Mac questions (Help)

[MP Guy]

A day ago I posted a question relating to save/cancel confirmations when making changes to certain of the OS X properties. Someone replyed with an image showing the save / cancel option. However, I don't see that on some things. Here is an example.

System, preference, accounts, unlock a user account so you can make changes. Click on login Oprions and there are several check boxes that you can select. Problem is, what if you select some then change your mind but forgot what you checked and unchecked. There is no way to cancel. Even closing and reopening will show your last changes. This is very bad. But there may be something I am missing. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[RayPA]

I checked out where you're looking in the system preferences. I don't see a reset or default setting, but then again I don't see how these values really are that important to require a reset. The values are just preferences.

🙂

 

[visiondr]

RayPA is right on this one. There is no way to cancel, nor, in my opinion, is there a need. System preferences are not system critical.

Ron

 

[MP Guy]

Yes, but the need is there. Not to mention it happens in other places as well.

 

[RayPA]

Yes, but the need is there. Not to mention it happens in other places as well.

Just do what I do when those extremely rare instances occur when using a Mac makes you want to pull your hair out:

Open a terminal window and bang out some Unix commands. 🙂

🙂

 

[40oz]

careful what you wish for - the next update could replace Yes and No with the perennial Unix programmer favorite Yes, No and Default. Not even they could tell you what Default does, but it'll be there 🙂

 

[Topdog1]

Hmmm...let's see...doesn't happen on my Windows system. 😉

/Ira

 

[Bob Helmond]

Can't really understand the issue here, but if you don't like the changes created in the options that you selected, just go back to the Login Options window and deselect by clicking on the check marks.

If you mean that after checking an option, that you can't just cancel it -- again, all that is needed is to deselect the offending option.

As far as going back to system defaults, well, there is a freeware available at sites like Download.com and Versiontracker called "Onyx." This will permit setting your system to default. Download the version appropriate for your OS and install it.

This application has been through many versions and is very reliable.

Use caution,hower, when using the cleaning function to remove certain caches, logs and memory files. Things can happen when the inexperienced user runs rampant with this app that can require wiping the hard drive and reinstalling the system software.

Why isn't this an option on Windows? Microsoft in its supreme wisdom doesn't thnk people want to customize their desktops or the way they log into the system, I suppose, but then there's my email signature which goes:

"In a world without wall and fences, who needs Windows and Gates?"
(WinOS works, differently that's all)

 

[jlw]

Hmmm...let's see...doesn't happen on my Windows system. 😉

And the value that adds to this discussion is...

 

[Bob Helmond]

Value added is...

Value added is...

And the value that adds to this discussion is...

1. EricFive's reply.
2. The customizing of a desktop permits one to work in the manner in which one desires, rather than allowing Microsoft to dictate.
3. The MacOS allows the user to totally get rid of stuff that has no use on the hard drive without the purchase of third party software.
4. Totally seamless interoperability among suites of applications.

To name a few.
And then, my personal feeling: In a world without wall and fences, who needs Windows and Gates? (but let's not start a donnybrook, this is added only as a humorous aside.)

 

[BJ Bignell]

At the risk of sounding like a smartass: Why not document the state of the system before you change it? You could write it on a scrap of paper, or even save a screenshot of the preferences dialog before you click anything.

 

[MikeL]

BJ has a good idea- use Command (apple key)+Shift+3 for a whole screen capture and Comman+Shift+4 for a target capture. And Onyx is a nice GUI interface for keeping things running smoothly.

 

[visiondr]

Here's the best explanation I've ever come across telling the difference between using a Mac and using Windows. I really couldn't say it better. Jorge, this gets to your issue with the Preference panes in a round about sort of way. Think "big picture".

Ron

From an article comparing Windows Vista and Mac OSX... to be found here at:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800670

"For Mac OS X, it's the classic English butler. This OS is designed to make the times you have to interact with it as quick and efficient as possible. It expects that things will work correctly, and therefore sees no reason to bother you with correct operation confirmations. If you plug in a mouse, there's not going to be any messages to tell you "that mouse you plugged in is now working." It's assumed you'll know that because you'll be able to instantly use the mouse. Plug in a USB or FireWire hard drive and the disk showing up on your desktop is all the information you need to see that the drive has correctly mounted. It is normally only when things are not working right that you see messages from Mac OS X.

Windows is...well, Windows is very eager to tell you what's going on. Constantly. Plug something in, and you get a message. Unplug something and you get a message. If you're on a network that's having problems staying up, you'll get tons of messages telling you this. It's rather like dealing with an overexcited Boy Scout...who has a lifetime supply of chocolate-covered espresso beans. This gets particularly bad when you factor in things like the user-level implementation of Microsoft's new security features.

To put it simply, you can work on a Mac for hours, days even, and only minimally need to directly use the OS. With Windows? The OS demands your attention, constantly."

 

[RayPA]

Here's the best explanation I've ever come across telling the difference between using a Mac and using Windows. I really couldn't say it better. Jorge, this gets to your issue with the Preference panes in a round about sort of way. Think "big picture".

Ron

From an article comparing Windows Vista and Mac OSX... to be found here at:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800670

"For Mac OS X, it's the classic English butler. This OS is designed to make the times you have to interact with it as quick and efficient as possible. It expects that things will work correctly, and therefore sees no reason to bother you with correct operation confirmations. If you plug in a mouse, there's not going to be any messages to tell you "that mouse you plugged in is now working." It's assumed you'll know that because you'll be able to instantly use the mouse. Plug in a USB or FireWire hard drive and the disk showing up on your desktop is all the information you need to see that the drive has correctly mounted. It is normally only when things are not working right that you see messages from Mac OS X.

Windows is...well, Windows is very eager to tell you what's going on. Constantly. Plug something in, and you get a message. Unplug something and you get a message. If you're on a network that's having problems staying up, you'll get tons of messages telling you this. It's rather like dealing with an overexcited Boy Scout...who has a lifetime supply of chocolate-covered espresso beans. This gets particularly bad when you factor in things like the user-level implementation of Microsoft's new security features.

To put it simply, you can work on a Mac for hours, days even, and only minimally need to directly use the OS. With Windows? The OS demands your attention, constantly."

That's great! Very true. I love the BS analogy! And you're right; it does go right to Jorge's concerns.

.

 

[Topdog1]

Virus, Trojans, crashes.....doesnt happen on my mac system😀 😀 😀

Doesn't happen on my Windows system. 😀😀😀

/Ira

 

[Topdog1]

BJ has a good idea- use Command (apple key)+Shift+3 for a whole screen capture and Comman+Shift+4 for a target capture. And Onyx is a nice GUI interface for keeping things running smoothly.

Or you could just use Snagit! (the world's best screen capture utility) to capture arbitrary parts of your screen, or an entire scrolling screen. Whoa...what's that? You say it doesn't run on the MAC?? Tsk, tsk.
😉😉😉

/Ira

 

[MikeL]

Or you could just use Snagit! (the world's best screen capture utility) to capture arbitrary parts of your screen, or an entire scrolling screen. Whoa...what's that? You say it doesn't run on the MAC?? Tsk, tsk.
😉😉😉

/Ira

Ira, you are so much smarter than I am. Target capture is for arbitrary parts of the screen though.

 

[Topdog1]

There is generally some inferior software somewhere that runs on a MAC that tries to imitate the superior Windows software. It's amazing how those MAC developers just try to imitate the Windows developers. 😀

/Ira

 

[willie_901]

Hmmm...let's see...doesn't happen on my Windows system. 😉

/Ira

This is true. You can not use UNIX on WIndows.


willie

 

[willie_901]

Doesn't happen on my Windows system. 😀😀😀

/Ira

I believe you. Of course I'm sure you spent zero dollars in third-party software and none of your valuable time to achieve this level of security in Windows .

I had to click one button to invoke the Unix-based Firewall included with OS X to protect myself.

😀 😀 😀 😀

willie