Lock computer?

[Sunnz]

Not sure about Windows, but in Linux (Gnome), there is an option called Lock Screen, which effectively puts on the screen saver and requires a password to log in... is it possible to do so in OSX? (I am pretty sure it can, I saw one of my lecturer do it, but I didn't pay attention! )

[ora]

Yep, in SystemPrefrences, go to "Security" and check "Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screensaver". Then to lock the machine put it to sleep by shutting the lid of a laptop or for a desktop either apple menu> sleep os control-eject then s.

To lock it without making it sleep go to "Desktop and ScreenSaver" in system preferences. Select the ScreenSaver tab and press the button marked "Hot corners". From the drop down select a corner to activate the screensaver. Then top lock the machine just push the mouse pointer to the selected corner and voila!

[Sunnz]

Wow that was quick thanks!

However, are hot corners the only way? I have already assigned them to something else I like to use...

[Sunnz]

BTW, on laptops, when I close the lid, does it goes into sleep immediately? Or does it only turns off the display?

Sometimes I can't tell if the hard disk have stop running yet when in sleep mode.

[ora]

On laptops, it goes to sleep immediately when you shut the lid.

I did find an alternative to hotcorners though at http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/maco...reen/index.php

Go down to the paragraph that starts:"But what if you don’t want to always lock your screen when the screen saver...."

Uses Keychain access and sounds perfect for what you need.

ora

[Sunnz]

More downloads?? I have been downloading many things since yesterday just to customise bits of stuff... it feels like Windows...

[ora]

What download? Its just a guide to activating keychain access sin a particular way.

In terms of the many downloads, thats cos you are trying to make the mac do things in the same way the PC did, and that tends to entail 3rd party add ons. Often happens with switchers, after a while you acclimatize to the mac world and it gets better.

[Sunnz]

Oh nevermind I just copied the shortcut to screensave to my sidebar.

I don't think I can agree with that second point... I have been using Macs and now I own one, and I always try to do things the Mac way if I could/know howto.

But it just doesn't always work, for example, the first thing I had to download was "Startup Sound Pref Pane", I mean, come on, I need to use my laptop in libraries, and I need to turn that sound off... I mean, any sane person would want to do that, not just PC people, right?

Yea, thanks for the hints and stuff!