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Shell
A command line interface.
Keychain
Mac OS's password management utility. Keychain can hold password-protected data for the following categories: . Passwords . Private keys . Certificates . Secure notes
Copies files and directories from one location in the file system to another.
cp For example, to copy the widget.odt file to the /home/rtracy directory, you would enter cp widget.odt /home/rtracy at the shell prompt. To copy an entire directory structure, include the -R option, which specifies that the directory contents be recursively copied.
Mission Control
desktop and windows management utility used to access several Mac OS features. . Multiple Desktops - At the top of Mission Control is the Multiple Desktops feature that is used to manage and navigate between multiple desktops. . All Windows - When activated, Mission Control tiles all application windows on the screen and groups multiple windows from the same application together. . Dashboard - From Mission Control, the Dashboard containing Mac OS widgets can be accessed.
Displays the first few lines of a text file on the screen
head For example, to view the first lines of the widget.txt file, you would enter head widget.txt at the shell prompt.
Displays the IP address and the subnet mask assigned to this system.
ifconfig
Spotlight
indexing utility that can perform system-wide searches to locate folders, files, apps, and internet results that contain the specified search phrase. Spotlight is access pressing Command(⌘)+Spacebar or by selecting the Spotlight icon on the Status menu.
Displays more extensive documentation about the command. Use the Q key to quit and go back to the shell prompt.
info
Displays the contents of a text file on the screen, pausing the output one screen at a time
less For example, to view the contents of the widget.txt file one page at a time, you would enter less widget.txt at the shell prompt.
Displays a list of files and subdirectories that exist within a directory. Several options are commonly used with this command
ls -a displays all files, including hidden files. -l displays a detailed (long) listing of directory contents including ownership, permissions, modification dates, and file sizes. -R displays the contents of the directory and all of its subdirectories.
Displays the contents of a text file on the screen
cat For example, to view the contents of the widget.txt file, you would enter cat widget.txt at the shell prompt.
Changes directories in the file system.
cd For example, to change to the /home directory in the file system, you would enter cd /home at the shell prompt.
Displays the manual page for a command. It's very similar to the help screen, but it provides more detail. Use the Q key to quit and go back to the shell prompt.
man
Dock
the main taskbar in Mac OS. The Dock is used to launch apps, switch between running apps, access the Trash, and access specific folders.
System Preferences
the utility used to change settings for nearly every aspect of Mac OS.
Fn key (Function key)
typically only found on Apple notebooks and is used to access the F1-F12 keys on the keyboard. It can also be used to access the special icon function on particular keys.
option key
used for application shortcuts and navigation shortcuts
Force Quit
used to stop non-responsive processes and applications. It can also be used to restart the Finder service. Force Quit can be accessed from the Apple menu or the keyboard shortcut Command+Option+Esc.
Edits the contents of a text file
vi The vi uses four different operating modes: . Command mode . Command-line mode . Insert mode . Replace mode For example, to edit the contents of the widget.txt file, you would enter vi widget.txt at the shell prompt. You would then press the i key to enter Insert mode and make the necessary changes to the file. When done editing the file, you would press the Esc key to enter Command mode. Then you would press the : key to enter command-line mode where you would enter exit or wq (for write and quit) to save your changes and exit the vi editor.
Remote Disc
Because many modern Apple devices are being manufactured without a CD or DVD installed, Mac OS offers the Remote Disc feature. With Remote Disc: . The CD or DVD can be shared on the network. . Devices on the same network can access the shared remote CD or DVD. . Only data CDs and DVDs can be accessed. Media discs such as audio CDs, Blu-ray and DVD movies, or installation discs cannot be accessed remotely.
Starts a new Bourne-again shell (bash) session.
bash
Displays a brief summary of how to use the command.
--help
Distribution
A custom version of Linux.
Peripheral device
A device that connects to a computer, such as a monitor or printer.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
A document that contains safe handling and disposal processes for dangerous materials.
Mac OS
A proprietary closed-source, operating system.
Operating system
A set of programs that acts as an interface between the applications that are running on a computer and the computer's hardware.
Application
A subclass computer program that is designed for end users.
Driver
A type of computer program that enables the operating system to interact with hardware devices.
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
A vacuum tube used to display images that is commonly used in computer monitors.
Aero
Aero is a set of features that improves the visual appearance of Windows. Features of Aero include: . Glass effects on window borders that make borders semi-transparent (translucent). You can view objects behind windows through the window borders. . Window animations when windows are opened or closed. Taskbar thumbnails that show the contents of an open window when you move the mouse over items on the taskbar. . Windows Flip shows thumbnails of running programs when you use the Alt + Tab keys to switch between running programs. . Aero Flip 3D is activated with the Windows + Tab key and shows an expanded 3D view of running programs. . The Show Desktop button (on the right side of the taskbar) hides all open windows. Hovering over the button makes the content of all open windows disappear (called Peek). . Snap is a new feature that maximizes a window as you drag its border to the edge of the screen. Snapping multiple windows on the screen tiles them side-by-side. In Windows 10, Snap is limited to four apps on the desktop and two apps on a tablet. . Shake lets you hide all but the current window. Select the top window border and shake the mouse to hide or unhide all other open windows. Aero is not available in the Windows 7 Home Basic version. In addition, features depend on the graphics card in the system. For example, you might not be able to use Flip 3D if the graphics card does not have the necessary features.
Linux
An open source software operating system.
Control Panel
Control Panel is a compilation of various utilities that change how a computer looks and behaves. Use the Control Panel to configure settings for hardware devices, manage printers and networks, configure personal settings, and manage the system.
Storage devices
Devices that contain non-volatile memory for saving or maintaining data.
HFS
Hierarchical File System.
Software
Instructions or data that are stored electronically, either on a hard drive or a special chip.
Boot Camp
Mac OS feature that allows an Apple device to install the Microsoft Windows OS
Search
Search is a feature to help you find documents on your computer. . Windows includes a new indexing service that catalogs objects and files on your computer to improve the speed of searches on your computer. The search is typically fast because it does not search the complete hard drive but, instead, searches the index. . Instant Search provides a box for typing keywords and phrases. As you type, matching results are displayed. Instant Search boxes are available on the taskbar and in other applications such as Internet Explorer, Photo Gallery, and Media Player. . Custom properties are tags or descriptions that you can add to files as attributes that can be easily searched or indexed. . Search Folders lets you save a search as a folder. When you open the folder again, the search is performed, and the results are displayed.
Terminal
Terminal is Mac OS's command line interface utility. It is similar to the terminal used in Linux systems. Terminal: . Uses many of the same commands as the Linux terminal. . Can be used to perform system management tasks, such as deleting files, changing permissions, etc. . Is an excellent troubleshooting tool.
Start
The Start is the easiest way to access the most useful things on your computer. . The list of programs in the Start is divided by a separator line into two sections, pinned default programs and the most used programs. . The Start can be customized for each user. . The Start's appearance is different with each Windows version. . The Start is found in Windows 7 and 10.
Multitasking
The ability to run multiple applications simultaneously.
Multithreading
The ability to run multiple parts of an application simultaneously.
Multiprocessing
The ability to use multiple processing devices.
Kernel
The core of the operating system that is loaded into memory when the system boots up.
Desktop
The desktop is the working surface that contains icons that access programs, files, applications, and file systems. The desktop is what is seen when all programs and open folders are minimized. Installing an application often adds an icon to the desktop.
Utilities
The features or programs included with an operating system that perform system-related tasks.
Processing
The flow of data through a series of procedures as defined by a set of instructions.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
The flow of electricity from one electrically charged object to another.
Input
The movement of data or commands to the internal computer hardware.
Notification Area
The notification area is a part of the taskbar located on the right side of the taskbar. The notification area: . Displays the time and date. . Displays icons that represent the applications and processes running behind the scenes on your computer, such as audio volume and security programs. . Displays connectivity to the internet or a workgroup.
Hardware
The physical components that compose a computer system or network.
Networking and communications
The practice of connecting two or more computers in order to transfer data.
Output
The process of the computer presenting, displaying, or otherwise giving data.
Taskbar
The taskbar is the bar displayed at the bottom of a Windows desktop (although its position can be changed). The taskbar: . Contains icons that represent each program or application currently running or pinned to the taskbar for quick access. You launch a pinned program by selecting the icon on the taskbar. . Can be configured to display different types of toolbars. For instance, Quick Launch is a toolbar that contains shortcuts to designated programs.
User Account Control (UAC)
User Account Control (UAC) is a feature that helps minimize the dangers of unwanted actions or unintended software installations. . UAC differentiates between standard user privileges and administrative privileges. . Icons next to some tasks identify tasks that require administrative privileges. In addition, performing other tasks, such as installing applications or hardware devices, require administrative privileges. . If standard user privileges are not sufficient to perform a task, the system requests privilege elevation. If you are logged on as a standard user, you are prompted to supply the username and password for an administrator user. If you are logged on as an administrator, you are prompted for permission before the action is performed.
Interface
What allows the user to interact with the kernel and the utilities.
Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer is a graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing and managing the file system.
Capacitor
a device used to store an electric charge
Command Key (Apple)
a modifier key, the Command key used in conjunction with another keystroke to active some function on the Mac. This is similar to the control function on a PC
Moves and/or renames files and directories from one location or name to another.
mv For example, to move the widget.odt file in your current working directory to the /home/rtracy directory, you would enter mv widget.odt /home/rtracy at the shell prompt. Before moving it, you could rename it to newwidget.odt by entering mv widget.odt newwidget.odt or, alternatively, you could rename and move it simultaneously by entering mv widget.odt /home/rtracy/newwidget.odt.
Control key (Ctrl)
primarily used for text document navigation
Displays the path of the current directory on the screen.
pwd pwd stands for print working directory.
Deletes files and directories from the file system.
rm For example, to delete the widget.odt file, you would enter rm widget.odt at the shell prompt.
Shuts down or reboots the system in a secure manner.
shutdown The syntax of the shutdown command is shutdown -h|-r +m message. The options for the shutdown command include: +m specifies when to perform the shutdown operation. m is the amount of time is specified in minutes. -h instructs the system to shut down and power down. -r instructs the system to reboot after the shutdown. -p powers off the machine. message specifies a message that is sent to all users that accompanies the standard shutdown notification.
Gestures
specific finger motions that are used to perform a specific function on a Mac OS system. They are used by Apple systems that use an Apple Multi-Touch trackpad, a Magic Mouse, or a touchscreen. Below are just some of the gestures that are available on Mac OS: . Right-click: Tap with two fingers to right-click. . Smart zoom: Double-tap with two fingers to zoom in on a web page, image, or document (double-tap again to zoom out). . Scroll: Slide up or down using two fingers to scroll up or down. . Zoom: Spread two fingers apart to zoom in. Bring fingers back together to zoom out. Page navigation: Slide two fingers left or right to navigate between pages in a document. . Mission Control: Slide four fingers straight up to open Mission Control. . All apps: Slide four fingers straight down to display all windows of the active app.
Allows you to switch user accounts.
su su - (su with a space and a hyphen) is used to switch to the root user with the home directory and environment variables assigned to the root user.
Displays the last few lines of a text file on the screen.
tail For example, to view the last lines of the widget.txt file, you would enter tail widget.txt at the shell prompt. The -f option can be used with tail to monitor a file for changes. If new content is added to the end of the file (such as a log file), the new lines will be displayed on the screen.