If you’re expanding a network, building a new one, or replacing gear, you might consider a couple of alternatives to Apple’s Wi-Fi routers. Or wait until the middle of 2016, when odds suggest updated base stations from Apple might arrive.
XcodeGhost is a new piece of malware that uses modified versions of Xcode to insert malicious code into popular iOS apps. This appears to affect only Chinese apps, because bandwidth limitations in China are what prompted developers to download modified copies of Xcode from unofficial sources, rather than going straight to Apple.
Two OS X tools for surveying Wi-Fi signals can help you visually sort out what’s causing interference and better plan placing or moving access points for optimal signal coverage.
Please welcome our latest TidBITS sponsor, Bushel, the cloud-based mobile device management solution for Apple devices in the workplace.
Apple has combined its Mac, iOS, and Safari Developer Programs into the new Apple Developer Program, in essence halving the price for those who develop for both OS X and iOS.
Please welcome our latest TidBITS sponsor, Mapbox, makers of the Mapbox mapping platform for designers and developers.
Julio Ojeda-Zapata tries Bushel, a new JAMF Software service aimed at small businesses needing to manage Apple devices. It has promise for modest-sized, tech-challenged companies.
A properly set up server should be able to run unattended, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it all the time. A good sysadmin knows to check in on the server on a regular basis, and in this final chapter of “Take Control of OS X Server,” Charles Edge suggests weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance tasks that will keep your server running smoothly. He also discusses some common issues that tend to crop up, and points to additional resources when you need somewhere to turn for help.
In the final streamed chapter of “Take Control of OS X Server,” Charles Edge shares server maintenance tips and points readers to additional resources for OS X Server sysadmins.
If you’re interested in reducing unnecessary bandwidth usage from multiple users downloading the same software updates, or in controlling which Apple updates your Mac users can install, read this chapter of Charles Edge’s “Take Control of OS X Server” for details on the similar but separate Caching and Software Update services.
For organizations large and small, wikis can be tremendously useful, since they make it so anyone (with permissions) can create and edit pages on a Web site without knowing HTML or needing special tools. In this chapter of “Take Control of OS X Server,” Charles Edge explains how to enable the Wiki service, create a wiki, and create and edit wiki pages. Plus, with the click of a single checkbox, any wiki created in OS X Server can have an associated blog. What’s not to like?
Every organization must have a Web site these days, and if you’re already running OS X Server on a Mac with an appropriate static IP address and domain name, it’s relatively easy to enable Server’s Apache-based Websites service. Nonetheless, there’s a lot to know as you get into the configuration, and Charles Edge dives into the details ‘in this chapter of “Take Control of OS X Server.”
One of most useful features of OS X Server is Profile Manager, which provides mobile device management — the capability to configure numerous iOS devices or Macs with consistent settings and policies. In this chapter of “Take Control of OS X Server,” Charles Edge explain how to enable Profile Manager and start managing your devices.
In this chapter of “Take Control of OS X Server,” Charles Edge tries to persuade readers not to turn on OS X Server’s mail services, not because they’re difficult, but because doing so means non-stop battle against a constant onslaught of spam and malware. But if you do wish to venture into the breach, Charles provides the necessary background and instructions.
Much has been made of the announcement that Apple and IBM will work together to bring iOS devices and applications into the enterprise via IBM’s MobileFirst program. Systems administrator Andrew Laurence examines Apple’s enterprise history and strategy, and explains how the deal with IBM fits in.