Meeting Notes - Dec 15, 2004

What's New by Mike Yocom

New Apple Software
Power Mac G5 (June 2004) Firmware Update 5.1.8f7 — This firmware update improves system stability for your Power Mac G5 (June 2004).

Xserve RAID Admin Tools 1.3.2 — 400GB hard drive support. Improved integration with Xsan cluster file system software. Fixed LUN ID compatibility issue with older Xserve RAID firmware 1.1-117a and 1.2-116f. Enhanced "Repair LUN Map" function to repair entries with a missing LUN ID or more than one LUN ID. RAID Admin locks out certain operations on Xserve RAID units with older incompatible firmware. Fixed case where masking LUN 0 prevented other LUNs from being discovered on some host computers. Corrected response to SCSI REPORT LUNS command where large allocation length caused an incorrect LUN list length.

iPod Updater 2004-11-15 — Compatibility with iTunes 4.7 and the iTunes Music Store. Create multiple On-The-Go playlists. Shuffle and play song library with one click. Delete songs from On-The-Go playlists. Select reading playback speed for audiobooks. Hear Click Wheel clicker through headphones. Improved USB 2.0 connectivity.

iCal 1.5.4 — iCal 1.5.4 includes a new security improvement for imported events with alarms. iCal 1.5.2, the previous release, included enhancements in the Info Drawer, To Do alarms and notes, keyboard shortcuts, time zone support, publishing and subscribing behind firewalls, and other stability and performance improvements.

iCal 1.5.5 — Includes improvements in iSync synchronization on computers running Mac OS X v10.2. Includes previous update iCal 1.5.4 security enhancements to help protect your computer when subscribing to calendars or importing events with alarms that open files or applications.

Motion 1.0.1 — To take your Motion projects even further, you can download free effects, including five filters and one generator. You can also download additional tutorials to help you get the most out of Motion. A free, thirty-day trial is also available.

Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 — Provides improvements in the update installation process and improved performance and reliability. The Bluetooth Firmware Updater is for D-Link USB Adapters (revision B2 or later), and Apple internal Bluetooth modules on PowerBooks, PowerMacs, iMacs, iBooks, and eMacs. This firmware update will improve connectivity between the computer and the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.

Security Update 2004-12-02 v.1.0 (10.2.8 Client, 10.2.8 Server, 10.3.6 Client, 10.3.6 Server) — This update delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components: Apache, AppKit, CyrusIMAP (Mac OS X 10.3.6), HIToolbox (Mac OS X 10.3.6), Kerberos, Postfix (Mac OS X 10.3.6), PSNormalizer (Mac OS X 10.3.6), QuickTimeStreamingServer (Mac OS X Server), Safari, Terminal (Mac OS X 10.3.6).

Software Notes
Mozilla Firefox 1.0 — a speedy, full-featured browser that makes browsing more efficient than ever before.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 — consumer photo-editing software.

QuarkXPress 6.5 — an integrated publishing package that combines expert type, layout, color, and graphics-handling features with professional illustration tools, word processing, and sophisticated prepress functions — all in one application.

Virtual PC 7.0.1 — lets you run Microsoft Windows applications, access Windows networks, use Windows-only Internet applications, and share files with Windows-based colleagues.

Yellow Dog Linux 4.0 — distribution of Linux aimed mainly at Mac hardware. offers 32-bit support for USB-G3s, G4s, G5 Power Macs, and through the Freescale Board Support Package, Genesi Pegasos II ATX boards.

Security watchdog Secunia is reporting a vulnerability in the Timbuktu remote-control software that could allow a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. Fortunately, the issue is fixed in Timbuktu 7.0.4.

MacFixIt is reporting that some users have been unable to use iSync since upgrading iCal to version 1.5.4. Some users have been able to fix the issue by doing a fresh install of iSync or turning off Classic before running iSync.

H&R Block is offering a rebate for people who purchase their TaxCut applications, except for users of the Mac versions. ("Offer not valid for purchases of TaxCut Premium for Macintosh or TaxCut Standard.")

Hardware News
Bandai Networks will be releasing a (very) limited production of 2 000 "Eva iPods" for the fans of the anime series Evangelion. The units are 20GB iPods with the NERV logo laser imprinted on the back, NERV-branded headphones, and a Plug Suit-esque, enamel case, all for ¥47 250 JP — roughly $450 US. (Official press release in Japanese.)

MacFixIt reports that LaCie is the latest external FireWire drive manufacturer to offer a firmware update for their products to address a widespread issue with FireWire drives becoming inoperable, non-bootable, or losing data after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.3.6. Other manufacturers to release such firmware updates include Initio, MacAlly, and SmartDisk.

Mac OS X / Issues
MacFixIt is reporting that, following an update to iTunes 4.7, some users have had problems with the iTMS. In at least some cases, the problem is caused by the particular user's shopping cart having become corrupted. The solution is to contact the iTMS support team and requesting they delete the corrupted shopping cart.

Another MacFixIt report regarding iTMS is that users in countries that don't have a localized store yet are unable to even browse anymore. Reportedly, this is because of IP restrictions. A possible workaround is to click on a song link to the iTMS from the iTunes Library or a playlist.

A third MacFixIt report is that some third-party batteries (and faulty batteries in general) cause PowerBooks to freeze. The problem seems to occur regardless of the battery's current charge or whether or not the power adapter is plugged in.

There is a conflict between iMovie 3 and 4 and Final Cut Pro HD. When FCP HD is installed, iMovie will cease to work. The solution is to move two files in and out of /Library/Quicktime/. Apple has a knowledge base article about this issue, and there is also a page with a small, GUI Cocoa app to move these files in and out as needed.

According to CNET News.com, the most recent iPod firmware update has disabled the ability to play songs purchased from RealNetwork's online music, once again making the iPod able to play only those songs purchased from the iTMS.

NEWS.com.au reports Apple developer numbers growing — to 2.5 times as many developers as two years ago.

The Washington Times has declared the iMac G5 Top Choice of the Year, praising the PowerPC G5 and Apple's emphasis on wireless technology.

Apple what (we think) is a new section on their website, called "IT Pro", and aimed specifically at IT Managers and technology professionals.

General News
Boston.com is reporting that startup RNK Telecom Inc. is offering a lifetime of Internet phone calls for $999.

eWeek states the obvious in OS Competition Is Good for IT, although some of the reason is fresh.

In Screensaver tackles spam websites, the BBC reports that Lycos released a screensaver that people can put on their computers that requests data from known spammers' websites, intending to increase their bandwidth bills by enough to force them to stop spam activities. The system is supposed to throttle the requests to prevent bringing the servers down, but a later report indicates that a couple of sites were knocked offline, which prompted Lycos to terminate the "Make love not spam" campaign. There's also a Trojan masquerading as the screensaver.

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

Campus VPN Services Overview by Dustin Udy

U of U students, staff and faculty can access the Campus Network via a Virtual Private Network connection known as a VPN. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure connection to a network through the Internet from a personal computer.

Available Mac Solutions
Cisco VPN Client Software

• Client is Cisco VPN client for Mac OS 10.2+.
• Software is available for download from the NetCom site
• Installation instructions are also provided
• The Concentrator will handout an IP to you.
• This is good if you are using a Firewall on your network
  

WebVPN

• The WebVPN is a secure webpage that allows users to login with the uNID and to surf through the VPN Concentrator
• The IP address of the computer will not change
• This gives users access to campus websites as if they were on campus without the need of additional software

Department Accounts

• $50.00 dollar one-time setup fee
• $1.00 dollar per month fee per IP address
• A block of assigned IP addresses
• IP addresses can be dynamic or static based on need
• Local administration by your department LAN manager
• Authentication using the uNID@department and password

Troubleshooting
If you are using NAT of WiFi and can't connect

• Push the Modify button then the Transport tab. Select IPSec over TCP Port 10000.
  

If the .pcf file doesn't install with the client

• Import the file using the Client Software Import button and point to the Profiles folder of the disk image and then the uofu.pcf file

Demonstration Notes
Safari 1.2.3 has issues with Client downloads

Conclusion

• VPN is a secure alternative to an insecure public network
• Utilizes standardized protocols
• Supported technology
• Extends the Campus network to the remote user
• Easier to secure resources
• Free for all faculty, staff, and students
  

For additional information, please click here to visit the University of Utah NetCom "VPN Software for OS X" FAQ.

Scripting UI & Retrospect by James Reynolds

To be notified by email that Retrospect 5.x or 6.x needs a tape change, you have to enable media request timeout. Media request timeout will cancel a backup. James discussed how SCL Mac Support used Scripting UI with AppleScript to give us the functionality we wanted from Retrospect when it requests a tape. Like repeat the email to remind us periodically (about one hour), not send emails at certain times (like late nights & weekends), and email us when the tape request dialog is taken care of.

James' presentation is based on work done by Student Computing Labs Mac Support in its management of the labs it supports. His complete report can be viewed at http://www.macos.utah.edu. You can also select from the options listed below.

Campus Network Time Overview by Richard Glaser

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a protocol designed to synchronize the clocks of computers over a network. Mac OS X uses ntpd internally to synchronize time, as done on other UNIX systems. Configuration is easiest via the System Preferences application, which is easy to do on a few stations, but there are other options that are less time consuming, if you manage many Mac OS X clients.

At the University of Utah, there are network time servers provided for students, staff & faculty. Using this central server, will help troubleshoot issues, because other devices will use same time server, and this will allow events to be more easily correlated.

Richard's presentation is based on work done by Student Computing Labs Mac Support in its management of the labs it supports. His complete report can be viewed at http://www.macos.utah.edu. You can also select from the options listed below

Other News

SCL News
Terry Stone is the new Apple account exec covering Northern Utah, U of U. Weber State, Utah State, and Westminster. He has been in the industry for 18 years working for Microsoft, Nokia, NEC, Computer Associates, and WordPerfect.

SCL Mac Support is looking to coordinate software/hardware training for interested campus programs and departments with the idea of distributing the relatively high cost. Current plans involve FileMaker Pro, Apple Cocoa Programming, WebObjects, and other Apple training programs. If you are interested please respond here.

Upcoming Events
Macworld San Fransisco

• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Dates: January 10—14, 2005
• Registration Information
• Sessions

British Education and Training Technology (BETT)

• Location: London, UK
• Dates: January 12—15, 2005
• Registration Information
• Exhibitors

The NAMM Show

• Location: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
• Dates: January 20—23, 2005
• Registration Information
• Sessions

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