Apple released Mac OS X 10.7.3, an update that fixes a number of bugs that been plaguing MacWindows readers since Lion's release, including several Active Directory and file sharing problems. In fact, yesterday's update appears to be focused on these areas.

Apple says the update fixes Active Directory problems for .local domains, including slow Active Directory binding and other binding problems. Last November, Apple recommended using IPv6 records in a DNS server as a workaround. Other readers reported that turning off DNS multicast was an effective workaround......Read entire story here

Along with yesterday's Lion client update, Apple released Mac OS X Server 10.7.3, a significant update that not only fixes dozens of bugs, some of which we have reported, but also adds new settings, user interface items, and new administrative features. Some of these features were available in Snow Leopard Server and earlier but were stripped out of Lion Server. Apple also released Server Admin Tools 10.7.3, which includes Server Admin and Workgroup Manager.

The 10.7.3 update fixes several bugs seen with Windows clients accessing Lion Server SMB shares, including saving files to Windows 7, opening files with Microsoft Office 2003, and creating new folders in Windows Vista. It also fixes another bug we've reported dealing with copying a file that has extended attributes......Read entire story here

Guy Paddock reports that last summer's Boot Camp 3.3 update did not fix the problem with Windows crashing (aka, Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD) upon waking from sleep. Boot Camp 3.x is the version that comes with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Paddock also offered a suggestion:

On MacWindows, you asked people to report whether updating Boot Camp has helped with the wake-from-sleep BSODs (stop code 7e). I can confirm that it does not -- I am experiencing BSODs when waking from sleep with Boot Camp 3.3 installed......Read entire story here

GroupLogic released ExtremeZ-IP 7.3, an update to the Windows-resident AFP/Bonjour file and print server for Mac clients in enterprise settings. The update improves performance and compatibility with Lion clients.

ExtremeZ-IP integrates with Active Directory and Microsoft clustering, and includes policy enforcement. It can run on Windows Server 2008 and 2003, Windows Storage Server, and Windows Powered NAS, and can also run on Windows 7, Vista, and XP Pro.

ExtremeZ-IP 7.3 is a free upgrade to existing customers with maintenance contract. ExtremeZ-IP pricing starts at $795 for a 3-client license. There are also other pricing options available.

George Walker in Ontario, Canada, reports that Kyocera told him that Lion's problem with SMB network scanning is Apple's bug and must be fixed by Apple. Readers have previously reported the problem with Kyocera Ricoh, and HP multifunction printer/scanners. Walker also asks about possible Terminal settings:

After upgrading to Lion, we can no longer scan (SMB only) to a Drop Box folder from our Kyocera 455oci printer. The machines using Snow Leopard (10.6.8) work fine. We can see the Dropbox of the Lion machine when we navigate through the printer's interface but it errors when trying to send the file. Kyocera is not working to fix the problem as they claim that it is Apple who have damaged the SMB......Read entire story here

Splashtop demonstrated its Splashtop remote control software at Macworld | iWorld last week, available in a consumer version and a business version with policy controls. The consumer version Splashtop Remote Desktop ($1.99), and the Pro version enable users to operate Macs and Windows PC from almost any mobile device, including iOS (iPads, iPhone), Android, Amazon Kindle, and other devices. With either the consumer or Pro version, the mobile device runs a Splashtop app ($1.99) software while the Mac or Windows PC run "streamer" software (free)......Read entire story here

Keith Adams confirmed at tip that suggests you can fix Lion problems with .local Active Directory domains by disabling DNS multicast:

Our issue was resolved by disabling MultiDNS broadcast. This tip worked like a champ for us! I had been struggling with the issue since 10.7 came out. Now this fix has resolved the issue of not being able to login as network users on 10.7 machines. We could always bind but not use network accounts. THANKS!!! We were running 10.7.2 on workstations and WS 2008 r2 on the DC. One odd thing was that when I did an upgrade install from snow leopard to Lion when it first came out everything worked fine for existing network accounts but new accounts could not be added.

If you've tried this

Related: Lion and File Sharing Tips and Reports

Eric Carr adds another scanner to the list of network scanners that Lion doesn't work with:

I have run into this same issue with a Konica BizHub C351. I upgraded a server to Lion over this past weekend and lost the ability for it to scan to an SMB share. I had to download an FTP server and set it up on the server to get the Scan to FTP option in the BizHub working.

If you have a network scanner or multifunction printer/scanner that Lion doesn't like

Andrew Hahn added to our list of reader's favorite Entourage features that are missing from Outlook Mac:

I really do miss the travel time. While I can always make the appointment with the travel time included, I liked knowing when I absolutely needed to be there without having to re-guesstimate the travel buffer that I think I might have used to help make me more likely to be there on time.

Softhing has released Entourage Email Archive X 6.1.0 (US $30), an update to the Mac OS X utility that archives email and attachments received or sent using Microsoft Entourage 2008 and Web Services Edition (WSE). The update fixes some bugs running in Lion and makes some general improvements. Archives are searchable with Spotlight. Individual emails can be put back into Entourage with a simple drag and drop.

Congressional sponsors and supporters of two anti-piracy bills quickly became opponents after some of the Internet's biggest web sites went dark or protested the bill at their sites yesterday over concerns of censorship.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate are supported by the entertainment industry, pharmaceutical companies and other heavy hitters, but the Internet giants Google, Facebook, Wikipedia, and others prevailed yesterday. On just one day, 18 senators, some of them sponsors, have dropped support or come out against PIPA. Several House members did the same with SOPA......Read entire story here

Ricoh is aware of the problem that MacWindows readers have been reporting about Lion not being to scan to network printer/scanners. A reader thinks Apple is also aware of it.

A Ricoh support article recommends using scan-to-FTP:

Information for "Scan-to-SMB" and "Fax Folder Transmission (SMB only) & Fax Forwarding (SMB only)" support

Due to architectural changes in Mac OS X 10.7, both "Scan-to-SMB (Scan to Folder via SMB command)" and "Fax Folder Transmission (SMB only) & Fax Forwarding (SMB only)" can't be used......Read entire story here

Brendan McKitrick in London wrote responded to a recent tip about old coman name service (DNS) records slowing SMB file browsing in Mac OS X:

Regarding Gary James' report and fix here [TIP: Slow Mac SMB browsing caused by DNS records for deceased domain controller].

That was EXACTLY the issue with our domain ; our IT provider forgot to remove the DNS reference for our old, decommissioned AD server. Once all references were removed, Mac SMB browsing has dramatically improved. Very happy to have found his tip and have this resolved!

If this fix worked for you

Wikipedia said it will shut down the English version of its online encyclopedia for 24 hours starting tomorrow, in protest of two controversial bills in the US Congress. The bills, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the U.S. Senate, would lead to the censorship of web site and web development tools, according to critics.

In a press release, Wikipedia said, "If passed, this legislation will harm the free and open Internet and bring about new tools for censorship of international websites inside the United States."......Read entire story here

The Enterprise Device Alliance (EDA) today announced that Parallels has joined the group of companies that provide solutions for integrating Macs and iOS devices into Windows-based networks. Parallels will be promoting its enterprise virtualization offerings, Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition and Parallels Mobile, at the upcoming MacIT conference in San Francisco, on January 26 and 27. The Enterprise Device Alliance offers information, market data, and access to solutions that support heterogeneous environments. The other EDA member companies are Absolute Software, Centrify, Code 42 Software, GroupLogic, and Web Help Desk.

CodeWeaver has released CrossOver Games 10.3.0, a maintenance release of the software that enables Mac OS X to run Windows application natively, without the use of the Windows operating system. The update includes patch fixes for World of Warcraft, among others. The standard CrossOver, which is optimized for running Windows business applications, is still at version 10.2.0. The update is free for customers with and active support entitlement.

CodeWeavers also said that it is working on its next major version, CrossOver 11, for both CrossOver standard and CrossOver Games. The update will include a new version of the engine, Wine 1.4. The company said the new version will include a number of improvements in performance, graphics, and audio.

If you've tried CrossOver

Paul Martin says that turning SMB sharing off and on in Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6.8) can enable Windows clients to connect to the Mac:

I have a Mac setup using Snow Leopard (latest version) with a shared 3 TB drive. This Mac is in a Windows SBS 2008 environment. I have setup a shared Z drive on all the PCs that connect to the Mac. This works great, most of the time, but some Clients (XP, Vista, and Windows 7) cannot sometimes connect to the Mac, while other PCs are unaffected.

The way to solve this problem is go to the Sharing Control Panel on the Mac. Switch off SMB sharing then switch it back on and the PC client now connects to the Mac. The only issue with this workaround is that if any client is connected to a file using something like InDesign they need to restart InDesign as it loses connection to the file and won't reconnect.

If you've tried this

Related: Snow Leopard File Sharing Tips and reports

Stuart Russell confirmed a suggestion for fixing a problem with Windows 7 wireless networking in Boot Camp:

After trying every fix I could find on the Internet, your article "Another fix for Win 7 wireless net problem in Boot Camp" worked perfectly on Snow Leopard running Boot Camp 3.3 on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Thanks, you saved me from a massive headache.

Related: Boot Camp and Snow Leopard Tips and Reports; Boot Camp and Lion Tips and Reports

A new Apple new tech article describes a new feature in iOS 5, using S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) with Exchange 2010 for public key encryption and signing of MIME data. The article describes how do deal with three problems with iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch and S/MIME Exchange mail:

• Signed and encrypted messages sent from Outlook 2010 to iOS 5 do not appear signed
• Signed and encrypted message replies and forwards sent by iOS 5 do not appear signed and encrypted
• Signed messages sent by iOS 5 do not appear signed

If you've tried some of these procedures

Related: iPhone/iPad and Exchange Server Tips and Reports

After years of indifference towards the enterprise, Apple is expected to make corporate deployments of the company's products a priority in 2012 under new CEO Tim Cook. According to a recent New York Times article, the former COO is familiar with the needs of enterprise IT and much more willing to court large corporate customers than was Steve Jobs. This change, however, won't happen overnight, leaving it to IT administrators to find ways to integrate growing numbers of Apple devices in enterprise.

Not only are large businesses and institutions purchasing more Apple products, but their employees are increasingly using their own Apple devices at work......Read entire story here

Eric Novikoff followed up his previous report about Mac OS X 10.7 Lion problems accessing network printer/scanners (in his case, a Ricoh multifunction):

This entire episode is a disaster, since the scanner failure can be duplicated simply by trying to connect to a Mac from Windows via SMB. Nearly 9 months after Lion came out I would have expected this solved, but neither AppleCare nor the web seems to offer a solution. But the scariest part was the Level 2 AppleCare people telling me I shouldn't mix Windows machines (in this case a Ricoh multifunction machine that also has SMB running on it but not Windows) with Macs. I felt as though I was talking to someone on LSD. If that's really Apple's position, despite years of trying to build legitimacy as a highly interoperable OS, I'll be going back to Windows forthwith, because I can't live without my peripherals...

If you've seen this problem