Mac OS X only: If you run any kind of server on your Mac with Leopard, you’ll dig its revamped Sharing and Network System Preferences panels, which offer new features in a reorganised interface. One huge drawback in Tiger is that unless you install extra software, you can turn on Windows Sharing for your home folder only. No more. Using Leopard, share any folder on your Mac via FTP, Samba, or AFP (Apple Filing Protocol), from a single, easy interface. Take a closer look after the jump.
Reader Brett writes in with an interesting observation about his shared iTunes library, which he plays from his laptop and his desktop: Previous to the latest update of iTunes, I could only have one installation of Itunes running at a time, either the desktop would work or the laptop would work. The error message was something like iTunes library already in use.’ However, with the latest release, I’ve found that I can have iTunes open on both.
A quick test between my MacBook and Powerbook confirmed Brett’s findings. You can play music from a single shared library between two machines and edit ratings and playlists, which update on each computer—effectively removing the need to sync the iTunes library file manually. But it’s not perfect.
You’re working on document on the laptop in the living room and you want to print—except the printer’s in the home office. Sharing a printer connected to a PC on your home network and printing to it from any other computer, even over a wireless connection, is a breeze. Whether you want to print from a Mac or another PC, here’s how to share a single printer for use by any computer on your home network.
Recently we told you our Top 10 Wi-Fi Boosts, Tweaks and Apps. Reader Krusher_00 commented with a handy localisation tip for using NetStumbler for detecting networks:
“Make sure you’ve got the correct channel selected. In Australia the standard is to use either channel 1, 6 or 11 as these are the only 3 channels that don’t interfere with each other.
If you see your neighbours have points on 1, 3 and 5 for example then your wireless is going to be affected if you decide to use channel six.
You can however have points on the same channel, this just decreases the maximum throughput that can be achieved (more noticeable if they’re using their wireless all the time).”
Thanks for the tip, Krusher. :)
Flickr user danalee advertises her open WiFi network with a simple sign that reads “Steal this connection.” Right on.
steal this connection [danalee's Flickr photostream]No doubt you’ve got a home wireless network or you’ve connected to hotspots at the local coffee shop or airport—but are you getting the most out of your Wi-Fi? Whether you want to strengthen, extend, bridge, secure, sniff, detect, or obscure your signal, today we’ve got our top 10 best Wi-Fi utilities and tweaks for the power wireless user. Photo by thms.nl.
