Six Tips for Homemade "Dot Mac" Servers

lisam writes "Alan Graham has an article on O'Reilly's MacDevCenter offering tips for homemade dot mac servers. Tips include creating a central file server, how to set up a central repository for iTunes, sharing images, collaborating with WebDAV, etc."

Comments

Previous article

[Draoi]

This came up on /. before (tho' not the O'Reilly link). Read all about it here

Re:Previous article

[Greedo]

Yes, the previous article is (IMHO) much more informative, as it tells you how to set up a fake .MAC server.

The current article tells you what you can do with it ... kinda. The language is rather obtuse in some sections, and all of those tips rely on the server being an OS X machine. What if I want my central server to run Linux? BSD?

The useful articles are this one which explains how to set up a fake .Mac server, and use Apple's Backup with it, and this one about making an iSync server.

Seventh tip...

[dotgod]

Don't put it in the oven.

Re:Wake me up ...

[PetWolverine]

Why does it need to be Linux? Darwin is *nix, and most of these functions are available straight out of the box. This page is mostly about configuring existing tools.

MP3s from a central server

[PetWolverine]

Hmm, this smells suspiciously of fair use! The RIAA had better stomp on it quickly! I expect the author of the article will get into trouble with O'Reilly for getting them into legal trouble with the RIAA.

Just because you bought that music doesn't mean you have the right to listen to it! Err...listen to it in more than one location, I mean.

Speaking of central music servers, refer to my .sig for good things.

This is your 5am wake up call

[Oculus Habent]

A few things, while you're groggy:

1. It's not Linux, but a BSD distro can do it, out of the box.

2. Some of the suggestions require a little effort on the client side as well (The global iTunes settings, for example).

3. There's a WebDAV module for Apache 2.0. If you don't want to use the one already available on a Mac, and you can't be bothered to set it up yourself, then don't complain about it not already being done for you.

--
Bitter? No, I'm not bitter. Semi-sweet, maybe.

Re:This is your 5am wake up call

[torpor]

Actually, I willingly paid for my mac.com address, given that its quite convenient and worth the money ... and unlike some, I see no reason not to pay for something if I find it useful and productive ...

*ack!*

[Draoi]

Not good. Reading the drijf.net article reveals that iTools backs up in the clear across the 'net. Furthermore, authentication can be spoofed as backup doesn't check the authentication of the server cert. Scary ...

Thanks for the links, BTW!

Re:*ack!*

[Greedo]

• You are right, the server cert could be anything ... I use the Snakeoil one myself
  
• iTools uses MD5 to "encrypt" your password, so that's relatively safe
  
• I haven't used ethereal or anything to see if the actual backup data is encrypted (beyond SSL)
  

Still, I'd rather my backups were going to a server that I control, than one I don't.

Oh ... and faking an iCal server is pretty easy too. I'll write it up if you are interested.

Re:*ack!*

[Huge Pi Removal]

You don't need to fake an iCal server, you just set up WebDAV on whatever web server you have lying around. iCal doesn't care if you use .Mac or an in-house WebDAV sevrer.

yes its mostly configuring built-in tools

[ihatewinXP]

but i for one (of _many_) had no idea that i could add a network drive to my login items and have it mount. between that little trick and how to save itunes prefs and playlists when moving to a completely new drive/machine - i just figured that out on my own yesterday (through much trial and error) and was honestly going to write up the experience because i had not seen these details anywhere. honestly, thank you sir for the write up, i had many of these idea floating around in my head, now i not only know they are possible but whenever i get some money for a new 12" powerbook that they will be a reality.

for all you mac server people....

[fredopalus]

you may also want to check out Setting up a Site Server with Jaguar