account

How to browse another account's files in OS X

When you log in to an account in OS X, the Finder process opens and allows you to browse files within that account, organize them, delete them, or open them for editing if needed. However, if you can't log in to the account, then browsing its files may be a bit more difficult.

If a problem occurs in a user account in OS X that prevents it from logging in correctly, then often the solution is simply to remove preference files, caches, or other files that the account loads at log-in. This can be done with the Terminal if … Read more

Accounting makes the world go round

Business Services Co has been providing business freeware and low-cost software since the 1980s. Delta60 Accounting Software 6.0 World Version is the latest iteration of its free business accounting solution. It offers Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Invoicing, Inventory, Payroll, and General Ledger features. Among its improvements are a new integrated graphical user interface and better support for international users in its new World Version.

Delta60 opens with its baseline USA Version and the option to run the new World Version. We chose the World Version. Delta60's Stargate Interface is based around a circular command center feature that resembles … Read more

How to switch to a standard user account in OS X

One of the commonly recommended safe-computing practices is to run your day-to-day activities in a standard user account and reserve administrative accounts purely for installing applications, adjusting system settings, and otherwise reconfiguring the system. This setup helps prevent mishaps performed in a standard account from affecting global system resources. For instance, a malware attack or bug in an application will have easier access to the Applications folder, global Library folders, and other resources open to admin accounts. Therefore, by using an account with standard permissions you will help prevent problems or dangers from affecting system resources without your explicit permission.… Read more

How to delete your Instagram account while saving your photos

With the announcement of Facebook's acquisition of Instagram, some Instagram users are worried about information being passed on to the larger social network.

When you delete your account with Instagram, your photos, friendships, comments, and everything you've done with the service will be deleted. Before you pull the trigger, you can save your Instagram shots by using Instaport, an online app that lets you download your images or move them to other social networks. Simply log in to your account, give permission to Instaport to access your files, then start the download.

Now that you have your photos … Read more

Google's latest brainstorm: Analytics for the common folk

Too much information about your Web life? Stet: Make that your Google life.

Google this morning announced a new service that will send users a monthly activity dashboard which monitors how they use their myriad Google accounts. Think of it as an analytics tool for everything you do on the Google platform. Of course, there is a catch: users will need to sign into Google services to qualify for the password-protected report.

In an explanation of the account activity dashboard, product manager Andreas Tuerk wrote:

Knowing more about your own account activity also can help you take steps to protect … Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week people wrote in with questions about the best way to move data from an old user account to a new one, the purpose for the key given to you when you enable FileVault, and how to add new menu extras to the menu bar. Others asked how to manage exceptionally large virtual memory used by programs, and how best to move an OS installation to a new partition. We welcome alternative approaches and views from readers, so if you have any suggestions, post … Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week people wrote in with questions about log-in items returning after being deleted, installing Lion to another partition within Snow Leopard, missing menu extras for Spaces in Lion, whether or not it's feasible to customize a Mac's wakeup schedule, and how to reset a lost account password. We welcome alternative approaches and views from readers, so if you have any suggestions, then post them in the comments!

Question: Log-in items returning after being deleted MacFixIt reader Thom asks:

I have two programs … Read more

How to back up, then delete your Google account

It's official, Google's new unified privacy policy is now in place, allowing all of your data to be shared across the various Google services. This is definitely going to make some users uneasy. If you're one of those users, and have been thinking about ditching Google, you will want to make sure you back up your data first, then delete your account. Here's how to carry out both of these tasks.

To begin, you will need to visit Google.com/settings.

You will want to back up your account data before you delete the account. To … Read more

TurboTax is as simple as ever

For the past several years, TurboTax has impressed us with its clear language and simple step-by-step tax prep, and Intuit's offering for the 2011 tax year is no exception. Whether you're an experienced taxpayer or you're fairly new to the system, TurboTax can help you file.

The first thing I should point out is that TurboTax comes in four versions--Basic, Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Business--each of which offers both an online prep option or a software download. All of the online apps let you start a single e-file for free, while the downloads cost a bit … Read more