limits for decades now. His first love affair with a computer peripheral blossomed in 1984 when he bought his lightning-fast 300 BPS modem for his Atari 400. Now he spends entirely too much time on the Internet and drinks far too much caffeine-laden soda.

With a degree in journalism and creative writing from Louisiana State University, Mark took the logical career choice: programming computers. However, after five years as a COBOL programmer for a hospital system, he decided there must be a better way to earn a living, and he became the Documentation Manager for Datastorm Technologies, a well-known communications software developer. Somewhere in between writing software manuals, Mark began writing computer how-to books. His first book, Running a Perfect BBS, was published in 1994 — and after a short decade or so of fun (disguised as hard work), Mark is one of the most productive and best-selling technology authors on the planet.

Along with writing several books a year and editing whatever his publishers throw at him, Mark has also branched out into Web-based education, designing and teaching a number of online classes — called WebClinics — for Hewlett-Packard.

His favorite pastimes include collecting gargoyles, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, playing his three pinball machines and the latest computer games, supercharging computers, and rendering 3-D flights of fancy with TrueSpace — and during all that, he listens to just about every type of music imaginable. Mark’s worldwide Internet radio station, MLC Radio (at www.mlcbooks.com), plays only CD-quality classics from 1970 to 1979, including everything from Rush to Billy Joel to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Mark’s rapidly expanding list of books includes MacBook For Dummies; Apple TV For Dummies; iMac For Dummies, 5th Edition; Mac OS X Leopard All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies; Building a PC_ For Dummies, 5th Edition; Scanners For Dummies, 2nd Edition; CD & DVD Recording For Dummies, 2nd Edition; PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 2nd Edition; Mac OS X Tiger: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks; Microsoft Office v. X Power User’s Guide; BURN IT! Creating Your Own Great DVDs and CDs; The Hewlett-Packard Official Printer Handbook; The Hewlett-Packard Official Recordable CD Handbook; The Hewlett-Packard Official Digital Photography Handbook; Computer Gamer’s Bible; Recordable CD Bible; Teach Yourself the iMac Visually; Running a Perfect BBS; Official Netscape Guide to Web Animation; and the Windows 98 Troubleshooting and Optimizing Little Black Book.

His books have been translated into 14 different languages so far — his favorites are German, Polish, Dutch, and French. Although he can’t read them, he enjoys the pictures a great deal.

Mark welcomes all comments about his books. You can reach him at [email protected], or visit MLC Books Online, his Web site, at www.mlcbooks.com.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my youngest daughter, Rose Chambers — she of the Cleo Beast, the Book at Bedtime, and the Barbie blankets — with all the love and happiness I can give her.

Author’s Acknowledgments

A guide to Apple’s iMac should be as elegantly designed and straightforward as the computer itself . . . and luckily, I had just the right mix of folks to make sure that it turned out that way!

First, my thanks are due to my technical editor, Greg Willmore, who kept watch on the accuracy of my facts, comments, and step-by-step procedures concerning both the Apple iMac and Mac OS X Leopard. As always, copy editor Teresa Artman leant both a superb eye and a ready sense of humor.

I’ve often said that Wiley’s Production team is the best in the business, and the layout and composition of this book is proof positive — my appreciation to everyone who leant a hand with the graphics, proofing, and cover work for iMac For Dummies, 5th Edition.

As with all my books, I’d like to thank my wife, Anne; and my children, Erin, Chelsea, and Rose; for their support and love — and for letting me follow my dream!

Lastly, I’d like to thank the two editorial professionals at Wiley who made this book happen: my good friend Bob Woerner, the acquisitions editor who has guided my way through the jungle of technology yet again; and Paul Levesque, my hard-working project editor. Gentlemen, it’s folks like you who make this the greatest career on the planet — my heartfelt thanks to you both from a very grateful Mac owner!

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Senior Project Editor: Paul Levesque

Senior Acquisitions Editor: Bob Woerner

Senior Copy Editor: Teresa Artman

Technical Editor: Greg Willmore

Editorial Manager: Leah Cameron

Media Development Project Manager: Laura Moss-Hollister

Media Development Assistant Producer: Angela Denny

Editorial Assistant: Amanda Foxworth

Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Katherine Key

Layout and Graphics: Shane Johnson, Laura Pence, Ronald Terry, Christine Williams

Proofreaders: Cynthia Fields, Bonnie Mikkelson

Indexer: WordCo Indexing Services

Special Help Alissa D. Ellet

Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies

Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher

Mary Bednarek, Executive Acquisitions Director

Mary C. Corder, Editorial Director

Publishing for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Contents

Title

Introduction

What’s Really (Not) Required

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

How This Book Is Organized

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

A Final Word

Part I : Know Your iMac

Chapter 1: Okay, This Machine Looks Really, Really Weird

An Introduction to the Beast

Choosing a Home for Your New Pet

Unpacking and Connecting

Discovering All the Cool Things You Can Do

Stuff You Oughta Buy Right Now

Chapter 2: Life! Give My iMac Life!

Throwing the Big Leaf Switch

Mark’s Favorite Signs of a Healthy iMac

Harriet, It’s Already Asking Me Questions!

Importing Documents and Data from Your Old Mac

Importing Documents and Data from Windows

Chapter 3: Introducing the Apple of Your iMac

A Quick Tour about the Premises

Calling for Help

Part II : Shaking Hands with Mac OS X

Chapter 4: Opening and Closing and Clicking and Such

Working within the Finder

Mousing in a Mac World

Launching and Quitting for the Lazy iMac Owner

Juggling Folders and Icons

Keys and Keyboard Shortcuts to Fame and Fortune

Performing Tricks with Finder Windows

Chapter 5: A Plethora of Powerful Fun

Home, Sweet Home Folder

Arranging Your Desktop

Putting the Dock to the Test

What’s with the Trash?

Working Magic with Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces

Printing within Mac OS X

Chapter 6: A Nerd’s Guide to System Preferences

A Not-So-Confusing Introduction

Searching for Settings

Popular Preference Panes Explained

Chapter 7: Searching amidst iMac Chaos

Spotlight Explained

Searching the Old-Fashioned Way

With Widgets, the Internet is Your Resource

Part III : Connecting and Communicating

Chapter 8: Let’s Go on Safari!

It Doesn’t Even Look Like That Other Web Browser

Visiting Web Sites

Basic Navigation While on Safari

Setting Up Your Home Page

Adding and Using Bookmarks

Downloading Files

Using Subscriptions and History

Tabs Are Your Browsing Friends

Saving Web Pages

Protecting Your Privacy

Chapter 9: Moving to MobileMe

Wait a Minute: Where Exactly IS My MobileMe Storage?

Opening a MobileMe Account

iDisk . . . iGetIt!

Backing Up Your Treasured Stuff

Chapter 10: Hooking Up with Handy Helpers

Connecting Printers

Connecting Scanners

Using Photo Booth and Front Row

Turning Your iMac into a TV — And More

Part IV : Living the iLife

Chapter 11: The Multimedia Joy of iTunes

What Can I Play on iTunes?

Playing an Audio CD

Playing Digital Audio and Video

Keeping Slim Whitman and Slim Shady Apart: Organizing with Playlists

Know Your Songs

Ripping Audio Files

Tweaking the Audio for Your Ears

A New Kind of Radio Station

iSending iStuff to iPod

Sharing Your Media across Your Network

Burning Music to Shiny Plastic Circles

Feasting on iTunes Visuals

Buying Digital Media the Apple Way

Chapter 12: The Masterpiece That Is iPhoto

Delving into iPhoto

Working with Images in iPhoto

Producing Your Own Coffee-Table Masterpiece

Introducing Web Gallery!

Mailing Photos to Aunt Mildred

Chapter 13: Making Film History with iMovie

Shaking Hands with the iMovie Window

A Bird’s-Eye View of Moviemaking

Importing the Building Blocks

Building the Cinematic Basics

Sharing Your Finished Classic with Others

Chapter 14: iDVD — Your DVD Movie Factory

Hey, Where’s the Complex Window?

Starting a New DVD Project

Creating a DVD from Scratch

Giving Your DVD the Personal Touch

Previewing Your Masterpiece

A Word about Automation

Recording a Finished Project to a Shiny Disc

Chapter 15: Recording Your Hits with GarageBand

Shaking Hands with Your Band

Composing and Podcasting Made Easy

Automatic Composition with Magic GarageBand

Sharing Your Songs and Podcasts

Part V : Sharing Access and Information

Chapter 16: Creating a Multiuser iMac

Once Upon a Time (An Access Fairy Tale)

Big-Shot Administrator Stuff

Multiuser Rules for Everyone

Chapter 17: Building (Or Joining) a Network

What Exactly Is the Network Advantage?

The Great Debate: Wired versus Wireless

Sharing Internet Access

What Do I Need to Connect?

Connecting to the Network

USE YOUR FIREWALL!

Part VI : The Necessary Evils: Troubleshooting, Upgrading, Maintaining

Chapter 18: It Just . . . Sits . . . There

Can You Troubleshoot? Yes, You Can!

Basic Troubleshooting 101

Okay, I Kicked It, and It Still Won’t Work

Chapter 19: I Want to Add Stuff

More Memory Will Help

Can I Upgrade My Hard Drive?

Attractive Add-Ons

Chapter 20: Tackling the Housekeeping

Cleaning Unseemly Data Deposits

Backing Up Your Treasure

Saving Files

Putting Things Right with Time Machine

Maintaining Hard Drive Health

Automating Those Mundane Chores

Updating Mac OS X Automatically

Part VII : The Part of Tens

Chapter 21: Ten Applications You Can’t Do Without

Applications

System Stuff

Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Speed Up Your iMac

Nothing Works Like a Shot of Memory

Hold a Conversation with Your iMac

Vamoose, Unwanted Fragments!

Keep Your Desktop Background Simple

Column Mode Is for Power Users

Make the Dock Do Your Bidding

It All Started with Keyboard Shortcuts

Hey, You Tweaked Your Finder!

Keep in Touch with Your Recent Past

Go Where the Going Is Good

Chapter 23: Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague

Man, That Is the Definition of Sluggish

Phishing Is No Phun

Put Floppy Disks to Rest

Do You Really Want a Submerged Keyboard?

Don’t Use Antiquated Utility Software

Don’t Endorse Software Piracy

Call It the Forbidden Account

Don’t Settle for a Surge Suppressor

Refurbished Hardware Is No Deal at All

iMacs Appreciate Cleanliness

Part I

Know Your iMac

In this part . . .

Your iMac odyssey begins with a description of the computer itself, as well as the details you need to know when unpacking and setting up your newest family member. You also find an introduction to Mac OS X Leopard, the latest version of Apple’s super-popular operating system.

Chapter 1

Okay, This Machine Looks Really, Really Weird

In This Chapter

Identifying the important parts of your iMac

Locating the right home for your computer

Plugging stuff in and getting hooked up

Playing with your bundled software

Buying additional stuff that you might need

You bought a brand-new iMac, and there it sits, in the box. Waiting. Waiting for you.

If you’re a little nervous about unpacking that shiny aluminum-and-glass rectangle, I completely understand. Face it: The latest iMac follows in the footsteps of many revolutionary iMac designs that have come before it. (In other words, it doesn’t look like a computer at all, and that can be a bit disconcerting.) And if you’re switching from a Windows PC to the Apple universe, you might find yourself floating weightlessly in your office or your living room without a familiar bulky beige box to anchor yourself. Hence the reluctance you might be feeling.

However, dear reader, let me assure you that you’ve indeed made The Right Choice. I commend you! The aluminum Intel iMac is the fastest, leanest, and easiest-to-use self-contained all-in-one computer ever built. Practically everything’s in one shining panel (except for your keyboard and mouse). You’ve got one of the best liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on the planet, a super-fast processor, room for a ton of RAM (memory), and a regular laundry list of the latest technology. Best of all, you don’t have to be a techno-nerd to use all that power!

In this chapter, I introduce you to your new dream machine, giving you an overview of the more important locations within iMac City. I show you how to unpack your new computer, what wires go where, and where your iMac should set up housekeeping. I preview the awesome software that’s waiting within that powerful panel. Finally, I list the accessories that help keep both you and your new iMac computing smoothly.

An Introduction to the Beast

The Intel iMac might look like a sculpture straight out of your local museum of modern art, but it still sports everything that it needs to function as a computer. In this section, I identify the important stuff that you need to live your life — you know, write a term paper in Pages, hear the music you downloaded, or manage the affairs of those lazy Sims.

Major parts of your major appliance

Every computer requires some of the same gizmos. Figure 1-1 helps you track them down. Of course, as you’d expect, a computer has a “body” of sorts in which all the innards and brains are stored (the screen, in this case), a display screen, a keyboard, a mouse/pointing device, and ports for powering and exchanging data with peripherals.

Figure 1-1: The charismatic form of your aluminum Intel iMac.

Umm . . . my iMac isn’t aluminum

Believe me, I feel your pain. It seems like only yesterday that Apple introduced its first generation of flat-panel iMac G4 models. (You know, the ones that look like a milky-white, half-basketball at the base.) The crew at Cupertino tends to update their product line pretty often, so if you have an older flat-panel iMac, you might be feeling like an Edsel owner on his way to catch Vertigo at the drive-in.

Ah, but friend, there’s good news on your horizon: Those first-generation flat-panel iMacs are still powerful personal platforms for productivity programs and peripherals! Don’t give up on your older iMac yet (unless you just plain want to upgrade). You still have a great LCD screen of the same quality, a reasonably fast processor, virtually all the same ports and options, and that spiffy chrome-plated gooseneck to boot.

The same rule applies for the more recent (and much more powerful) iMac G5, which can easily run Mac OS X Leopard and handles just about anything except the latest games and the most in-depth video editing. Keep it and follow along, and you’ll be able to use just about every bit this book with aplomb.

That magnificent screen

Talk about efficiency: With the iMac, the 2"-thick border surrounding the display is actually your computer’s case! And what a view you’ve got because an aluminum iMac is graced with either a 20" or 24" LCD display.

Once upon a time, LCD screens were strictly limited to notebook and laptop computers, whilst desktop computer owners were saddled with huge, heavy cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. Luckily, the LCD panel has migrated to virtually all the Apple computer product line, so notebook owners can no longer be snobbish (at least about their screens, anyway). LCD screens use far less electricity than their antique CRT ancestors, and they emit practically no radiation.

Both sizes of iMac screens offer a widescreen aspect ratio (the screen is considerably wider than it is tall), which augurs well for those who enjoy watching DVD movies. (A favorite editor of mine loves it when I use the antique word augur, meaning to predict or foretell.) For example, the 24" screen boasts a whopper 1920 x 1200 resolution.

That reminds me: Throw away your printed dictionary! You won’t need it because Mac OS X Leopard includes the fantastic Dictionary widget that uses the Internet to retrieve definitions from Dictionary.com. More on the Dictionary widget in Chapter 7 . . . and yes, it does contain augur.

The keyboard and mouse

Hey, here’s something novel for the Intel iMac — something external (outside the computer’s case). Gotta have a keyboard and mouse, right? And you gotta love the options with iMac: You can fly a little cheaper and remain entangled in a corded world, or you can go nomadic . . . um, that is, wireless and free.

Getting wired

The iMac comes standard with a wired Apple keyboard and Mighty Mouse optical mouse. The keyboard is a particular favorite of mine because from here

You can either control the sound volume (using the volume control buttons F11 and F12) or mute all that noise completely (using the Mute button F10).

A handy-dandy Media Eject key lets you eject a CD or DVD.

Read about connecting your keyboard and mouse in the upcoming section, “Absolutely essential connections.”

Going wireless

If you’re really fancy, you can opt for a truly 21st century computer and order the Apple wireless keyboard ($79) and mouse ($69) combo! This dynamic duo lets you sit back and relax with your keyboard in your lap, without being tied down by a cord. (Say it with me: “Death to cords, death to cords.”) Just stay within about 30 feet of your iMac screen, and sweet freedom is yours. You can also feel safe using these wireless peripherals because they offer secure 128-bit, over-the-air encryption, which helps keep sensitive information safe while you type and click away. One downside about the wireless keyboard, though: Unlike the standard Apple wired keyboard, the wireless model doesn’t include any USB ports.

The wireless mouse needs a flat surface, but that’s what TV trays are for, right?

The disc slot

You’ll notice a long groove on the right edge of your iMac. No, it’s not for your credit card. (If you order online often enough, you’ll memorize your card number.) This slot accepts CDs and DVDs into your optical drive. If the drive is empty, loading a disc is as simple as sliding it in an inch or so; the drive sucks in the disc automatically. (And we don’t need no stinkin’ floppy drive. Macs haven’t had floppy drives for years now, and the PC types are just beginning to follow.)

“Luke, the printed label side of the disc should always be facing you when you load a disc. Always.”

Yes, your computer has a foot . . . just one

You and I — normal human beings — would say that the iMac is supported by a sturdy aluminum stand, but Apple calls it a foot. The foot lets you tilt the iMac LCD panel up and down for the best viewing angle. Most important, though, the foot minimizes the computer’s desk space requirements (or its footprint). (Engineers . . . sheesh.) And yes, that foot is perfectly balanced and quite stable, so there’s no danger of your treasured iMac taking a dive.

If you decide to get really snazzy and mount your 24-inch iMac to the wall, you can remove the foot and install the VESA mounting adapter (available separately for about $30). You can use any VESA standard mounting bracket on your wall, too. You can be positioned within 30 yards or so of your wall-mounted iMac with a wireless Apple keyboard and mouse.

Hey, Hewlett-Packard or Dell, can you mount one of those monolithic PCs to the wall? I think not.

Food for your ears

A machine this nice had better have great sound, and the iMac doesn’t disappoint. You have a couple of options for iMac audio:

The iMac sports built-in stereo speakers (and a microphone to boot)

Use built-in ports to connect your iMac audio to either

• More powerful (and more expensive) external speaker systems

• A home stereo system

The power cable

Sorry, but you can’t get a wireless power system . . . yet. (Apple’s working hard on that one.) If you opt for the wireless keyboard and mouse setup (see the earlier section, “Going wireless”), the power cable is actually the only required cable that you need to run your computer! Now that’s sassy.

The power button

Yep, you’ve got one of these, too. It’s on the back of the case.

Those holes are called ports

Our next stop on your tour of Planet iMac is Port Central — that row of holes on the back of your computer (see Figure 1-2). Each port connects a different type of cable or device, allowing you to easily add all sorts of extra functionality to your computer.

Each of these stellar holes is identified by an icon to help you identify it. Here’s a list of what you’ll find as well as a quick rundown on what these ports do.

Figure 1-2: Only slightly less sexy — it’s the back end of an aluminum Intel iMac.

FireWire: These ports are the standard in the Apple universe for connecting external hard drives and DVD recorders, but they do double duty as the connector of choice for most digital video (DV) camcorders. (A peripheral is another silly techno-nerd term, meaning a separate device that you connect to your computer.) Note that the iMac offers two FireWire ports: one is the older FireWire 400 specification, and the other is the much-faster FireWire 800 port. The ports are shaped differently, so you can’t plug a FireWire 400 device into a FireWire 800 port in error.

USB: Short for Universal Serial Bus, the familiar USB port is the jack-of-all-trades in today’s world of computer add-ons. Most external devices (such as portable hard drives, scanners, or digital cameras) that you want to connect to your iMac use a USB port. The iMac sports three USB 2.0 ports on its back, and you’ll find an additional two USB ports lurking at each end of your keyboard. USB 2.0 connections are much faster than the old USB 1.1 standard.

For the specs on connecting your keyboard and mouse, see the upcoming section, “Absolutely essential connections.”

For more on FireWire and USB ports, get the lowdown in Chapter 19.

Ethernet: The iMac includes a standard 10/100/1000 Ethernet port, so it’s ready to join your existing wired Ethernet network. (Alternatively, you can go wireless for your network connection; find more on that in the next section and in Chapter 17.)

Apple no longer includes a built-in modem on the iMac, so if you need a dialup connection to the Internet, you need an external 56K v.92 USB modem. (Apple sells a USB modem, which can send and receive faxes, too.)

Mini-DVI: In case that splendid screen isn’t quite big enough, you can add an adapter to this port and send the video signal from your iMac to another LCD monitor or flatscreen TV with a DVI port. (Apple also offers different adapters that can connect your iMac to standard VGA monitors, projectors, and displays that use S-video or composite jacks.)

Connections for external audio

Your Intel iMac comes equipped with two pretty powerful stereo speakers on the bottom of the case, but you’re certainly not limited to them. Apple provides a number of connectors to add a wide range of audiophile equipment to your system.

Headphone/Optical Output: You can send the high-quality audio from your rectangular beast to a set of standard headphones or to an optical digital audio device, such as a high-end, home theater system.

Line In: Last (but certainly not least) is the audio Line In jack, which allows you to pipe the signal from another audio device into your iMac. This one comes in particularly handy when you record MP3 files from your old vinyl albums or when you want to record loops within GarageBand, which you can read more about in Chapter 15. This jack supports both analog and digital input.

Important Hidden Stuff

When you bought your new digital pride and joy, you probably noticed a number of subtle differences between the low-end iMac and the uber-expensive top-end model. I call these differences the Important Hidden Stuff (or IHS, if you’re addicted to acronyms), and they’re just as important as the parts and ports that you can see.

Hard drive: The aluminum iMac uses the latest in hard drive technology: namely, serial ATA hard drives, which are significantly faster than the EIDE hard drives used in previous iMac models. (You don’t need to worry about what ATA and EIDE mean here. Really.)

As I type these words, the iMac Core 2 Duo product line offers five different hard drive sizes, depending on the processor speed and screen size you choose: 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 750GB, or an immense 1TB (yes, friends and neighbors, that means terabyte, or 1000GB). The bigger, the better.

Optical drive: Okay, I’m cheating a little here. I mention the optical drive in an earlier section, but all you can see is the slot, so it qualifies as an IHS item. All new iMac models include a DVD-R SuperDrive (which can play and record both CDs and DVDs).

Time for a plug: If you’re interested in recording your own audio and data CDs, or you’ve got an itch to burn DVD movies, I can highly recommend the bestselling CD & DVD Recording For Dummies, 2nd Edition (Wiley). (And written by yours truly; hence, the solid recommendation.) Anyway, within its pages, you’ll find information on Roxio’s Toast recording software. After a scant few minutes of study, you’ll be using that information to burn your own shiny digital treasures.

Wireless Ethernet: “Look, Ma, no wires!” As I mention earlier, your iMac can join an existing wireless Ethernet network with its built-in AirPort Extreme card. With wireless connectivity, you can share documents with another computer in another room, share a single high-speed Internet connection betwixt several computers, or enjoy wireless printing. Truly sassy!

Although Apple would want you to build your wireless wonderland with an Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station — go figure — you can actually use your iMac with any standard 802.11g or 802.11n wireless network. And yes, PCs and Macs can intermingle on the same wireless network without a hitch. (Scandalous, ain’t it?)

Bluetooth: Let’s get the old “digital pirate” joke out of the way: “Arrgg, matey, I needs me a wireless parrot.” (Engineers again . . . sheesh.) Although strangely named, Bluetooth is actually another form of wireless connectivity. This time, however, the standard was designed for accessories like your keyboard and mouse, and devices like your personal digital assistant (PDA) and cellphone. Bluetooth is now built in to every aluminum iMac.

Video card: If your applications rely heavily on high-speed 3-D graphics, you’ll be pleased as punch to find that your iMac comes equipped with either an ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT card (for the lower-end model) or an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro card (for the more expensive models). Both cards are well suited to 3-D modeling, video editing, and well, honestly, blasting the enemy into small smoking pieces with aplomb.

Choosing a Home for Your New Pet

If you pick the wrong spot to park your new iMac, I can guarantee that you’ll regret it later. Some domiciles and office cubicles obviously don’t offer a choice — you’ve got one desk at work, for example, and nobody’s going to hand over another one — but if you can select a home for your iMac, consider the important placement points in this section.

Picking the right location

You know the mantra: Location, location, location.

There’s always the wall. Your iMac can disguise itself as a particularly interesting digital picture frame. With the right mounting adapter, you can hang your computer right on the wall and snub your desk altogether.

This wall-mounted solution has two big problems:

• Your VESA mounting plate must be installed safely and correctly (for example, using the studs within your walls).

The iMac is slim and trim, but it’s no lightweight, and it doesn’t bounce well. You don’t want it to take a high dive!

• External peripherals aren’t happy campers — that includes any FireWire and USB devices, which must either camp out on the floor or on a nearby (and conspicuous) shelf. (Personally, I think the cables for external devices tend to spoil the appearance of a wall-mounted computer.)

Your iMac must be mounted at the proper height on the wall. It’s not good ergonomic practice to sit more than two feet away from your iMac’s screen, and the screen should be placed at (or slightly below) eye level.

I see two major requirements for a wall-mounted iMac:

• Don’t plan on using any external devices. Instead, opt for a wireless network with a remote printer and remote backup storage space, like a Time Capsule unit on your network.

• Buy the wireless keyboard and mouse option when you buy your computer!

Keep things cool. Your new iMac is nearly silent, but that super-fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor generates quite a bit of heat. Fans inside the case draw the heat away. (Nothing like an overheated processor to spoil an evening of Call of Duty 4.)

Follow these three rules to keep your cool. Make sure that

• The location you choose is far from heating vents.

• The location you choose is shielded from direct sunlight.

• Allow plenty of room below the machine (where the air enters the case) and above the machine (where heated air escapes from the slot at the top of the case).

Hot air from a wall-mounted iMac can discolor the wall.

Considering the convenience factor

Technology is nothing if you can’t make it convenient:

Outlets, outlets, outlets! Your computer needs a minimum of at least one nearby outlet, and perhaps as many as three:

• A standard AC outlet

• A telephone jack (if you use an external USB modem for connecting to the Internet or sending and receiving faxes)

• A nearby Ethernet jack (if you use the iMac’s built-in Ethernet port for connecting to a wired Ethernet network)

If you prefer to send your data over the airwaves, consider wireless networking for your iMac. I discuss everything you need to know in Chapter 17.

Don’t forget the lighting. Let me act as your Mom. (I know that’s a stretch, but bear with me.) She’d say, “You can’t possibly expect to work without decent lighting! You’ll go blind!” She’s right, you know. At a minimum, you need a desk or floor lamp.

Plan to expand. If your iMac hangs out on a desk, allow an additional foot of space on each side. That way, you have space for external peripherals, more powerful speakers, and that wired keyboard and mouse.

Unpacking and Connecting

You are going to love this section — it’s short and sweet because the installation of an aluminum iMac on your desktop is a piece of cake. (Sorry about the cliché overload, but this really is easy.)

Unpacking your iMac For Dummies

Follow these guidelines when unpacking your system:

Check for damage. I’ve never had a box arrive from Apple with shipping damage, but I’ve heard horror stories from others (who claim that King Kong must have been working for That Shipping Company). Check all sides of your box before you open it.

Take a photograph of any significant damage (just in case).

Search for all the parts. When you’re removing those chunks o’ Styrofoam, make certain that you check all sides of each foam block for parts that are snuggled therein or taped for shipment.

Keep all those packing materials. Do not head for the trash can with that box and those packing materials. Keep your box intact and also keep all packing materials for at least a year until your standard Apple warranty runs out. If you have to ship it to an Apple service center, the box and the original packing is the only way for your iMac to fly.

And now, a dramatic Mark’s Maxim about cardboard containers:

Smart computer owners keep their boxes far longer than a year.TM

For example, if you sell your iMac or move across the country, you’ll want that box. Trust me on this one.

Store the invoice for safekeeping. Your invoice is a valuable piece of paper, indeed.

Save your original invoice in a plastic bag, along with your computer’s manuals and original software, manuals, and other assorted hoo-hah. Keep the bag on your shelf or stored safely in your desk, and enjoy a little peace of mind.

Read the iMac’s manual. “Hey, wait a minute, Mark — why do I have to read the manual from Apple along with this tome?” Good question, and here’s the answer: There might be new and updated instructions in the documentation from Apple that override what I tell you in this book. (For example, “Never cut the red wire. Cut the blue wire instead.” Or something to that effect.)

Besides, Apple manuals are rarely thicker than a restaurant menu.

Connecting cables like a true nerd

The iMac makes all its connections really simple, but your computer depends on you to get the outside wires and thingamabobs where they go.

Absolutely essential connections

After your new iMac is resting comfortably in its assigned spot (I assume that’s a desktop), you need to make a couple of connections:

The power cable

Plug the cable into the corresponding socket on the iMac first; then plug ’er in to that handy AC outlet.

The (wired) keyboard and mouse

• Plug the USB cable from your keyboard into one of the USB 2.0 ports on the back of the iMac.

• Plug the mouse into one of the USB 2.0 ports on the sides of your keyboard.

See the earlier section, “Those holes are called ports,” to see how these ports are marked — and the connector fits only one way, due to a blazing moment of inspired thinking by the designers of the USB port!

If you bought your iMac equipped with the wireless keyboard and mouse options, your batteries might need to be installed. After the batteries are in, you’re set to go.

Adding the Internet to the mix

If you have Internet access or a local computer network, you need to make at least one of the following connections.

If you don’t already have any Internet service, you’ll probably want to start with local dialup Internet access (if you have an external USB modem for your iMac). If you decide to investigate your high-speed options immediately, your local cable and telephone companies can provide you with more information on DSL or cable Internet service.

Dialup Internet access

If you get on the Internet by dialing a standard phone number, you’ll need an external USB modem to connect your iMac. Follow these steps:

1.Plug your external USB modem into one of the USB ports on the back of your iMac.

2.Plug one of the telephone cable’s connectors into your modem’s line port.

3.Plug the other telephone cable connector into your telephone line’s wall jack.

Networks and high-speed Internet access

If you have high-speed Internet service or if you’re in an office or school with a local computer network, you can probably connect through the iMac’s built-in Ethernet port. You make two connections:

1.Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the iMac.

2.Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port from your network. It’s probably one of the following:

• An Ethernet wall jack

• An Ethernet hub or switch

• A cable or DSL Internet router (or sharing device)

Will you be joining a wireless network? If so, you find all the details you need in Chapter 17 to configure Leopard for wireless networking.

Discovering All the Cool Things You Can Do

This section answers the most common of all novice computer questions: “What the heck will I do with this thing?” You find additional details and exciting factoids about the software that you get for free, software you’ll want to buy, and stuff you can do on the Internet.

What software do I get?

Currently, all iMac computers ship with these major software applications installed and ready to use:

The iLife suite: You know you want these applications! They turn your iMac into a digital hub for practically every kind of high-tech device on the planet, including DV camcorders, digital cameras, portable music players, PDAs, and even cellphones.

Chapters 11–15 of this book focus on the five major applications that make up iLife: iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, iPhoto, and GarageBand.

The iWork suite: A demo version of Apple’s powerful office productivity suite is included with your iMac. You can create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations within Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. It’s much like that Other Office Suite (the one that costs a bundle) from those guys in Redmond.

Figure 1-3 illustrates a flyer under construction in Pages.

Front Row: This onscreen menu system makes it easy to watch movies, listen to your music, and display your favorite photos on that gorgeous iMac screen . . . all remotely, using the supplied Apple Remote! I go into the details of Front Row in Chapter 10.

The installed software on your iMac might change as new programs become available.

Figure 1-3: Pages is a great tool for home and office.

Looking forward to fun on the Internet

What is a modern computer without the Internet? Apple gives you great tools to take full advantage of every road sign and offramp on the Information Superhighway, right out of the box:

Web surfing: I use Leopard’s Safari Web browser every single day. It’s faster and better designed than Internet Explorer, with unique features like tabbed browsing and built-in RSS feeds.

If tabbed browsing and RSS feeds sound like ancient Aztec to you, don’t worry. Chapter 8 is devoted entirely to Safari.

Web searches: Your Dashboard widgets can search the entire Internet for stocks, movie listings, business locations, and dictionaries.

Chat: iChat lets you use your iMac to chat with others around the world for free via the Internet — by keyboard, voice, or (with your built-in iSight Web camera) full-color video. This is awesome stuff straight out of Dick Tracy and Buck Rogers. If you’ve never seen a video chat, you’ll be surprised by just how good your friends and family look!

Always wear a shirt when videoconferencing.

E-mail: Soldier, Apple’s got you covered. The Mail application is a full-featured e-mail system, complete with defenses against the torrent of junk mail awaiting you. (Imagine a hungry, digital, saber-toothed tiger with an appetite for spam.) Send pictures and attached files to everyone else on the planet, and look doggone good doing it.

Applications that rock

Dozens of small applications are built into Mac OS X. I mention them in later chapters, but here are three good examples to whet your appetite:

iCal: Keep track of your schedule and upcoming events, and even share your calendar online with others in your company or your circle of friends. See how to keep your life in order in Figure 1-4.

DVD Player: Put all that widescreen beauty to work and watch your favorite DVD movies with DVD Player! You have all the features of today’s most expensive standalone DVD players, too, including a spiffy onscreen control that looks like a remote.

Address Book: Throw away that well-thumbed collection of fading addresses. Leopard’s Address Book can store, search, and recall just about any piece of information on your friends, family, and acquaintances.

Figure 1-4: Hey, isn’t that iCal running on your iMac? You are iTogether!

You can use the data you store in your Address Book in other Apple applications that are included with Leopard, such as Apple Mail and iChat.

Would you like to play a game?

“All productivity and no play. . . .” Hey, Steve Jobs likes a good challenging game as much as the next guy, so you can look forward to playing Chess on your iMac right out of the box — ah, but this isn’t the chessboard your Dad used! Play the game of kings against a tough (and configurable) opponent — your iMac — on a beautiful 3-D board. Heck, your iMac even narrates the game by speaking the moves!

Stuff You Oughta Buy Right Now

No man is an island, and no computer is either. I always recommend the same set of stuff for new PC and Mac owners. These extras help keep your new computer clean and healthy (and some make sure you’re happy as well):

Surge suppressor or UPS (uninterruptible power supply): Even an all-in-one computer like your iMac can fall prey to a power surge. I recommend one of these:

• A basic surge suppressor with a fuse can help protect your iMac from an overload.

• A UPS costs a little more, but it does a better job of filtering your AC line voltage to prevent brownouts or line interference from reaching your computer.

A UPS provides a few minutes of battery power during a blackout so you can save your documents and safely shut down your iMac.

Screen wipes: Invest in a box of premoistened screen wipes. Your iMac’s screen can pick up dirt, fingerprints, and other unmentionables faster than you think.

Make sure your wipes are especially meant for LCD or laptop computer screens.

Blank CDs and DVDs: Depending on the type of media you’re recording — like computer data CDs, DVD movies, or audio CDs — you’ll want blank discs for

• CD-R (record once)

• CD-RW (record multiple times)

• DVD-R (record once)

• DVD-RW (record multiple times)

Cables: Depending on the external devices and wired network connectivity you’ll be using, these are

• A standard Ethernet cable (for wired networks or high-speed Internet)

• FireWire or USB cables for devices you already have

Most hardware manufacturers are nice enough to include a cable with their products, but there are exceptions, especially USB printers. Shame on those cheapskates!

A wrist rest for both your keyboard and mouse: You might have many reasons to buy a new iMac, but I know that a bad case of carpal tunnel syndrome is not one of them. Take care of your wrists by adding a keyboard and mouse rest (even for a wireless keyboard/mouse combo, even on a TV tray).

Chapter 2

Life! Give My iMac Life!

In This Chapter

Turning on your iMac

Checking your iMac for proper operation

Setting up Mac OS X Leopard

Registering your iMac

Using Migration Assistant

Copying information from a Windows PC

If you’ve already been through Chapter 1, you got as far as unpacking your iMac and connecting a number of cables to it. And unless you solely bought this computer as a work of modern art, it’s time to actually turn on your iMac and begin living The Good Life. (Plus, you still get to admire that Apple design whilst using iTunes.) After you get your new beauty powered on, I help you here with an initial checkup on your iMac’s health.

I also familiarize you with the initial chores that you need to complete — such as using Mac OS X Setup as well as moving the data and settings from your existing computer to your iMac — before you settle in with your favorite applications.