Volume Number: 24
Issue Number: 10
Column Tag: Editorial

From the Editor, October 2008

October is absolutely one of my favorite months. Clearly autumn, it provides the ability to go outdoors without freezing, but respite and reasoning to stay indoors... perhaps in front of the computer, practicing your craft? This month's MacTech gives you opportunity to do just that.

If you are a System Administrator, check out Greg Neagle's writing for MacEnterprise this month. FileVault is a fact of life for many, and you'll most likely have to move a FileVaulted home at some point. Greg shows you how in "Migrating FileVault." (As an aside, if in fact, you are a System Administrator, read every column from Greg, practice the teachings and make sure you can do it on your own! That will lead to OS X mastery).

This month's Mac in the Shell brings you further, more advanced ways to customize the bash shell to make your life easier. Since most users keep the default bash shell for day-to-day operation, it's worthwhile becoming familiar with the more esoteric tips to help you navigate your way.

Now that Apple's v10.5 ACSA path is set, Doug Hanley returns and leads you through the requirements of obtaining Apple's highest certification. For anyone considering this path, let Doug be your guide.

José Cruz continues to give us the inside scoop on PackageMaker - an important tool for System Administrators and Developers alike. This month, learn the tricks to packaging and distributing kernel extensions and other "special" file types.

Mihalis Tsoukalos brings us a good example of how to create a Dashboard Widget that can store its preferences, set on the back side, and use them next launch.

Finally, the MacTech Spotlight has a conversation with Matthew Drayton from Nolobe. Nolobe is known for the popular file transfer client Interarchy, but has also begun to ship Iris, an image editor. Coincidentally - or not - Interarchy has long been my GUI client of choice, and it's nice to see it continue in dedicated hands.

Read, enjoy, and send us feedback! See you next month.

Ed Marczak,

Executive Editor