Brand new (old) Mac

[pspafford]

Hey kids.

Hello. My name is Paul ... and I'm a PC user.

I was just given an old Mac (OS 8.6), and have little idea how to use the thing. I've plugged it in, installed some software, and played with the control panel a little. But I really know nothing.

There are bound to be some good FREE tutorials out there to start me from scratch, but I can't find them. I'm looking for basic stuff, like how to uninstall applications, basic file management, and maintenance.

Does anyone know any URL's they would like to direct me to?

Thanks.

Paul

[LiveOak]

I'd probably take a look at a "Mac for Dummies" book. I think this series is quite good in general. As to online references for beginners, I'm not sure there is one I've found I really like for Mac or PC.

Your biggest adjustment is that you will be looking for a lot of places and steps your don't need on the Mac. The entire interface is more streamlined and implied.

-bd

[Kurt Knippel]

Start by telling us what kind of system this is?

Installation of application, file management, etc is pretty much exactly the same as it is in Windows. All command-line OS's were based on CPM or Unix, while all GUI OS were pretty much based on Xerox's systems. So while certain specific commands and such are different, the basic concepts are all the same.

I was actually tought how to use Windows by a Mac person, back when I was stuck in command-line land and thought that mice were just rodents.

Apple's web site is a huge source of information. They have a MASSIVE Knowledgebase and TechNote search engine as well as discussion forums.

This is generally where I start when I want to know something particular.

[pspafford]

Umm ... let's see.

The "tower" is about 6 inches tall by 14 inches wide; it says Power Macintosh 7600/132 on the front; beside the floppy drive, it says PowerPC; and it's running OS 8.6

That probably sounds like I'm trying to be a smart-arse, but I swear, it's just plain old naked ignorance.

Thanks. I'll check out the Apple site.

Paul

[LiveOak]

A very good main stream Mac, running a solid version of the OS. I own at least 4 of the 7500/7600 class machines. These are upgradable with CPU cards to G3/G4 500MHz. Case opens with no tools, easy to access all parts. One of my favorite Macs. Same motherboard as Mac 8500 towers.

-bd

[Anatoli]

RE: The entire interface is more streamlined and implied.

Just do not try things like renaming or deleting file from Open or Save dialog on Mac. The Mac interface is for sure very nice one, but halve of the PC things is not working there. You cannot click the file icon and select copy and one hour later paste it to any drive/folder. You must drag the file to destination and hold ?Alt? key to get copy to the new place. I wouldn't call that streamlined

[Arin]

As far as info on the hardware and possible CPU upgrades check out: http://www.everymac.com

As far as learning the ins and outs of the OS, there's _basic_ info in the HELP app/docs, but I'd try find an older (8.6 vintage - maybe 1999? - ) version of one of the "Secrets of the Mac OS" books... they cover most of the ins and outs including some helpful key commands that aren't well documented elsewhere.

[scratchmalogicalwax]

Yep all true Anatoli ....... however check out the latest Active X buffer hole in Outlook / Express, exchange messenger, MSN messenger and well pretty much any MS software on a PC.

--------------------------------

CERT Advisory CA-2002-13 Buffer Overflow in Microsoft's MSN Chat ActiveX

Control

Original release date: May 10, 2002

Last revised: --

Source: CERT/CC

A complete revision history can be found at the end of this file.

Systems Affected

Microsoft Windows systems with one or more of the following:

* Microsoft MSN Chat control

* Microsoft MSN Messenger 4.6 and prior

* Microsoft Exchange Instant Messenger 4.6 and prior

Overview

Microsoft's MSN Chat is an ActiveX control for Microsoft Messenger, an

instant messenging client. A buffer overflow exists in the ActiveX

control that may permit a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on

the system with the privileges of the current user.

I. Description

A buffer overflow exists in the "ResDLL" parameter of the MSN Chat

ActiveX control that may permit a remote attacker to execute arbitrary

code on the system with the privileges of the current user. This

vulnerability affects MSN Messenger and Exchange Instant Messenger

users. Since the control is signed by Microsoft, users of Microsoft's

Internet Explorer (IE) who accept and install Microsoft-signed ActiveX

controls are also affected. The Microsoft MSN Chat control is also

available for direct download from the web.

The <object> tag could be used to embed the ActiveX control in a web

page. If an attacker can trick the user into visiting a malicious site

or the attacker sends the victim a web page as an HTML-formatted email

or newsgroup posting then this vulnerability could be exploited. This

acceptance and installation of the control can occur automatically

within IE for users who trust Microsoft-signed ActiveX controls. When

the web page is rendered, either by opening the page or viewing the

page through a preview pane, the ActiveX control could be invoked.

Likewise, if the ActiveX control is embedded in a Microsoft Office

(Word, Excel, etc.) document, it may be executed when the document is

opened.

According to the Microsoft Advisory (MS02-022):

It's important to note that this control is used for chat rooms on

several MSN sites in addition to the main MSN Chat site. If you

have successfully used chat on any MSN-site, you have downloaded

and installed the chat control.

The CERT/CC has published information on ActiveX in Results of the

Security in ActiveX Workshop (pdf) and CA-2000-07.

This issue is also being referenced as CAN-2002-0155:

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2002-0155

II. Impact

A remote attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with the

privileges of the current user.

III. Solution

Apply a patch from your vendor

Microsoft has released a patch, a fixed MSN Chat control, and upgrades

to address this issue. It is important that all users apply the patch

since it will prevent the installation of the vulnerable control on

systems that have not already installed it.

Download location for the patch:

http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/Release.asp?ReleaseID=38790

Download location for updated version of MSN Messenger with the

corrected control:

http://messenger.msn.com/download/download.asp?client=1&update=1

Download location for updated version of Exchange Instant Messenger

with the corrected control:

http://www.microsoft.com/Exchange/downloads/2000/IMclient.asp

Microsoft also suggests that the following Microsoft mail products:

Outlook 98 and Outlook 2000 with the Outlook Email Security Update,

Outlook 2002, and Outlook Express will block the exploitation of this

vulnerability via email because these products will open HTML email in

the Restricted Sites zone.

Other mitigation strategies include opening web pages and email

messages in the Restricted Sites zone and using email clients that

permit users to view messages in plain-text. Likewise, it is important

for users to realize that a signed control only authenticates the

origin of the control and does not imply any information with regard

to the security of the control. Therefore, downloading and installing

signed controls through an automated process is not a secure choice.

Appendix A. - Vendor Information

This appendix contains information provided by vendors for this

advisory. As vendors report new information to the CERT/CC, we will

update this section and note the changes in our revision history. If a

particular vendor is not listed below, please check the Vulnerability

Note (VU#713779) or contact your vendor directly.

Microsoft

See

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-022.asp

_________________________________________________________________

The CERT/CC acknowledges the eEye Team for discovering and reporting

on this vulnerability and thanks Microsoft for their technical

assistance.

_________________________________________________________________

Feedback can be directed to the author: Jason A. Rafail

______________________________________________________________________

This document is available from:

http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2002-13.html

---------------------------------------

I prefer having to drag and drop and do things manually ....... and being able to run a network of 70 macs accross three locations with three people.... including R & D .... now thats streamlined

[Anatoli]

Also true. But it is not big deal for two reasons:

We can apply the patches easily. On the other hand Apple and FM NEVER EVER admit there is problem when there is one, like the bloody 4400 machine which wiped clean 3 times own HD when virtual memory was on.

Second -- I have certified Stealth machine by security experts. Even without patches I am Invisible on the web.

We are running similar network with similar numbers of PC and I am the only one taking care and programming all bits and pieces.

Also, I have less problems now with PCs in 3 years, than during 1 year with Macs. That is my experience, mileage can vary in another cases.

In 1990-1997 Macs beat all PC hands down. After system 7.1 things get more complicated for me and PC was simpler every day. Again, I am Apple user since 1982 and my conversion was triggered by Apple and not by PC pressure.

[LiveOak]

I don't think you really have looked at Macs lately (4400, never a mainstream machine). How about a comparison of interfaces for FM Server 5.5. The Mac in allows easy access to scripts, opening and closing files, and disconnecting user. The win interface is nowhere near as easy to use (yes, I've used both in the last week and yes I understand the reason why).

Or how about stability? How come you don't recommend running server on W2K or XP? (I'll stop, I'm having too much fun)

-bd

[Anatoli]

The last Mac I invested my money was iMac. It works till today OK for one lady and there are not really big problems.

It cost like 2 PC machines.

I was trying to use it for web authoring and FileMaker and in week that iMac crashed more times, than all my NT/W2K machines together during 4 years.

The fact is that I do not care about name on the box. On my table is machine, which didn't crashed system yet, had 10-20 GoLive crashes, none of FileMaker and some in MS Word. Word is crashing (probably due to Czech conversion import filters) as much as GL5 when we use the filters.

[scratchmalogicalwax]

he he he ....... I thought i'd start that one and run away

Everyone has different experiences of different machines I know what I like and why.

By the way have you had a look at the XServe ....

[Anatoli]

RE: Everyone has different experiences of different machines I know what I like and why.

That is the point. Use what is working for you. That is best recommendation for everyone.

[lloyd1981]

If you come back to this thread...

One of the first places to go on purpose to find out about your Mac is [color:red]THIS LOCATIONcolor=red> for documentation.

Also HERE