MAC OS X An Overview

MAC OS XAn Overview

Dean McKinneyDean McKinneyGreater St. Albert Catholic SchoolsGreater St. Albert Catholic Schools

January, 2006January, 2006

Topics For SessionTopics For Session

• Mac OS X Workstation

• Applications & Utilities

• Emerging Technologies

• Assistive Technologies

Mac OS X TigerMac OS X Tiger

Main differences from Mac OS Classic include:

• Log in identities (local or networked)

• Dashboard (widgets: small add-on applicationes)

• Spotlight (more extensive search of your files)

• Ilife (Imovie, Itunes, IDVD, GarageBand)

• Internet technologies

Mac OS X Tiger - Log InMac OS X Tiger - Log In

OSX can provide separate identities for each user of a computer. Users have their own Home Folder located on the computer or on a remote server.

This lends itself for the classroom computer becoming a more accessible tool for both the teacher and the students.

Mac OS X Tiger - HomeMac OS X Tiger - Home

Each Home Folder includes:

– Documents - default save location

– Music - Itunes and GarageBand files

– Movies - Imovie files

– Pictures - Iphoto files

– Public/Shared - share files with other users

– Library - user’s preferences

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Mac OS X Tiger - HomeMac OS X Tiger - Home

Users can customize their log in to meet individual needs and preferences. Some of these include:

Desktop picture(s)

Itunes library

Web browser bookmarks

Printer choices

Start up items

Universal Access (special settings)QuickTime™ and a

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Size and location of the Dock

Software - ILifeSoftware - ILife

• Imovie - create videos• IPhoto - edit photos, create picture videos, and

photo albums.• ITunes - listen to music, podcasts, and create mp3s• GarageBand - create audio and music

presentations• IDVD - burn videos and picture presentations

Software - InternetSoftware - Internet

• Safari - web browsing• IChat - instant messaging (text, audio, video)• Mail - internet email• QuickTime - play video or audio• FireFox - web browsing• Mozilla or Netscape - html editing• Acrobat Reader - pdf files• NetNewsWire Lite - read RSS feeds• Skype - Internet phone software

Software - OtherSoftware - Other• MS Word - word processing

• MS Excel - spreadsheets

• MS PowerPoint - multimedia presentations

• ICal - create calendars

• Address Book - organize contact info

• Appleworks - updated Clarisworks

• FirstClass - Division email

Software - Utilities/OtherSoftware - Utilities/Other

• Grab - take pictures of your screen

• Disk Utility - system maintenance, disk imaging

• Preview - view various types of files

• Zip your files - right click or control click

• Print PDF files

• Add Widgets to your Dashboard

Software - Note Worthy• Storyboard OSX - storyboard software• SubEthaEdit - collaborative document sharing• HandBrake - movie files from legal dvds• Audio HiJack - record computer’s audio• GIMP - free graphics program• OpenOffice - free MS Office alternative• Comic Life - create comics with students• StopMotion - create still motion video• Inspiration - mind mapping software• Mozilla - html editor and web browser

Noteworthy TechnologiesNoteworthy Technologies

Mac OS X allows users to access some new and exciting technologies that were not fully accessible in older software.

•RSS Feeds•Weblogs•Podcasts•IChat Instant Messeging•Handheld technology•Open Source Software

RSS - Real Simple SyndicationRSS - Real Simple Syndication• Automatically updated subscriptions to websites,

audio, and/or video

• Feeds can be accessed using:

– Web browser

– RSS Reader (eg. NetNewsWire Lite)

– Palm Pilot

– Cell phone

– Itunes

– IPod

Weblog - Online Journals• Post information and have

students respond with comments

• Blogging - updating

• Blogger - journalist

• Can be viewed similarly to RSS feeds

portal.sachs.ab.ca/weblogsportal.sachs.ab.ca/weblogs

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http://www.blogger.com

IChat Instant MessagingIChat Instant Messaging

• Instant Messaging both inside (Bonjour) and/or outside (Internet) the school

• Communicate using video, text, and/or audio

Firewall can keep it inside the school.Firewall can keep it inside the school.

PodcastsPodcastsWhat is a Podcast?

Access to subscriptions that may include audio, video, and/or text.

How do I access Podcasts?

Check out Itunes-->Music Store under Podcasts

What can I access?

Radio shows, courses, TV shows, course material…

How can Podcasts be accessed?

Computers , Ipods, MP3 Players, handhelds, cell phones….

PodcastsPodcastsCan teachers and/or students make podcasts?

…yes!

How do you create Podcasts? Create audio using GarageBand or

Imovie Make an mp3 using Itunes Create a web page for the

subscription and mp3 Tune in using ITunes

HandheldsHandheldsWhat can you do with a handheld?

Create calendars and contact lists

Share information from your computer

MS Office files (word, spreadsheets, etc.)

Pictures

Mp3s

View web pages and RSS feeds

Open Source Software

What is Open Source software?

Software that is still is free to users. This software is often still in development but serves as a great alternative to commercial software.

Examples

FireFox web browser

OpenOffice

Mozilla HTML Editor

Assistive Technologies

What Are Assistive Technologies

Software or applications that support the different needs of all students in the classroom.

Assistive TechnologiesMac OS X System SupportVoice OverMagnification, keyboard control, and spoken English descriptions of what’s happening on screen.Universal AccessSupport for vision, hearing, and motor skills disabilities.Text EditReads text.AutomatorAutomates some tasks

Live Long and Prosper!