VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Zach · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:49 am Post subject: New MacBook Pro

I just purchased a new MacBook Pro.

Getting it setup was a breaze and it just works.

Referenced in this thread:
http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9223

This thing is just cool! Laugh

Do I need to run any malware or virus scanning software? If so, what is good on the Mac front?

Has anyone tried out the Apogee Duet audio interface?

Thanks for the the help.

Zach

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

Don't need malware or virus scanning anything.

Can't tell you much about Apogee, I'm afraid.

Have fun!
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

Congratulations on the purchase. Just to add to DB's comment, you shouldn't need any malware or anti-virus stuff on there, at least if you stay in the Mac OS environment. If you plan on running Windows on it just don't go online via Windows without some "protection". Wink

(I did not post this to instigate a Windows/Mac battle, so if you think it's likely to go there DB, just yank this now.)

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

It's all good, Don. If you're going to use a Windows partition for anything online, make sure you've got the goods to keep your browsing safe.
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Zach · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject:

No mac/pc battle here. The Mac has a pc tower sitting next to it running Pro Tools and Audition. I wanted something that was decently powerful and mobile. I think I will pickup a MicPort Pro to go in the portable kit.

Deidre,

I love the new avatar.

Zach

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject:

Zach:

MicPort Pro is a far more cost effective and convenient solution than the Apogee Duet if you want something portable. I have both, and I've recorded both in this demo:
http://eldorec.com/storage/audio/Micpre_comparison_test-030309.mp3
Also, get TwistedWave.com and be merry.
Enjoy the Macbook!
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bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

As others have said, no virus scan or malware detector needed. However, one thing you might want to do:

First, create an Admin account with a different username and password than your current login. Now, for your current user account — the one you'll use day-to-day — change the account level to "Standard".

Now, at the bottom left of the User System Prefs panel, click the "Login Options" button (that doesn't quite look like a button). In 10.5.8, it's gray and just looks like ... well, not really a button. Anyhow, when the options open, choose your Standard user account for your default login. It's probably already set but it's worth double-checking.

What all this does is force any system changes to ask for an Admin's username and password. You'll only be asked when installing software, changing your firewall settings, and such. This stops most anything bad from happening behind the scenes without your knowledge. On a Mac, a Standard user account is very useful (unlike on Windows where non-Admin accounts are almost unusable unless all you do is type letters in Word.)

Enjoy the new computer!

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

Interesting!
How is this different than just using an Admin account all the time and typing a password when you install software? Scratching my head on this one...
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docx · Guest

The idea is, if something's asking for your password when it shouldn't, it should raise a red flag. The downside is it tends to put people in the "Fill in the password and click the button to get rid of the dialog box in my face" mentality which isn't good either.

But, it means it's a little harder for bad software to do bad things to your box without you "knowing" about it.

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

But don't you know about it when you are running as an Admin, too?
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bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

It may have changed in some of the most recent updates but it used to be if you're logged in as an Admin, many "blocked to Standanrd users" things could be done without a password request.

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

I'd have to confirm that it still works this way in 10.5.8 or 10.6 but software installation and updates, for example. As an admin, I think you just do the install, no questions asked. As a standard user, you can't do any install or update without inputting an admin's username and password. Also, locked firewall settings, network settings, adding something to the Applications folder, etc.

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

I did a little digging and come up with this explanation (which is much clearer than mine):

A standard user can use a basic set of applications and tools and is limited to making configuration changes that affect only the user's account, such as what applications and files are opened when the user logs in and what picture is displayed as the user's background pattern. A standard user cannot make changes to any settings that are system-wide (Security, Energy Saver, Print & Fax, Network, Sharing, Accounts, Date & Time, and Startup Disk preferences). A standard user is also restricted from using Directory Setup and NetInfo Manager to change configurations.
If a standard user attempts to make a system-wide modification, the user must authenticate with the user name and password of an administrator user before the changes can be made.

An administrator user, or admin user, has basic use of the tools to configure and customize Mac OS X. The initial local account configured in Setup Assistant is an administrator user.
One of the most powerful attributes of an administrator is that this user type can change settings on any of the panes in System Preferences. (If a pane displays an icon of a lock in the lower-left corner, it means that particular preference affects all users and requires authentication as an administrator to change.) An administrator can make changes using utilities such as NetInfo Manager. An administrator also can install applications and resources that may be used by all users on the system.

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that, I never really understood why any user would want to log into his own machine without Admin privileges. This might be a great idea for those I want to "idiotproof". I know it will annoy some users, but I am often surprised how many completely forget their mac password (or use none at all).
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