Mac Users Of Mtc (apple: Go Ahead, Take A Bite!)

[boomouse]

anybody has any idea on how to sync a windows mobile 5.0 or 6.0 PPC/phone with a mac? aside from the softwares syncmate and missing sync. TIA

 

Nope. Those are your two best bets.

 

Syncmate is free but it does not sync SMS.

 

The Missing Sync works with iCal and Addressbook fine. My son uses it with his HTC Diamond off a MBP but I tried it and the interfact still feels kludgy to me.

 

Syncing through activestink, I mean Activesync has never been problem free. The missing sync will install a driver in your phone. You have to wait for it to do that before trying to sync otherwise all you will get are errors and you will be wondering why.

[badkarma1]

Nope. Those are your two best bets.

 

Syncmate is free but it does not sync SMS.

 

The Missing Sync works with iCal and Addressbook fine. My son uses it with his HTC Diamond off a MBP but I tried it and the interfact still feels kludgy to me.

 

Syncing through activestink, I mean Activesync has never been problem free. The missing sync will install a driver in your phone. You have to wait for it to do that before trying to sync otherwise all you will get are errors and you will be wondering why.

thanks boomouse

[badkarma1]

one more question, how do i install apps on my windows mobile device if i sync thru syncmate?

[boomouse]

one more question, how do i install apps on my windows mobile device if i sync thru syncmate?

 

I don't know if it does installs. My son uses The Missing Sync and he says that it does installs.

[badkarma1]

I don't know if it does installs. My son uses The Missing Sync and he says that it does installs.

ive installed the missing sync but it didn't install the program. i downloaded the windows mobile version but it didnt install. should i download the palm version? im referring to skyscape programs

[roxysnonie]

Before I gave my one year old MBP that was exactly like yours to my son, I had to change the hard disk a second time because he did not like the MTRON 128 GB SSD I had on it. I found out that the most you can get on it was a 250 GB Western Digital drive. The 320GB was slightly too thick and would only fit in a 17-ingh MBP. We ended with a smaller, but faster 200 GB Seagate.

 

I now use the MTRON in an external enclosure to supplement that insipid 64GB SSD on my Macbook Air.

 

so can it be done d.i.y.?

[boomouse]

so can it be done d.i.y.?

 

No. I still had to get someone at Ynzal to do it. I know I can do it but I am not in a urry to do it wrong. So better pay someone who does it for a living.

 

===========================

 

 

 

Does the Mac Really Have Enterprise Security Issues?

 

by John Martellaro, 5:15 PM EDT, July 15th, 2008

http://www.macobserver.com/editorial/2008/07/15.1.shtml

 

On Tuesday, Computerworld published a story about so-called security flaws in Mac OS X that affect the enterprise. The six arguments actually amount to a collection of shibboleths.

 

Security Flaw #1: Apple Updates. The argument is that security updates pop up unannounced and insufficient information is provided to make a decision as to whether to roll out the update.

 

Reality:

Experienced IT administrators who maintain Macs have access to information that helps them better understand the updates. With Apple Remote Desktop, they can lock down their clients and prevent individual users from installing updates while they evaluate the update themselves. Then they can roll it out when ready. The CW argument above draws from the experience of the desktop user, not the Mac IT administrator.

Security Flaw #2: Serious Flaws are slow to be fixed. "While the project running the software often patches such vulnerabilities in hours or days, Apple often lags in releasing such updates," the author noted.

 

Reality:

I suspect, based on my experience, that Apple evaluates the impact of the vulnerability in the light of the system architecture. If there are no known exploits in the wild, as the author admitted, then Apple can take a wholistic approach that's better for system stability. Also, they have to take into account that the FreeBSD subsystem is open source maintained by committers. In contrast, Microsoft can roll out emergency patches that simply cause trickle down effects and result in the need for new patches on patches and reduce system stability.

Security Flaw #3: Administrator Mode. The argument here is somewhat incoherent and suggests that the distinction between administrator mode and an unprivileged user is a problem in the business world. The argument fails to take note of the tools Mac IT administrators have.

Reality:

Corporate users of Mac OS X do not generally have Administrator privileges and IT Administrators lock down the Mac and dictate what can be done. Entire disk images ("spins") can be rolled out or specific updates installed. See Item #1 above. The CW article goes over the top when it suggests that Mac users with Admin privileges can all too easily access dangerous functions, which is not true in a managed corporate environment. "It's hard to enable those things on Windows," said a consultant who noted that "even when such settings are available in Windows, the settings are typically obscure or complicated enough to deter average users. By contrast, a single click might be enough in Mac OS X." The obscurity argument is hardly comforting and fails to take into account the fact that enterprise Mac users can be denied access to the the terminal or other configuration options.

Security Flaw #4: Naive Use of Back to My Mac. "Mac OS X includes one special service that sounds alarming at first glance -- and it can be a real security hole in unmanaged environments," according to the author.

 

Reality:

Enterprise installations of Macs are managed environments. Back to My Mac is a toy for individuals who assume the entire risk. The article goes on to basically admit that.

Security Flaw #5: Complacency over Malware. The author goes on to say, "The fact is that the Mac has not been a malware target, and it is safer than Windows from such threats." The argument is then that that may not be true in the future.

 

Reality:

The author negated his own headline and then added some speculation.

Security Flaw #6: Apple's security is half-baked. "Nothing in Leopard is completely implemented," according to a consultant cited by the author. "They finished enough to get their marketing bullet point, but not a real strong level of defense," was ascribed to another consultant. The solution suggested was to wait for Snow Leopard for serious Mac deployments when the users will "know precisely what security improvements Apple commits to for that release."

 

Reality:

Quoting consultants who have an opinion doesn't make for quantitative truth. Any OS is an evolving ecosphere. No OS will ever be perfect, and suggesting that the entire security posture of Leopard won't be complete until Snow Leopard is like suggesting that 90 percent of corporate America completely delay the deployment of Vista until Windows 7 comes out. It's a pipe dream.

In my opinion, the article isn't really about security flaws in Mac OS X that affect the enterprise. It's really just a collection of quotes and differing opinions regarding Apple's business practices and technical approach.

 

====================

 

Boomouse:

Microsoft did say that they were going to start hitting back as the "Get-a-Mac" ads were really hurting MS. I guess they are trying now. MS is one of ComputerWorld's largest advertisers.

Edited July 16, 2008 by boomouse

[artvader]

I hope it gets resolved soon, but I heard Ynzal is having trouble with Apple and may risk losing their reseller status.

[chunkyhunk]

Well, basically, what the article says is the same thing I have been saying here. Unless you know where to look and what to look for, the security flaw isn't really an easy one to exploit...

[boomouse]

Well, basically, what the article says is the same thing I have been saying here. Unless you know where to look and what to look for, the security flaw isn't really an easy one to exploit...

 

Yes, but its one thing if we amateurs say it, and it is another when someone who makes a career of it says it. Martellaro is infinitely more credible than you or I.

[artvader]

Am I missing something here or isn't the author actually talking about Mac IT administrators and IT-personnel managed macs rather than "the average" desktop users?

[chancepassenger30]

hi guys, another question here... is there a way for me to convert an animated gif file into a movie file?

[chunkyhunk]

Yes, but its one thing if we amateurs say it, and it is another when someone who makes a career of it says it. Martellaro is infinitely more credible than you or I.

 

True. The difference is, even most amateurs like you and I KNOW this is not easy to exploit, because we do keep tabs on our favorite OS.

 

I do have programming (engineering) background as well. I'm not saying I'm an expert, just that I understand enough.

 

Am I missing something here or isn't the author actually talking about Mac IT administrators and IT-personnel managed macs rather than "the average" desktop users?

 

As I mentioned to you before, a "hacker" won't target the everyday user. The hacker would have to look for an specific user, and he must have left himself bread crumbs in that user's Mac (meaning, he's had low level access) just to find that user online.

 

hi guys, another question here... is there a way for me to convert an animated gif file into a movie file?

 

I think you can open a .gif animation in quicktime (if you have QT pro, you can simply save it as a movie. Or, open it in imageready as a layered file and convert it into a movie.

[chancepassenger30]

cool. thanks chunky! quicktime pro did it

[chunkyhunk]

cool. thanks chunky! quicktime pro did it

 

You're welcome.