Meeting Notes - Oct 15, 2003

What's New by Mikio Moriyasu

New Apple Software
Mac OS X 10.2.8 Update (Build 6r73) delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: Audio, Bluetooth, Classic compatibility, Finder, Graphics, LDAP, Power Management, Safari, and FireWire and USB device compatibility. It also includes an updated ethernet driver for 450MHz and 500MHz dual processor Power Mac G4 desktop systems and an update to the battery status menu.

Mac OS X 10.2.8 Combo Update (Build 6r73) delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, utilities, services, and technologies: Audio, Address Book, AppleScript, Bluetooth, Classic compatibility, Disk Copy, Disk Utility, Finder, Graphics, Help Viewer, iChat, Image Capture, IP Firewall, Kerberos, Mail, OpenGL, Print Center, Rendezvous, Safari, and Sherlock.

Mac OS X 10.2.8 Update - Ethernet & Battery Pack (Build 6r73) includes an updated ethernet driver for 450MHz and 500MHz dual processor Power Mac G4 desktop systems and an update to the battery status menu.

Mac OS X 10.2.8 (G5) Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: AirPort, Bluetooth, LDAP, and FireWire and USB device compatibility.The update also provides updated security services and includes the latest Security Updates

Mac OS X 10.2.8 Server Update (Build 6r73) delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following services and technologies: Open Directory Password Server, LDAP, and FireWire and USB device compatibility. It also includes an updated ethernet driver for 450MHz and 500MHz dual processor Power Mac G4 desktop systems and an update to the battery status menu.

Mac OS X 10.2.8 Server Update Combo (Build 6r73) delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, utilities, services, and technologies: AFP, SMB and NFS file services, Apache, IP Firewall, Kerberos, Macintosh Manager, Mail services, NetBoot, Network Install, Open Directory, Print services, QuickTime Streaming Server, Rendezvous and Workgroup Manager.

Software Notes
Timbuktu 6.0.3 for OS X will not be compatible with Panther. According to Netopia, "We plan to release a Timbuktu version for Panther before the end of this year. We understand that this is a longer time than Timbuktu customers have become accustomed to waiting with prior OS updates, but it is within the originally anticipated time frame for Panther's release. In addition, we plan a number of new features for this release, currently planned for December, 2003."

Apple has posted an update to its Developer Tools package that includes the new GCC 3.3 compiler in addition to other updates that will allow development of G5 optimized code with the December 2002 Mac OS X Developer Tools. In order to download the update, you need to be a member of the free online Apple Developer program. You must visit http://connect.apple.com, fill out registration (if you are not a member), and then select the GCC update from the available list of software.

Microsoft's MacBU division recently launched a new Compatibility Center featuring case studies, success stories, how-to articles, plus key results from the Answer Research survey and a new IDC report "designed to provide education and awareness about the pitfalls of incompatibility and the solutions that can help make this problem a distant memory." Read more.

Hardware News
Daystar Technology has expanded its G4 system upgrade technology to include the Apple PowerBook G3 2000 series, also known as the "Pismo" PowerBook, or the PowerBook G3 FireWire. Prices are $289 for a 500 Mhz version and $329 for a 550 MHz version. Read more.

Certain FireWire 800 expansion cards from some manufacturers can prevent deep sleep on certain Macintosh models. FireWire Depot reports that the following PCI host adapters can go into deep sleep:

• IOI-4601 dual channel PCI
• IOI-4602 dual channel PCI
• U2FW-PCI01 FireWire/USB2 combo PCI

Read more.

Problems
Final Cut Pro 4.0.2 is crashing on start-up for some users when loading audio plug-ins. One known cause is the plug-in Reaktor.component from the Reaktor 4 softsynth. There are also reports that the MasterVerb.component and the
TrackPlug.component may also cause crashes as well. The only solution is to either remove these plug-ins or revert to version 4.0 which does not have the problem. Removing these plug-ins will remove those function from your audio editors that use Apple's Audio Units. Final Cut Pro plug-ins can be found in these locations:

• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
• ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
  

A number of users who have applied the pulled Mac OS X 10.2.8 update have experienced genuinely decreased battery capacity. A few have had success "calibrating" their batteries The procedure for re-calibrating is to first fully charge your PowerBook, then disconnect it from the external power source and run it until there is no power left (the machine goes to sleep). Then connect the adapter and full recharge. Full details regarding this procedure and why it should be done on a regular basis can be found in Apple Knowledge Base article #86284.

QuickTime content streamed from Mac OS X may not be accessed by Windows XP clients because of the built-in Windows XP firewall. Those affected request the data but do not get any kind of response from the server. In the end, stream times out and never plays. To correct the problem, go to the Network control panel in XP, open the Properties window, go to the Advanced tab, and see if the firewall is enabled. If so, disabling it will very probably restore QuickTime streaming to proper functionality. Those who wish to keep firewall protection can customize the settings to allow QuickTime streaming packets, normally UDP port 554, to pass the firewall.

10.2 in Brief
Mac OS X " Panther " will be available in retail stores at 8pm on Friday, October 24, 2003. Orders placed on the online Apple Store will get "evening delivery on October 24." Apple will be holding Panther events at its retail stores the night of the release, from 8pm to midnight. Panther Server will also be available on the same day.

Apple's Mac OS X Up-To-Date page has been updated with details about Panther upgrades. According to the Web page, anyone who has purchased a PowerMac G5 (regardless of the date of purchase), and anyone who purchases any qualifying Mac on or after October 8, 2003 can upgrade to Panther for a "shipping and handling" fee of $19.95. Read more.

MacFixIt reports that Apple may be flexible about the date of purchase for the "qualifying Mac". Mac OS X Up-To-Date was indicating that it was using the invoice date, rather than the purchase date, to determine eligibility but this may not be case. Individuals who purchased and received a new Mac or PowerBook recently, but prior to October 8, reported that after contacting Apple by phone, they were able to obtain the special upgrade pricing.

General News
Within thee years, 65 percent of bank ATMs that dispense cash (not including free-standing machines in places like convenience stores and casinos) in the United States will run on the Windows operating system, according to a study published last week. Read more.

Some of the nation's leading computer science and network security experts today issued a report warning that the computers and critical technological infrastructure worldwide are increasingly vulnerable to attack because of the security practices and dominance of Microsoft software in desktop computing. Read more.

Cool Stuff
Grandtec USA has a USB powered hand-held massager designed to ease stress, pain, and fatigue when sitting at the computer. The USB Vibe. It is available at CompUSA for $9.99. Read more.

Mikio's entire presentation including a complete list of new Apple and third-party software since March, new Apple hardware releases, Apple retail news, and other Apple related topics can be found on the main Mac Managers web site at: http://www.macos.utah.edu or select from the options listed below:

Sassafras Software KeyServer 6.0 (K2) Overview by Scott Doenges

Used at the largest networks world-wide since 1990, KeyServer is the most widely used network-independent software license management tool for Windows, Macintosh (9 & X), and thin-client based computers. KeyServer has earned its reputation as one of the most stable, flexible, and comprehensive network management programs available and is the license management tool of choice for SCL Mac Support as well as other departments on the U of U campus.

Building upon the rock-solid foundation of KeyServer's 14-year history of reliability and compatibility, Sassafras recently debuted "K2". This new management package is a Mac OS X native, thoroughly integrated solution for automated software auditing and software usage management that includes KeyServer 6.0 and the all new KeyAuditor.

Scott's presentation is based on his ongoing work he is conducting for the Student Computing Labs Mac Support Group as it migrates from KeyServer 5.x to K2. His complete presentation is available for viewing on the Mac Managers web site at: http://www.macos.utah.edu in the "Documentation" section. You can also select from the options listed below:

Sorenson Squeeze & Video Compression by Randon Morford General Product Manager Sorenson Media

Due to circumstances beyond his control, Randon was unable to attend this month's meeting and demonstrate Sorenson Squeeze 3.1 and how it can be used for video compression.

He expressed his sincere apologies to the group and looks forward to hopefully presenting at another meeting. We are working to reschedule Randon for either the November or December meetings.

Other Issues

Upcoming Events
Sassafras Software Keyserver (K2) Webcast

• Location: http://www.macosxlabs.org
• Presenters: John Tomeny, Sassafras; Denis Devlin, Sassafras; Ethan Benatan, Reed College
• Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2003
• Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am PDT; 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT (17:00 - 18:30 UTC/GMT)
• Click here for session information
• Click here for information on how to participate.

O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference

• Location: Westin Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
• Date: Oct 27-30, 2003
• Type: Conference
• Fee: Click here for registration information.
• Topics: Click here for the conference schedule and here for the exhibitor's list.
  
  SCL Mac Support's own James Reynolds will be one of the presenters at this year's O'Reilly Conference. He will present during the session entitled Migration to Mac OS X, A Case Study of Higher Education Institutions being held on Wed, Oct 29th at 1:45pm (Pacific)
  
  James will detail how to setup desirable automation tasks such as configuring the computer so that at every login, the computer looks and acts the same, including installing a clean home folder, setting display resolution, and resetting the printer settings. He will also discuss many other tasks that are performed at login, logout, startup, idle time, after maintenance runs, and specific times using cron.
  

Driven by Design Seminar

• Location: Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
• Date: Nov 4, 2003
• Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (US Mountain)
• Type: Seminar
• Fee: Free
• Topics: Click here for registration information.
  

If there is a topic you would like to see discussed at a future Mac Managers Meeting, please let us know here.