Register Mac OS X and Perform Initial Setup

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If you buy a new Mac with Mac OS X already installed, or if you upgrade to Mac OS X from an older version of Mac OS, you will need to register your copy of Mac OS X. The registration process requires a name, address, phone number, occupation, and a description of where you will primarily use this Mac (for example, at home); it also requests your e-mail address (if you have one).

The registration process helps you create an Apple ID if you want one, but you can easily create one later if you prefer.

If you don’t want to receive Apple news, software updates, special offers, and information, be sure to select the No option button on the A Few More Questions screen of the registration process before clicking Continue.

Set Up Your User Account

If you’ve bought a new Mac or installed a fresh copy of Mac OS X (rather than migrating an existing installation to Mac OS X), you must also create your user account:

1. Type your name in the Name box in your preferred format—for example, Chris Smith.

2. Mac OS X enters a default version of what you typed in the Short Name box. This “short name” uses only lowercase letters and no spaces or punctuation: for example, chrissmith. Change the name to a lowercase short name you want to use: for example, chris.

3. Type a password in the Password box and the Verify box. It appears as dots rather than as the letters you typed.

4. If you want, type a reminder for the password in the Password Hint box.

5. Scroll the Your Picture list to find an icon you like, and click it.

6. Click Continue. Mac OS X creates your account.

Note

If you don’t want to use a password, leave the Password box and the Verify box blank. Anybody who can access your Mac will then be able to log on using your user account without entering a password.

Set Up Your Internet Connection

After you create your user account, Mac OS X displays the Get Internet Ready screen. Choose the option button that describes how your Mac will connect to the Internet—for example, I’ll Use My Existing Internet Service, or I’m Not Ready To Connect To The Internet. Click Continue, and follow through the resulting screens.

If you chose I’ll Use My Existing Internet Service, specify how to connect on the How Do You Connect? screen and the Your Internet Connection screen. On the Get .Mac screen, choose whether to create a trial membership with Apple’s .Mac online service, use your existing .Mac membership on this Mac, or set up a .Mac membership later.

Mac OS X then connects to the Internet (if you specified a means of connection) and sends your registration information.

Set Up Mail

After registration, Mac OS X displays the Set Up Mail screen, on which you can quickly set up an account with the Mac OS X e-mail application, which is simply called Mail. If you have an e-mail account and know its details, this screen is an easy way to enter the information. You’ll need to know the following:

• Your e-mail address (for example, [e-mail])

• Your account name with the e-mail provider (for example, csmith)

• Your password

• The incoming mail server’s name (for example, pop3.example.com) and its type (POP or IMAP)

• The outgoing mail server’s name (for example, smtp.example.com)

If you don’t know this information, leave this screen blank. You can set up an account later. See “Establish an E-mail Account” in Chapter 4.

Tip

For security, it’s a good idea to create a separate user account for each person who will use a particular Mac and to assign a password to each user account. That way, each user can have his or her preferred settings. Also, when you use separate accounts for users, Mac OS X’s security features help you to keep each user’s files secure from all other users, allowing each user privacy and preventing damage to other user's files (accidentally or otherwise). If you want to share files with other users, Mac OS X enables you to do that easily too.

Select Your Time Zone

On the Select Time Zone screen, specify your time zone by choosing the nearest major city, either by clicking where that city is on the map or by selecting that city in the Closest City drop-down list box.

On the Thank You screen, click the Go button to start using Mac OS X.

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