InsideX: State of the OS: 10.0.3 By Derek Currie Here we are, three update iterations into Mac OS X. Is it ready for average Mac users yet? No. The more I work with it and delve into its details, the more I come to that conclusion. Mac OS X needs maturity. I'm not interested in slagging it, or coming up with nags and whines to throw in Apple's face. The fact is that this is one incredibly complex operating system, and Apple is still trying to pull it together into something Mac users will actually like, not merely tolerate. This isn't your old Mac OS. Mac OS X is fundamentally UNIX, like it or not. The result is a computer culture conflict. UNIX mavens want it to stay a UNIX OS. Mac mavens want it transformed to the max into Mac OS. What we have so far is a compromise on both sides, with no one particularly pleased. I still believe that Mac users will win in the end if only because of sheer numbers. 25 million Mac users tend to get Apple's ear. Add to that the ever present pressure to drag the computer world out of this dark age and make computing truly simple. While we wait for Mac OS X to grow up, let's check out where we have progressed so far: The Updates: I wish I could say that the Mac OS X Software Update program guides you through what you need after you install MOSX, but sometimes that is not so. There have been reports of out of order updates. So follow this protocol, and if need be skip Software Update all together and do it yourself. I have provided all the URLs below: 1) Software Update 1.3.1: "Software Update 1.3.1 delivers improved network performance, support for proxy authentication, improved status reporting, and resolves an issue for Multiple Processor computers." 2) Mac OS X 10.0.1 Update: "The Mac OS X v10.0.1 update delivers a number of improvements including better support for 3rd party USB devices, Classic compatibility and overall application stability. This update also includes support for the popular open source Secure Shell service." The big addition to Mac OS X in this update is OpenSSH: "After the Mac OS X 10.0.1 Update, your computer uses OpenSSH for remote login instead of telnet, rlogin, and rsh services.... You can then connect remotely to your computer by using an SSH client application. Mac OS X 10.0.1 provides OpenSSH-2.3.0p1. For more information on OpenSSH, open the Terminal utility and type "man ssh" after the prompt...." 3) Epson Printer Driver Update: This update enables Japanese Language printing. 4) Mac OS X 10.0.3 Update (integrating 10.0.2 Update): "The Mac OS X 10.0.3 Update adds audio CD burning capability to iTunes for Mac OS X, updates system software, addresses issues, and improves performance.... Note: The 10.0.2 Update is no longer available from Apple. You should use the 10.0.3 Update instead of 10.0.2...." The nitty gritty list, quoted from Apple: • Enhances iTunes (for Mac OS X) to allow audio CD burning when used with Apple and compatible third-party CD-RW drives. • Ensures full visibility of file lists in directories that contain a large number of items. • Improved compatibility with third-party USB and FireWire devices. • Classic environment refinements. • Enriched compatibility with AFP (AppleTalk/AppleShare) volumes. • Enhanced optimization process. • Improved reliability of PPP connections on certain computers. • Refined performance of certain file and folder types in the Finder. • Enriched recognition of display resolution choices. • Enhancements to the Mail application. • Heightened functionality of the Login window. • Refined audio performance on certain computers. • Improved performance of ColorSync with certain printers. • Favorites are now easier to use. • Enriched functionality of the Connect To command. • Enhanced performance when connecting to certain types of servers. • Refined compatibility with displays that are connected to certain types of ATI display cards." 5) iTunes 1.1.1: "This version adds support for burning audio CDs, the ability to display full-screen visual effects, and improves overall stability and performance." Result: Very slowly Apple are addressing the numerous bugs and missing technology in Mac OS X. Let's hope one thing Apple addresses in a hurry is the Finder! We recently were told exactly why Mac OS X is so drudgingly slow: Its Finder is not only written in Carbon, but iffy Carbon at that. Read all about it at The Register. Jobs and Tevanian have been known to tell a tall marketing tale or two about Mac OS X. But they have both admitted that Mac OS X is a snail. "We know that OS X is not perfect, but we think we've had a tremendous start." Is it possible that Apple may actually program away the dreaded spinning rainbow cursor of snooze? In a daring move Apple have now begun installing Mac OS X on every Mac. Wisely Mac OS 9.1 is the default. Mac users might as well see what all the hype is about, and just that the hype is worth. Meanwhile, with startling stubbornness, Apple are telling us that they are doing away with creator codes inside of files, forcing us to use those stupid, ugly, primitive, archaic, gag-inducing DOS and UNIX dot extensions on files. I can't remember a greater swell of revolt in the Mac community against an Apple decision. Keep your eyes open on this issue! Extensions.suk! And Carbon? You want to talk bugs? The release of version 1.3.1 has been met with a flurry of people fleeing back to version 1.2.5. Version 1.4 is on the horizon. Let's hope Apple get it right next time around. Its a bit bizarre to have Apple performing pressure tactics to get applications updated for Mac OS X, and yet CarbonLib isn't much better than beta! I got so fed up with the carbon bugs in GraphicConverter that I went back to the non-carbon version. Caution Apple: Eat your own dog food! Another controversy is the lack up upgrade pricing for the victims of the original Mac OS X Server. I say victims because even Steve Jobs admitted Mac OS X Server 1 needed significant improvement. My worst memory of Mac OS X Server is how it secretly corrupted its own volume structures while it ran, admittedly for months, to the point where it came to a grinding, unrecoverable halt. Let's hope the next incarnation proves itself to be more reliable. The real star of the show has arrived: Mac OS X Server 10! I call it the star because it is the one wedge Apple has to sell their software into the business enterprise environment. Goodness knows Windows NT 4 proved itself to be a buggy, security hole ridden mess that 7 updates couldn't cure. Windows 2000 is reportedly much more stable, but has all new bugs, security holes and an extreme distaste for legacy software. If Apple can prove that Mac OS X really is a great enterprise operating system this could lead to more marketshare than the Apple Store strategists can imagine. Hey, it could happen! Certainly on virtual paper the features of this new version look very nice: -Apache web server -Crossplatform sharing of files and printers 'out of the box' -Mail server, directory server, address server, and proxy server -Perl, Mac CGI, Java 2, MySQL, PHP, SSL, WebDAV -FTP, Samba, SMB/CIFS, NFS -IP filtering, DHCP, DNS, SLP, Net Info, NetBoot -Improved Macintosh Manager 2 -QuickTime Streaming Server -WebObjects 5 deployment software -Simple Setup Assistant and Server Admin software -UNIX shell, only if you want it -$499 for a 10 client version -$999 for an unlimited client version Check out this serious MOSX Server 10 feature: "Fault Insurance ...Mac OS X Server watches over your running programs, and if one stops functioning, the operating system will shut it down and restart that service automatically. That’s not all. In the unlikely event that Mac OS X Server itself is the cause of a system-wide freeze, Mac hardware will restart the entire machine and all of your software." Resource files about Mac OS X Server 10: • Specs: • Data Sheet: • FAQ: And don't forget Mac OS X Server hardware: -Gigabit Ethernet -60 GB 7200 rpm Ultra ATA hard drive. -$2999 for a 533 MHz G4 -$3999 for a dual 533 MHz G4 with additional 4-port 10/100 Ethernet One indication that Apple are taking MOSX Server seriously is the availability this Fall of certification! The Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) program will consist of four parts: • Mac OS X Administration Basics Exam • Mac OS X Server Network Administration Exam • Mac OS X Server Services Administration Exam • Mac OS X Server Client Management Exam Conclusion: At this rate Mac OS X might actually be great in a year! For now it's still significantly slow and user-hostile. Be sure to tell Apple what you think! For example: if you don't speak up we may be stuck with .ext stuff on all our files! You may also have noticed that the list of Mac OS X bugs and interface inconsistencies is longer than any one human can comprehend. Please: use that little feedback icon Apple gives you in the Dock and report, report, report! OutsideX I am going to save feedback regarding '20 Bugs' for my next article. Right now, I want to give you an update on Mac OS X books. Yes, at last, there really are Mac OS X books available! Out now: Mac OS X Little Black Book Gene Steinburg ISBN 1576107019 528 pages $29.99 * With luck I will be receiving a review copy in the near future and let you know what I think. Clearly this is no 'little book.' Gene has corresponded with me and indicates that the book is designed for those new to MOSX technology, but expect a bit more depth than the usual beginner guides. Mac OS X For Dummies Bob LeVitus ISBN: 0764507060 360 Pages $24.99 * Even beginners are finding this book inadequate. One reason why: Mac OS X is NOT for dummies. It is still too user-hostile to let Grandma near it. Mac OS X Fast & Easy Lisa A. Bucki ISBN: 076151984X 350 pages $18.99 * Such a wishful book title. If only... Mac OS X Web Server Handbook David L. Hart ISBN: 0130327158 450 Pages $39.99 * Criticized as too basic, little depth. Learning Carbon By Apple Computer ISBN 0-596-00161-4 358 pages $34.95 * Written for programmers. Writing for any OS is a moving target. But, Carbon has proven to be particularly hard to nail down due to consistently bug ridden updates from Apple. Suggestion: If you are new to writing for Mac OS, give Carbon a miss and graduate to Cocoa. If you simply MUST write for legacy Mac OS then I guess you're stuck with Carbon. Learning Cocoa By Apple Computer ISBN 0-596-00160-6 370 Pages $34.95 * Written for programmers. What you lose with Cocoa is the ability to write apps that will also run on Mac OS 8.5 and 9.1 via the Carbon Lib. What you gain is a much more sane and simple application authoring environment. I recommend this book. Out soon: Mac OS X: The Complete Reference (Osborne Complete Reference Series) by Jesse Feiler ISBN: 0072126639 912 Pages $39.99 * Should be out immediately. I fully expect this to be the best hard core book on MOSX. Jesse wrote the one and only book on Rhapsody way back when. Also on the way by Jesse is 'Mac OS X Developer's Guide.'