Easy Mac OS X Lion - Kate Binder [26]
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Changing the Way the Finder Works
The Finder—the program that generates the desktop and enables you to explore your hard drive and network drives visually via windows—is where you’ll spend a lot of time while using your Mac. You have several choices about the way it operates; here’s how to set up the Finder to suit your tastes.
In the Finder, choose Finder, Preferences.
Click the General button to see basic Finder preferences, and then click check boxes to set the kinds of disks to appear on the desktop.
Choose an option from the New Finder windows show pop-up menu to determine which folder or disk location appears in new Finder windows.
Click the check box to set whether each folder generates a new window.
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Tip: Finding Files with the Finder
The Finder got its name for its capability to find files. To find files in the Finder, choose File, Find or press and type in the information for which you want to search.
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Changing Your Desktop Picture
Every time you sit down in front of your Mac, you’re looking at your desktop—or, more specifically, at the picture displayed on it. Why not have some fun with it? You can change the desktop picture any time you like, using any photo, cartoon, or other graphic that catches your fancy.
Choose Apple menu, System Preferences.
Click the Desktop & Screen Saver button to see your choices.
Click the Desktop button.
Click a folder and an image from within the folder to apply that image to the desktop.
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Tip: Surprise Me
If you want your desktop picture to change automatically, click the + button in the Desktop tab and pick a folder full of your favorite images. Then check Change picture at the bottom of the Desktop tab and choose a time interval.
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Note: The Mother Lode
Looking for more desktop pictures to relieve your boredom? You can download hundreds of high-quality desktop images at MacDesktops (www.macdesktops.com).
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Changing Your Screen Saver
Originally invented to stop the kind of screen burn-in that you see on automatic teller machines, screen savers are actually little more than a pretty entertainment these days. But that shouldn’t prevent you from using them; screen savers provide some privacy, shielding your screen from casual observers, as well as being fun to look at.
Choose Apple menu, System Preferences.
Click the Desktop & Screen Saver button to see your choices.
Click the Screen Saver button, and then click a screen saver in the list to select it. Click the Options button.
Use the settings in this dialog box to change settings specific to each screen saver. Click OK when finished.
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Tip: Got Savers?
If you’re not satisfied with the built-in selection of screen savers—or if you’ve run through them all and are desperately in need of new ones—check out www.macscreensavers.com.
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Tip: A Screen Saver All Your Own
For a custom screen saver, put your favorite photos in a folder and click the + button in the Screen Saver pane’s pick list. Locate the folder you want to use, and your Mac uses the “Ken Burns” effect to animate your photos.
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Changing Your Login Icon
Your login icon represents your face within the world of your Mac. It’s used as your buddy icon for online messaging in iChat, it appears next to your personal information in the Address Book, and you see it every time you log in. You can use one of the built-in pictures, or you can add any picture you like—your photo or anything else.
Choose Apple menu, System Preferences.
Click the Users & Groups button to see your choices.
Click the Password button; then click your picture and choose Edit Picture in the pop-up menu.
Drag or paste an image file into the Images window, drag the image and the scaling slider until the square shows the area you want for the icon, and then click Set to make it your login