WIth respect to your undeletable files, you will have to educate your Mac user(s) to use only Windows-legal file names.
See: http://www.portfoliofaq.co
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Introducing a Mac into Windows environment
Hello,
This is going to be a tough question to get a definitive answer to as far as assigning points. But I need some feedback from others who might be in the same position or have gone through this.
I am the IT Manager for a company that up until now has been Windows Servers (2003 and 2008) Windows OS for the client machines and an AS400 that runs the main software for our business.
We had a person in the Marketing/Graphic Design position who had been here for a long time. This person used a PC, it was a very nice and powerful machine and I never received any real complaints from this individual. Now this person has left the company and we have hired a replacement. I was not consulted on the hiring of the new person, the owner interviewed and hired the individual. The new person wants a Mac and I believe the owner basically told this person in the interview process that we would get them what they need(want).
I am very reluctant to let this happen but it may be beyond my control. I have nothing against Mac and sometimes I have my own issues with Windows. So I don't want a lot of comments on how good the Mac may be etcetera - it does not interest me. I know nothing about Mac and have no desire to learn it or Linux. Simply due to the fact that I have my hands full with Windows, AS400, MS Access, SQL, etc., etc, etc.
I don't want to tell this person what they need to do their job. I do have a problem with the fact that the software the person wants will run on a PC or Mac. Plus the fact we are abandoning a PC that served the prior individual in the same capacity very well. I really feel the desire is based on want not need. The one thing I do have against Mac is the snobbishness of the people who use them.
That being said - before this gets too far, any words of caution or any good reasons that I should put a stop to this (if possible). I am concerned about the time this will take from me to support this thing that I know nothing about. Beyond that...any other potential problems I should be aware of??
I am currently experiencing a problem that I think might be attributable to the Mac (user is currently using their home Mac laptop at work to access files on the Windows file servers). All of a sudden I have a directory on the network (directory is specific to the Marketing department) that I cannot delete. I get errors pertaining to files in use and/or files in use cannot read from the source file or disk. About 2GB of crap that needs to go away and I have spent quite a lot of time so far to no avail. I don't remember having this problem before and my Googling of it revealed some hits relating to Mac in a Windows environment...so I am concerned.
http://blog.dotsmart.net/2
Really I am asking for feedback from anyone who has a mixed Mac and Windows work environment.
Thanks!
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Answers
See also: http://support.apple.com/k
Just by way of clarification to my previous post, you will want to use that tip to set the Mac so it does not create .ds store files on your server. These files are created by Macs to store information that is only of minimal use to the Mac. They are invisible to the Mac, but are visible in Windows which is a nuisance.
You can force the Mac not to create these files on your server using the terminal command in the link above. To access the Mac terminal, double click on Terminal.app in the \Applications\Utilities folder on the Mac hard drive.
I have run mixed Windows and Mac services for quite some time, going all the way back to OS-8 and even before. OS-X has made the integration much easier, and you will find that Macs are typically more friendly in mixed environments than are PCs. The links already listed are all great references, and strung's comment about the .ds files is worth noting, but even if not done, the .ds files, which are tiny in size are not a major problem, and are typically ignored by most people. and do make the Mac work better on Windows' servers.
There are problems around networking and wireless network accesses, as there are some security methods under Windows that are not supported on all versions of Mac OS-X. While moving to Snow Leopard is a possible solution, remember that only Intel based Macs can have Snow Leopard, so this could be an issue for older machines that people may still want to use. It is solved by simply making sure that the security used is compatible. It is not difficult.
VPNs can also be an issue as the Mac may not fully support all methods of VPN, but again, every router I have ever used has modes that worked will with Mac as well, and do not add any real security threat.
Printing is seldom a problem, and if you use HP printers, the Mac will almost configure itself to work. Other printers can be added through Mac drivers, or as Unix level IP printing systems as well.
Email is where the major issues come in. Exchange is not well supported in Mac OS-X, and again, Snow Leopard enhances Exchange compatibility, but again, limited to Intel based Macs only.
There are also issues where Windows only programs are required. In many cases, on Intel Mac's we added paid to add Parallels or VM Ware's Fusion virtulazation program, running in coherent mode (Window's windows show up like all other Mac Windows), and for less than $100 per machine, and this creates a real Windows environment which basically runs right along side the Mac OS (not Boot camp, no reboot required.) When properly set up, this lets the Intel Mac's run just about any Windows programs in a Windows environment, but the Windows show up inside the Mac OS. It is not a completely elegant solution because there is a small learning curve, but it does give the Mac the ability to run required Windows only programs without the need to reboot the Mac in boot camp. In my last company, we ran real Outlook inside Parallels, and to the user, it simply looked like another program running, and the email problem vanished. One word of caution, to run well, Paralles or VM need a lot of memory, so you may have to foot the $100/machine bill t upgrade to 4 GB of memory. Still, a small price.
Running Macs in a Windows environment is not as problematic as many think, and also requires an open mind by the IT group in adding the unknown machine into a formally Windows only environment. The biggest issue for most IT teams is supporting a machine that they do not know, but then again, experts exchange is a great place to come for those few problems that do arise.
I would not fear the additions. You will find they play much better together than they used to.
All the links in my prior posts seem to be working now, so maybe it was a temporary glitch.
By the way, I agree with orrubin's comments about virtualization. I have found VMWare Fusion to be just about seamless.
You may also want to install the free WIndows RDP client for Mac on the Mac:
http://www.microsoft.c
Please read this post of mine. This is an issues with the version of the Mac OS being used and Windows SMB shares.
It has been confirmed by Apple as an issue with OS X 10.4.x
http://www.experts-e
Ugh. Frankly this is sounding like a pain in my ass - big time. I have spent a lot of time on this Mac situation already. seems pointless to me. I am trying to have an open mind but, If the user has access to a high quality Windows PC, and it is capable running all the programs they request...why do they feel so adamant about wanting a Mac??
Razorking, I think you are worrying too much. Why not have your company buy you a Macbook, and simply try it. I have found in 99% of the time, Macs are not an issue at all. In the 1% of the time where the problems are, the problems are usually solved fairly easily. Seriously, I think you are over-thinking this problem.
If they will not get you a Macbook, maybe a used Intel Mac Mini which you can connect to and monitor, and used ones can be had for $500 to $600. Worth the investment to be sure, or at the least, to make your case as to why Macs should not be allowed if you are so inclined.
But be sure to get a copy of VMWare Fusion or Parallels (my preference) and see how easily Windows issues are resolved.
Good luck.
Razorking, if this user is a video editor or graphic designer, Mac computers are "almost" the defacto standard within the marketing/graphic design industry. Keep in Mind, Windows has just an may frustrations as the Mac OS does. Simply put SSDP(Same S!@#$ Different Pile)
It may be easier to fear or get frustrated with something new. Tell you what, are you command line or Unix guy? If so try the terminal, it may make you feel somewhat at home.
If you wanna reign in this Mac user9Like your Windows users) take a look at this product. http://www.centrify.com I guarantee it will bring a devilish grin to your face. I know it did for me ad now I use it.
@ strung, yes but one of the issues is that files created with OS 10.4.x will linger on Servers and unless you keep a virtualized version of Tiger hanging around. It is so random that when it happens, you may have no way recover the data. Especially that Apple may stop support Tiger on future hardware...
Although I haven't used it, here is a cheap Mac utility ($13.95 - lower bulk and site licence prices) that promise to remove .DS store, resource fork files and other Mac detritus from server volumes as they are created:
Blue Harvest: http://zeroonetwenty.com/b
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by: strungPosted on 2009-09-17 at 13:34:45ID: 25360740
Here is a good resource you might want to peruse:
http://www.macwindo
Look in particular at the links in the right hand side bar under the headings of "Windows Servers and Macs".
One tip, if you get the Mac upgraded to OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) it will likely integrate better with your environment. 10.6 is a $29 upgrade from 10.5, or free if the computer is a recent purchase.
See also http://www.apple.com/macos