Set up your new Mac laptop
About this article
This article provides the steps to setup your new Mac laptop. It is intended for all students and employees participating in the e-Warrior Digital Life & Learning Program.
Step 1: Hardware Overview
There are many new changes to both platforms (i.e. PC and Mac) this year that have many implications for how we use our laptops in and outside the classroom. It is strongly recommended that you check out the article New laptop and tablet feature to best support you in the use of your devices, but also to help your students who may use the other platform in your classes.
Take a look at the hardware features of your Apple MacBook Air
How to connect to a projector or second monitor
Connecting your new Mac laptop to a projector or second monitor requires a MiniDisplay Port to VGA adapter (a.k.a. dongle) to connect to the VGA port in the classroom or monitor. Once your cabling is connected you can learn all about how to configure your Display Preferences.
Step 2: Software
Operating System
The MacBook Air will come with the OS X Mavericks already installed. While there are not major changes from previous operating systems you might want to check out the following Lynda.com videos to familiarize yourself with this system.
Supported Software
Install Software from WSU Additions
Step 3: Printer setup
Connecting to WSU network printers the first time might necessitate that you plug in (Ethernet cable) within your area to see all available printers. The Setting Up Printers On A Mac article walks you through the steps of finding and making your default printer.
Step 4: Off Campus Access
To access WSU network drives, printers and software that runs on the KeyServer you must use the Cisco VPN Client to connect to WSU from off campus. To learn how to connect using Cisco VPN Client by going to this article Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
Step 5: File Storage
In addition to storing documents and other files on your laptop it is strongly suggested that you start storing these files in a combination of Cloud Storage (i.e. OneDrive for Business) and WSU network servers. The following two sections help you understand how to connect to and use these resources to store files off of your laptop in case it were stolen or broken.
Cloud Storage - OneDrive for Business
WSU's supported cloud storage. All students and employees receive 1 TB of cloud storage on Microsoft's OneDrive for Business. Note: There is also a OneDrive for consumers that you can install that is not associated with the WSU's OneDrive for Business storage.
How to access your OneDrive for Business - there are multiple ways:
- OneDrive for Business
- From WSU's main page go to Resources - Webmail
- Select OneDrive for Business
- Explorer view - Under Favorites
- OneDrive @ Winona State University
- Blue Clouds in your System Tray (this is your synced folder)
- When you save an Office document - "Save As"
- OneDrive @ Winona State University
Connecting to Network Servers
Network Servers storage is a space where employees can store content....
- Employee Department Storage (S:) Everyone in your department has Edit Rights to this drive. You can make subfolders to store your information. Access to this drive is controlled by Active Directory groups to your department.
Digital Security
- Information Security siteWSU's digital security information and policies that are pertinent to WSU employees.
- Every state employee is required to take the D2L based Public Jobs Private Data course
- Know where to store your data
- Know your data
- What is Malware?
- What is Phishing?
- Use the program KeePass to store your passwords in an encrypted database. You never want to put your passwords on a sticky note!
- Watch a Lynda video on Computer Security
- Take a workshop on Digital Security. These workshops are offered each semester, but if there are no workshops listed, you can Request a Workshop.
Step 7: Password Managment with KeePass
KeePass is WSU's recommended password safe or password manager. Click here to learn all about how KeePass works and how to install this program so that you can better manage your passwords.
Step 8: How to get additional training
Related articles
- E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program
- Receiving your first laptop and tablet
- New laptop and tablet features
- Windows 8
- PC Directory Structure
- Mac OS X Mavericks
- Restoring Printers On A PC
- Restoring Printers On A Mac
- Installing Software From The Network
- MAC File Management
- PC File Management
- Student Laptop Distribution Training