OS X

Cell Phone Post

November 21, 2003

I've been looking for the best solution for posting from the road. The Aircard Page has some good info on using the Sierra Wireless 555 card. The downside is that it disables the normal serial interface for the PCMCIA card so it would mean switching back and forth to download images from the cameras. However the page at the bottom tells how to configure PPP for OS X to use National Access (formerly Express Network).

The next problem is the lack of a Motorola v.120e on the list of modems in 10.3. A few tries without success. Finally used the "Sprint PCS Vision" choice.

Directories, paths and folders

November 9, 2003

It occurs to me that one of the problems for those who are transitioning from Macintosh OS 9 (and some Windows users for that matter) is confustion because there are several changes in naming conventions. I'm starting a list of key synonymns.

  • Directory - Folder
  • User - Account
  • Alais - Symbolic Link

The list is growing and if you have items to contribute comment on this item. This is the first step in describing the differences in the way things work in OS X.

Upgrade complete

November 6, 2003

With the filp of a couple of switches this morning the migration to Drupal 4.3 is complete. No new features yet but the transition is smooth. Here's what I did.

  • Create a copy of the database with the name test_ appended to the start
  • Unpack the 4.3 distrubution and merge my existing customized files into the distribution
  • Change the config to use the test_ database
  • Run the updater script on the test site
  • After all is well move the test site into the production path
  • Change the config to recognize the real database
  • Run the updater on the live database

Long Update

November 4, 2003

The update to OS X 10.3 server took longer than anticipated tonight.

Initally the problem started when the CD-ROM drive wouldn't read the CD. A quick shake and things were back in order. Disk one completed the installation of the first part of the update to 10.2 Server. After inserting the second disk the installer couldn't find several manual files that are a part of the server requirements. Another try and it still couldn't be found.

Restarting in disk mode I hooked it up to the powerbook and created a disk image to update files from. Then a clean install of 10.3 worked like a charm. After the upgrade was complete it was time to install MySQL and update the web server. The new format for the built in administration of the web server took some figuring to get the proper portions of the configuration into the correct files.

Class Action Madness

October 27, 2003

The settlement for certain OS X users is the latest in many class action suits that rankle me. I'm not commenting on the merits or not of the suit. But as a user I'd get $25 back while the firms representing me would make $350,000 plus expenses. I understand there are many hours in a case like this. 1000 hours - half a working year - possibly. That would make the rate $350 an hour plus expenses.

Perhaps the people in the class should start a revolt. Excluding ourselves from the class and saying no to extreme fees.

Panther Arrives

October 24, 2003

Later today Panther will hit the streets. The Apple Stores around the country are hosting special events at 8:00 PM local time across the country. MacOSXhints.com will post several hints about the new OS. The good news is I might get to actually start using it as a project I was planning to deliver this week is delayed and the new included VPN functionality should enable using it without waiting for updated VPN clients.

It also looks like the Complete packages provided by Server Logistics probably will work as well. More good news.

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