Mac OS X 10.5.1 Update Released!

Hot on the heels of the 10.4.11 update for Tiger users, comes the update to Apple's newest operating system, Leopard, to 10.5.1. Some highlights include:

• Allows password-protected accounts on AirPort Disks to show up on in the Finder's Shared Sidebar.
• Improves disk partitioning when multiple RAID sets are created on the same disk.
• Addresses an issue in which Microsoft Windows shared folders may be read-only when connected via SMB.
• Addresses a code signing issue; third-party applications can now run when included in the Application Firewall or when whitelisted in Parental Controls.
• Addresses a potential data loss issue when moving files across partitions in the Finder.
• Resolves an issue in which files restored in Time Machine may be restored to the backup hierarchy rather than the folders to which they belong.
• In Security preferences' Firewall tab, the "Block All" option is now called "Allow Only essential services"

Plus the usual catch-all "stability and security improvements." Apple's website has a full list of changes.

The Firewall preference option name change to "Allow Only essential services" sounds like Apple is trying to cover their tracks with semantics regarding the recently discovered holes in Leopard's firewall. Personally I'd like Apple to actually add a true "Block All" option that really does block all incoming connections, instead of renaming a less than ideal solution to cover themselves.

The code signing issue update addresses the fact that Leopard's firewall was changing application code, causing programs such as World of Warcraft to fail their internal integrity checks and therefore causing them to not run at all. This has now been confirmed as fixed in 10.5.1 by Blizzard.

All in all, a lot of fixes have gone into 10.5.1 that address some of the early complaints about Leopard. Kudos to Apple for listening to its user base and addressing our concerns quickly.

If you haven't done so yet, fire up Software Update and grab 10.5.1!