Apple has released Mac OS X 10.3.3 Update which “delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 ‘Panther’ and is recommended for all users.” The 58.8 MB update is available via Software Update.
Enhancements 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.
– 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.
– 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.
– 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.
– Improves print operations when a pending print jobs is moved to the queue of a printer that has different capabilities.
– 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.
– 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.
For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n25711
I’m not seeing this on any other Mac sites, yet.
Give the others a minute, Fork Ball. MDN broke the news, the rest will follow shortly if they haven’t already. MacSurfer is already linking to this article.
Well, it’s on Software Update!
Is anyone jumping in?
I will. I’ll report back in a bit.
Optimizing right now. 88% complete. Will restart and post from Mac OS X 10.3.3 in a moment…
Downloading it from Software Update now.
You guys go first, and tell me how it works out. In the mean time, I’ll be making a backup
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
I jumped in and did not come up without a sting from a jellyfish. Be sure to log out all users except the admin. When the computer restarted, my admin user was gone, and when I clicked on the ‘Back’ button in the login window, the computer went to a black screen with a command line asking for a login. Once I typed in a bogus user and password, the normal login window came back with all users shown. From there I restarted for good measure, and voila, it seems to be working.
Very weird.
Has anyone heard from Peter? He said he’d be back in a moment. What’s taking so long?
It worked fine on my G5 1.6. The Network browser is actually worth something now–no more inconsistent behavior. Other than that I haven’t noticed much of a difference yet.
Greeting from Mac OS X 10.3.3 on a PowerBook G4 Titanium. Everything seems fine to me! SMB connects, VPN works.
Network browsing in 10.3.3 seems much, much faster…
Mac OS X 10.3.3 on a 1.0GhZ iMac 17in FP. 768RAM. Install was flawless, testing my apps to verify no probs. If I have problems, I’ll report back.
10.3.3 running here on PB 12.1″ 1ghz SuperDrive, 768RAM …. no problems so far … i have noticed my menu-bar battery indicator is now providing realtime feedback of batter status (under 10.2.2 i would always have to select “time” or “percentage” to force a status update).
Anyone think the 10.3.3 is running ever so slightly faster? Might just be a “placebo” effect, but opening finder windows and apps seems snappier.
Powermac G4 1.25GHz (Dual) running Mac OS 10.3.3 no poblems yet, smooth install.
Fixed “junk” problems in Mail! Yay! Only problem I’m noticing is my Logitech Trackman Wheel lost its accelerated scroll ability…
Correction – it just came back with a vengeance! Wow, that was weird.
iBook G4. No problems here. Still testing applications.
Installed smooth as silk on the G4 PowerBook. No problems noticed yet. Now I’ll juice up the G5.
My servers show up on the desktop and the finders left column for the first time sense I’ve owned my 15′ Aluminum Powerbook. (and yes, it was always turned on in the Finder Preferences)
Cool!
iBook G4 800 runs like a champ on 10.3.3, Expose’ feels faster, tested many apps and all seems well.
Installed on my eMac no problemo, everything seems faster than before.
Wicked. One day they’ll release the ‘Ultimate Update’ that fixes everything.
Or you PC users could just type ‘format c:’ and cure all ur woes
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Sounds great!
Now… time to let other people be the guinea pigs.
Are these updates fraught with danger? I have been going thru windows updates like crackers, without a problem for 3 years or so since ie6 got updated and then didnt work. With all this oddball hardware too. Amazing eh?
twelveeightyone I typed “format c:” and got a porn site. I dont get it.
Joe McConnel,
Must be a virus infecting ur PC, anyways u need to type whilst in your PC’s true OS environment – the mighty MS-DOS
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” /> The colourful clown suit for Windows.
Noticed Safari is much faster too.