MAC OS 9.1 Black Book with Cdrom
Authors: Mark R. Bell, Debrah D. Suggs
Venue:  (2000)

From the Book:Thanks for buying the Mac OS 9.1 Black Book! As system administrators and managers of large installations of Macs, we noticed an absence of reference-style books for intermediate and advanced Mac users. So, in 1999, we wrote Mac OS 8.5 Black Book to meet the needs of power users, network administrators, system technicians, and even programmers and developers. A lot has changed since Mac OS 8.5 and we cover it all in this book, as well as put it into a historical context relating to previous versions of the Mac OS. Is This Book for You? The Mac OS 9.1 Black Book was written with the intermediate or advanced user in mind. Among the topics that are covered are: Comprehensive coverage of all system-level components Detailed analysis of Internet and multimedia features Historical reference of how the Mac OS has changed in this version Of course, not everyone who needs this book is a bona fide Mac geek, and not all the geeks who read this book will have new and exciting information revealed on every page. Instead, this book is for most everyone in-between these two poles. If you are not as experienced with the Mac OS, then we suggest you read Mark's best-selling The Mac OS 9 Book instead. How to Use This Book In this book, each chapter builds on the previous chapter, each of which is divided into two sections: A technical section, "In Depth," which covers the main topics found in each chapter and is designed to lay the groundwork for the other two sections or serve as a standalone section that can be reviewed at any time. A practical section, which consists of "Immediate Solutions" that cover the steps necessary to administer the Mac OS. This is usually the largest section and may be used as a refresher course to test your skills for a particular topic. Several appendixes are included as well, covering tips, trick, tools, shortcuts, and even a comprehensive listing of Mac OS error codes from Caerwyn Pearce. What do you need to use this book most efficiently? First, this book assumes you have significant experience with the Macintosh family of computers, the Internet, and some level of interest in cross-platform connectivity and interoperability. This last point may not seem too relevant for many readers, but let us suggest that we all need to realize that the Mac OS will probably never reach the level of monopoly that the various versions of Microsoft Windows enjoy, and that the best OS is often the one that gets along best with all the others. To this end, we're assuming that you share this view on the state of things and are interested in using the Mac OS to communicate and share data with other operating systems, and that you have some experience with these operating systems. Next, it assumes that you have a Mac with a PowerPC processor, which is required to run Mac OS 8.6 and higher. Finally, this book assumes that you have experience with, and connectivity to, the Internet. You may have a permanent connection through your computer at work, or you may be one of the lucky ones with Internet access through a cable modem, DSL, ISDN, or frame relay. But even us poor souls with a modem and a PPP connection can still qualify. The following overview of the book's chapters will help you see how we've organized things; feel free to jump right into the middle if that's what you think you need. Each chapter is self-contained, but the first paragraph or so will make it clear if you need to see a previous chapter in order to proceed with the present chapter: Chapter 1 introduces the latest version of the Mac OS and all of its recent additions. The Immediate Solutions show how to use its most significant features. Chapter 2 covers everything you need to know to successfully launch and quit the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions provide detailed examples of how to perform these tasks and how to correct the most common problems associated with starting and stopping the OS, such as Extension conflicts. Chapter 3 introduces the main elements of the Mac OS's many user environment options. The Immediate Solutions explain how to make changes to the user environment and correct any problems you might encounter while making such changes. Chapter 4 covers how to install, add, and remove portions of the Mac OS, as well as the default configuration settings. The Immediate Solutions take you through the exact steps required to add, modify, or delete the Mac OS. Chapter 5 provides details on the disk and file systems used by the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions cover everything you need to know to administer fixed and removable media and how to use the HFS and HFS+ formats of the Mac OS. Chapter 6 explores the memory management capabilities of the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions provide examples of how to configure and maximize the efficiency of your computer's physical and virtual memory. Chapter 7 covers all the issues of mobile computing for PowerBook and iBook users. The Immediate Solutions show users how to take advantage of the Mac OS's built-in security features and the improved Location Manager. Chapter 8 details the printing capabilities of the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions show users how to select, configure, and print to a wide variety of local and networked printers. Chapter 9 introduces the Mac OS's built-in multimedia capabilities. The Immediate Solutions describe how to best use the audio and video features on the Mac OS, paying close attention to the latest release of QuickTime. Chapter 10 explores the many ways in which the Mac OS is compatible with the various version of Microsoft Windows. The Immediate Solutions show users how to exchange data with users of Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000, as well as run these versions of Windows on their own Macs. Chapter 11 covers the many networking capabilities of the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions show users how to connect to local area networks and the Internet using AppleTalk and TCP/IP using the Mac OS and several popular applications. Chapter 12 explores how to connect the Mac OS to the Internet using TCP/IP. The Immediate Solutions explain how to install the most popular network adapters and modems, as well as configure TCP/IP communication software and Apple Remote Access. Chapter 13 covers the many types of Internet and intranet services that can be provided using the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions cover how to install and configure software to serve Web, FTP, email, and other services. Chapter 14 covers the built-in scripting abilities of the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions show how to use AppleScript to perform routine tasks, as well as what other scripting options are available to Mac OS users. Chapter 15 explores the Java capabilities on the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions explore installing Mac OS runtime for Java, the Apple Applet Runner, and Java security, as well as using applets in HTML documents. Chapter 16 covers all the aspects of system security that are important for single users, network users, and Internet access. The Immediate Solutions explain how to make your Mac as safe as possible. Chapter 17 covers the tools you'll need to monitor your Mac's internal events and system integrity. The Immediate Solutions show users how to use the tools necessary to patrol the state of the OS, its RAM, and network usage. Chapter 18 covers how to troubleshoot the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions explain how to resolve Extension conflicts, overcome boot problems, fix disk errors, and much more. Appendix A lists the most popular shortcuts for the Mac OS. Appendix B lists the best tools to help administer the Mac OS. Appendix C covers the changes and enhancements to the Mac OS. Appendix D provides explanations for the most common Mac OS error codes. Appendix E provides several additional resources for getting help. The Black Book Philosophy Written by experienced professionals, Coriolis Black Books provide immediate solutions to global programming and administrative challenges, helping you complete specific tasks, especially critical ones that are not well documented in other books. The Black Book's unique two-part chapter format-thorough technical overviews followed by practical immediate solutions-is structured to help you use your knowledge, solve problems, and quickly master complex technical issues to become an expert. By breaking down complex topics into easily manageable components, our format helps you quickly find what you're looking for. We welcome your feedback on this book. You can email us directly at mbell@MacOSBook.com and dsuggs@MacOSBook.com. Errata, updates, and more are available at www.MacOSBook.com.