MacLab

OS X Lion v10.74 Update

Glenn — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:01:07 +0000

Apple has released the OS X Lion 10.7.4 update which includes a list of bug fixes and compatibility changes. Safari has also been updated to 5.1.6 (although Apple subsequently released, the same day, Safari 5.1.7.) A few of the changes:

Resolves issue with “Reopen windows when logging back in”
Fixes permission issues that may be caused if you use the Get Info inspector function
Improve Internet sharing of PPPoE connections.
Fixes an issue saving to an SMB server.
Addresses printing to an SMB print queue.
Better performance connecting to a WebDAV server.
RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras.
Reliability of binding and logging into Active Directory accounts.

Verizon Moving Business Email

Glenn — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:54:07 +0000

Verizon is moving all business domain name email to Google. It seems the only choice is to sign an agreement, have service cut off, or switch to another email provider. Read the FAQ. They transfer your inbox. Passwords are lost, aliases are lost. Configurations are lost. You set up your computers and mobile devices all over again. An alternative: MacLab provides business class email with Kerio Connect.

Notice shown on Verizon webmail

Flashback Trojan Malware

Glenn — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:11:35 +0000

The Flashback malware, according to Dr Web, infected up to 600,000 Macs around the world. The malware installs malicious java code that puts your system at risk for application crashes, user name and password stealing and even search engine poisoning. Frequently Flashback comes in the form of an installer for Flash Player.

Apple has released a java update for Mac OS 10.6 (10.68 required) and a java update for Mac OS 10.7. Download and install these or have us install them on our next maintenance visit. You should also be able to update using the Software Update Preference if you have 10.68 or higher.

Marc Zeedar, publisher of Real Studio Developer magazine, has written a simple Test4Flashback application that presents a dialog telling you whether or not you’re infected. It doesn’t attempt to do any removal. Since Flashback is a changing trojan, we don’t know this will remain an effective way to check for it, but at the moment it appears to be a quick test and easier than the terminal check. Removal is quite a bit more complicated, which should only be attempted by the most advanced users.

Some web sites recommend disabling java as a preventive measure. Don’t do this if you use applications that rely on java such as MacLab’s remote backup.

Big Display on a Small Budget

Glenn — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:17:11 +0000

The Apple’s 27 inch display is nice if you’re okay with the glossy screen and one thousand dollars is within budget. If not, check out the NEC Multisync 22 inch P221W-BK at about $450. It’s less than half the price and designed for graphics and photography use. It may not be as beautiful on your desk but the P221W does the job. The next size up is the 24 inch P241W for around $750. I tried the 22 inch P221 attached to my MacBook Pro and the display is nice. Both the P221 and P241 have an optional colorimeter for calibration. There are certainly higher quality displays out there (see us for recommendations) but these are good choices for the budget conscious. MacLab is an NEC reseller.

Spring Cleaning Giveaway

Glenn — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:56:11 +0000

We’re giving out three copies of Text Cleaner 3.5 this month, the tool for graphic design and editing pros.

Here’s how it works.

Visit MacLab on Facebook, and give us a “Like.” If you’ve already done that, you’re half way there.
Go to the Contact page and let us know you did the Facebook thing and you’re entering the Spring Cleaning giveaway. Include your full name, address and email address.

We’ll select three winners at random. Winners will be notified by email. You won’t be put on any mailing lists unless you win Text Cleaner. In that case you will be on the registered users list.

Update for Time Machine

Glenn — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:23:55 +0000

The “Mac OS X Supplemental Update” has been released to address problems restoring from Time Machine. This update is recommended for anyone backing up with Time Machine under Mac OS X 10.73.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1505

Mail, Calendars, Contacts, iOS: 5 minutes

Glenn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:46:50 +0000

Ever have a rough time setting up your email? What we love most about the new Kerio Connect 7.3 (used for MacLab hosting) is how easy it is to set up accounts in Apple Mail and iCal as well as the iPhone and iPad.

Here’s how it works. To set up Mail, iCal, and Address Book simultaneously, you download one simple installer, run it and you’re good to go in under 5 minutes. On your iOS device, you login, download a profile and you’re done. You get synchronized email, schedules and contacts along with full group scheduling in moments.

This is easy as it gets. Kerio Connect continues to be an excellent solution for the Mac and improving. Features are comparable and/or better than Exchange or Google and perfect for the small to medium business. It’s a cross-platform solution for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Let us know if you’d like our cloud hosted email and scheduling—or your own server. Whether you’re a business of one or hundreds, Connect can fit.

OS X Lion 10.7.3 Updates

Glenn — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:14:22 +0000

Apple released Lion update 10.7.3, then quickly pulled the updater because of reported problems with applications crashing. The combo updater doesn’t seem to exhibit the issue and is still available for download.

The update includes additional language support, addresses issues when using smart cards to log in, resolves issues authenticating with directory services, and addresses compatibility issues with Windows file sharing. It also addresses a WiFi connection issue when waking from sleep. For a complete list of changes see this article.

Since the standard update has been pulled, you won’t see it in your Software Update until the issue has been resolved.

OS X Lion 10.7.3 Server combo update is also available as well as the updated Server Admin Tools. These updates bring some changes that any server administrator will welcome back (they were in 10.6 server), including displaying number of connected users, allowing .htaccess overrides, selection of VPN protocols and more.

Text Cleaner 3.5

Glenn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:10:37 +0000

MacLab’s flagship app is back. Text Cleaner is the tool used by graphic designers, editors and web designers, to reduce text cleanup time. Text Cleaner works directly with InDesign, InCopy, QuarkXpress, text files and the clipboard.

Text Cleaner 3.5 adds compatibility for InDesign and InCopy CS3 through CS5.5 as well as OS X Lion.

See the Text Cleaner site for all new features and a free 30 day trial.

MacLab Backup Video Tutorial

Glenn — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:53:37 +0000

In the first of a series of tutorials, Clay has put together a video demonstrating how simple it is to set up your computer with MacLab’s hosted backup using CrashPlan PROe.