Apple Is Sweet on Newest ‘Jaguar’

After some slight delays, Apple Computer Friday released its latest upgrade to its Mac OS X 10.2 platform, also known as “Jaguar.”

The update has advanced versions of its Address Book, Finder, FireWire, Graphics, OpenGL, and Sherlock search tool. It includes AFP and Windows file service improvements, as well as audio, disc recording, graphics, and printing improvements.

The newest Jaguar also offers improved classic compatibility, something developers and Old School Mac users have been debating ever since Apple decided to abandon its support of new Mac OS 9 programs.

The incremental upgrades are important to CEO Steve Job’s promise of attracting between 9 and 10 million active users by the end of this year. Currently, Apple says boasts 5 million active users and upwards of 5,000 native Mac OS X applications.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker is actually making two versions of the release available:

• Mac OS X 10.2.4 Update updates Mac OS X 10.2.3 to the new version.
• Mac OS X 10.2.4 “Combo” updates Mac OS X 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.2.2, or 10.2.3 to version 10.2.4.

Some of the networking advancements allow for use of a hardware Ethernet address with the ifconfig command in Terminal. The upgrade also improves results when copying large files (4 GB or larger) to a Windows File Sharing (SMB) server. The new Jaguar includes sendmail version 8.12.6.

Version 10.2.4 also addresses an issue in which the Web browser selection could unexpectedly change to a different browser after updating your browser of choice. And patches potential kernel panic situations when receiving a phone call on the same line that connects a DSL modem to the Internet.