Meeting Notes - Jun 16, 2004

What's New by Mikio Moriyasu

New Apple Software
AirPort Extreme Update 3.4.2 - Enhanced networking reliability during certain memory intensive operations.

Tunes 4.6 - includes support for playing your music wirelessly using AirPort Express with AirTunes. It also includes a number of other minor enhancements.

Mac OS X Combined Server (10.3.4) Update 10.3.4 - The 10.3.4 Server Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X Server v10.3.

Mac OS X Server Update 10.3.4 - The 10.3.4 Server Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X Server v10.3.

Mac OS X Update 10.3.4 - The 10.3.4 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 “Panther”.

Mac OS X Combined (10.3.4) Update 10.3.4 - The 10.3.4 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 “Panther”.

Security Update 2004-05-24 (10.3.3) - This update delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

Security Update 2004-05-24 (10.2.8) - This update is recommended for all Macintosh users.

Security Update 2004-06-07 (10.3.4) - Security Update 2004-06-07 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

Security Update 2004-06-07 (10.2.8) - Security Update 2004-06-07 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users

Software News
InterMapper 4.2 is a real-time network monitoring tool. The new release extends the ability to view detailed information about devices by letting the network manager launch third-party administrative or configuration tools directly from the network map's icons.

OneStat.com reports that while Microsoft's IE 6 is currently the leading browser on the web with 69.3 percent of the measured user base, Apple's Safari (the seventh most popular browser on the ranking) is increasing its user base sharply. Read More.

AirPort Extreme 3.4.2 fixes an issue where having more than 1GB of RAM in a Mac or PowerBook with an AirPort Extreme card could result in wireless network slowdowns and disconnects especially during periods of heavy network transfers. Previously, the only solution was to remove RAM so that the installed total was less than 1 GB.

The updated Power Mac G5 models are the first to include Apple's new "System Migration" feature. The new Mac OS X setup assistant helps users effortlessly move user accounts, system preferences, documents and applications from an old Mac to a new Power Mac G5 through FireWire. Read More.

On a related note, the new System Migration feature is not a "use-it-or-lose-it option". Since Setup Assistant is an application on the new Mac's hard drive, you can also choose to run it at a later time and add in your old accounts, settings, and documents when you're ready to make the move. Read More.

Earlier this year, Apple announced new Spoken Interface functionality, intended for those users who have difficulties using standard computer input and display technologies. This new functionality is to be included in an upcoming major revision to Mac OS X. Some users who filled out Apple's Spoken Interface questionnaire were invited to download and install the Preview version of the Spoken Interface software. Read More.

In order to test whether or not the Security Update 06-07-2004 patch has been applied properly, and is working against the vulnerabilities, there is a test page at http://test.doit.wisc.edu/. You can also check in the /Library/Receipts folder for the file "SecUpd2004-06-07Pan.pkg." If this file exists, it is likely that the update installed properly.

Security Update 2004-06-07 only protects against new "exploits" of the Launch Services system. Any application previously launched is implicitly trusted by Launch Services. This includes the example exploit applications http://test.doit.wisc.edu/. If you previously tried these example exploits without disabling the URI protocols they take advantage of, then these examples will still work after installing Security Update 2004-06-07

Hardware News
Apple introduces the AirPort Express. Resembling the AC adapter for Apple Powerbooks and iBooks, the $120 device plugs directly into the wall and provides one Ethernet and one USB port. There is also a built-in combination digital and analog audio connector, which allows users to stream music wirelessly from a Mac to a stereo or other audio device connected to the AirPort Express.

New Power Mac G5 - All models feature: 512K L2 cache/processor; 8x SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW); 1 FireWire 800 port-2 FireWire 400 ports-3 USB 2.0 ports-2 USB 1.1 ports (on keyboard); AGP 8X Pro slot (used by graphics card); 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet; 56K internal modem; Two internal hard drive bays and one optical drive bay (two bays are already filled); AirPort Extreme ready; Bluetooth module ready; Optical digital audio input and output-analog audio input and output, front headphone jack, built-in speaker

• Dual 1.8GHz PowerPC G5: 900MHz frontside bus/processor; 256MB PC3200 DDR400 SDRAM (Expandable to 4GB SDRAM); 80GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm; 3 PCI slots (33MHz, 64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra; 64MB DDR video memory. Available right now for $1,999
• Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5: 1GHz frontside bus/processor; 512MB PC3200 DDR400 SDRAM (Expandable to 8GB SDRAM); 160GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm; 3 PCI-X slots (one 133MHz, 64-bit; two 100MHz, 64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra; 64MB DDR video memory. Available right now for $2,499
• Dual 2.5GHz PowerPC G5: 1.25GHz frontside bus/processor, 512MB PC3200 DDR400 SDRAM (Expandable to 8GB SDRAM); 160GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm; 3 PCI-X slots (one 133MHz, 64-bit; two 100MHz, 64-bit); ATI Radeon 9600 XT; 128MB DDR video memory. Available in July for $2,999
  

Apple Insider recently covered Steve Jobs' comments at this week's "D: All Things Digital" conference, including a remark that Apple recently developed a PDA but decided not to ship it. Read More.

Apple has quietly indicated that it will end production of the 1.25GHz Power Mac G4 models, currently the only "new" Macs sold by Apple that can boot into Mac OS 9. These models will be available from the online Apple Store until the current stock is exhausted. Read More.

MacCentral reports that due to "challenges moving to 90 nanometer" processors, Apple will not be able to fulfill Steve Jobs' promise that 3GHz Power Mac G5 models would be available "within a year" of the 2003 WWDC keynote. The story also notes that G5-based iMacs and PowerBooks are not expected any time soon. Read More.

Mac OS X / Issues
Some Mac users whose machines are equipped with the ATI Radeon 9800 report experiencing choppy and/or artifact-ridden DVD playback after upgrading to 10.3.4. Workarounds include: reverting to DVD Player 3.2, using a third-party DVD players like VLC.

MacFixIt users report experiencing distorted, noise ridden, loss of stereo, and even complete loss of audio after updating to Mac OS X 10.3.4. Early reports involved Power Mac G5s. Subsequent reports indicate that the problem is affecting Power Mac G4s as well as G3 and G4 PowerBooks.

Apple's Java download page notes that, "Some customers who did an upgrade install of Mac OS X v10.3 Panther from Mac OS X v10.2 may have an incomplete installation of Java." Those affected will need to run the Java 1.4.1 Updater before running the one for Java 1.4.2.

Users are experiencing a new issue affecting the displays of a variety of PowerBook models. Horizontal line artifacts appear across the display when there is high CPU usage and subsequently higher internal operating temperatures. While the problem is believed to be related to some kind of logic board issue, there is no official solution from Apple.

The 10.3.4 update addresses a Mail issue in which a long address (URL) in a Mac OS X Panther Mail message may not open in your Web browser when selected by users.

Owners of 500Mhz iBooks report losing built-in mic function after updating to 10.3.4. A temporary workaround involves the following: restart the machine, hold down the Option key while restarting, then select the OS X icon (in Startup Manager), and press the arrow to continue. The mic will be back until the next restart.

After applying the 10.3.4 update, users wanting to modify printers using CUPS are greeted with a password prompt. No passwords are accepted, however. One workaround is to use Terminal to find and then reinstate the old copy of cupsd.conf and restart CUPS. The procedure is as follows:

General News
About 120 million personal computers will be replaced this year, according to The Gartner Group, with 140 million more computers likely to be replaced next year. The swap represents a 13.6 percent rise in PC shipments worldwide this year and 9.8 percent in 2005. Read More.

Someone with a laptop perched and a special antenna on the roof of his Toyota 4Runner ventured off to sniff out wireless networks between Los Angeles and San Francisco. His trek revealed that only a third of the wireless networks out there use basic encryption. Read More.

You know, the reason people shouldn't use Windows 9x as an embedded operating system is because when it crashes -- and god bless its heart, it's going to crash -- your appliance, is going to need to be rebooted. Read More.

Japan's Nikon Corp said that it was boosting its production capacity for a hot-selling digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, while eyeing an eventual exit from film compact cameras due to sliding demand. Read More.

PCWorld takes a look at why 'Good Discs Go Bad,' and finds some interesting nuggets, including information about which discs work best with which drive. Read More.

Mikio's entire presentation including a complete list of new Apple and third-party software since May, 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:

TeamBoard Demonstration by Mike Yocom

Hardware
What is it? - The TeamBoard is your basic interactive whiteboard. It can be written on or used as a projection screen. Both functions can be used interactively with each other and/or with a computer.

How is it connected to the computer - Features USB 1.1, Serial, and 802.11b Wi-Fi (brand new feature).

Set-Up
Install drivers (Mac or PC):

Calibration

• The whiteboard doesn't need calibration as it is a basic input device. All of the Interactive functions, however need to be calibrated each time the board is connected to a computer for the first time.
• The calibration ties the board to the computer's active desktop area. It is a simple, three-step process that sets the desktop corners, identifies and sets the location of the whiteboard action bar (bottom of board), and then the project image.
• NOTE: In those instances where the connected computer is switched off or where there is more than one connected computer, calibration the board must be done each time the connected computer is turned on.
  

Operation
Basics

When the board is used as a projection screen tied to a computer. A stylus or even your index finger acts as the mouse, the board becomes a touch screen displaying the desktop.

Notation

• While in this interactive projection screen mode, users can open up documents, spreadsheets, picture files, or Presentation slideshows and make comments on them either for presentation purposes or for group project work. The board's "Draw Mode" feature drawing tools, pens, highlighters, etc that can be used to make notations. Notations can be "written" on the displayed object using the stylus on the screen.
• The object being "marked up" does not have to be a document. Users can use this feature to highlight features of an application itself. Highlight buttons, preferences, controls, etc for instruction purposes.
• These notation inputs are saved into a specific file by a proprietary application that takes screen captures of the object and the notations. It was not clearly indicated if if this is automatically tied to each movement of the stylus, is an action that is done at timed intervals, or is done at the users command (via the action bar). The screen caps are saved as a proprietary .tmb file but can be converted to JPEGs for open distribution.
• The object being marked is not affected by these actions as they are being carried out by a different application running in the background. The notations can be easily erased again without affecting the object.
  

Virtual Keyboard

One of these exists and can be used to input on the spot changes. It is recommended that you use a regular keyboard for most data input instead of the virtual keyboard. It is designed to be a convenience feature.

Action Bar

The action bar as a set of buttons that feature functions and command that can be carried out on the displayed image. From here, you can print the projected image of the computer desktop or email a screen capture of this same image.

Interactive White Board (Oversized tablet)

Once calibrated, the board can be used without the projector. In "draw mode" users can write on the board with markers. Whatever is drawn on the board is saved to the connected computer as a screen capture. This screen capture can be saved, printed, or emailed. The software allows you to create "multiple paged" whiteboard documents.

Durability

The board is made up of a flexible outer layer backed by a hard surface. The facing surfaces of the layers are coated with a conductive material and separated by a narrow gap. When pressure is applied, the two layers contact creating the source of the input.

Because this is a "dry" setup (no fluid or gas medium) the surface can be poked or even cut without a huge loss of functionality. The surface is replaceable (presumably at an authorized service center). The surface should be covered up when being moved or when not in use.

Drawbacks
The maximum size of the screen is dictated by ergonomics. An average person should be able to reach all areas of the screen. The recommended mounting height for the TeamBoard is about the same height as a standard white or chalkboard.

One solution is to use both the input screen and a normal projector setup like we already have in concert. Use the interactive screen as the input device for the instructor and a visual device for those sitting up close. Those far away can use the bigger screen. You would need two projectors for this, however.

Cost - Max size board $1700. The wheeled stand is another $500. Comes with a cabinet model as well (boardroom use).

Software
It is not is not licensed individually (need to enter the serial number of the board to activate) so it technically can be used on as many clients as wanted. Available for download.

PSU Blast Image Config 2.0 by Scott Doenges

PSU Blast Image Config (aka "BIC") is a complete software solution to quickly restore and configure a Macintosh back to a known state. It allows users to configure and set the Open Firmware security, restore a master disk image quickly to a Mac's internal hard disk, and configure the network settings on the restored disk.

Scott'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:

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, have published a White Paper on "Mac OS X App Management - Best Practices". It covers the challenges & solutions of Mac OS X application management. Topics include:

• Serialization of Apps - Licensing Options & Challenges
• Security - World Writes, SUID, SGID, Tripwire
• Tracking Installation - Options & Tools
• Missing Support & Features - PeopleSoft, AutoCAD, SAS, etc.
• Distribution - Tools & Different Implementations & Challenges
• Solutions to challenges - Redirection, Shadow Files, Scripts
  

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 "System Admin - Best Practices for Education" at Apple's WWDC 2004 in San Francisco, CA. For update-to-date information see the Enterprise IT schedule.

James Reynolds of the University of Utah will be setting up an Xgrid demo that will be rendering a Lego animation for attendees to view.

Scott Doenges will also be attending WWDC along with Richard & James. If you have an issue or suggestion that you want addressed to Apple, please submit a one or two sentence description here.

All submissions will be consolidated into a common list.

According to Apple, this year's Worldwide Developer conference in San Francisco, will have more Technical content than ever before . "With seven tracks and more than 190 sessions planned, WWDC 2004 will be the most information-packed week of the year for developers." 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 - June

• Subject: Apple Xsan
• Presenters: Eric Zelenka, Apple Computer
• Moderator: Fred Reynolds, Apple Computer
• Date: Thursday, June 17, 2004
• Times: 10:00 am - 11:30 am PDT
  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
  18:00 - 19:30 GMT
• Click here for viewing instructions

iLife '04, Everything You Need to Manage Your Digital Lifestyle

• Location: CompUSA #264-Salt Lake City
  1830 South 389 West, Market Place Shopping Center,
  Salt Lake City, UT 84115
• Date: June 17, 2004
• Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM US Mountain
• Registration Information: Click here

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

.Mac and Easy Backup Solutions

• Location: CompUSA #264-Salt Lake City
• 1830 South 389 West, Market Place Shopping Center,
• Salt Lake City, UT 84115
• Date: June 24, 2004
• Time: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM US Mountain
• Registration Information: Click here

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