This new version is a full universal binary release, so it will be compatible with both Intel- and PPC-based Macs. Additionally, the SAV menubar icon and System Preferences icons are again a part of the default installation.

Please note: SAV 10.2 is compatible with 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.4.10 only. Symantec recommends against installing it on older versions of OS X.

http://www.ncsu.edu/antivirus

As always, please direct any questions to help@ncsu.edu.

The OIT software license team has created a new Frequently Asked Questions Page for Microsoft Office Macintosh Version. Find it at http://www.ncsu.edu/software/agreements/office2008faq.php. Please note that there are no upgrade licenses for any version of MS Office on any platform.

Moving to the newest Mac OS has always be fun for me and I suspect many of you who will be reading this. On the eve of the release of Leopard, or now Mac OS X 10.5, I want to remind everyone not to spoil your own fun.

Read full article: 'Upgrade Reminders on the eve of Leopard'

OIT has completed the renewal of the Apple Maint Agreement for 1400 Mac OS X licenses and all upgrades for the period Sept. 30, 2007 to Sept. 30, 2010. Cost will be $59.00 per seat one time covering all 3 years. Install media will also be available for purchase as new major versions of Mac OS X are released.
More information is available at:
http://www.ncsu.edu/software/available-software/product.php?software=106
To request a license or media set (DVD only) please fill out the form at:
http://www.ncsu.edu/mac/pn/index.php?module=FormExpress&func=display_form&form_id=3

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306583
Note that the only legal way to run BootCamp after expiration is to upgrade to MacOS X 10.5.

The Unity Macintosh Lab images for both i386 and PPC are now available. Contact help@ncsu.edu to obtain a copy. As requested by MacTech this image installs a home folder in /Users/$uid$ (i.e. the Unity uid). These images have been tested on iMac G5, iMac Core2Duo, MacMini CoreDuo, PowerMac G5 Dual Core, and Macintosh Pro Quad Core. Also note that this image now uses Net-Print to print to WolfCopy printers which avoids the problem with custom print dialogs. Please report any issues to help@ncsu.edu.

By this writing many of you may have heard of the changes in the begin and end dates for US Daylight Savings Time for 2007*. Brought to you by the energy Policy Act of 2005, this legislation changing the Daylight Savings Time period will mean that all operating system makers must update the information in their software by which time is adjusted, including Apple Inc.

So why do we care? At first it might seem trivial that the date on a computer is off by one hour, but many, many important functions that we take for granted depend on the computer system time being correct. Examples of these are login and authentication technologies such as kerberos, encryption technologies such as RSA certificates for https web page security and ssl encryption for secure shell, sftp, etc, and calendar packages such as iCal, Oracle Calendar, Groupwise, Now UpToDate,etc. Without the correct system time it would be almost impossible to keep most of our financial, calendar and identity information private and correct.

So how do I know what the correct time is?

Read full article: 'UPDATED!!! Apply Software Updates for 10.3 and 10.4 - Upgrade to fix changes for US Daylight Savings Time for 2007!!!'

UPDATE: Looks like version 4.9.01.0030 fixes the issue.

There are some issues with the Cisco VPN and current Intel Macintosh Hardware. Detals at:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3075935&#3075935

If you need to get the CISCO VPN client for Macintosh look here:
http://comtech.ncsu.edu/networking/vpn_instructions.php

If you are a Apple laptop owner or know someone who is please check to make sure your laptop battery is safe by reading the information on the Apple Battery Recall at:

http://www.apple.com/support/batteryexchange/2006/faq/

From the FAQ:
I have one of the recalled batteries. Should I stop using it?
Apple urges you to stop using your battery, remove it from your system, and order a replacement battery immediately.

Can I use my computer without the battery in it?
Yes, once you've removed the affected battery, just plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.

Please be safe!

New information from Microsoft verifies that it is legal to use the Upgrade XP license to install Virtualization images with software like Virtual PC/Parallels/VMWare/etc on the Macintosh. Please read the details in the FAQ at:

http://www.ncsu.edu/it/essentials/software_ncstate/microsoft/virtualizationfaq.html