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In order to use your iDisk, you must first be connected to the Internet, either via PPP or an Ethernet connection. If you're not connected to the Internet, you won't be able to mount the iDisk on your Mac. The reason why you need to be connected to the Net is because all iDisks use a protocol known as WebDAV for mounting shares hosted at Apple (actually, hosted off of the main IP address of 17.250.248.77). If you have a Finder window open , the quickest way to mount your iDisk is by simply clicking on the iDisk icon, located in the upper section of the Finder window's Sidebar. When you click on the iDisk icon, the Finder collects your .Mac member name and password that you've set in the .Mac preferences panel (System Preferences .Mac .Mac) and sends that information off to Apple's server. If the .Mac member name and password matches the information stored on Apple's side, your iDisk mounts on your Desktop and the contents of your iDisk become viewable in the Finder window, as shown in Figure 3-3. Figure 3-3. An iDisk's Finder window is displayed in Icon View when mounted.
Another way to mount your iDisk is from the Finder's Go menu, as shown in Figure 3-4. If you select Go iDisk, a submenu appears to the right of the Go menu, giving you options for connecting to your iDisk, to another .Mac member's iDisk, or to another .Mac member's Public folder. (iDisk Public folders and how they're used is discussed later in this chapter.) Figure 3-4. The Finder's Go window can also be used for mounting iDisks.If you try to connect to your iDisk and haven't entered your .Mac Member Name and Password in the .Mac preference panel, or if you select Go iDisk Other User 's iDisk from the menu bar, the window shown in Figure 3-5 appears. Figure 3-5. The Connect To iDisk window.To connect to the iDisk, enter the .Mac Member name and Password and click on the Connect button. Again, the information you enter in these fields will be validated against Apple's servers. If what you enter passes muster, the iDisk mounts on the Desktop and in the Finder.
3.2.1 Mounting Your iDisk at LoginIf you have a broadband connection to the Internet (either via cable, DSL, or T1 access at work) you can mount your iDisk automatically when you log on to your Mac. Getting your iDisk to mount automatically whenever you log on to your Mac is actually pretty simple; just follow these steps:
To test this out, log out of your account by holding down the Option key and selecting the Log Out option from the bottom of the Apple menu ( Log Out Your Account Name ). When you log back in, the Startup Items you've placed in your Account are loaded, which means that your iDisk should mount if you have an Internet connection. |
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