Mac Basics for the Beginning User: macOS 11 Big Sur Update

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Created specifically for people learning how to use a Mac, regardless of the operating system. Covers the basics you need to know to get started with VoiceOver; to set system preferences; to interact with the dock; to understand the structure of files and folders; and to work with the trackpad or Touch Bar. Also covers email, iCloud, Quick Nav, Safari, TextEdit, and PDF files to give you a robust overview of your computer and its capabilities. Written in an easy-to-understand manner and filled with step-by-step commands, this book is essential reading for anyone new to the Mac.

Note on Music Chapter: Due to space issues, the chapter on Music was deleted during transcription. You can download and read the Music chapter here, in Word format.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mac and Windows Computers
The Touch Bar
Getting Help

Getting Started with VoiceOver
Turning on Your Mac
Turning on VoiceOver
VoiceOver Quick Start Tutorial
Quickly Adjusting VoiceOver's Speech Settings
Learning the Keyboard
The VoiceOver Utility
Interacting
VoiceOver Help

Home Screen Layout
Menu Bar
Menu Extras
The Desktop
Finder Commands
Viewing Files
The Dock
Screen Commands
Additional Navigation Commands
Power Options on Your Computer

System Preferences
Accessing System Preferences
Sound
Touch ID
Adding and Removing Items from the Control Center and Menu Bar
Dock Preferences
Security & Privacy
General Tab
Privacy Tab
Keyboard
Keyboard Tab
Dictation Tab
Siri

Using the Dock
Adding an Application to the Dock
Removing an Application from the Dock
Rearranging the Dock
Trash
Emptying Trash

Email
Opening Email
Exploring the Screen
Adding an Email Account
Customizing the Email Program
Preferences
Mailboxes and Messages
Creating a Mailbox
Moving Emails
Sending Email
Responding to Messages
Links
Attachments
Save an Attachment
Send an Attachment

The Structure of Files and Folders
Creating New Folders
Creating a Subfolder
Stacks
Transferring Files
Transfer with the Migration Assistant
Transfer with a Flash Drive or Similar Device
Putting Files in Selected Folders
Moving Files
Saving Files
Spotlight Search

The VoiceOver Utility
The Structure of the VoiceOver Utility
VoiceOver Modifier Keys
How Much VoiceOver Speaks
Making VoiceOver Keep Your Place
Audio Ducking
Braille
New Ways to Move Around the Screen and Execute Commands

Quick Nav
Launching Quick Nav
Navigating with Quick Nav
Reading Text
Using Quick Nav on the Web
Custom Commands
Removing a Command

The Trackpad
Basic Gestures
Creating Gestures
Creating Gestures with Keyboard Commands
Creating Gestures with the Trackpad
Deleting a Command
The Rotor

Web Browsing with Safari
Launching Safari
Web Page Elements
Commands for Navigating Web Pages
Web Rotor
Customizing the Web Rotor
Bookmarks
The Favorites Bar
Adding a Bookmark
Deleting a Bookmark

Word Processing with TextEdit
Launching TextEdit
The Ruler
Entering Text
The Insertion Point
Making Some Adjustments
Reading Text
Navigating with the Trackpad
Navigating with Quick Nav
Navigation Using VO Keys
Selecting and Manipulating Text
Checking Spelling and Grammar
Check Spelling While Typing
Checking the Entire Document
Opening a Document
Saving a Document

iCloud
Choosing What Is Stored in iCloud
iCloud Drive
iCloud Storage

Reading PDF Files
Opening a PDF Document
The Preview App
The View Menu
The Go Menu
Reading the Document

The App Store
Searching for an App
Updating Apps