Hands-On Report--Mac OS X 10.3.3 Update for Client and Server
The 10.3.3 Client Update delivers significantly enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users. The key enhancements include:
- network volumes are now available in the Finder sidebar and Desktop for convenient access
- improved file sharing and directory services for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS) and PC (SMB/CIFS) networks
- improved PostScript and USB printing
- updated Disk Utility, DVD Player, Image Capture, Mail and Safari applications
- additional support for FireWire and USB devices
- improved compatibility for third party applications
- previous standalone security updates and Bluetooth Update 1.5
Mail is updated to v1.3.4 and Safari to v1.2.1.
We applied the update to 12" and 17" PowerBook G4s, G4 Cubes, a G3 iBook and a Power Mac G5, all with no problems. We forgot to remove the SpeedStart patch but that appears to not be a problem. Startup in 10.3.3 seems as fast or faster than the patched 10.3.2. We like the added feature of shared volume icons appearing in the sidebar with the eject button that appears next to it to disconnect--much more logical than using the "gear" button. There appear to be new ATI and Nvidia graphics drivers with a March 7, 2004, modification date.
Detailed information on the client update is available from this Apple KBase article. They include:
Networking and .Mac enhancements
- Addresses issues, such as a lost network connection, that could occur when connecting to a network device that forces the network speed and/or duplex setting (known as a "locked" device).
- AppleTalk Browsing is now on by default.
- Resolves an issue in which name conflicts could occur among Network Service Entities.
- Available servers can be seen when browsing Windows Workgroups or Domains.
- Enhancements to /Network browsing include: Servers appear on the desktop and in Finder window Sidebars, AFP Authentication options are available, and you can disconnect a server by dragging its icon on the desktop to the Trash or by clicking the Eject icon in the Sidebar.
- Improves synchronization between .Mac and your computer.
- .Mac no longer attempts to automatically sync files over a wireless network (or "hotspot") before the computer is authorized to use the network.
- Enhances an Open directory plug-in, which is used in network environments: The Active Directory plug-in is no longer sensitive to the case of the domain; the plug-in now works in ".local" domain environments; the plug-in is now less sensitive to DNS records that don't have matching reverse lookup.
- Improves compatibility with certain third-party wireless networking PC cards, such as the Honda AH-G10. More...
- Enhances the IrDA menu item when IrDA networking is active.
- Finder and applications that allow you to browse the file system will now refresh the contents of a remote network volume's folder or directory when the folder's contents change.
DVD Player enhancements
- DVD Player will no longer quit if an unsupported PCI video card is installed in your computer. More...
- DVD Player supports more DVD video discs that are designed to play automatically.
- Improved DVD playback when "Digital Audio Output" is selected in DVD Player preferences.
- DVD Player now recognizes and plays DVD+R media.
Application enhancements
- Images retain their characteristics when you import them in iPhoto. More...
- Addresses an issue in which Mail could unexpectedly quit when marking some types of unsolicited messages (or "spam") as Junk.
- Addresses issues that may cause Address Book and other applications to unexpectedly quit if the Classic Mac OS fonts are disabled in Font Book.
- Text shadow opacity and color are saved in RTF documents and preserved when you copy or paste.
- Image Capture can now import files whose names begins with an underscore character ("_") .
Finder enhancements
- Improves security by requiring an administrator to authenticate for each Finder action that needs authentication, such as installing software. In earlier Mac OS X Panther versions, an administrator who authenticated may have unknowingly given elevated priviledges to the non-admin user for 5 minutes. This change also prevents a normal user from performing administrator actions if an administrator user has authenticated during their session.
- When you use an Open menu command to choose a file in Finder or an application, the flashing button now says "Choose" instead of "Open".
- Addresses an issue in which Finder unexpectedly quits if the View menu option "Show icon preview" is enabled while dragging a significant number of icons to another location.
Other enhancements
- Improvements in start up time that some computers experienced under some installations of Mac OS X 10.3.2 Update. More...
- Improves print operations when a pending print jobs is moved to the queue of a printer that has different capabilities. More...
- Improves recognition of Hi-Speed USB devices by PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 computers when woken from sleep.
- A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) panel is available in Energy Saver preferences, as well as a UPS menu bar item, when a UPS power management system is connected to the computer. Overall support for UPS systems is improved.
- Improves display of text when printing a document that contains two-byte PostScript CID or OpenType fonts.
- Improves compatibility for USB Overdrive: Addresses an issue in which the Media Eject and volume keys may not work if an early version was installed. More...
- Improves Fan Control system function for Power Mac G5 computers.
- Includes Bluetooth 1.5, which supports Bluetooth-enabled headsets with iChat AV, and adds the ability to print to compatible Bluetooth-enabled printers.
- Adds support for the latest mLAN devices. First-generation mLAN devices require a firmware update for compatibility with v10.3.3. Please visit (http://www.mLANcentral.com) for complete details and access to available firmware updates.
The 10.3.3 Server Update also delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X Server v10.3 and is recommended for all systems. The parts updated include: Open Directory (Directory Services), Network Services, General Networking, File Services, System Imaging (NetBoot/Network Install), Printing, Mail Service, Web Services, QuickTime Streaming Server, Server Administration Tools, Application Server, Finder and Disk Utility (AppleRAID). The key enhancements include:
- improved reliability of AFP, SMB/CIFS and NFS file services
- enhanced Server Admin, Workgroup Manager and Network Image Utility applications
- improved Open Directory authentication performance, Active Directory integration and Kerberos support
- updated QuickTime streaming and broadcast services for compatibility with 3G phones
- added support for background rebuilding of RAID mirrors, and network VLAN tagging
- updated to Samba version 3.0.2 and MySQL version 4.0.18
- improved PostScript and USB printing
- additional support for FireWire and USB devices
- improved compatibility for third party applications and devices
- previous standalone security updates
The detailed information on the server update is available from this Apple KBase article. Pay special attention to the note about MySQL before applying the updater.
We updated our copy of Mac OS X 10.3 Server running on a stock G4 Cube with no problems.
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