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