New Ebook: Mac Administration Basics

If you’re responsible for the configuration of tens, if not hundreds, of brand-new Macs then you’ll probably know how time consuming it can be to get them all set up. The process of setting up a user account, installing any required software and applying all of the available updates on each and every Mac before handing them to users can be both laborious and horribly inefficient.

Mac Administration Basics brings together six of our previously published guides for easy reference, incredibly useful when wanting to deploy, troubleshoot or configure Macs at home or in the workplace.

Members of The Instructional can download this for free by using their unique coupon code during checkout. 

Contents

  1. A Closer Look at System Information
  2. Reset a User Account's Password with an Apple ID
  3. High-Speed Data Transfers with Thunderbolt
  4. Build & Deploy OS X Images with AutoDMG
  5. How to Re-Run the OS X Setup Assistant
  6. Encrypt an External Disk or USB Stick with a Password

"Back up Your Mac With Time Machine" Is Now Free on the iBooks Store

If you're a Mac user wanting to know how to protect your Mac, my ebook Back Up Your Mac With Time Machine, it's now free on the iBooks Store for a limited time.

Backing Up Your Mac With Time Machine breaks down each feature of Time Machine, the built-in backup utility of Mac OS X, from setting it up with an external hard drive or Time Capsule to restoring files and even your Mac.

You’ll find easy to follow instructions and screenshots as well as over an hour of specially recorded screencasts and interactive elements to aid you even further.

"The IOS Compendium, Volume 1" On Sale for 99¢ on the iBooks Store

For a limited time only, you can purchase my latest ebook The iOS Compendium, Volume 1 on the iBooks Store for only 99¢.

The iOS Compendium, Volume 1 is an interactive iBook containing over 40 of the best tips and tricks that iOS has to offer, each with specially recorded narrated screencasts for you to watch, totalling over an hour of video.

Whether you’re a first-time iPad owner or have been using an iPhone since it was first released, any iOS user will find this book indispensable.

For anyone without access to the iBookstore, the PDF edition is also on sale for the same price.

The iOS Compendium, Volume 1

iOS is incredibly simple to learn and use with very little instruction or guidance, yet some of its best features are the little things that many of us can easily overlook. To help new and seasoned users alike, I’m delighted to announce that my latest book, The iOS Compendium, Volume 1, is now available on the iBooks Store for just $4.99.

The iOS Compendium, Volume 1 is an interactive iBook containing over 40 of the best tips and tricks that iOS has to offer, each with specially recorded narrated screencasts for you to watch, totalling over an hour of video.

Whether you’re a first-time iPad owner or have been using an iPhone since it was first released, any iOS user will find this book indispensable.

The book has been designed for viewing on an iPad and Mac using the iBooks app (PDF and ePub versions coming soon) and you can download a chapter of the book as a free sample from the iBooks Store.

Update: If you are unable to purchase The iOS Compendium from the iBook Store, or don't have an iPad or Mac to view it with, a PDF version is now available to purchase in our Ebook store.

The Instructional Ebooks

Starting today, you can purchase an ebook of any previously published multi-part guides in its entirety, provided in both DRM-free ePub and PDF format, for just $1.99.

Why Purchase an Ebook?

Each ebook contains every part to a guide's series, brought together in a single place for your convenience.

Think of the ebook as your own permanent copy of a guide. It's yours to keep forever, always available without an internet connection and can be read on most ebook readers, tablets and mobile devices.

While there may not be any additional content or exclusive material, each ebook has been specially formatted for optimal reading and, in the case of the ePub version, include a full Table of Contents. This can be much easier than reading within a browser or a Read Later service.

Finally, purchasing an ebook is also another way of supporting the site. At just 99¢ each, they're great to keep stored on your preferred reading device and will contribute to the continued success of The Instructional.

Free for Members

Reader support for The Instructional has been fantastic and I'm thrilled so many of you have been generous enough to take up a membership subscription of $2 per month to help keep the lights on.

As a bonus to members who have decided to help support the site, as well as tempt new ones, you'll be able to download every ebook published on The Instructional for free.

Each member will receive a special coupon code that can be used during checkout to discount the order down to zero, and can be used as often as needed.

This coupon code is unique to each member and no two codes are alike. In the words of Gandalf the Grey: Keep it secret, keep it safe.

How to Purchase

Just click on the Ebooks link at the top of the page to access the ebook store. As new ebooks are added, each guide will contain a link at the end to the respective listing.

iBookstore

For those who would prefer to use the iBookstore, I've submitted the first two ebooks and they are currently awaiting approval. Once they have been approved, links to their listings will be provided in the ebook store.

I hope many of you will consider trying out an ebook or even becoming a member, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback about them.