Symantec warns of Samba vulnerability

Request Multiple Heap-Based Buffer Overflow vulnerability is present in all versions of SAMBA prior to the current 3.0.25 version.

Mac OS 10.4.9 currently employs version 3.0.10. The exploit is only possible when Windows Sharing is turned on and it is disabled by default.

If you are really concerned about this vulnerability and can't wait for Apple to issue an update you can get build the latest version from Samba.org

www.samba.org

iTunes update support new "Plus" tracks

iTunes 7.2 (34) was released late Tuesday night and offers the ability to, "preview and purchase iTunes Plus music—new higher-quality, DRM-free music downloads from participating music labels.”

Plus tracks are now available in new iTunes Plus section from EMI

Beside the tracks being called "Plus", the release also alludes to tracks from other labels being available.

Jobs said Apple is busy adding "zillions" of independent labels and it will be available as they can encode it.

As expected the Paul McCartney catalog was added and is in "plus" format.

7.2 also adjust the Podcast sort order so that "the" is not counted in the podcast name.

Apple TV will add YouTube support

Starting in mid-june AppleTVs will get an update to allow owners to browse and stream YouTube video content directly to their living rooms

The YouTube videos will start with a few thousand in mid-June with more being added each week until the entire catalog is available near the end of the summer. The delay is due to videos needing to be moved to H.264 format to support AppleTV.

Apple also announced a new AppleTV build to order option allowing customers to configure the unit with a larger 160GB hard drive for USD$399.00

Another Quicktime security update

QuickTimeSecurity Update 7.1.6 fixes two issues in Quicktime for Java

One could lead to arbitrary code execution if your were ticked into running a Applet on a maliciously crafted web page

The other may allow a web browser's memory to be read by a Java applet running on a maliciously crafted site.

Microsoft enter Multi-touch game with Surface

Announced on Tuesday at the D: All Things Digital Conference by Steve Ballmer

Microsoft Surface

First applications will be table tops in hotels, bars, restaurants, and retail spaces and available only for commercial applications with prices ranging from $5,000-$10,000.

Direct interaction by touch and gesture, Multi-touch. Surface computing, Multi-user Object recognition. Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.

Available in Winter 2007?

All this has a very Minority Report-esque feel.

Has Microsoft beat Apple to multi-touch computer interface? Rumors of multi-touch in next iMacs or Cinema displays

Play Delmar's thoughts on the "Surface".

Some Audiobooks won't play with iPod

Apple recently ran into some issues with some new audiobook titles available on iTunes

The issues several recent titles including Al Gore's book, "The Assault on Reason"

The audiobooks play fin in iTunes but will not play on iPods

Apple customer service is telling customers to not buy audiobooks for at least a week while the issues are resolved.

Beyond checking the user comments for the books, there is not really any way of knowing if a book is effected prior to purchase

Jobs notes on iPhone from D: All things Digital

Asked about iPhone release date being the last day of June and said, "Yeah probably".

On why no 3G, cited proliferation of WiFi and commented that 3G may not be necessary

Said that Apple wants to open iPhone for 3rd party development but needs more time to work out security and stability issues.

In talking about why the Mac and iPod are so successfully Jobs says it's all about the software, "“So the big secret about Apple is that Apple views itself as a software company."

Jobs also hinted that HD AppleTV content may eventually makes it's way to the iTunes Store

TeachMac purchase

Talk about the recent purchase of the TeachMac technology for $2 million dollars

The technology is licensed back to TeachMac indefinitely, so the service does not change.

Created Equal, the non-profit behind TeachMac, will give a matching donation to the Oasis Project of up to 1 million dollars.

Oasis Project Donation

Apple support in other countries

Play comment from Matthew

I have heard of there getting success after a bad experience by contacting Apple directly. Emailing Steve Jobs (his assistant answers some email).

iTunes 7.2 and DRM Free Gotchas

iTunes purchased tracks contain you account data

This is being discussed because of DRM free tracks bit has always been there

Contains your name (purchased by) and email address (iTunes account name) in the metadata. Can be viewed by Get Info on track and looking at the "Summary" tab

If you open the file in a text editor you can see the data. I tried editing the track and it killed the ability to playback the file.

You can change the data with a HEX editor as long as you don't delete/or add characters (replace only)

Changing a protected track breaks the authorization

Re-ripping the tracks into MP3 or other formats will also strip out the personal data

Chris Breen discovered that re-ripped MP3 files from burned CDs (analog hole) will no longer sync to an iPod. AAC still works and re-ripped tracks play in iTunes.

Bug or done on purpose to limit DRM Free mp3 sharing?

Launching attachments on Mac from Parallels

Play tip from Raphael

A couple items to add

You will need to map a drive in Parallels

You can save your script in ~/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/

You need to activate Folder Actions, open /Applications/Applescript/Folder Actions Setup and click "Enable Folder Actions", add the launch folder to the left pane and add the script to the right. You can also Right+Click (Control+Click) a folder in the finder and choose "Attach a Folder Action…"

File compression on the Mac

Built-in

Right/Control+Click and choose "Create Archive"

Great for sending attachments using Apple Mail, also check the "Windows friendly attachments" option.

StuffIt

Stuffit Expander (free)

Stuffit Deluxe

Recent issues with an update crashing the finder with contextual menus, but that should be resolved.

Using restore disks with 10.3.7 or later

Reinstall some (but not all) bundled applications without erasing the Mac OS X volume

Follow these steps to install or reinstall certain applications, such as iCal, iMovie, iChat, Safari, iTunes, and iPhoto—Mac OS X must already be installed to do this.

Note: On computers that ship with Mac OS X 10.4 or later use these steps to install bundled third-party applications, iLife and Front Row. For other Mac OS X applications such as iCal, iChat, Safari and others, use the system software install and choose a custom install.

1. Back up your essential files. This is a wise precaution even though you won't be erasing the volume.

2. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer.

3. Double-click "Install Bundled Software Only."

4. Follow the onscreen instructions as follows:

1. Select the destination.

2. Click Continue.

3. Click Upgrade to install all the applications or click Customize to select which packages to install.

4. If you click Customize, you'll see a list of applications that you can select to install, or deselect to not install.

5. Continue following the onscreen instructions to complete the install.

Remote Desktop Maintenance

Play question from Chris

Hamachi & Hamachi X Client

Establish a VPN via their service over the Internet using standard protocols

No firewall router issues, zero config, deals with dynamic IPs.

Hamachi

Hamachi X

Hamachi X Client

Remote control apps

SpyMe 2, USD$15 for a 3 client license

SpyMe

Netopia Timbuktu

VNC

VNC Built-in to OS X

System Preferences-->Sharing and clicking on the Apple Remote Desktop option. Then Click the "Access Privileges..." button and check the "VNC users may control my screen with a password" and enter a password.

Chicken of the VNC to connect to and remotely

Chicken of the VNC

Unless you use a VPN tunnel, not secure over the Internet. Need to open special ports.