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1: System Preferences

Apple has always emphasized the importance of placing the user first. So, why wouldn't Apple give the user the ability to customize your computer? That is where the System Preferences come into play. You can configure many options within the System Preferences Application.

There are two ways you can access System Preferences:

Click on the Apple Menu -> System preferences

or

Click on the System Preferences icon in the Dock.

This will open the System Preferences Application

As you can see, it is broken down into four categories: Personal, Hardware, Internet & Network, and System. Sometimes you will have an application that has its own system preference settings and that will be shown in a fifth category of Other.

Personal preferences enable you to configure options on how the user interface is displayed.
Hardware preferences enable you to configure how certain hardware devices (CD-ROM, keyboard, etc…) work.
Internet & Network preferences enable you to configure options related to Internet and Network connections.
System preferences enable you to control your computer’s operation.
Other preferences are for other applications that are not installed with OS X.

To show all preference options again, simply click the Show All button in the toolbar.

As with any application, to quit you will choose the System Preference’s Menu -> Quit.