OS X and Windows 7: Ten Cross-Platform Activities

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OS X and Windows 7 Ten Cross-Platform Activities

• June Parsons

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Why cross-platform activities?

• You have some students with Window, but others
  have Macs
• Youd like students to use both platforms
• Your school is switching platforms

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How do I use cross-platform activities?

• Students can complete each activity on their own
  computer, whether it is Windows- or Mac-based.
• If students have access to both types of
  computers, they can complete the activities on
  both and compare.

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The Gotchas
Mac OSX Windows 7
Delete is Backspace
Command key Control key
Screen title bar Window title bar
Dock Start menu
Notification upper-right Notification upper-left
Finder Windows Explorer
.app .exe
Single-button mouse Dual-button mouse
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Project 1 What do I have to work with?

• Objective Use the Start menu and/or Dock to
  become familiar with available applications

Mac OSX Windows
How many applications are listed on the Start menu or Dock?
What are the five applications you use most frequently?
How do you open an application? Click Click
How do you know when an application is open? Blue light under icon Icon on taskbar
In addition to applications, what other items are listed on the Start menu or Dock? Folders, Downloads, docs, Trash Folders, pinned items
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Project 2 How powerful is my computer?

• Objective Use the appropriate system utility to
  view the basic hardware and software
  specifications for a computer so that you can
  comparative shop and also prepare for technical
  support sessions

Mac OSX Windows
What is the computer brand and model?
What type of processor?
What is the processor speed?
How much RAM capacity?
What version of the operating system?
Windows Control Panel-gtSystem-gt Windows 7
Experience Index Mac Apple icon-gtAbout this Mac
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Project 3 How do the windows work?

• Objective Access application features easily
  using menus.

Mac OSX Windows
When an application is open, where is its menu? Top of screen Top of application window
When you have two apps open, can you see the menus for both? No Yes
Does the window represent an application or a document? Document Window
If you click the X button, does the application close? No Yes
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Project 4 Is my computers hard disk getting
full?

• Objective Determine the amount of space used by
  files on a computers hard disk.

Mac OSX Windows
What is the capacity of your computers hard disk?
How much space is currently allocated to files?
What is the file system or disk format? Mac OS Extended NTFS
Windows Start-gtComputer-gtright-click C drive-gt
Properties Mac Finder-gtright-click Macintosh
HD-gt Get Info
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Project 5 What is my computers network status?

• Objective Discover what network connections are
  available for reaching other local computers or
  the Internet.

Mac OSX Windows
Does your computer have an active network connection?
What is your computer's IPv4 address?
What IP address is displayed as your Internet IP address? whatsmyip.org whatsmyip.org
Windows Start button-gt Network and Sharing
Center-gtConnections Mac Apple icon-gtSystem
Preferences-gtNetwork
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Project 6 How fast is my Internet connection?

• Objective Find out if youre getting the speed
  advertised by your ISP.

Mac OSX Windows
What is the average ping time? Finder-gtApplications-gtUtilities-gtTerminal-gtping -c 4 www.google.com Start button-gtCommand-gtping www.google.com
How many hops does it take for your a packet to get to Google? ...traceroute www.google.com ...traceroute www.google.com
What is the capacity of your Internet connection? www.speedtest.net www.speedtest.net
How does the actual capacity compare to the speed advertised by your ISP? myspeed.visualware.com select VoIP myspeed.visualware.com select VoIP
You can also check VoIP speed, jitter, and
packet loss at myspeed.visualware.com select
VoIP
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Project 7 Where are my files?

• Objective Use the optimal default folders to
  store and organize your files.

Mac OSX Windows
What default folders are supplied by your OS? Applications, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Library, Movies, Music, Pictures, Public, Sites Desktop, Favorites, Downloads, My Documents,My Music, My Videos, My Pictures
What is the hierarchy of folders for a document stored in the My Documents or Documents folder?
What is a library? A folder that holds system-related files and other folders. Holds pointers to other files and folders.
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Project 8 Are my files safe?

• Objective Find out which security features are
  active to protect your files..

Mac OSX Safari Windows IE
What is the status of your computers firewall? Apple icon-gtSystem Preferences-gtSecurity-gtFirewall Start-gtControlPanel-gtSystem and Security
Is antivirus software running?
When was the last system scan?
When was your antivirus software last updated?
When was your virus database last updated?
Is your browser blocking pop-ups? Safari-gtPreferences-gtSecurity Start button-gtpop-up-gt Block or allow pop-ups
Is your browser blocking third-party cookies? Safari-gtPreferences-gtSecurity Start button-gtcookies-gtblock or allow third-party cookies
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Project 9 Is my identity safe?

• Objective Check your risk of identity theft.

Mac OSX Safari Windows IE
Does your browser provide location information? Safari-gtPreferences-gtSecurity Start button-gtLocation and Other Sensors
How do you delete cookies? Safari-gtPreferences-gtSecurity-gtShow Cookies-gtRemove All Start button-gtCookies select Delete cookies or temporary files
How many social networking services do you belong to?
Read the privacy policy for one of your social networking sites. Who can gain access to your information?
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Project 10 How do I backup my files and software?

• Objective Use supplied software to backup files.

Mac OSX Windows
What software is supplied by your OS for backing up files? Time Machine Backup and Restore
How do you select files and make other backup settings? Right-click Time Machine icon and select Open Time Machine Preferences Open Backup and Restore, use the Set Backup link or Change settings link
When was your last backup?
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Project 7 Where are my files?

• Objective Use the optimal default folders to
  store and organize your files.

Mac OSX Windows
What default folders are supplied by your OS? Applications, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Library, Movies, Music, Pictures, Public, Sites Desktop, Favorites, Downloads, My Documents,My Music, My Videos, My Pictures,
What is the hierarchy of folders for a document stored in the My Documents or Documents folder?
What is a library? displayed as your Internet IP address? A folder that holds system-related files and other folders Holds pointers to other files and folders.
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Look for these activities in New Perspectives on
Computer Concepts TRY IT!s
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