Easy Mac OS X Lion - Kate Binder [16]
Some applications are, of course, commercially produced, with thick manuals and lots of shrinkwrap. But you may find your favorites turn out to be freeware or shareware—programs you download, try out, and then pay for if you keep using them. Be sure to pay your shareware fees, and check out download.cnet.com for the most comprehensive listing of downloadable software anywhere on the Web.
Mac OS X’s Programs
Installing Programs
Some Mac programs are small enough that you can drag them off their disks right into the Applications folder, but others require an installer program to make sure all their pieces get to the right places. When you run Installer, you have to enter an admin password to authorize the installation. Of course, you should never run an installer program that you didn’t download yourself!
After you read each screen of the installer, click the Continue button at the bottom of the window to move to the next screen.
Read the program information and the license agreement; then click Agree to agree to the license terms (or Disagree if you don’t want to install the program after all).
If you have more than one hard drive, choose the drive where you want to install the software.
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Note: Applications in the Applications Folder
You can install programs anywhere you want, but it’s best to put them in the Applications folder on your startup drive. That way, all users of your Mac can run the programs.
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Note: Just Checking
Many installers start out by asking your permission to run a program to see whether the program can be installed on your Mac. If you see a dialog like this, just click OK.
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Click Install to begin the installation process.
Enter an admin username and password to authorize the installation and click Install Software.
When the installation is complete, click Close to quit Installer.
The application’s icon now appears in the Applications folder (or whatever folder you chose).
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Note: Installation Options
Many installer scripts ask you to choose whether to install optional software such as sample files, fonts, or bonus features. The Easy Install or Full Install option usually installs everything that’s available.
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Note: Easy Uninstalling
Some installer programs have an Uninstall option in case you decide you no longer want the software installed on your Mac. Using an installer to uninstall programs ensures that all the extra pieces scattered through your system are uninstalled.
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Using the App Store
In the beginning, Apple’s App Store was only for iOS users—iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users, that is. Not anymore! These days Mac users can shop for fun and useful applications with the click of a mouse, then download and install new programs automatically, and keep them updated to the latest versions, all with the App Store.
Find App Store in the Applications folder and double-click to start it up, or click the App Store icon in the Dock (if it’s there).
Click Featured, Top Charts, or Categories to browse through the selection of applications.
Enter terms in the search field to search for a particular app.
Click an app’s icon to see more information about it.
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Note: You Gotta Pay
The App Store works just like iTunes—you can pay for your purchases with gift cards or a credit card, and your account uses your Apple ID. Click Your Account or Redeem under Quick Links to enter your credit card information or redeem a gift card.
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Tip: Wishing on an App
If you think you’ve purchased an app in the App Store before and then deleted it from your computer but you’re not sure, try adding it to your wish list. The App Store won’t let you add previously purchased items.
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Click the price to purchase and download an app.
Click Purchased to see a list of the