account

While rare, sometimes after updating OS X either with an upgrade or with an intermediate patch users have found that an account on the system may no longer be accessible. This may be because the system refuses to accept an account password, or because the account no longer appears. While such problems may have you initially consider reinstalling OS X and restoring from a backup, you may be able to fix the problem without doing this.

Missing accounts after an update Local account information is stored in the system's directory database (located in the hidden /var/db/local/ folder), … Read more

If you regularly use specific applications, or access certain documents or locations in OS X, you can take advantage of the system's log-in items feature to make these items available to you whenever you log in to your system. For instance, folks who regularly use Mail and Safari might wish to have these programs open automatically when they log in. While launching applications is the most common use of the log-in item list, it can be used for quite a bit more.

Setting up log-in items Setting up and managing log-in items is easy. To do it, go to … Read more

A few days ago we posted an article discussing ways to reset passwords in OS X in the event of a password being lost. After this some people wrote in with concerns about the apparent ease at which password security can be overcome, since anyone with an OS installation DVD can reset account passwords and gain access to data on a system.

This is true for the most part, and is an unfortunate security quirk that can be found in many operating systems, including OS X, Windows, and Linux. Basic password security on a system can be overcome if someone … Read more

There are times when you wish or need to change the password for your account, or for another account on an OS X system. This can be because an account's password has been compromised, or because a Mac has accounts on it for which nobody knows or remembers the password, for example.

There is no way to recover lost passwords, but there are several ways to change them.

Accounts system preferences Basic account management in OS X is fairly straightforward and easy since Apple offers an Accounts system preference pane where you can add and remove accounts in addition … Read more

The 404 Podcast has a symbiotic relationship with "Aunt" Jill Schlesinger aka The Financial Decoder for CBS Moneywatch: she helps our listeners create a foundation for their financial future, and we answer her tech questions about her Twitter account and yesterday's Apple iPad 2 announcement.

And sometimes she brings us cookies...giant, half-pound cookies from Levain Bakery!

You'll have to hold your breath for the iPad 2 discussion, though, because first we want to tell you guys about Jill's new podcast on the radio, appropriately called Jill On Money!

Episode 1 is already posted on the Moneywatch.com Web site; it's an hour-and-a-half broadcast where Jill answers plenty of questions about paying off mortgages, rising gas prices, and tips on how to maintain a good credit score. Plus, a little Cheryl Dunn in the morning ain't hurting anyone.

If you have a financial question for Jill, make sure you give her a call at 855-411-JILL (855-411-5455) and she'll schedule time to ask it live on the show, or you can also send her an e-mail at askjill(at)moneywatch.com or tweet her.

With Jill getting more involved in the tech side of broadcasting, she asks us for advice on whether she should buy the new Apple iPad 2. The way we see it, her buying decision depends on what she'll ultimately do with the tablet.

Since she already has a MacBook, she can either dish out $350 on a refurbished iPad 1 or spend $150 more for the 16GB iPad 2. Tune in to hear our advice, and as usual, we don't all agree on one path to take.… Read more

Manilla, a new company focused on the digital management of household bills and accounts, was unveiled Monday at the Demo conference--though it's not the type that usually shows up at the annual launch-and-pitch conference.

For one, Manilla was created within publishing conglomerate Hearst and is currently not backed by any other investors; second, the crowd of tech-industry regulars may find Manilla disappointingly basic.

That's the point. Manilla is geared not toward the bleeding edge of technology enthusiasts, but toward the average American head of household, the person responsible for corralling the home's cable and phone bills, bank … Read more

For a company with more than $2.3 billion in annual earnings and $9.1 billion in revenue, it has been shockingly fashionable to write off eBay. The common refrain: eBay is losing marketplace share. It's so Web 1.0. And eBay can't hang with Amazon.

However, eBay has quietly been turning around a few analysts on Wall Street and its powwow Wednesday won a few over. Simply put, eBay has some heady goals between now and 2013. Here's the bottom line outlook:

How will eBay get to that revenue goal? PayPal will carry the company.

Read … Read more

Now all Google users can take advantage of the two-step log-in procedure previously available to Google Apps customers.

The company started rolling out the option to use two-step verification to Google Account holders today, according to a blog post. The idea comes from a classic security tactic, the notion that accounts are more secure when you log in using two factors: something you know, such as a password, and something that only you have, such as your phone.

Google Apps users started using this feature in September. Account holders log in to Google as usual, but the first time they … Read more

Though the App Store has several methods for keeping track of the newest and most noteworthy Apps, Apple has decided that a dedicated Twitter account would further promote some of its favorite applications for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

The @AppStore account has just been verified by Twitter as officially as the first post, "Welcome to App Store on Twitter! Follow us to discover new apps, get exclusive offers, and share with friends. #appstore" was retweeted by the verified @iTunesTV account (and several other accounts).

The second tweet from @AppStore promotes the Nike Training Club App, "Motivation. … Read more