Initial Setup Tips, please

[passion4audio]

This is my first post on this forum.

I've been saving up for a rMBP and wanted to ask what everyone's tips were for initial setup right out of the box.

I'm especially interested in:

• Privacy
• Security
• Stability / Reliability

What ORDER should things be done in. I guess I'm looking for a specific LIST.

Example:

1. Test to see which screen (Samsung or LG)
2. Run (the following) screen test to check for ghosting
3. Settings recommendations
4. Download specific APPS (Monolingual?, proxy?, etc.?)
5. Privacy and Security tips (Little Snitch?, etc.?)
6. Any other suggestions?

Thanks very much!

 

[Orlandoech]

This is my first post on this forum.

I've been saving up for a rMBP and wanted to ask what everyone's tips were for initial setup right out of the box.

I'm especially interested in:

• Privacy
• Security
• Stability / Reliability

What ORDER should things be done in. I guess I'm looking for a specific LIST.

Example:

1. Test to see which screen (Samsung or LG)
2. Run (the following) screen test to check for ghosting
3. Settings recommendations
4. Download specific APPS (Monolingual?, proxy?, etc.?)
5. Privacy and Security tips (Little Snitch?, etc.?)
6. Any other suggestions?

Thanks very much!

Do what ever, when ever. Dont test for defects, if you notice them contact Apple.

There are a lot of amazing apps, www.retinamacapps.com is a cool site. I use a lot of apps. Ones I cannot live without;

• Growl
• Alfred
• BetterTouchTool
• Carbon Copy Cloner
• TotalFinder
• MenuTunes
• MPlayerX

 

[rrm998]

^^^^^^
I second that. Don't go looking for issues. Once you notice something it will bug you endlessly -- and that's a problem if it's something that Apple won't repair.

On security tips, I seem to remember that Firewall was off by default (I was surprised). I turned it on. I've been reading a bit to decide if I need an anti-virus problem for Mac OS. They do exist now. So far I decided the risk is low and some of the relatively new anti-virus apps have had many issues reported.

 

[GGJstudios]

I've been saving up for a rMBP and wanted to ask what everyone's tips were for initial setup right out of the box.

Helpful Information for Any Mac User
Portables Fast Start: The New User's Guide to Apple Notebooks

I've been reading a bit to decide if I need an anti-virus problem for Mac OS. They do exist now.

Trojans exist, viruses don't. Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released over 10 years ago. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which can be easily avoided by practicing safe computing (see below). Also, Mac OS X 10.6 and later versions have anti-malware protection built in, further reducing the need for 3rd party antivirus apps.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ​

1. Make sure your built-in Mac firewall is enabled in System Preferences > Security > Firewall
   
   
2. Uncheck "Open "safe" files after downloading" in Safari > Preferences > General
   
   
3. Disable Java in your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox). This will protect you from malware that exploits Java in your browser, including the recent Flashback trojan. Leave Java disabled until you visit a trusted site that requires it, then re-enable only for the duration of your visit to that site. (This is not to be confused with JavaScript, which you should leave enabled.)
   
   
4. Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS servers by reading this.
   
   
5. Be careful to only install software from trusted, reputable sites. Never install pirated software. If you're not sure about an app, ask in this forum before installing.
   
   
6. Never let someone else have access to install anything on your Mac.
   
   
7. Don't open files that you receive from unknown or untrusted sources.
   
   
8. For added security, make sure all network, email, financial and other important passwords are long and complex, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
   
   
9. Always keep your Mac and application software updated. Use Software Update for your Mac software. For other software, it's safer to get updates from the developer's site or from the menu item "Check for updates", rather than installing from any notification window that pops up while you're surfing the web.

That's all you need to do to keep your Mac completely free of any Mac OS X malware that has ever been released into the wild. While you may elect to use it, 3rd party antivirus software is not required to keep your Mac malware-free.

 

[passion4audio]

Thanks for your suggestions!

I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond. Lots of excellent advice.

Thank you!

 

[Mrbobb]

STABILITY/RELIABILITY (INFECTIONS) - I have developed this model in the Windoze world to make clone copies of my OS partitions, that's where most of the infections and/or installing bad stuff resides. So when things go awry, I just simply pull out my last-known-to-be-good image and am back in business in 15 minutes. There is no way no how am going to spend valuable time to find out what's wrong. Works well for me. Am trying to do the same thing with Carbon Copy Cloner in the OSX world. Warning: This is very geeky stuff.

PHYSICAL SECURITY - The MAcs are eyes candies so don't flaunt it in the presence of questionable company/neighborhood.

PRIVACY - GOOD LUCK I say. Everybody these days wants to know as much about you as they can. Everything is constructed so they can sell your information. Currently am trying to set up home - office - portable device seamless information synching, and that iCloud scares me. I am NOT placing private info in other's people hands (no matter what they say) unless I can encrypt it.

Anybody reading this, what you are doing for your multi-location, multi-device synching activity? while avoiding them spamming u with junk?

 

[blkmac]

PRIVACY - GOOD LUCK I say. Everybody these days wants to know as much about you as they can. Everything is constructed so they can sell your information. Currently am trying to set up home - office - portable device seamless information synching, and that iCloud scares me. I am NOT placing private info in other's people hands (no matter what they say) unless I can encrypt it.

Anybody reading this, what you are doing for your multi-location, multi-device synching activity? while avoiding them spamming u with junk?

These are the same issues I'm having with icloud and other services. Free bump for more info.

Also Mrbobb, I'm interested to see how you pull of mac mirror images to restore back to the last known good image.