Working together on one computer has its advantages:
- everyone has his own home folder with his own files
- everyone has is own program settings, Email, music files, movies et-cetera
- those files are separate, so no issues with altered or missing files
- of course you can share files also
- you only have to buy one computer (and make a very good schedule...)
Resume: when you log on, the Mac is adapted to your needs. When your fiancée logs on, the Mac fits hers/his.
How does this work?
All users reside in the 'Users' folder on the first level of your hard disk. In a schematic way, it looks like this:
The sharing of files goes through a folder "Shared". In this case, the folder is for two users, 'macmiep' and 'macmiepcursus':
So, if you want to work on a Mac with more than one person, you need to configure another user account.
To add a new user.
Go to System Preferences and choose 'Users'. Hit the '+' button and choose a log on name and a password.
Next, you tell the Mac what this user is or isn't allowed to do:
For example: you'd like your children to use the Mac for games, but not to surf the internet or e-mail: you can configure this here. As long as you keep your Administrator password to yourself, they won't be able to.
Users and their privileges
In a multi user system, it is wise to determine what users can and cannot do on the computer. Who is allowed to change critical system preferences, use certain programs, and look into certain folders? There are two kinds of users.
Note: in fact: there are three, more about that later
The user called 'Administrator'
This user has the right to change all System Preferences, make new user accounts and use all programs. The lock symbol you can see in the lower left of most System Preferences give the Administrator the opportunity to protect these preferences against unauthorized changes. Is the lock closed (click on it to close or open it) an administrator user name and password has to be provided before any changes can be made:
The user called 'User'
The User is allowed to work with the Mac and do anything the Administrator has allowed him to do, in any detail. This can be useful with young children. If you want to allow them to play games but not to go on the Internet or Email, it can be done easily.
As long as the Administrator keeps his password to himself, the Mac always remains in the condition you want it to!
How do I know what I can or cannot do on my Mac?
When you start up a forbidden program, the Mac will tell you that you do not have the privileges to do so and won't start up the program. Folders that are forbidden have a 'wrong way' road sign on them:
Choose 'Info' from the 'Archive' Menu to see what you are or aren't allowed to do with a folder, file or Program:
TIP
Background information on the User subject
On a Unix system, every file has a code attached to it which tells who is allowed to use or change it. Normally, you won't see that code at all, only when you are a Unix geek or interested in the command user interface in the Terminal program. For those geeks, it is possible to work at the Mac with only typing text commands. The normal Mac user won't need them ever, but it is useful to know of its existence.
A die-hard Unix or Linux user can eat his heart out:
Drop Box
Editing the Drop Box folder so other users may look into it in stead of dropping off stuff only.
Switching from one user account to another
It is possible to be logged on with more users at a time. To switch from one user to another, go to the upper right corner of your screen and click on your username (here: 'MacMiep)
The Mac asks for a password:
After typing it correctly the screen will turn to the next user like it’s a cube:
You can switch back and forth with users without changing anything. All open files and programs stay open. It's like there are two computers at work on only one screen!
You can also log out at the Apple Menu and log on again with another user name.
- everyone has his own home folder with his own files
- everyone has is own program settings, Email, music files, movies et-cetera
- those files are separate, so no issues with altered or missing files
- of course you can share files also
- you only have to buy one computer (and make a very good schedule...)
Resume: when you log on, the Mac is adapted to your needs. When your fiancée logs on, the Mac fits hers/his.
How does this work?
All users reside in the 'Users' folder on the first level of your hard disk. In a schematic way, it looks like this:
The sharing of files goes through a folder "Shared". In this case, the folder is for two users, 'macmiep' and 'macmiepcursus':
So, if you want to work on a Mac with more than one person, you need to configure another user account.
To add a new user.
Go to System Preferences and choose 'Users'. Hit the '+' button and choose a log on name and a password.
Next, you tell the Mac what this user is or isn't allowed to do:
For example: you'd like your children to use the Mac for games, but not to surf the internet or e-mail: you can configure this here. As long as you keep your Administrator password to yourself, they won't be able to.
Users and their privileges
In a multi user system, it is wise to determine what users can and cannot do on the computer. Who is allowed to change critical system preferences, use certain programs, and look into certain folders? There are two kinds of users.
Note: in fact: there are three, more about that later
The user called 'Administrator'
This user has the right to change all System Preferences, make new user accounts and use all programs. The lock symbol you can see in the lower left of most System Preferences give the Administrator the opportunity to protect these preferences against unauthorized changes. Is the lock closed (click on it to close or open it) an administrator user name and password has to be provided before any changes can be made:
The user called 'User'
The User is allowed to work with the Mac and do anything the Administrator has allowed him to do, in any detail. This can be useful with young children. If you want to allow them to play games but not to go on the Internet or Email, it can be done easily.
As long as the Administrator keeps his password to himself, the Mac always remains in the condition you want it to!
How do I know what I can or cannot do on my Mac?
When you start up a forbidden program, the Mac will tell you that you do not have the privileges to do so and won't start up the program. Folders that are forbidden have a 'wrong way' road sign on them:
Choose 'Info' from the 'Archive' Menu to see what you are or aren't allowed to do with a folder, file or Program:
TIP
Background information on the User subject
On a Unix system, every file has a code attached to it which tells who is allowed to use or change it. Normally, you won't see that code at all, only when you are a Unix geek or interested in the command user interface in the Terminal program. For those geeks, it is possible to work at the Mac with only typing text commands. The normal Mac user won't need them ever, but it is useful to know of its existence.
A die-hard Unix or Linux user can eat his heart out:
Drop Box
Editing the Drop Box folder so other users may look into it in stead of dropping off stuff only.
Switching from one user account to another
It is possible to be logged on with more users at a time. To switch from one user to another, go to the upper right corner of your screen and click on your username (here: 'MacMiep)
The Mac asks for a password:
After typing it correctly the screen will turn to the next user like it’s a cube:
You can switch back and forth with users without changing anything. All open files and programs stay open. It's like there are two computers at work on only one screen!
You can also log out at the Apple Menu and log on again with another user name.