Setting up a Mac

Every couple of years you get the opportunity to setup a new Mac. It’s typically a enjoyable process, yet it eats up some time. In order top make it a structured enjoyable process, here is my note to future-me of what I have to install, and in what order.

Note: The dev stuff is not listed here as there is an own article about installing the Dev environment.

First things first…

• Mail first, as it takes loooong to download all the emails
• Work email
• Private Email

Basic

• 1Password, 1st because everything needs passwords. Installed from AppStore.
• DropBox, early to give it time to sync.
• Swish, the window manager I am used to. Installed from their website.
• AlDente for Battery management from their Website
• iTerm - because we need it for the next steps. And make sure that zsh is the shell used.
• ssh keys from 1Password
• brew
• AnythingLLM
• ChatGPT from the OPenAI Website

• Claude from the Anthropic website

• Time thingy - don’t remember the name…

For work

• OwnCloud first, so it has time to sync. From the OwnCloud Website.
• Webex
• VPN Cisco AnyConnect
• MS Office 365, from AppStore, then login
• MS Teams (that’s not part of Office 365) from the Microsoft Teams Website
• Setup printers

Settings to adjust

• In System Settings
• Trackpad
• Touch ID
• Screen Saver
• Lock Screen
• Keyboard > Keyborad Shortcuts.
• Desktop & Dock in System Settings, Hot Corners remove all Icons from Dock

• Finder Settings and View Options

• Widgets on Desktop

• Wallet & Apple Pay