Apple released two Java updates shortly after the company disclosed to Reuters that a small number of its employees’ Macs had been hacked via the same vulnerability within the Java plug-in that had been used against Facebook. Java for OS X 2013-001 is for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.7 Lion while the Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 13 is specifically for 10.6 Snow Leopard; both bring Java SE 6 up to version 1.6.0_41. The updates are available via the App Store app or Software Update and direct download, and Apple reminds you to quit any Web browsers and Java applications before installing either one. With multiple vulnerabilities listed on Apple’s page outlining the security content for these releases, it’s a good idea to grab the Java update for your system as soon as you can. (Free, 66.6 MB and 72.4 MB)
Thoughtful, detailed coverage of the Mac, iPhone, and iPad, plus the best-selling Take Control ebooks.
Open Files with Finder's App Switcher
Say you're in the Finder looking at a file and you want to open it with an application that's already running but which doesn't own that particular document. How? Switch to that app and choose File > Open? Too many steps. Choose Open With from the file's contextual menu? Takes too long, and the app might not be listed. Drag the file to the Dock and drop it onto the app's icon? The icon might be hard to find; worse, you might miss.
In Leopard there's a new solution: use the Command-Tab switcher. Yes, the Command-Tab switcher accepts drag-and-drop! The gesture required is a bit tricky. Start dragging the file in the Finder: move the file, but don't let up on the mouse button. With your other hand, press Command-Tab to summon the switcher, and don't let up on the Command key. Drag the file onto the application's icon in the switcher and let go of the mouse. (Now you can let go of the Command key too.) Extra tip: If you switch to the app beforehand, its icon in the Command-Tab switcher will be easy to find; it will be first (or second).
Written by
Matt Neuburg
Java for OS X 2013-001 and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 13
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I'm so confused by Java on my mac now. I installed the Oracle one recently because I couldn't use Wordle without it. It's still there in System Preferences, which opens the separate Java Control Panel & tells me it's Java 7 and up to date. But then Software Update tells me to install this new Java for OS X 2013-001 1.0. I'm worried about collisions or accidentally downgrading so I've ignored the latter for now. Meanwhile in terminal I run java -version which delivers the following
java version "1.6.0_37"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_37-b06-434-11M3909)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 20.12-b01-434, mixed mode)
Take Control of Java on your Mac anyone?!:)
java version "1.6.0_37"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_37-b06-434-11M3909)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 20.12-b01-434, mixed mode)
Take Control of Java on your Mac anyone?!:)