3309 This afternoon, Apple released the OS 10.5.6 Leopard Update.

The Mac OS X 10.5.6 Update is recommended for Mac OS X Leopard versions 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.2, 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 10.5.5 Leopard, and according to Apple includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.

To update to Mac OS X 10.5.6, you have the option of using Software Update or a standalone installer - the latter being my recommendation. The standalone installer is available in incremental "Delta" version that lets you update from Mac OS X 10.5.5 to 10.5.6, and comprehensive "Combo" version that lets you update from Mac OS X 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.2, 10.5.3, 10.5.4, or 10.5.5 to 10.5.6, However, I also recommend using the combo updater even if you're only moving up one notch from OS 10.5.5 to OS 10.5.6 if practical.

Note that both Combo updaters are now too large to burn to CDs (well, you might squeeze the client version on - I haven't tried it) and will require DVD media if you want to make a backup or transfer copy.

To Use a Standalone installer:

Download the update installer and run it manually. This is also a useful option when you need to update multiple computers but only want to download the update once. These versions of the standalone installers are available from Apple Support Downloads.

The Mac OS X 10.5.6 delta update (372MB) lets you update from Mac OS X 10.5.4 to 10.5.5.

The Mac OS X 10.5.5 Combo Update (668MB) lets you update from Mac OS X 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.2, 10.5.3,10.5.4, or 10.5.5 to 10.5.6

Incremental and Combo Mac OS X Server 10.5.6 updaters at 469 MB and 883 MB respectively have also been posted.

You can get 'em at:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
or
http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_6_Update

To use Software Update (if you must):

Choose Software Update from the Apple menu to automatically check for the latest Apple software using the Internet, including this update. (Software Update might have linked you to this article to learn more about the update.) If your computer is not up-to-date, other software updates available for your computer may appear which you should install. Note that an update's size may vary from computer to computer when installed using Software Update. Also, some updates must be installed prior to others, so you should run Software Update more than once to make sure you have all available updates.

What's included in the OS 10.5.6 Update:

Address Book
• Improves reliability of Address Book syncing with iPhone and other devices and applications.

AirPort
• Improves the reliability of AirPort connections, including improvements when roaming in large wireless networks with an Intel-based Mac.

Client management
• Improves reliability of synchronizing files on a portable home directory.
• Fixes an issue in Mac OS X 10.5.4 and 10.5.5 in which managed users may not see printers that use the Generic PPD.
• Client computers that use UUID-based ByHost preferences now respect managed Screen Saver settings.

iChat
• Addresses an issue that could cause an encryption alert to appear in the chat window.
• Setting your iChat status to "invisible" via AppleScript no longer logs you out of iChat.
• Resolves an issue in which pasting text from a Microsoft Office document could insert an image rather than text.

Graphics
• Includes general improvements to gaming performance.
• Includes graphics improvements for iChat, Cover Flow, Aperture, and iTunes.
• Includes fixes for possible graphics distortion issues with certain ATI graphics cards.

Mail
• Includes overall performance and reliability fixes.
• Improves Connection Doctor accuracy.
• Fixes an issue that could cause messages identified as junk to remain in the inbox.
• Fixes an issue that could cause Mail to append a character to the file extension of an attachment.
• Addresses an issue that could prevent Mail from quitting.
• Improves reliability when printing PDF attachments.

MobileMe
• Contacts, calendars, and bookmarks on a Mac automatically sync within a minute of the change being made on the computer, another device, or the web at me.com.

Networking
I• mproves Apple File Service performance, especially when using a home directory hosted on an AFP server. Important: If you are using Mac OS X 10.5.6 (client) to connect to a Mac OS X Server 10.4-based server, it is strongly recommended that you update the server to Mac OS X Server version 10.4.11.
• Improves the performance and reliability of TCP connections.
• Improves reliability and performance for AT&T 3G cards.
• Updates the ssh Terminal command for compatibility with more ssh servers.

Printing
• Improves printing for the Adobe CS3 application suite.
• Improves printing for USB-based Brother and Canon printers.

Parental Controls
• Addresses an issue in which a parentally-controlled account could be unable to access the iTunes Store.
• Includes general fixes for time limits.
• Resolves an issue that prevented adding allowed websites from Safari via drag and drop.

Time Machine
• Fixes issues that could cause Time Machine to state the backup volume could not be found.
• Improves Time Machine reliability with Time Capsule.

Safari
• Improves compatibility with web proxy servers.


General
• Includes Mac OS X security improvements. See this website for more information.
• Addresses inaccuracies with Calculator when the Mac OS X language is set to German or Swiss German.
• Improves the performance and reliability of Chess.
• Improves DVD Player performance and reliability.
• Performance improvements for iCal are included.
• Fixes an issue when running the New iCal Events Automator action as an applet.
• Adds a Trackpad System Preference pane for portable Macs.
• Improves compatibility with smart cards such as the U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card.
• Updates time zone data and Daylight Saving Time rules for several countries.

I'm certain there is more than that, and I'm hoping for some more general refinement as well.

Mac OS X 10.5.6 Combo Update - 668MB
Mac OS X 10.5.4 Update Delta - 372MB

Mac OS X Server 10.5.4 - 469MB
Mac OS X Server Combo 10.5.4 - 883MB

Download site:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/
or
http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_6_Update

For more information, visit:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3194

Charles W. Moore

Tags: Hot Topics ï Software Updates ï Apple ï Software News ï

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