# Taking the iMac plunge: configuration advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 15, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632 "2015-11-15T15:44:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/61 "2015-12-01T21:44:38Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > New problem, and I really need help on this one. I moved the new Mac to our usual computer workplace, disconnected the old router, etc. Then hooked up the Time Machine/router as per the instructions. The amber light just keeps blinking, which, if I’m reading the instructions correctly, means that it’s not connecting. But the ethernet light is glowing green, so that can’t be it. Right now, I’m connected directly to the internet, i.e., the ethernet cable is plugged directly into the back of the computer, and I’m online with the new Mac. Any clues as to what is going on? Launch “Airport Utility” and see what it says about the Time capsule. It’s probably doing double-NAT. You need to set it to bridge mode if it’s behind a router. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/62 "2015-12-01T22:04:16Z")
Thanks, I got it working. Those have to be some of the worst product installation instructions ever. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/63 "2015-12-01T22:26:14Z")
Is there an address book for the email handler? Can’t find one. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/64 "2015-12-01T22:54:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Is there an address book for the email handler? Can’t find one. It uses the Contacts app. Email also remembers previous recipients automatically. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/65 "2015-12-01T23:43:57Z")
Thanks for all the help and suggestions throughout this thread. I’m taking the one-hour familiarization class next week, but at least everything is up and running, email is functional, etc. I still have to load my music onto iTunes, but it’s not a pressing matter. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/66 "2015-12-02T13:30:32Z")
I got a new 27in iMac a couple of weeks ago. I’m loving it EXCEPT why can’t I paste images directly into browser posts? I make a lot of forum postings using inline graphics of screenshots, and the “snip then CTRL-V” functionality (CMD-V now, obviously) on my old and slow PC laptop was sooooo much simpler than taking a screenshot, then having to save it as a file before uploading it. Is it just a Safari bug or is this just something that doesn’t work on Macs? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/67 "2015-12-02T13:56:41Z")
Sounds like a Browser thing to me. Have you tried dragging-and-dropping? Or, try FireFox - it may be something that Safari doesn’t support (Safari definitely supports dragging and copying images, so it’s the pasting that is the issue). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/68 "2015-12-02T22:40:05Z")
Minor annoyance: the Mac doesn’t seem to like my USB hub (which is 2.0). Does it need a hub specifically made for the OS? ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/69 "2015-12-03T02:15:16Z")
Nope. USB is OS-agnostic. Try a new cable between the iMac and the hub. My experience is that the Mac hardware sometimes is less forgiving of less-than-perfect cables. Another option: get a USB 3.0 unit. The speed difference when using external USB 3.0 hard drives/thumb drives is quite noticeable. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/70 "2015-12-03T03:11:08Z")
> [@Caractacus\_Pott](#): > > Nope. USB is OS-agnostic. Try a new cable between the iMac and the hub. My experience is that the Mac hardware sometimes is less forgiving of less-than-perfect cables. Another option: get a USB 3.0 unit. The speed difference when using external USB 3.0 hard drives/thumb drives is quite noticeable. It will have to be something that tolerates 2.0, as my old peripherals are 2.0. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/71 "2015-12-03T06:01:08Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > I make a lot of forum postings using inline graphics of screenshots, and the “snip then CTRL-V” functionality (CMD-V now, obviously) on my old and slow PC laptop was sooooo much simpler than taking a screenshot, then having to save it as a file before uploading it. [All you need](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201361). You can take shots to the clipboard without saving as a file first. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/72 "2015-12-03T06:17:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It will have to be something that tolerates 2.0, as my old peripherals are 2.0. It shouldn’t matter. USB 2.0 and 3.0 should both work. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/73 "2015-12-03T19:22:11Z")
Finally got the Outlook Contacts transferred over; had to go online for a step-by-step procedure, and it still took me several tries to get it right. That pretty much takes care of file transfers, which is a relief. ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/74 "2015-12-04T01:41:06Z")
Congrats, **Chefguy**! Now onto the fun stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/75 "2015-12-04T11:03:42Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > [All you need](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201361). You can take shots to the clipboard without saving as a file first. That’s not the problem. I can take the screenshot just fine, and it’s there in the clipboard (I can paste it into Photoshop or whatever). But CMD-V won’t paste the image into Safari when I’m writing a post, on sites that always used to let me do just that. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/76 "2015-12-04T13:36:19Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > That’s not the problem. I can take the screenshot just fine, and it’s there in the clipboard (I can paste it into Photoshop or whatever). But CMD-V won’t paste the image into Safari when I’m writing a post, on sites that always used to let me do just that. :eek: I had no idea that that was even possible. I even use Windows at work, and, um, maybe sometimes post on sites from there. It never occurred to me that I could paste images into a text editor. Anyway, sorry I couldn’t be of help! ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/77 "2015-12-04T16:33:56Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > That’s not the problem. I can take the screenshot just fine, and it’s there in the clipboard (I can paste it into Photoshop or whatever). But CMD-V won’t paste the image into Safari when I’m writing a post, on sites that always used to let me do just that. Try Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Pasting images to a browser is a fairly unusual capability; it requires that both the browser and the site have support for the process, and it’s non-standard to boot, so has to be coded differently for different browsers. Even on Windows, compatibility issues come up often enough to make it useful to have all three installed (and there’s a trick below for switching between them). Chrome: [Google Chrome - The Fast & Secure Web Browser Built to be Yours](https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.html) Firefox: [Internet for people, not profit — Mozilla (US)](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/) (download Firefox button in upper right) Lots of sites don’t either test against Safari or assume that Safari is coming from a mobile device, so I’d try a different browser. Using a different browser (even if just for that one site) is probably easier in the long run, but you can also try this trick that’s handy for other sites that forget there are non-Windows computers out there: First, go to the menu Safari-\>Preferences, Advanced Tab, and check the little box at the bottom that says “Show Develop menu in menu bar.” You only have to do this once, it just adds a “Develop” menu to Safari. Most of the stuff in there is only useful to developers and you can ignore it almost all the time, but… On the Develop Menu, there are two sub-menus (right at the top) that are useful: 1. If you’ve got other browsers installed, the top one (Open Page With…) will transfer the _current_ page to another browser so you don’t have to copy/paste URLS and overwrite the image you’re trying to paste, and don’t have to waste space on your dock for the browser icons you rarely use. 2. The second option (“User Agent”) allows you to specify the string that gets sent to web sites identifying what OS and Browser you’re using. It’s actually often the case that Safari _does_ allow some capability or display, but the person who built the site never bothered to test on it, and just shut the capability off for everything that’s not whatever their favorite browser is. Changing the User Agent (you can see the possibilities listed on the menu) allows you to “lie” to the site and effectively say “Safari? Never heard of that. I’m Internet Explorer, doncha know? Just send me Internet Explorer stuff and we’ll be fine.” The User Agent trick isn’t a compatibility mode – it doesn’t actually turn Safari into Internet explorer. It just gets around stupid sites–and there are a lot of them–that turn off or don’t provide functionality for certain browsers that those browsers are fully capable of performing. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/78 "2015-12-04T17:05:21Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > That’s not the problem. I can take the screenshot just fine, and it’s there in the clipboard (I can paste it into Photoshop or whatever). But CMD-V won’t paste the image into Safari when I’m writing a post, on sites that always used to let me do just that. It might help to know the site… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/79 "2015-12-04T22:12:03Z")
Another Mac question: is it possible to enlarge the menu bar at the top? It’s ridiculously tiny. I was able to make the font in emails larger, and also web pages, but don’t see how to make it work with the menu bar. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632/80 "2015-12-05T00:57:29Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Another Mac question: is it possible to enlarge the menu bar at the top? It’s ridiculously tiny. I was able to make the font in emails larger, and also web pages, but don’t see how to make it work with the menu bar. The only thing you can do to make the menu bar larger, pretty much, is to change the display resolution. A not-exactly workaround is turning off the menu bar transparency (if you haven’t already) which won’t make the menu bar larger, but will make it more visible/readable. You can do this in System Preferences \> Accessibility \> Display \> check Reduce Transparency. Here’s something else you can try. It will set up a keyboard shortcut to automatically zoom in the display wherever the cursor goes. Go to System Preferences \> Accessibility \> Zoom. 1. Check Smooth images. 2. Set Zoom Style to picture-in-picture. 3. Click More Options. 4. For Window position check Stationary. 5. Check Enable temporary zoom. 6. Click Adjust Size and Location. 7. Place the box at the very top left of the screen and set its window size however large you want it. 8. Click OK in the ebox. 9. Click Done. If I gave the right instructions, all you have to do now is press and hold Control-Option to automatically invoke the Zoom function. Scroll in or out to increase or decrease the level of magnification. Once you find a level of magnification you’re comfortable with, you shouldn’t have to scroll again- it will remember how far in you are magnified the next time you invoke the Zoom. Then just throw the cursor to the top of screen to the menu bar and you’re set. Releasing Control-Option will take you out of Zoom mode and put you back to normal. You might want to go back and resize the zoom window to your liking (step 7). For example, you can expand it to the whole screen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-the-imac-plunge-configuration-advice/737632.md?page=3)