Third in a series of articles on how to have a successful relationship with your Mac.
Uh, Oh! My Mac isn't smiling at me. It's just staring at me with that sad look. What have I done? Was it something I said? Something I did? Maybe my breath?
Don't panic. You are going to survive ... and so is your Mac! Most problems are software related and can be fixed by YOU. So let's start with the basics ...
The Mac, after being powered up and booted, looks for the System Folder. (By the way, only one System Folder should be on your hard drive.) This is where it gets all the information necessary to perform its basic tasks. It is here, also, that all your preferences about color, mouse speed, memory management and a lot more are kept so that you don't have to set these up everytime you turn on the computer. This information stays - until you change it. (Incidentally, this is one of the many things that makes the Mac great - being able to configure your system to suit your particular preferences and needs without being a programmer; and being able to install software without having to know DOS.)
So back to the System Folder. The two most important files in the System Folder are the SYSTEM and the FINDER. The SYSTEM file is the heart of your MAC. It will not run without it. It contains programming instructions that work in combination with the instructions in the computer's ROM. (Incidentally, you cannot change these instructions). However, you can change some of the items stored in the SYSTEM file - such as fonts and sounds. As for the FINDER, this is a program that makes the desktop and menus. You can think of the FINDER and the DESKTOP as the same thing.
So what else is in the system folder? Well, this is where the Apple is (you know, the one in the top left corner of your screen) that contains the chooser (so you can print, fax etc.), goodies such as a calculator, scrapbook and so many neat things I just don't have room to list them all, and other such great utilities like Suitcase (for managing resources like fonts and sounds), Disk Doubler for data compression, DAs (desk accessories) for accessing things like scanners. And the beauty of the little Apple Menu is - you can set it up to suit your needs and preferences.
Next, on to Control Panels (Cdevs) and Extensions (inITs). First - Control Panels - like the name says - give CONTROL. Here is where you set up preferences for things like monitors, keyboards, sounds, color, views, memory management and so on. As for EXTENSIONS, they do what control panels do, but are not user changeable.
There are many more items in the System Folder - Preferences, Startup Items, etc - but most problems are caused by conflicts with Control Panels and Extensions. As soon as you start adding neat little "third party" software the trouble often begins. It's a little thing called incompatibility or "conflict." Relax ... most are easily resolved - you're not headed for divorce - just a little compromising.
Ooops ... sorry, I'm running out of space, so you will have to wait till next month's issue where I will continue this topic in depth: Resurrecting a Dead Mac and Resolving Conflicts. And, yes - we will talk about SCSI devices and daisy chaining.
So stay tuned to this column to learn more about your relationship with a Mac. Watch for these insightful articles: What to do when you just can't get him up ... How to nurse a sick Mac back to health ... Care and Feeding of the Mac ... and more!
The Mac Lady is an independent web designer located in Vancouver, BC. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated.
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