Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) is the latest operating system available from Apple Computer, Inc. While the majority of software is compatible with this latest release, NUIT would like to make known any current issues. The following is a list of new features, current challenges, and minimum system requirements. If you are having issues with any software supported by NUIT, please call 847-491-HELP (4357).

New Features

• Desktop: A new Stack features helps users organize their desktops.

• Quick Look: Users can preview file content without opening the associated application.
  

• Time Machine: Helps backup everything on their Mac.

• Mail: Mac users can transform e-mail into personalized stationery.

• Spaces: Allows Mac users to organize their work better by creating multiple virtual desktops.
  

• Boot Camp: Allows Mac users to run Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Current Challenges

Critical Software Application Compatibility Issues:

• Upgrading to Leopard: After completing an upgrade installation of Leopard and restarting the computer, a "blue screen" may appear for an extended period of time. More info.

• Firefox: There are known problems with some media plug-ins, as well as add-ons that contain binary components. More info.

• Adobe CS3: Any known problems with Adobe CS3 products are listed here. More info.

• Dreamweaver CS3: After upgrading from Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) to Leopard or after a clean install of Leopard, Adobe Dreamweaver fails to connect to some FTP site. More info.

• Adobe Fireworks CS3: When previewing a multi-page Adobe Fireworks CS3 document in a web browser on Leopard, Fireworks displays the error message, "Could not complete your request. An internal error occurred". More info.

• Adobe Photoshop CS2: When you run Web Photo Gallery in Adobe Photoshop CS2 on Leopard, Photoshop crashes. More info.

• E-Academy: Downloads do not work.

• Work-around: users should find a machine running Tiger or lower OS. Then download to the older OS, and then copy the files to Leopard.

• Maple v10: Maple v10 is not compatible with Leopard.

• Maple v11: Maple v11 is compatible with Leopard with one exception. Some fonts will not print. To correct the printing problem you will need to change the version of Java the operating system is using. This can be done as follows:

1. From the Go menu, select Utilities.
2. Double-click on Java Preferences to launch the Java preferences utility.
3. From the General tab of the Java Preferences window go to the section "Java Application Runtime Settings". You will need to drag "J2SE 1.4.2" to the top of the list. This will tell your operating system to use this version of Java the next time you run a Java-based application like Maple.
4. Restart Maple 11 and open your document. The fonts should now print as they appear in Maple.
5. To switch your system Java back to J2SE 5.0, launch the Java Preferences utility, and drag J2SE 5.0 back to the top of the list.

• Meeting Maker 8.7:  Although Meeting Maker 8.7 will run on Mac 10.5 (Leopard), the vendor does not offer technical support for this configuration.  Known issues have been reported:
  

1. "Group View" does not work properly.
2. New or modified proposal on the "Guests" tab, "Edit List' screen does not work properly.
3. Text entered into the "Agenda" field can disappear when creating or modifying a proposed meeting.  To work around this behavior, first enter a meeting agenda, then add guests to the meeting. Once done with the "Guests" tab, do not go back to the "Details" tab to check the "Agenda".  Rather, click on "Create Meeting", "Create Activity", "Update or Notify Guests" tab or "Options" tab.

Minimum System Requirements

Apple Computer, Inc. has released the following minimum requirements for running Leopard; if your computer does not meet these minimum system requirements, the operating system will most likely not work properly.

• Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
• 512MB of memory
• DVD drive for installation
• 9GB of available disk space
• Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply
• Some features require Apple's .Mac service; fees apply

NUIT Recommendations

NUIT will support Leopard on a best efforts basis. NUIT understands that new computers are coming to campus with Leopard already installed; NUIT will provide what assistance is possible.

NUIT Support Center

Central helpdesk for faculty, staff, and students.
847-491-HELP (4357)
consultant@northwestern.edu