Use of Firewall in System Preferences

On an iMac 2.66 GHz, Intel Core duo running OS 10.6.5, is there any downside to having the "security firewall" turned on in "system preferences"? I recently read an article suggesting that one go to "system preference", enter "security", and turn "firewall on".
I am now wondering if this prevents system updates or any other useful functions which I previously got automatically with security set to "firewall off". I could not find anything in "help" which told me what this feature actually does although it sounds good offhand...like a lot of great things which often have future unforseen adverse consequences.

If you turn the Firewall on it won't prevent you keeping your computer up-to-date.
You will also be able to selectively add applications such as Safari, Skype, iTunes etc. to 'allow incoming connections'.
Once you the Firewall on - and I think most would recommend you do - you won't know that it's running.
The first time you launch Skype, for example, after turning it on you will be presented with a message saying something like 'do you wish to allow incoming connections from application xxxx' - once you say yes or no that's it.
You can also add or delete applications that have access under the Firewall's 'advanced' button.

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Using Spaces (in the System Preferences)

I have enabled the Spaces from the System Preferences to keep my programs more organized. I am a graphic designer and I use almost every program of the Adobe Suite on a regular basis. I had put the different programs in four different spaces because I often have many windows open each program, so I like to keep them separated. When I move to a different program in my Adobe Suite my toolbars disappear and I have to hit Tab a couple times to get them back. This is very annoying especially when I am in the text tool. I am about to disable the Spaces. But I want to see if anyone out there knows what I can do if anything.

I have to press tabs twice occasionally and I don't find that too much of an encumberance for the time being

Using Spaces (from the System Preferences)

I have enabled the Spaces from the System Preferences to keep my programs more organized. I use almost every program of the Adobe Suite on a regular basis. I had put the different programs in four different Spaces because I often have many windows open each program, so I like to keep them separated. When I move to a different program in my Adobe Suite my toolbars disappear and I have to hit Tab a couple times to get them back. This is very annoying especially when I am in the text tool. I am about to disable the Spaces. But I want to see if anyone out there knows what I can do if anything.

Nothing yet, Tiffany. Nobody has admitted responsibility for that glitch. Probably its just one of those things which has to do with development cycles and timing. CS3 was created and released before Leopard was available. Adobe seems to be on the next version and this issue doesn't really matter to them. Apple keeps changing their system often enough it is hard for the engineers who have to keep up with all the changes. The net result is that problems don't get addressed while new features are prized because they seem more valuable to the marketing department who appears to be dominant at Adobe.

Using Automator to change System Preference when opening an app

Hello everyone,
I have been using a Mac for a good 8 years now and I'm a happy user. I recently found out about Automator ('hey what is this little robot for?') and what it can do, yet I lack the knowledge of finding out what I must do to make a script to perform the following thing:
When I launch an app (FL Studio), I want the box checked next to 'Use F1 and F2 as standard function keys' in the Keyboard preferences pane in the System Preferences app.
When I close the same app (FL Studio), I want the box unchecked next to 'Use F1 and F2 as standard function keys' in the Keyboard preference pane in the System Preferences app.
I have found several other topics about this subject, however, those were about scripts when logging in to your computer, and not upon opening/closing an app. Please note that I am seeking for the setting to be changed when the app is opened and closed.
I hope you can help,
Sander

This kind of question comes up a lot - how to run a script when an application launches/quits.
The short answer is that it's not easy to do directly, unless the application itself supports launching scripts on startup/quit (hint: few do).
Fortunately, a little difference in thinking can give you the same effect.
Rather than trying to have your script trigger AFTER the app launches, rethink your process to a script that FIRST changes the preference, THEN launches the app. You get the same result but about 14 billion times easier to implement.
In this case, write a script to set the function key preference, then launch FL Studio. The script can then hang around to wait for the app to quit and reset the pref.
Furthermore, don't try to do this the human way (open System preferences, select Keyboard, check the box). You can set the preference directly via the defaults command line utility:
on run
do shell script "defaults write .GlobalPreferences com.apple.keyboard.fnState 1"
tell application "FL Studio" to activate
end run
Resetting the preference is a little trickier since you need to detect when FL Studio has quit. You can do this with an idle() handler in your script that hangs around, periodically checking if the app is still running and then taking action:
on idle
tell application "System Events"
if (name of every application process) contains "FL Studio" then
-- app is still running, so come back and check later:
return 10
else
do shell script "defaults write .GlobalPreferences com.apple.keyboard.fnState 0"
tell me to quit
end if
end tell
end idle
Putting these together in a Stay Open script should do much of what you want.

Use Automator to Change System Preferences?

Hi. I want to create a workflow or applescript that will open my system's sound preferences and change the output source. The Applescript editor doesn't record any of my actions.

Modify the setting from System Preferences, and then look for plist files in ~/Library/Preferences/ and /Library/Preferences/ modified around that time. When you've located a possible plist, open the Terminal application in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder and enter 'defaults read ' without the quote marks. Drag the plist into the Terminal and press Enter; you will then see a list of keys. If a key looks like it contains what you're looking for, remember its value, change the setting again from System Preferences, and check the key again. Once you've found the key, you can use a 'defaults write' action in Automator's shell script option to change the value. If you can't write the key successfully, post back here with the name of the key and where you found it for further assistance.
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HT1338 i have lost my system preferences, how can i get it back. i have been using my laptop without system preferences. please help.

i have lost my system preferences and app store in my macbook pro osx leopard. i want to upgrade. i can't. i have been trying. where or how can i get it back. i am in foreign country. there is no apple store here.

Do you have your 10.6 Install Disc, if so reinstall, if not...
Try re-installing the big 10.6.8 Combo...
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

Using automator to change system preferences

can i use automator to change my network settings. my stupid wireless at home does not automatically connect so everytime i get home i have to open up sys preferences and change the airport settings to manual and enter in the ip address of the router manually. can i create an automator script to do this in one step?
any help appreciated. thanks.

I have a similar problem with the ultra sensitive trackpad with the "Clicking, Dragging, Drag lock" checked in Preferences/Keyboard & Mouse. I'm always turning them on and off depending on which application I am using.
My problem is that when I record a series of actions in Automator, the resulting action list has no text behind the action for the mouse click for the Clicking checkbox. Its as though it doesn't even know that its there. All of the other actions show up.
Got any ideas on how to fill that void or another workflow that would do the same thing ? I think that running the workflow again would turn it back on as the actions are identical.

Using mac firewall with another antivirus

can I use the mac firewall(from system preferences) with the sophos antivirus program? will they crash or something go wrong if I used both?

You only need one firewall and while they aren't going to crash anything I've seen people running multiple firewalls, each one configured differently, resulting in a confusing mess of websites not loading, chat not working, etc. Choose one or the other.
Personally, the only virus protection I use is common sense and ClamXav - an open source program. It doesn't have lots of bells and whistles but in the Mac world (at least for now) those bells and whistles aren't needed.
Use common sense, avoid warez and pron sites where malware is most likely to live, and think before you give the go-ahead to install a program. 20+ years of Mac ownership and I've yet to see a single virus or piece of malware on my computer.

I accedently deleted my System Preferences

Durring some reorganization, where I thought i was just deleting an icon, I apparently deleted my system preferences. If I got to apple -- system preferences, nothing happens, and when I search for it using spotlight I get nothing. Any ideas on what I can do. I really want to avoid having to reinstall os x.

TAlex88,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
You may be able to use Pacifist to reinstall System Preferences.
If that method is not what you want, in my opinion an Archive and Install, followed by a Combo Update is no big deal.
;~)

Where is SYSTEM PREFERENCES in Safari for PC? Want to protect my kids!

The advertisement for Safari states:
"*Parental Controls: Approved List*
You can create an approved list of websites that your children can visit by using Parental Controls in System Preferences. Select an account, click Content, and select “Allow access to only these websites.” A child logging in to the Mac using that account will be able to access the sites you list. If a child wants to access a site that’s not on the list, Safari will ask for the administrator (rather than the account) password."
...but I don't see any of that in the PC version that I just downloaded. Any help???
Message was edited by: DMRinTEXAS

Parental Controls is a system wide feature of OS X.

"System Preferences":"Security":"Firewall":"Advanced":"Stealth" a no-go !

Under "System Preferences":"Security" panel:"Firewall" tab:"Advanced" button:"Stealth Mode" checkbox --
checking this checkbox (and un-checking, and re-checking) does not result in "Utilties":"System Profiler":"Firewall" entry: reporting a "Yes" under the Stealth Mode entry.
It always says "No".
It this really on ?

Can't help with your issue, since I've never enabled the firewall, preferring to let my router's NAT system protect my machines, none of which are laptops or use wifi, but if you want to report this issue to Apple's engineering, send a bug report or an enhancement request via its Bug Reporter system. To do this, join the Mac Developer Program—it's free and available for all Mac users and gets you a look at some development software. Since you already have an Apple username/ID, use that. Once a member, go to Apple BugReporter and file your bug report or enhancement request. The nice thing with this procedure is that you get a response and a follow-up number; thus, starting a dialog with engineering.

Hi, I am using my icloud on my iphone but am unable to find it on my mac book pro. It's not under my system preferences like it shows under the setup. Can I download it again? Or something. I just need to backup some files on my computer and am unable.

Hi, I am using my icloud on my iphone but am unable to find it on my mac book pro. It's not under my system preferences like it shows under the setup. Can I download it again? Or something. I just need to backup some files on my computer and am unable.

The minimum requirement for iCloud is Lion 10.7.5 (Mavericks preferred): the iCloud Preference Pane does not appear on earlier systems - the MobileMe pane appears on Lion and earlier but is now non-functional - you cannot now open or access a MobileMe account.
To make use of iCloud you will have to upgrade your Mac to Lion or Mavericks, provided it meets the requirements.
The requirements for Lion are:
Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
2GB of memory
OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
7GB of available space
Lion is available in the Online Apple Store ($19.99). Mountain Lion (10.8.x) is also available there at the same price but there seems little point as the system requirements are the same for Mavericks (10.9.x) - which is free - unless you need to run specific software which will run on Mountain Lion only.
The requirements for Mountain Lion and Mavericks are:
OS X v10.6.8 or later
2GB of memory
8GB of available space
and the supported models are:
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
It is available from the Mac App Store (in Applications).
You should be aware that PPC programs (such as AppleWorks) will not run on Lion or above; and some other applications may not be compatible - there is a useful compatibility checklist at http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

System preferences wants to use confidential information stored in my keychain

Images are not being displayed in emails on my Mac. This includes sending photos from iphoto via email. When going in to System Preferences to see what I need to check, I get the window which reads "System Preferences wants to use your confidential information stored in "imap.aol.com" in your keychain. Should I "always allow", "deny" or "allow"?
I recently synched my contacts via icloud with my mac and my iphone (which created a whole different problem). That is the only thing I can think of that I have done recently (?). Speaking of the contacts issue, now my phone does not have the phone numbers and all of the information of my contacts as I had on my phone before the icloud synch. Now, the contacts in my phone seem to be mostly email addresses that were stored on my mac and no phone numbers!!! WT? Help. My love for Apple is waning.

I too am losing confidence in Apple. I want to be able to make these choices and still have access to my apps.

I am trying to connect my macbook air through my led tv using hdmi but it won't work. I could not find arrangement option on my system preference. how do i make it appear again on my system preference so i can mirror it through my tv. thanks

I am trying to connect my macbook air through my led tv using hdmi but it won't work. I could not find arrangement option on my system preference. how do i make it appear again on my system preference so i can mirror it through my tv. thanks

Hi jenette,
If you are having issues using an HDTV via HDMI as an external display to your MacBook Air, you may find the following article helpful:
OS X: How to use multiple displays with your Mac in Mountain Lion and earlier
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5019
(Note: You will generally only see the arrangement option in Displays when you are configured to use the external display in Extended Desktop mode; there is no arrangement in Mirroring as both screens are showing the same image.)
Regards,
- Brenden

How do I take the zoom feature off my MacBook Pro? I have already went to System Preferences and turned "zoom" off in the Universal Access. I saw where someone said to use THREE fingers to double click... ??? Double click what? And 3 fingers?

Can someone help me?How do I take the zoom feature off my MacBook Pro? I have already went to System Preferences and turned "zoom" off in the Universal Access. I saw where someone said to use THREE fingers to double click... ??? Double click what? And 3 fingers?

What really cheeses me off here is that Apple isn't allowing users enough customization. With each update of iTunes (and the OS and iOS) we're forced to give up something that worked well for the way we want to use the app and make do with fewer (and lamer) options. If Apple keeps this up, they're going to start losing customers fast. I mean if this isn't fixed soon, I'm pretty sure I'm going to give up on iTunes, and then I'll probably go ahead and get a Galaxy when I need to replace my iPhone.
What I don't understand about how they won't let users delete the list of available podcasts now is why? How is this making it a better program? I can understand that not all users are capable enough to right-click on a feed and select "Show all available episodes", so I can see why they want the complete list to be the default (and, surprise, it already was). But to not give users the option to delete that list? It's inconsiderate because it makes navigating feeds with a large back catalogue really frustrating. I'm flabbergasted that no one at Apple considered all the podcast feeds that keep hundreds of episodes available when they removed this feature. It smacks of rank incompetence.
What improvement were they trying to make here anyway? There was nothing wrong to my mind about how podcasts were managed in previous versions. Whatever improvement they were trying to make here, they should have realized that many users would at least want the option to keep things the way they were.
And reverting to a previous version is no solution. I can't sync my iPhone with the new iOS without this update, and (while I do have some issues--specifically how you can't play podcasts in the Music app anymore) I do like the new iOS.

Use of Firewall in System Preferences

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