Apple Update Tunes Mac for Enterprise Networks

Apple Computer on April 4 released an update, recommended for all users, aimed to improve features and fix problems on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macintosh systems.

The Mac OS X 10.4.6 Update is currently available for download from Apples Web site and through the Software Update feature in Mac OS X.

This update seems to focus on fixes and features of interest to enterprise users who work in networked environments.

AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) file sharing is improved, with file access and byte range locking, and users will be able to connect to Cisco VPN servers via IP Security.

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The update also resolves an issue that caused a privileges error when copying folders and files to a server based on the SMB protocol. Networking issues with proxy server automatic configuration files and PAC (automatic proxy configuration) are also fixed.

Mac owners who are used to running the OS X Disk Utility application after installing an update will notice that the update eliminates “special permissions” messages. And gamers will notice fixes to various graphical problems with games such as Blizzards “World of Warcraft,” and Aspyrs “True Crime: The Streets of L.A.” and “The Sims House Party.”

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The update also affects many Apple and third-party applications. Microsoft Office and iWork applications will now be searchable through Mac OS Xs Spotlight feature, enabling advanced and customizable searches.

iPhoto 6 also gains the ability to use workflows created in Automator, Mac OS Xs automation application. In addition, the update fixes a problem with Word 2004, in which Word would display an alert message, “Word cannot complete the operation because too many files are open,” when autosaving a document to a network-based home directory.

Mac OS X 10.4.6 is also able to synchronize contacts and calendars with mobile phones and Apples .Mac online service, and improves performance of WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning), which is used with the .Mac service.

This update also includes all recent security updates.

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