by on June 26, 2008 3 Comments

Keep OS X up to date with the System Update application

It’s important to keep the software on your Mac up to date. Apple releases security updates and software improvements from time to time. Some of these are critical updates that Apple recommends that you install. This process is easy if you use the Software Update application built into OSX.

When you install OSX the Software Update application is set to run weekly. The application works by going out onto the internet to Apple servers and downloading any software updates. Then, if updates are available you are presented with a dialog box requesting you to install the updates. Some of these updates may require you to reboot the computer.

To manually check for updates, click the Apple menu in the menu bar and select Software Updates. This will open the update dialog presenting you with a list of updates that are ready to install.

Software Update is configured through the System Preferences application. Select System Preferences and Software Update to configure the application settings. Through this settings dialog you can configure the frequency of updates and look at a list of installed updates in your system.

Keep your Mac healthy by running Software Update and you will have years of happy computing.

by on June 23, 2008 2 Comments

Where do my downloads go?

You use software called a web browser to view content on the Internet. There are many types of web browsers. Windows bundles Internet Explorer with their operating system. Apple’s OS X is no exception. Apple bundles the Safari web browser.

Safari let’s you view content on the Internet. From time to time, you may wish to download and install new software. This brief video shows you how you do this.

When you download software it is saved in a Downloads folder by default. Downloads is found in your home directory and it is also placed in the Dock as a stack. After a files finishes, click the stack to reveal the software you just downloaded.

There is a great companion post over at OSX Help which discusses what to do once the file is downloaded into your system.