Mac OS X Panther in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition

Name

System Status

Synopsis

Find out how long my system has been running?

Use the uptime command:

MacChuck:~ chuck$ uptime
3:34PM  up  10:09, 2 users, load averages: 0.09, 0.12, 0. 09

The uptime command displays, in the following order: the current time, how long the system has been running (up 10:09, or 10 hours 9 minutes), the number of users logged in to the system, and the load averages on the processor.

Display the battery status for my PowerBook in the menu bar?

System Preferences→Energy Saver→select the checkbox next to “Show battery status in menu bar”

Display a volume control in the menu bar?

System Preferences→Sound→select the checkbox next to “Show volume in menu bar”

Change the name of my computer?

System Preferences→Sharing→enter the new name for your computer in the Computer Name text field

Automatically check for updates to the system?

System Preferences→Software Update→Update Software→select the checkbox next to “Check for updates” and then select the frequency (Daily, Weekly, Monthly) from the pop-up menu

Automatically download important updates, such as system and security updates?

System Preferences→Software Update→Update Software→select the checkbox next to “Download important updates in the background”

View a list of the updates I’ve installed on my Mac?

System Preferences→Software Update→Installed Updates

Have an application start up automatically after I log in?

System Preferences→Accounts→select your username in the left column→Startup Items→the Add button (the one with a plus ...