Project 2 Plan
My chosen instruction set will be about how to reset the administrator password on a mac. "How to reset any user's password on a Mac"
My Obvious Goal
- The reader should be able to easily reset their password.
My persuasive Goal
- The reader should be more satisfied with Apple and likely be able to help someone else with the same question.
Audience Analysis
- What will these instructions help me do?
They will help you reset your password.
- Is there anything special I need to know to be able to use these
instructions effectively?
No. You should be able to do these instructions without any additional knowledge.
- If I’m working with equipment, where are the parts I need to use?
No.
- What materials, equipment, and tools do I need?
None.
- Once I’m ready to start, what—exactly—do I do?
Follow a simple series of key presses and button clicks to finish the process.
- Something isn’t working correctly. How do I fix it?
Follow a simple set of guidelines.
Potential Research
I will probably do some hands on screen-shots and do the process on my own computer, but I already know the process pretty well and can easily describe it.
Community Analysis
Comparable wiki's:
The articles listed above both address resetting passwords for two distinct security features of the Mac. The first one is a great solution only for the person who feels confident typing out command line prompts within the "single-user" mode of a Mac. I would strongly caution against this method for the every-day user, though, because it can be potentially fatal to your system if you make a mistake. My instructions would provide an extremely safe alternative that doesn't risk your losing any data. The second one shows you how to change your "keychain" password, but not how to completely reset your password if you forgot it. My set of instructions will cause you to lose your current keychain, which means that any saved passwords from your internet browser within your keychain will be lost if you can't remember your old password. (The keychain stores passwords from your internet browser if you want your computer to automatically log you in to various websites.)
Good ideas to borrow: I like the way the screen-shots have large, red arrows. I'll most likely employ the same strategy.
Bad ideas to avoid: I will avoid adding any superfluous details about the way the system works. People won't care, and it distracts from the instructions.
Draft of Steps and Procedures
Step 1: Shut down computer
Step 2: Start up computer and immediately hold down the "Command" and "R" keys.
Step 3: Select "Terminal" from the "Utilities" menu.
Step 4: Type "passwordreset"
Step 5: Select the username for the user you want to reset.
Step 6: Click "Reset Password" and enter your new password.
Step 7: Restart your mac.
I would use my phone camera or take screen shots like this:
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