OS X version 10.5 "Leopard" Now Out!

Apple has released the new version of OS X, the Macintosh Operating System. The ITSD staff is now testing Leopard. It is known that some common applications do not yet work with Leopard.

Leopard Update 10.5.1 has been released. If you have OS X 10.5, you should update as soon as you can.

Check back here for more announcements on Leopard at UNCW

For more information Non-Compatible Applications see:  Not Compatible with OS X Leopard

For more information about OS X Leopard see:  OS X Leopard

iPrint Not Working with Leopard

The iPrint software does not work reliably with OS X 10.5 Leopard. Pharos, the developer of iPrint has a fix for this problem, but it does not work all the time. We are working with the vendor on this issue.

For more information see:  Pharos iPrint Client Information

Boot Camp Beta Ending Soon

Boot Camp is the program from Apple that is used to install and run Windows on a Macintosh with an Intel brand CPU.  With the release of OS X Leopard, which Boot Camp in now an integrated feature, the stand alone Boot Camp is now longer available. The beta will expire the end of December. To continue to use the features of Boot Camp, an upgrade to OS X Leopard will be required.

Microsoft Office Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 0.2 (Beta)

The new file format used in Office 2007 has to be converted before use with earlier versions of Office. Microsoft has provided a converter for Macintosh users. Note that only Word and PowerPoint files are supported. To open Excel files, one needs a third party converter, or use Apple's iWork programs. (Trial version available, see next section.) Pages, Numbers and Keynote will open files created in Office 2007. Microsoft Office 2008 for Macintosh is due to be released in January 2008.

For more information see: Microsoft Office Open XML File Format Converter for Mac

Trial Copy of Apple's New iWork '08 Now Available

Apple is offering a 30 day trial copy of their new iWork "08 program suite. Give Pages, Numbers and Keynote a try. You can open MS Office documents, including Office 2007. Documents created in iWork can be exported into MS Office, PDF and other formats.

For more information see:  iWork Trial

Live in Two Worlds - Macintosh and MS Windows?

If you have a Macintosh that is Intel CPU based, you can run Macintosh OS X, and a number of other operating systems including Windows XP and Vista. For people who are in this situation, there is Parallels Desktop for Mac. There is a trial copy available.

For more information see:  Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac

Banner, SeaWeb and other campus applications using a Mac 

ITSD has tested and found that the FireFox Web Browser works with most campus applications.  Note that Microsoft Internet Explorer for the Macintosh is no longer available.  IE for the Mac is no longer supported, and it's use can result in unexpected results.

Exchange + Repair Extension Programs from Apple Computer:

Apple has a number of Exchange and Repair Extension Programs that relate to their products.

This can include Batteries and System components. If you are having a problem, check the Apple Support web page.

For more information see:  Exchange + Repair Extension Programs

Battery Recall / Exchange Program Information from Apple Computer:

MacBook and MacBook Pro Battery Update

Apple has recently discovered that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have battery performance issues. Apple is offering a software update that is designed to address these issues.

For more information see:  Battery Update

12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4

Apple has determined that certain lithium-ion batteries containing cells manufactured by Sony Corporation of Japan pose a safety risk that may result in overheating under rare circumstances.  Note: If your computer has a battery that has been recalled, after removing the battery from the iBook or PowerBook, you should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.  Do not put the battery back in the computer.

The affected batteries were sold worldwide from October 2003 through August 2006 for use with the following notebook computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4.

For more information see:  Battery Exchange Program iBook G4 and PowerBook G4

15-inch MacBook Pro

Apple has initiated a worldwide battery exchange program for certain rechargeable batteries that were sold for use with 15-inch MacBook Pro computer systems from February 2006 through May 2006.  Note: The affected batteries do not pose a safety risk. You may continue to use your current battery until a replacement arrives.

For more information see:  15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Exchange Program

Interested in Podcasting?  

Thinking of delivering course content with this new technology?  Wonder what it will take to do this?  For more information, contact the TAC (tac@uncw.edu).

Did you miss the Apple Computer Demonstrations and Discussions at UNCW - January 26thand 27th?

ITSD thanks Apple Computer and all who attended the event.  Francis Shepard, Apple Senior System Engineer and Fred Brackett, Account Executive, Higher Education did a great event. Topics that were covered were Final Cut Studio, Podcasting in Education, Mac OS X Tiger and overview of new iLife 06 applications.

The Event Agenda is Here.

 

Macintosh Information:
	- There are still no Mac OS X Viruses! Mac's are not immune to viruses. Like all UNIX based systems it can be done. Unlike Windows it is very difficult. There are few Mac OS X Anti-Virus Programs, and only one Anti-Spyware Program because the need is not there. Two Anti-Spyware Programs have been pulled from the market, because there were so few sales. ITSD continues to evaluate Macintosh Security. Norton Antivirus for the Mac is available to UNCW Faculty, Staff and Students. Contact the Technology Assistance Center for more information. - There are Mac OS X Trojans! The latest one is the [Mac DNS Changer] Trojan. For more information see:  Trojan The user has to install the malicious program. Trojans are not a virus, since they will not "self-replicate". To avoid getting a Trojan, Never install any program you don't know the source of.

Microsoft Macintosh Product Information:
	- Microsoft has released an Update for Office 2004 for Mac. This update is version 11.3.8 and includes improvements and vulnerability fixes. You can find the update here, or use Microsoft AutoUpdate found in the Applications Folder. 16 January 2006 - Microsoft has announced the End of Life (EOL) for their Internet Explorer Macintosh product.  Contact ITSD if you need IE Mac after it is removed from the Microsoft Web Site the end of January.  Microsoft recommends using the Macintosh Safari browser. - Microsoft has also announced the EOL for Windows Media Player for Macintosh.  They recommend users obtain the free Flip4Mac Quicktime plug-in for Windows media content from Telestream at www.flip4mac.com.
The following are links to more information:

Apple OS X v10.4 Tiger Support  is here.  Answers, tips, discussion, downloads and more about Tiger direct from Apple.

Microsoft Office 2004 for the Macintosh is here.  Along with Word, Excel and Power Point this also includes the Email client Entourage 2004.

Entourage 2004 is the first native OS X Email client that allows Macintosh users to connect to the UNCW Exchange server, on or off campus.  The Palm sync conduit installer is also on the Office 2004 CD-Rom.

Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 is also available.  Macintosh users who have to run Windows native programs on occasion may find this program useful. Note: This product only supports Macintosh systems with Power PC CPUs. For Intel CPU based systems, use Parallels Desktop for Mac of similar programs.

UNCW Apple Purchase Information Information on UNCW Discounts for Macintosh Computers and Select Software.

UNCW Apple Education Custom Store Direct link to the Apple Store for the UNCW Community.

Apple Mac OS X Apple's web page about Mac OS X.

Apple Higher Education Apple's web page specialized for Higher Ed users.

Apple Knowledge Base Apple's technical support Knowledge Base web page. If you have a problem, this is a good place to start.

OSXFAQ - Technical News and Support for Mac OS X Another good place to look for Mac OS X support.

Mactopia: The Microsoft web site for Macintosh customers This is the main Microsoft web page for people who use MS programs developed for Macintosh computers.

Microsoft Macintosh Support Microsoft's web page for Macintosh program support. It covers Mac Office and other Microsoft Macintosh programs.

MacScience is a directory of OS X applications for scientific research, from data analysis, manipulation, management, and visualization to scientific writing, publishing or programming.

For more information, please contact the Technology Assistance Center.