Meeting Notes - May 19, 2004

What's New by Mikio Moriyasu

New Apple Software
AirPort Update 3.4.1 - Turbocharged with the latest wireless technology, 802.11g, to deliver data rates of up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps).

Apple CHUD Tools 3.5.1 - This is a set of utilities that can be invaluable in solving some troubleshooting issues. CHUD stands for Computer Hardware Understanding Development.

Backup 2.0.2 - Adds performance and stability improvements to scheduled backups and is recommended for all Backup 2.0 users.

Final Cut Pro HD 4.5 - This is highly recommended for all Final Cut Pro 4 users.

FireWire Audio Driver Update 1.0.8 - Recommended for users of FireWire audio devices built on the BridgeCo Enhanced Breakout Box (BeBoB), including the FA-101 from Roland/Edirol.

GarageBand 1.1 - Addresses isolated performance and stability issues.

iBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 - This update fixes a compatibility issue that may exist with applications that use OpenGL and is recommended for the 12-inch 1GHz, and 14-inch 1.2GHz iBook G4.

iMovie for Mac OS X 4.0.1 - This update is highly recommended for all uses of iMovie 4.

iPod Update 2004-04-28 - iPod Update 2004-04-28 supports all models of iPod and iPod mini introduced before April 28, 2004.

iTunes 4.5 - Already the best jukebox software in the world, with the best music store inside — and it keeps getting better.

Java Update 1.4.2 - Provides support for Sun’s Java 1.4.2 APIs.

Security Update 2004-05-03 (10.3.3 Client) - Delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

Security Update 2004-05-03 (10.2.8 Client) - Delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

Security Update 2004-05-03 (10.3.3 Server) - Delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

Security Update 2004-05-03 (10.2.8 Server) - Delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

SoftRAID 3.0.3 is server quality RAID software. The new version provides performance enhancements

QuickTime Update 6.3.1 - Delivers enhanced support for iTunes and other QuickTime-based applications. For Mac OS X v.10.1.5 users.

QuickTime 6.5.1 - Apple’s award-winning software for creating, playing, and streaming high-quality audio and video over the Internet.

Software Notes
VersionTracker Pro 3.5 is a desktop app that finds, downloads, installs software updates. The latest release has download sharing via Rendezvous and a new preview pane.

Apple has announced a new contest for users of its Keynote presentation software. "Show Apple what you love. Create a killer presentation expressing your favorite passion, using Keynote - Apple's innovative presentation tool. You could win a 23-inch HD Cinema Display or up to $1,000 from the iTunes Music Store." Read More.

FileMaker Pro (7.0v1) - MacFixit reports that words in a text field are split (not divided) at the right edge of a text field with the text aligned left. Changing the font size/alignment only creates new splits in different words. FileMaker support document #109043 offers a fix for this issue.

They are either unable to update to the new version or burning a new DiskWarrior 3.0.3 startup CD with the new version. While there is no official solution for the update issues, for users experiencing burn problems, Alsoft offers the following suggestion:

• If the Update utility appears to have successfully updated the image, but simply refuses to burn a new CD, do not quit the Update utility yet. First choose Go -> Go to Folder... in the Finder. Type /private/tmp and click the Go button. This will take you to the /private/tmp folder.
• There should be a disk image file (ending in .dmg) in that folder. Copy or move it to your Desktop. (After doing this, it's safe to quit the Update utility.)
• Launch Disk Utility (/Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility).
• In Disk Utility, choose Images -> Burn..., choose the disk image file you just copied to the Desktop, and click Open.
• Burn the image to disc.
  

According to a Mac Observer story, Virtual PC 7, originally announced as part of Microsoft Office 2004, will not be available until "the second half of 2004." Read more.

The French Mac site, MacBidouille, reports that Virtual PC 7.0 will support dual processor Macintosh systems in addition to featuring G5 compatibility and optimization. The software is also said to boast improved support and management of peripherals, with an increased focus on USB peripherals. The new version will manage and support graphic cards, natively.

Hardware News
Dr. Bott has commenced shipment of the VGAtor which lets you use all PowerBooks with a built-in VGA port as well as PC notebooks with Apple's family of ADC flat-panel displays. VGAtor is priced at US$300. Read More.

Apple has updated the FAQ for its iBook logic board repair extension program. Specific iBook models manufactured between May 2002 and October 2003 that are experiencing specific component failures are now eligible for the program. Read More.

A source indicates that the next generation iPod will have extensive video capabilities. According to the source, "When a user connects one end of the video-cable into the iPod's new dock connector and the other end into the TV, it will switch the iPod into video mode." In this mode, the player will somehow function in FireWire hard disk mode allowing users to display video clips located in the iPod's 'movies' directory - such as movie trailers and personal iMovie creations - on the television screen. Likewise, sources said that the new player, along with its rumored color screen, will also allow users manage or preview photos on the iPod display or TV screen. Support for the next generation iPod's "Home on iPod" technology is rumored to be released in a hefty update to Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, labeled Mac OS X 10.3.5.

Issues
Macworld UK covers the malware for Mac OS X that is disguised as an installer for a "demo" version of Microsoft Word 2004. The malware is simply an AppleScript application with a custom installer icon. When the application is launched, it uses AppleScript's ability to execute Unix shell commands in order to run a command that deletes the user's home folder. Since the user is the owner of his/her home directory, no authentication is needed. Read More.

On a related note, Intego has announced that the latest virus definitions for its VirusBarrier X anti-virus utility have been updated to protect against this trojan. We expect other OS X anti-virus developers to announce similar updates soon. Read More.

Macfixit has been recording issue encountered by readers following the application of the Security Update 2004-05-03.

• SMTP mail accounts - A variety of connectivity issues with Apple's Mail.app and MIcrosoft's Entourage. Some have had success by repairing disk permissions repair using Apple's Disk Utility or by deleting problematic applications' .plist files (located in ~/Library/Preferences).
• Kernal panics that have no concrete triggering actions side from launching certain applications. Some have had success by repairing disk permissions repair using Apple's Disk Utility or by deleting problematic applications' .plist files (located in ~/Library/Preferences).
• Broken Airport connectivity and/or Base Station connection instability
• Issues opening specific (or all) applications. For some, deleting cache files with a utility like Cocktail or Panther Cache Cleaner restores functionality.
  

Comcast has unveiled a new service dubbed "Home Networking" that simply allows users to share the company's high-speed cable Internet connection, printers and other devices, and provide other functionality. According to the company's technical support department, official support is forthcoming.

Some users report that iMovie 4.0.x is unable to export digital video to some camcorders after specific Final Cut Pro updates - Pro Application Support and Final Cut Pro HD. Those affected receive the message "Lost Connection to Camera - iMovie lost its connection to the video camera. Please check the connections and try again." One reported fix calls for the removal of two files:

• /Library/QuickTime/DesktopVideoOut.component
• /Library/QuickTime/DVCPROHDVideoOutput.component
  

While iMovie/DV camera functionality is regained, it is uncertain what this does to other apps including FCP.

General News
Wired News profiles several Windows XP enthusiast sites that are attempting to replicate the Mac OS X look and feel through theme packages and other mechanisms. Read More.

Anxious investors are scrambling to determine the valuation of Google Inc. when it sells an estimated $2.7 billion in stock through a Dutch auction of previously unseen size. Read More.

On a related note, CNET has a round-up of coverage for Google's upcoming, projected US $2.7 billion IPO including information on how individual investors get in on the action. Read More.

WWDC conference schedule, pre-conference sessions Apple has posted preliminary conference schedule for WWDC, as well as a listing of the full slate of evening events planned. There are also a number of free pre-conference workshops scheduled for Sunday, but Apple says "space is limited, and these valuable bonus sessions are always popular." Read More.

Cool Stuff
The coolest thing about Nippura's 'Blue Ocean' rear projection screens isn't their visual acuity but the fact that they've leveraged their extensive acrylic forming expertise to make screens that are not only frame-less, but can be molded into different shapes.

Nippura Blue Ocean Projection Screens
Nippura Curved Panel Design

NTT DoCoMo showed off a new concept phone with a swiveling screen that can be twisted into a widescreen mode, better suited for viewing movies and other media. It also has an iPod-like touch-sensitive control wheel. 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 in the "Mac Managers Meetings - Previous Notes " section at: http://www.macos.utah.edu or select from the options listed below:

Mac OS X Security Vulnerability by Scott Doenges

The issue revolves around two URI handlers, 'help' and 'disk.' The first allows any AppleScript on the user's machine to be run, while the second allows users to mount a disk image automatically over a network.

Significant new information regarding this vulnerability is now available. For specifics, please examine Scott's updated report which is available for viewing on the Mac Managers web site in the "Mac Managers - Documentation" section at: http://www.macos.utah.edu. You can also select from the options listed below:

SSL Certificates by Mike Yocom

SSL is the standard method for secure web traffic. It provides a framework for data encryption, which prevents malicious third-parties from obtaining sensitive information, two methods for verifying that messages have not been tampered with in transit, and clients can authenticate the identity of the server they are connecting to, and servers can optionally require the clients to authenticate their identities.

Mike's presentation is based on research he conducted for the Student Computing Labs Mac Support Group. His complete report is available for viewing on the Mac Managers web site in the "Mac Managers - Documentation" section at: http://www.macos.utah.edu. You can also select from the options listed below:

NetRestore 1.5 Overview by Scott Doenges

NetRestore is a powerful, flexible, and extensible tool that can be used to quickly and accurately restore a master disk image to a computer's hard disk. This can be done using a disk image is hosted locally, on a network via AFP, or on the internet via HTTP. The latest version of NetRestore features a new helper tool for easily creating master disk images and NetInstall-Restore image sets.

Scott's presentation is based on a more detailed evaluation he conducted for the Student Computing Labs Mac Support Group. His complete report is available for viewing on the Mac Managers web site in the "Mac Managers - Documentation" section at: http://www.macos.utah.edu. You can also select from the options listed below:

Patch Management: Part I by Richard Glaser

Patch Management, is the process of inventorying software, monitoring & assessing software updates, tracking installation, and distribution software updates. Patch Management is usually considered a critical issue on Windows systems due to the recent and multiple exploits, but is also a concern to those managing Mac OS X.

The first part of Richard's presentation is based on a more detailed evaluation he conducted for the Student Computing Labs Mac Support Group. His complete report is available for viewing on the Mac Managers web site in the "Mac Managers - Documentation" section at: http://www.macos.utah.edu. You can also select from the options listed below:

WWDC 2004

Apple World Wide Developers Conference 2004

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Date: June 28-July 2, 2004
• Registration Information: Click here
• Technical Tracks Information: Click here

Richard Glaser of University of Utah and Philip Rinehart of Yale University, two macosxlabs project steering members, will be presenting an Enterprise IT session on "Best Practices for Application Distribution" at Apple's WWDC 2004 in San Francisco, CA. For update-to-date information see the Enterprise IT schedule.

James Reynolds will also be attending WWDC along with Richard. If you have an issue or suggestion that you want addressed to Apple, please submit a one or two sentence description by no later than Monday, May 31st here.

All submissions will be consolidated into a common list.

WWDC conference schedule, pre-conference sessions Apple has posted preliminary conference schedule for WWDC, as well as a listing of the full slate of evening events planned. There are also a number of free pre-conference workshops scheduled for Sunday, but Apple says "space is limited, and these valuable bonus sessions are always popular." Read More.

Apple has officially announced that it will be previewing Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" at WWDC. For full details, visit Apple's WWDC page.

Other Issues

Upcoming Events

• macosxlabs.org Webcast - May
• Subject: PSU Blast Image Config 2.0
• Presenters: Justin Elliott & Daniel Ritter, Penn State University
• Moderator: Fred Reynolds, Apple Computer
• Date: Monday May 24th, 2004
• Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am PDT
  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
  18:00 - 19:30 GMT
• Click here for viewing instructions
  

NECC 2004 - Jammin Jazz with Technology

• Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Date: June 20-23, 2004
• Registration Information: Click here
• General Conference Program: Click here

For a complete list of events scheduled between now and the next Mac Managers Meeting please click here.

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