. Introducing Accounts The concept of user accounts is central to Mac OS X's security approach. Like the Unix under its skin (and also like Windows XP and Vista) | . Introducing Accounts The concept of user accounts is central to Mac OS X s security approach. Like the Unix under its skin and also like Windows XP and Vista Mac OS X is designed from the ground up to be a multiple-user operating system. You can configure a Mac OS X machine so that everyone must log in that is you have to click or type your name and type in a password when the computer turns on Figure 12-1 . Upon doing so you discover the Macintosh universe just as you left it including these elements Your documents files and folders. Your preference settings in every program you use Web browser bookmarks and preferred home page desktop picture screen saver and language icons on the desktop and in the Dock and the size and position of the Dock itself and so on. Email account s including personal information and mailboxes. Your personally installed programs and fonts. Your choice of programs that launch automatically at startup. This system means that several different people can use it throughout the day without disrupting each other s files and settings. It also protects the Mac from getting fouled up by mischievous or bumbling students employees and hackers. If you re the only person who uses your Mac you can safely skip most of this chapter. The Mac never pauses at startup time to demand the name and password you made up when you installed Mac OS X because Apple s installer automatically turns on something called automatic login Section . You will be using one of these accounts though whether you realize it or not. Furthermore when you re stuck in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles you may find the concepts presented here worth skimming as certain elements of this multipleuser system may intrude upon your solo activities and figure in the discussions in this book from time to time. Tip Even if you don t share your Mac with anyone and don t create any other accounts you might still be tempted to learn about the accounts feature because of its .
