Join Joe Kissell and learn how to best upgrade to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion in the latest edition of his popular Take Control of Upgrading… ebook.
Whether your upgrade is fairly straightforward or utterly complicated, Joe explains what to do before you start upgrading to Lion, how to upgrade effectively, what to do if your upgrade has a problem, and how to get a smart start once the upgrade is completed. New Lion features that you’ll learn about include FileVault 2 encryption (Joe recommends this for most laptop users) and Recovery mode. The ebook also covers the basics of installing Lion Server.
I was surprised at how much good information was included in this book, and how much I didn’t know. …Joe Kissell has knocked another one out of the park.
—Elisa Pacelli, MyMac.com reviewer and self-described techno geek.
Benefit from Joe’s experience in writing about how to install Mac OS X since 2003, and let him help you install Lion. You’ll get specific advice for how to:
Prepare for an (Ideally) Problem-free Upgrade
Part with Rosetta: Understand and manage the fact that PowerPC-based software will not run under Lion, given the lack of the Rosetta emulator that was used in recent versions of Mac OS X.
Handle your hardware: Check your hardware for Lion compatibility. Also, in order to fully enjoy Lion, it might be time for you to install more RAM, free up disk space, or add other peripherals, particularly a Magic Trackpad.
Deal with duplication: Learn what a disk duplicate is, why having one is essential before installing Lion, and how to make one easily and affordably. Also, get help with backing up a Windows volume, should you be running Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp.
Verify that all systems are go: Test to be sure your memory and disks are running properly—better to discover and correct a problem now than during your upgrade—and find advice on clearing extra files and software off your disk so that you get a fresh start with Lion (and more disk space for it!).
Consider a few geeky details: If you secure your data and documents with some form of disk encryption now, or would like to do so under Lion, get advice on what to do before you upgrade and learn how Lion’s much-improved FileVault 2 will operate, plus consider the pros and cons of running FileVault 2. Also, read what Joe thinks of partitioning and what you might want to do about it before installing.
Make a plan: Learn how to install Lion if you’re installing over 10.6 Snow Leopard, and consider the pros and cons of several techniques for how to install onto a Mac running either 10.5 Leopard or 10.4 Tiger. Also, if you have more than one Mac in your home, learn ways to download the Lion installer only once, but use it legitimately on your different Macs. And, if a nearly 4 GB download is unrealistic, get guidance for how to best obtain Lion.
If your upgrade involves moving to a new Mac from an old Mac (or a Windows PC), learn how to best install Lion (if needed) and transfer your old stuff. A tip: if possible, do not even turn on a new Mac that has Lion installed until you’ve read this ebook!
Install Lion!
Install with confidence: Buying, downloading, and running the Lion installer isn’t all that difficult, but it is an an entirely new (and rather slow) way of installing an operating system upgrade, so Joe explains what to expect.
Solve problems If your Mac won’t restart after the installation, this ebook explains exactly what to do (knock on wood!).
Start Smart with Key Post-installation Tasks
Avoid slowdowns: Put off a few tasks (running Spotlight, turning on Time Machine) that will slow you down during your first few hours in Lion.
Get set and go: Joe reminds you to run Software Update, helps you set up an extra user account while noting a few account-related changes in Lion, discusses the pros and cons of the new FileVault 2 and gives directions for enabling it, explains the Incompatible Software Folder, provides need-to-know-now Time Machine basics (including encryption of Time Machine backups), gives you the low-down on what’s going on with Apple Mail plug-ins, and more.
Go beyond…Learn why the $49.99 Lion Server is interesting for Lion users, and how to complete a basic installation.
Reconnoiter with Recovery Mode:
View the hidden volume: A final chapter explains the new-in-Lion Recovery HD volume, and even tells you what to type in Terminal so you can check it out.
Recover from disaster: Find out how to boot in Recovery mode, in case your Mac won’t boot and you don’t have a convenient way to boot it otherwise.
Learn Lion
Read the sequel: Although this ebook won’t teach you much more about Lion beyond what is described above, note that it was written in coordination with Matt Neuburg’s Take Control of Using Lion, so it winds down as that book picks up.
Save money with a bundle: Check the left margin of this page for bundle pricing if you purchase both titles together.
About Joe Kissell
Take Control publisher Joe Kissell has written more than 60 books about technology, including many popular Take Control books. He formerly wrote for publications such as Macworld, Wirecutter, and TidBITS. He lives in Saskatoon with his wife, his two children, and his cat.