Embedded Files
Apple's MacBooks are highly customizable and be configured in a number of ways to suit different user's preferences. Configuration is found in the System Preferences app which is accessible through the Applications folder in Finder or by clicking the Apple symbol in the Menu Bar.
The System Preferences screen contains four to five rows of configurable icons relating to a different Apple service. They tend to be grouped by function in rows as follows:
- General:
- General: includes overall appearance, scroll bar behaviour, default browser, number of recent items to display, allowing Handoff
- Desktop and Screen Saver: change and configure wallpaper and screen saver behaviour
- Dock: configure Dock appearance and behaviour including its position
- Mission Control: configure how Mission Control behaves including keyboard shortcuts and hot corners
- Language & Region: configure and set all things related to the region and language of use
- Security and Privacy: password change, app permissions, FireVault settings (encryption of hard drive), Firewall (protection against intrusion through network access), Privacy (configuring which apps have access to which services (such as address book, location, etc)
- Spotlight: Apple's universal search engine can be configured to search specific areas (or restrict others)
- Notifications: specify what reminders appear in pop-ups or in the notification centre
- Peripherals - this row allows users to configure devices that are being used with the Mac computer and include:
- Displays: configures the primary as well as external displays, mirroring options, AirPlay, colour resolution and night shift (blue light)
- Energy Saver: determines when hardware is put to sleep when using either battery or plugged in
- Keyboard: sets preferences for keyboard, text abbreviations, keyboard shortcuts, input sources, and dictation preferences
- Mouse: configures mouse (if one is plugged in)
- TrackPad: configures trackpad (if one is plugged in) including the use of gestures
- Printers and Scanners: configures printers that are connected to the computer
- Sound: configures sound effects, sound inputs and outputs
- Startup Disk: selects the hard drive that is used when the computer starts including external ones
- Wireless Connectivity - this row relates connections such as internet or bluetooth and their related services such as:
- iCloud: configures services that are associated if an iCloud account is used with the computer.
- Internet Accounts: configures external internet accounts to be used with the computer such as Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Flickr, Exchange, Google, etc.
- App Store: configures the behaviour of the App store which is one way to add programs to the computer
- Network: configures the network services
- Bluetooth: add or manage Bluetooth connections
- Extensions: configure third-party extensions that have been added
- Sharing: the Mac computer is capable of sharing various services including: screen, file(s), printer(s), remote login, remote management, remote apple events, internet connection, bluetooth, and content caching
- Other - all other options including:
- Users & Group: configures overall access on the computing device
- Parental Controls: creates a separate account for use with children to prevent access of sensitive material
- Siri: this is Apple's artificial intelligence engine that recognizes speech and responds to a variety of questions
- Date & Time: sets the date & time, time zone, and other time related configurations.
- Time Machine: this is a back-up service that provides recovery information in the event of data loss. Requires an external drive.
- Accessibility: see MacOS Accessibility section for more detailed information.
- External plug-ins - these are services that are not provided by Apple. Some examples include Java and Flash.
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