Jul 05, 2017 Install rEFInd. RELATED: How to Install Windows on a Mac With Boot Camp rEFInd is a boot manager that will allow you to choose between Mac OS X, Linux, Windows, and other operating systems when you boot your computer. Your Linux Mac should have at least 16MB of RAM, but I recommend 24MB or more. You need at least 10MB free (after Mac OS loads) to run the bootloader program at a minimum.
Lesson 21: Installing Software on Your Mac
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Installing software on your Mac
Your computer allows you to do some really amazing things. Digital photo editing, sophisticated computer gaming, video streaming—all of these things are possible because of different types of software. Developers are always creating new software applications, which allow you to do even more with your computer.
Installing from a CD-ROM
From the mid-1990s through the late 2000s, the most common way to get new software was to purchase a CD-ROM. You could then insert the disc, and the computer would walk you through through the installation.
Now, almost all software has moved away from this model. In fact, Apple no longer sells computers that include a CD-ROM drive.
Installing software from the Web
Today, the most common way to get new software is to download it from the Internet. Applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop can now be purchased and downloaded right to your computer. You can also install free software this way. For example, if you wanted to install the Google Chrome web browser, you could visit this page and click the Download button.
The installation file will usually be saved to your computer in the .dmg format. Pronounced dot d-m-g, this is the standard extension for installation files on Mac computers. You can follow the steps below to install an application from a .dmg file.
- Locate and download a .dmg file.
- Locate and select the .dmg file. (It will usually be in your Downloads folder.)
- A dialog box will appear. Click and drag the icon to your Applications folder.
- The application is now installed. You can double-click the icon to open the program.
- On the desktop, there will probably be a disk drive icon with the name of the application. This is known as a volume, and it is not needed after the application has been installed. You can simply drag it into the Trash on the dock.
Some applications will use the .pkg extension instead of .dmg—in this case, you can simply follow the instructions to install the software.
Tips for finding software
In our experience, the easiest way to find new software is to search the Web. For example, if you were looking for a way to edit some personal photos on your computer, you could run a Google search for free photo-editing software. If you're not exactly sure what kind of software you're looking for, try describing the tasks you want to complete. For example, if you wanted a way to create to-do lists and organize your appointments, you might search for something like free calendar organizer software.
The Mac App Store
If you're using macOS, you can download and install software from the Mac App Store. The Mac App Store is meant to simplify the process of locating and installing software from third-party developers—when you find an app, you won't have to do any extra work to install it.
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Don't junk your old Mac hardware just because it can no longer get new software updates. Get some new life in your old Macs with the GNU/Linux operating system! We'll show you how to 'try it before you buy it' so to speak to see how a specific version of GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, will run on your aging Mac.
Why bother trying GNU/Linux on your Mac?
I have a late 2010 MacBook Air. It's not as fast or as optically pretty as my 5K iMac nor my iPad Pro for that matter. I do, however, use it daily. I'm writing this article on it. As old as it is, it's 'good enough' for what I use it for and I still prefer the keyboard on it to the one on more modern MacBooks.
My MacBook Air just made the cutoff for being compatible with the newly released macOS High Sierra. I'm happy to know that for at least one more year, I'll be able to get the latest and greatest doodads, bells and whistles, and more importantly, I'll get the latest security updates (good thing too as while I'll write this, we've just found out that WPA2 has been cracked and clients will need to be updated with security patches).
However, Apple at one point will deem this well working, useful, good-enough MacBook Air as unworthy of any more updates. And as I understand the reasons why my venerable MacBook Air can't be supported indefinitely, I still find it to be wasteful that a decent-enough, capable, and not to mention still functioning computer be put to pasture because of lack of software updates.
This is where GNU/Linux comes in. GNU/Linux is a free and open source operating system very similar in many respects to the under-pinnings of macOS. It comes with modern networking capabilities, web browsers, and content creation tools. Not only is it known to run well with older hardware, but you will also get many years of software and security updates that you'd likely miss out on if you were to remain on a macOS-only installation.
See how well Ubuntu Linux runs on your Mac
You needn't throw out the baby with the bathwater and wipe your old Mac's hard drive clean before trying it out. All you need is a USB drive of a least 2GB in size and an internet connection to get started. Here's how to do it.
Get your USB drive ready
- Backup your Mac.
- Launch Disk Utility.
- Attach your USB key to your Mac.
- Select your External USB device from the list of volumes. (BE VERY CERTAIN YOU SELECT THE PROPER DEVICE).
- Click Erase to format your USB key.
- Name your USB key.
- Select MS-DOS (FAT) as the type of Format you wish to perform.
- Click Erase.
Download the Ubuntu Linux installation file.
- Go to the Ubuntu website.
- Click Ubuntu Desktop.
- Select the Ubuntu Linux version your prefer. If you want longterm support and stability, select Ubuntu LTS (recommended). If you prefer the latest software bells and whistles, select the non LTS Ubuntu.
- Download the file.
Prepare your USB key to run Ubuntu Linux
We now need to make the USB drive capable of booting Ubuntu Linux with special software. Ubuntu recommends using Etcher.
- Go to the Etcher website.
- Download Etcher for macOS.
- Install Etcher by double clicking the .dmg file you downloaded.
- Launch Etcher.
- Select the ubuntu install file known as an Image.
- Choose the USB drive you prepared with Select Drive.
- Click Flash to start the process.
Try Ubuntu Linux!
You're now ready to try Ubuntu linux by booting off of your newly created bootable USB key drive.
- Leave your USB Key installed into a USB port on your Mac.
- Click on the Apple Icon at the top left of your menu bar.
- Select Restart.
- When you hear the familiar 'Bing' sound press and hold the alt/option key.
- You'll see the 'Startup Manager' and you can now select to boot from the EFI Boot disk.
- Select Try Ubuntu Without Installing.
- Tap Enter.
- Ubuntu Linux will now boot up!
You'll be able to connect to Wi-Fi, browse the web, write up an article (or anything else you may want to do) without making any permanent changes to your existing hard drive. See how much you like it and you can eventually install Ubuntu side by side with your macOS install or go full bore with a Linux only installation (tutorials coming later).
What do you do with your old hardware?
I get a real kick out of repurposing old technology with new abilities. I really value the longevity of a computer system that can still run modern software. If I can keep it going beyond it's expected lifespan, I'm a happy camper. What's your take? What do you do with your old hardware? Let us know in the comments!
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Install Macos Software On Linux
Lawsuit timeGoogle faces privacy lawsuit over tracking users in apps without consent
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Law firm Boies Schiller Flexner has filed another lawsuit against Google. This time, the law firm has accused Google of tracking users in apps even after opting out.