MakeUseOf - OS X El Capitan

Essential Keyboard Tips for New Mac Users

Jowi Morales — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:15:16 GMT

If you're used to Windows, you probably know your way around it with its keyboard shortcuts and other functions. However, when you switch to macOS for the first time, you'll find that your Windows keyboard shortcut muscle memory no longer applies.

7 Reasons Why Every Mac User Should Get an iPhone

Shujaa Imran — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 13:16:11 GMT

At this point, the Android versus iOS and Windows versus Mac arguments are old and irrelevant. No operating system is objectively superior to another, and it’s mostly a matter of personal choice. That said, it still makes sense to buy into an ecosystem.

6 Ways to Use Mac Automator With Your Browser

Dan Helyer — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:00:00 GMT

Automator is one of the most underappreciated tools on your Mac. It takes a while to get the hang of, but once you have an idea how to use it, you can automate all kinds of useful tasks, from opening URLs to downloading images.

How to Disable System Integrity Protection (and Why You Shouldn't)

Tim Brookes — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:00:00 GMT

Each new release of Apple's desktop operating system seems to place more restrictions on users than the last. System Integration Protection (or SIP for short) might be the biggest change yet.

macOS Sierra Installation Issues? Fix Common Mac Upgrade Problems

Tim Brookes — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

There are a range of problems that can occur when upgrading your operating system. This applies to both computers and mobile devices, which is why it's imperative you back up your data before clicking the Install button.

How to Make Unique Keyboard Shortcuts for Any App in OS X

Joel Lee — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:30:56 GMT

Whether you've been using a Mac for as long as you can remember or you recently switched over from Windows or Linux, there's one feature of the operating system that you absolutely need to know: the ability to create custom keyboard shortcuts for ANY app.

11 Quick Fixes for Common Mac Problems and Quirks

Akshata Shanbhag — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 23:00:00 GMT

The Mac experience is smooth, but the platform isn't 100% free of problems. You're bound to come across some — audio glitches, booting issues, file transfer woes, iCloud sync problems, overheating — sooner or later.

Don't Wait, Get macOS 10.12 Sierra Features in El Capitan Right Now

Tim Brookes — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 19:30:00 GMT

So you've seen the keynote and read all about the new features coming in the renamed macOS Sierra, but you're too impatient to wait till October. Fortunately, you can add some of the upcoming features with the right third party apps.

How to Find Lost Files on Mac OS X

Dann Albright — Mon, 30 May 2016 20:00:00 GMT

We've all been there: you finish working on a document, save it, close the window, and... which folder did you save it in? Where'd it go?

9 Tips for a Better Apple Music Experience on iOS & OS X

Tim Brookes — Thu, 05 May 2016 01:00:00 GMT

Apple Music recently passed the 13 million subscribers mark, which might pale in comparison to the 30 million claimed by Spotify, but it's still remarkably popular for a service that's not even a year old yet.

Bought Your First Mac? Install These 15 Apps Right Away

Akshata Shanbhag — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 23:00:00 GMT

So you bought your first Mac. Congratulations! After you’re done admiring its sleek, shiny exterior, it’s time to get down to the business of installing applications and customizing OS X. To help you get started, we have come up with a common list software you should be on the lookout for, along with recommendations for each type.

Better Manage Multiple Browsers on Mac OS X With These Apps

Mihir Patkar — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 20:00:00 GMT

The Internet browser is perhaps the most important app on your operating system. Apple makes its own, Safari, and bundles it with OS X. But that doesn't mean it's the only browser you should use.

Why OS X Works Better with a Trackpad

Tim Brookes — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Of all major desktop operating systems, OS X is the only one I can honestly say works best using the touch-based input of a trackpad. While Microsoft has focused on bringing touchscreen technology to the desktop, Apple has continued to optimize for the more traditional pointer-based approach.

7 Useful Things You Probably Aren't Using on Your Mac

Bryan Wolfe — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 19:00:00 GMT

How well do you know your computer? Do you use all of the useful features that Apple has crammed into OS X, or are there a few you've forgotten about or never bothered to try in the first place?

Mac Users Beware: A Bug in Sparkle Could Get You Hacked

Joel Lee — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:30:18 GMT

A lot of OS X applications use a framework called Sparkle to simplify automatic software updates for end users like you and me. Unfortunately, a recent vulnerability was spotted in Sparkle -- one that could leave your system open to hackers.

Use Your Mac To Troubleshoot Your Wi-Fi Connection

Justin Pot — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:00:00 GMT

Want a better Wi-Fi connection on your MacBook? First you'll want to teach yourself how wireless networks function, and then start optimizing them. OS X comes with tools that can help.

Need Mac Tech Support? Here Are Your Options

Dan Price — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

"Tech support" — two words that strike fear into the hearts of all but the most competent computer users out there.

VoiceOver Makes Apple Devices More Accessible Than Ever

Briallyn Smith — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 21:00:00 GMT

Even though Apple's VoiceOver has been a part of the OS X operating system since 2005 and iOS since 2009, initially it wasn't that effective. Apple has improved VoiceOver drastically since then, leading Mark A. Riboccino (current president of the National Federation of the Blind) to state in a blog post that "Apple has done more for accessibility than any other company to date."

The Ultimate Mac Wallpaper Resource: Apps, Tricks & Tips

Mark O'Neill — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 17:00:00 GMT

One of the great things about owning a computer is customizing it till it's just right for you. From stickers and decals to screensavers to browser themes, there is more than enough to firmly stamp your personality on your Mac.

5 of the Best Mac Calendar Apps & Add-Ons

Bryan Wolfe — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 18:00:00 GMT

Each Mac ships with the built-in OS X Calendar application, but Apple’s calendar is basic and lacking many helpful features. Thankfully, there are plenty of great third-party apps that serve as a replacement for the Calendar application, or as add-ons to take it to the next level.

10 Interesting Things You Might Not Know About the Mac

Akshata Shanbhag — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Your Mac hides many features and informational tidbits from you, often in plain sight. Take for example these 20-year-old features that are still around on your Mac.

When Is It Better to Choose Web Apps Over Native Mac Apps?

Bryan Wolfe — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 01:00:00 GMT

What's the first thing you do when you want to use an application on your Mac and don't have it yet? For most of us, this means a trip to the Mac App Store or a developer site to download the application. But some of the most popular Mac solutions are also available through the Internet via a web-based application.

Write To Your NTFS Drives Again in OS X El Capitan (For Free)

Dan Price — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:00:00 GMT

One of the frustrations of the split Mac and Windows world we live in is that the two giants both use different file systems. Microsoft prefers their own proprietary NTFS system on Windows, while Apple deploys its HFS+ on OS X.

Here's The Only Mac Security Software You Need

Justin Pot — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 21:00:00 GMT

If you're a new Mac user (or even if you're not), you might be confused about what kind of security software you do and don't need. The truth is, for most people, OS X is fairly secure out of the box. And there are a number of programs out there that potentially do more harm than good.

The 20-Year-Old Features Hidden In Your Mac

Justin Pot — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Apple has been making computers and software for a long time, but El Capitan is totally modern —right? There's no way it includes any elements from the 90s.

Screensavers Aren't Dead: 5 Beautiful Examples for Your Mac

Justin Pot — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 17:00:00 GMT

Screensavers aren't really necessary anymore, but operating systems keep offering them – and people keep making new ones. This is especially true on the Mac – in recent years a few stunning ones have showed up.

El Capitan's Split View Seems Useless Until You Actually Use It

Justin Pot — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 23:00:00 GMT

Split View seems like a gimmick, until you use it for a while. Then you'll wonder how you used your Mac without it.

11 Hidden OS X El Capitan Features You Might Not Know About

Justin Pot — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Think you've found all the new features in El Capitan? Think again! There are a bounty of handy features that haven't gotten a lot of press.

3 Tips for Finding OS X System Preferences Even Quicker

Akshata Shanbhag — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:30:49 GMT

The System Preferences dialog on OS X gives you plenty of options for customization, but the trouble is that with so many settings available, it takes too much time to find the exact one you need. Thankfully, with the next three tips, you can speed up that process.

What Makes Apple’s Metal Graphics Technology So Special?

Dann Albright — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Apple made a big announcement: Metal graphics would now be used in OS X, starting with the release of OS X 10.11 El Capitan. If you'd never heard of Metal graphics before this release, you might not have any idea what that announcement meant or why it was a big deal.

20 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with the Mac Option Key

Akshata Shanbhag — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 20:00:00 GMT

The Command (cmd) key steals the limelight on your Mac's keyboard, but it’s the Option (or alt) key that is the real hero. It works behind the scenes, providing you with fast access to a variety of functions and actions — and you probably never realised.

How To Customize & Tidy Your Mac Menu Bar

Justin Pot — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:00:00 GMT

Part of the appeal of using a Mac is how great everything looks, but nothing makes OS X look cluttered faster than menubar icons. These show up in the top-left corner, and for some reason Apple offers no real way of managing them by default.

Dictater Adds Controls to Your Mac's Text To Speech Function

Justin Pot — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Your Mac can read any text, but there are a few notable shortcomings. You can't pause or fast-forward what's being read, for example – stopping is basically your only option. You also can't follow along, or get an idea of how much longer the text is.

What Mac Users Need To Know About El Capitan Security

Justin Pot — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 17:00:00 GMT

Mac users: OS X 10.11 El Capitan is here, and it's pretty great. Most users will get a noticeable performance boost, and there are some (relatively minor) new features.

OS X El Capitan is Here! Upgrade For A Smoother Mac Experience

Justin Pot — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:30:00 GMT

A year ago Yosemite introduced all sorts of new features, all visible to the user. El Capitan is a subtle release: its biggest changes aren't visible — but you'll probably notice them anyway.

Read El Capitan Reviews, Facebook Will Always Be Free... [Tech News Digest]

Dave Parrack — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:30:24 GMT

El Capitan gets reviewed, a reminder that Facebook is free, Google launches its iPad Pro competitor, Twitter considers offering more than 140 characters, and the dangers of time travel are revealed.

El Capitan Means The End Of Mac Themes & Deep System Tweaks

Justin Pot — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 18:00:00 GMT

About a year ago I discovered Flavours, a delightful tool to personalize the Mac desktop. With it you could theme the Mac operating system, and all applications, by changing things like color schemes and the iconic top-left Apple logo.

15 Must-Have Apps for Those Who Spend All Day on a Mac

Akshata Shanbhag — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Our list of the best Mac apps already caters to all kinds of users, but today we have a set of apps aimed squarely at those who are glued to their MacBooks and iMacs all day.

Customize Your Facebook News Feed, Apple Watch Is a Flop, & More... [Tech News Digest]

Dave Parrack — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 15:30:57 GMT

Facebook feeding frenzy, Apple Watch fails, Apple operating system betas, Flix Plus improves Netflix, Logitech dumps tech, and the best reaction to winning an Xbox One of all time.

Don't Wait, Get OS X 11.10 El Capitan Features Right Now In Yosemite

Tim Brookes — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Every year Apple updates OS X, but this year's update won't be quite as dramatic as the last.

What's New In OS X 10.11 "El Capitan"? (And How to Try it Yourself)

Tim Brookes — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 19:30:00 GMT

You should know the drill by now: every year Apple announces new desktop operating system in June, and by the end of October, it'll be ready for us all to play with. The latest release takes its name from the iconic Yosemite vertical rockface, El Capitan.