< Mac OS X Tiger

Introduction

Using System Preferences

When you open System Preferences, you see the System Preferences main screen. This screen is full of icons, each representing a "pane", or group of controls. System Preferences grouped into Personal, Hardware, Internet & Network, and System rows. As with all other aspects of Tiger, Spotlight is built into the top right corner of the System Preferences menu.

The Preference Panes

The following is a list of all of the default System Preferences panes. Each pane has a specific purpose. Usually, the name of the window gives it away, while others, such as Security, may have many different purposes.

  1. Personal
    1. Appearance
      Change the appearance of your Mac's controls.
    2. Dashboard & Exposé
      Choose how you activate Dashboard and Exposé.
    3. Desktop & Screensaver
      Change your Desktop Picture and Screensaver.
    4. Dock
      Set fine-grained options over the Dock.
    5. International
      Set up your computer so you can read and write in another language.
    6. Security
      Lock down your computer with FileVault encryption and other security measures.
    7. Spotlight
      Organize your Spotlight results and block certain folders for privacy.
  2. Hardware
    1. Bluetooth
      Configure your Mac's built-in Bluetooth module.
    2. CDs & DVDs
      Tell your Mac what to do when a disc is inserted.
    3. Displays
      Configure the display(s) attached to your Mac.
    4. Energy Saver
      Set timers and options to lower your computer's power consumption.
    5. Keyboard & Mouse
      Customize your computer's keyboard and mouse.
    6. Print & Fax
      Set up printers and send faxes.
    7. Sound
      Choose a set of speakers and a microphone, set options, and choose an alert sound.
  3. Internet & Network
    1. .Mac
      Set up and use .Mac services including iDisk and Sync.
    2. Network
      Manage your Mac's various network connections.
    3. QuickTime
      Optimize QuickTime for best performance while playing movies over the Internet.
    4. Sharing
      Set up your Mac to share services with other computers on a network.
  4. System
    1. Accounts
      The master control panel for Mac OS X's account system. The link above will take you to Chapter 8.
    2. Classic
      Classic lets you run Mac OS 9 inside a bubble, but it's being phased out this year and is not covered in this Wikibook.
    3. Date & Time
      Adjust you Mac's clock and calendar.
    4. Software Update
      Set your Mac to automatically check for updates online.
    5. Speech
      Have your computer speak to you, or speak to your computer.
    6. Startup Disk
      Choose a disk for your computer to boot from.
    7. Universal Access
      Set options to accommodate you if you have trouble seeing, hearing, or using a keyboard and mouse.
  5. Other
    This section contains panes from add-on software products like Apple Remote Desktop and Flip4Mac.
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