About your new computer (Mac)

Important FAQs About Your New Computer (Mac)

Mail: Apple has a program called Mail that comes with OS X. It has many advanced features and will be the default Macintosh Email program of SUNY Potsdam for all new computers. If you are currently a Eudora user we've imported your mail and settings to the Mail program. Your addresses have been imported into Mail's counterpart, Apple Address Book program. Further, we've setup your account to utilize IMAP to synchronize your email with the email server. This means if you're a web mail user with BearMail, your email will always be synchronize in both places.

iChat: One of the standard features of Mac OS X is a program called iChat. It is fully compatible with AOL Instant Messenger and the program we would prefer to support with Mac OS X. If you have an AOL Instant Messenger account and wish you use it with your new Mac, we encourage you to try iChat.

Software Update: From time to time when you start your Mac, or come back to it after it has been left on, a Window maybe displayed talking about software updates. Mac OS X will automatically find important updates for itself and its standard programs (and example would be iChat). It then displays these updates and asks for your permission to install them. In all cases you would want to allow this. Follow the instructions in screen to do so. You may also call the CTS helpdesk at x2083 if you have questions about any of these updates.

Web Browsers: A new web browser called Safari is in your Dock. This is Apple's own web browser and has some interesting new features, you may want to give it a try! Also, Netscape has evolved to become Firefox. All of your bookmarks from Netscape have been imported and are now in this browser. It, like Safari, is located in the Dock. Internet Explorer is no longer being made for the Mac and is not on the computer.

Virus Software: We've installed Sophos for Mac OS X on your new computer. Among obvious virus detection abilities, it's very automated: once an hour, in the background and completely unobtrusive to you or your work, your computer will contact our antivirus server and check for new virus definitions and automatically download, update, and install them. The computer will automatically scan for virus while you work. Manual scanning for viruses is not necessary and you will only be alerted if there is a virus found.

Default Password & Accounts: By default, when OS X asks you for a password, simply type: apple. You may change your default OS X password in the System Preferences under Accounts. Please note that this password and username are not the same as your CCA; changes in one do not affect the other. Also note the Administrator account in that area. Please do not change the password or account. The Administrator account is used by CTS in the event there is a substantial problem with your computer. If this account is disabled, you will remove the likelihood of us being able to get ANY of your data back.

Windows on Intel Macs: Please see our Windows on Intel Mac Policy for more information. Please do not attempt to install any non-Apple operating system on your computer.