Category Archives: Software – New, Upgrades, & Updates

What’s new and improved … or maybe just new …

Apple issues Lion and Snow Leopard Security Updates

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Apple today released security updates for Mac OS X 10.7.1, Mac OS X 10.7.1 Server, Mac OS X 10.6.8, and Mac OS X 10.6.8 Server operating systems. The less than 200K patch removes the “DigiNotar” certificates from the Trust list in the Safari web browser. Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Explorer (Windows) were patched last week.

Digital certificates – SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and EVSSL (Extended Validation) – are issued by various certificate authorities (VeriSign and Thawte are two notable ones) which are validated by Web browsers to verify that you are not visiting a fake website trying to appear legitimate.

You can view what certificates are trusted by your browsers in the respective application’s “View Certificates” pane or via the Apple utility Keychain Access.

Last month, it was revealed that DigiNotar, a Dutch company, was hacked to issue hundreds of fraudulent certificates issued for various Web companies to unknown recipients in foreign countries. These certificates were used to launch various attacks on the Web companies’ services. With these certificates in place, a hacker with a privileged network position may intercept user credentials or other sensitive information.

In the release notes, Apple commented, “This issue is addressed by removing DigiNotar from the list of trusted root certificates, from the list of Extended Validation (EV) certificate authorities, and by configuring default system trust settings so that DigiNotar’s certificates, including those issued by other authorities, are not trusted.”

The update can be applied via Software Update or downloaded separately.

FontExplorer X Pro updated to 3.1

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Linotype FontExplorer Pro 3.1

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Linotype GmbH has released a comprehensive update to FontExplorer X Pro – the iTunes-esque font management utility.

In addition to improved Mac OS X 10.7 Lion compatibility, Version 3.1 adds a host of new features, updates plug-ins, and resolves a number of prior issues, including:

  • Font information for all fonts in a set or folder can now be set by selecting the set or folder in the source list and opening the Font Information dialog.
  • Ratings, labels and/or comments can be applied to all fonts in a set or folder.
  • “Check for Updates” now has added options for skipping a version and reminders at a later timepoint.
  • Added PlugIns for Adobe CS5.5 suite (Illustrator CS 5.1, InDesign CS5.5, Photoshop CS5.1)
  • Preview Toolbar: Rare ligatures are now shown together with common ligatures.

The update is free for owners of FontExplorer Pro 3.0. Owners of previous versions can upgrade for $29.00. New versions can be purchased for $79.00. A free 30-day trial available.

Apple issues 10.6.8 Supplemental Update

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For those who decided to stay with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard a little longer, Apple has issued a supplemental patch to its last version. Snow Leopard 10.6.8 v 1.1 corrects a number of issues, including:

  • Certain network printers that pause print jobs immediately and fail to complete
  • System audio that stops working when using HDMI or optical audio out
  • Transferring personal data, settings, and compatible applications from a Mac running Mac OS X Snow Leopard to a new Mac running Mac OS X Lion

Users who have already updated to 10.6.8 can use the 10 Mb Supplemental Patch. Those with 10.6.7 and earlier should use the 1.09 Gb 10.6.8 v1.1 Combo Updater.

Similar updates are available for Snow Leopard Server.

Mac OS X Lion Release Wrap-Up

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Lots of news all over the internet today about the much-anticipated release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. Here’s a small recap, plus a few things you may have missed:

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

#1 – It’s Out

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion became available at approximately 8:30am EDT this morning at the Mac App Store. You will need at least Mac OS X 10.6.7 already installed and an iTunes/App Store account to purchase and download the $29.99 3.5 Gb upgrade. Please note that this is a significant upgrade in many respects. A lot has changed. If you are not sure whether or not you are ready, check out my prior posts on the subject.

#2 Alternatives to Direct Download

If you have a slow internet connection and the thought of downloading 3.5 Gb worth of update is just too painful – or you work for a company with less than twenty Mac installations and security policies in place that prohibit you from having iTunes accounts on your office computer … well, you need to wait a few more weeks. At that point, Apple will be selling a packaged version of Lion (on a USB thumb drive – no more DVDs) for $69.00. No word yet on how many licensed installations that covers for the additional 40 bucks above direct download.

If you are a part of a vast corporate enterprise with more than 20 Mac installations, have your IT guy secure a Volume License Plan.

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Apple releases new Mac Mini line – With Thunderbolt, Without Optical Drive

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Apple Mac MiniThe first company to eliminate the floppy drive from their computers is continuing its quest to stamp out more physical media. Apple’s new Mac Mini line of compact computers, just like its MacBook Air notebooks, no longer include a built-in CD/DVD drive – a reflection of Apple’s drive to move all software purchases to digital downloads via its Mac App Store.

Other companies such as Adobe also offer a digital download option, plus Amazon has recently opened a Mac digital downloads store which includes products, such as Microsoft Office, Quickbooks Pro, and TurboTax. For situations requiring an actual CD/DVD access, users can use CD/DVD sharing (via another mac with a drive) or separately purchase Apple’s External SuperDrive for $79.00.

MacMini back

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What the new Mac Minis do have is the faster Thunderbolt port for high-speed disk drives as well as external monitors, plus a built-in HDMI port (making it a nice streaming media device), four USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire 800 port, a SDXC card slot, plus a gigabit ethernet port.

Under the hood the new line houses a 2.3 GHz i5 ($599.00), 2.5 GHz i5 ($799.00) or 2.7 GHz i7 ($899.00) Dual-Core Intel Core processors. 2 Gb RAM comes with the 2.3 GHz model with 4GHz standard on the latter two computers. Each can be expanded to 8Gb as a Build-to-order option. A 500 Gb 5400 pm hard drive is standard with a 750 Gb 7200 rpm option available for an additional $150.00.

802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless features are also standard.

All models are available immediately .. shipped with the new Apple Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system.

Note: Apple Mac Mini computers are shipped without a keyboard, mouse, or other input devices.