Mac 0S 8.5 Black Book
Authors: Mark R. Bell, Debrah Suggs
Venue:  (1998)

From the Book: Introduction Introduction This book is intended for experienced users of Mac OS 8, or those of you who have significant experience with an earlier version of System 7 and who are considering upgrading to OS 8.5. For the most part, this book covers all the main features of Mac OS 8, including 8.1, as well as relevant portions of System 7. If youre new to 8.5, however, this book is a goldmine of information. This book guides you through all the features of Mac OS 8.5. It shows you how to perform all the tasks necessary for the care and feeding of a single user, as well as groups of users connected over a Local Area Network or the Internet. How To Use This Book In this book, each chapter 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 stand-alone section that can be reviewed at any time. · A practical section, which consists of "Immediate Solutions," which cover the steps necessary to administer the Mac OS. Immediate Solutions is usually the largest section and may be used as a refresher course to test your skills for a particular topic. The Tools You Need What do you need to use this book most efficiently? First, this book assumes that 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, but we suggest that all Mac users need to realize that the Mac OS probably never will reach the usage level that the Microsoft Windows enjoys. Also, the successful OS is often the one that gets along best with all the others. To this end, we assume that you share this view on the state of things, that you want to use the Mac OS to communicate and share data with other operating systems, and that you have some experience with these operating systems. Next, we assume that you have a PowerPC-based Mac or a Mac clone. Previous versions of Mac OS 8 could run on a Motorola 68040-based computer, but Mac OS 8.5 requires a PowerPC. However, it doesnt matter if it is an older PPC 601, or the latest G3 processor. Any PowerPC will do just fine. Finally, this book assumes that you have experience withand connectivity tothe Internet. You may have a permanent Internet connection through your computer at work, or you may be one of the lucky few with access through cable modem, DSL, ISDN, or frame relay. Nevertheless, even us poor souls with a modem and a PPP connection still qualify. How This Book Is Structured Each chapter in the Mac OS 8.5 Black Book is self-contained, but the first paragraph or so will make it clear if you need to read a previous chapter before you proceed with the present chapter. The following overview of the books chapters will help you to see that weve organized the material so that you will feel free to jump right into the middle of the fray, if this is what you think is needed:  Chapter 1 introduces the latest version of Mac OS 8 and all its recent additions. The Immediate Solutions shows 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 provides detailed examples of how 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 explains how to make changes to the user environment, including the new Appearance Manager and Application Switcher.  Chapter 4 covers how to install, add, and remove portions of the Mac OS, as well as the default configuration settings. The Immediate Solutions takes 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 covers everything you need to know to administer both 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 provides examples on 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 Duo users. The Immediate Solutions shows users how to take advantage of the Mac OS built-in security features and the improved Location Manager.  Chapter 8 details the printing capabilities of the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions shows you how to select, configure, and print to a variety of local and networked printers.  Chapter 9 introduces the Mac OSs built-in multimedia capabilities. The Immediate Solutions shows users how to best use the audio and video features on the Mac OS, paying close attention to the latest release of QuickTime and its many components.  Chapter 10 explores the many ways in which the Mac OS is compatible with the various version of Microsoft Windows. The Immediate Solutions shows users how to exchange data with users of Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and NT, as well as how to run these versions of Windows on their own Macs.  Chapter 11 covers the many networking capabilities of the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions shows users how to connect to Local Area Networks and the Internet by using AppleTalk and TCP/IP by using the Mac OS and several other popular applications.  Chapter 12 explores how to connect the Mac OS to the Internet using TCP/IP. The Immediate Solutions explains how install the most popular network adapters and modems, as well as configure TCP/IP communication software.  Chapter 13 covers the many types of Internet and intranet services that can be provided by using the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions covers how to install and configure software to serve Web, FTP, email and other services.  Chapter 14 covers the built-in scripting capabilities of the Mac OS, as well as those added to Mac OS 8.5. The Immediate Solutions shows users how to use AppleScript to perform routine tasks, as well as what other alternative script editors are available to Mac OS users.  Chapter 15 explores the Java capabilities on the Mac OS. The Immediate Solutions demonstrates several Java applets and how they work.  Chapter 16 covers all the aspects of system security that are important for single users, network users, and Internet access. The Immediate Solutions explains 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 shows 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 explains how to resolve Extension conflicts, overcome boot problems, fix disk errors, and more.  Appendix A lists 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 an overview of all the makes and models of Apple Macintosh and Macintosh clone computers.  Appendix F covers the terminology and elements of HTML.  Appendix G provides several additional resources for getting help.