Mac OS X 10.2.4 Is Out

J. Ventura writes "Mac OS X Update 10.2.4 has been relased. The 10.2.4 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: Address Book, Classic compatibility, Finder, FireWire, Graphics, OpenGL, and Sherlock. It includes AFP and Windows file service improvements, as well as audio, disc recording, graphics, and printing improvements." Get it via Software Update.

Comments

Re:short list of bugs?

[bo-eric]

If you want the really detailed changelog for why kernel panics go away, check the Darwin cvslog.

Re:Much faster -- Mails not the only thing...

[Rouxfus]

I think the post-update speed bump most people percieve is due to re-starting and getting rid of their swap files. Whenever a unix system starts swapping memory out to disk it's gonna slow down. I keep an eye on the number of swap files - when it goes from one to two, I re-start machine, uptime be damned - once there's more than one swap file the system gets -s l o w- in my experience.

The easiest way to track the number of swap files is to use the "Go To Folder" command in the Finder's Go menu, and type "/var". Drag the "vm" folder to the right side of the dock (bottom if the dock is oriented vertically). Now you can click and hold on that folder in the dock and the pop up dock menu will show you the swap files. Another way is to run Memory Stick.

Re:solid release...Some more Objective Numbers

[EverLurking]

OK, here's my anal retentive self doing rough stopwatch timings for various application launch times under 10.2.3 and 10.2.4

Yeah, I wanted to know if it was just my perceptions being fooled by my expectations after installing a OS upgrade or if this was indeed a real effect. Hardware: Powerbook G4 667 MHz Gigabit Ethernet,768 MB RAM, 30 GB HD

10.2.3 => Cold Boot = 1:06, Shutdown 0:45, Login 5-7sec, Logout 6-15sec

10.2.4 => Cold Boot = 1:07, Shutdown 0:15, Login 6sec, Logout 5sec

The shutdown time has definitely been trimmed, but most of us OS X users will not be enjoying this speed advantage much as...we just don't have to shut down that much when the sleep/wake state is so quick and stable to use unlike my WinBlows computers.

The following times are in seconds, timed from when icon clicked on in the Dock to when the application window was fully loaded and ready to go.
(Task or App--10.2.3 1st run/Subsequent run--10.2.4 1st run/Subsequent run)
Safari----11.5/03.5--14.0/03.0
Chimera--12.0/5.1--11.0/05.2
Mail------05.5/03.5--05.3/02.2
Address--03.0/02.8--05.3/02.0
iCal------04.0/03.5--04.0/04.0
Sherlock--14.5/12.2--12.0/08.2
Word-----05.5/02.5--05.0/03.0
iTunes----05.2/02.2--04.5/02.0
iPhoto----05.8/04.2--05.2/04.0
QTPro----02.0/01.5--02.8/01.0

Sorry the formatting is so lousy, /. won't let me do a table. Also, the errors are like +/- 0.2-0.3 sec depending on if I was reaching for my beer during the timing and missed seeing the window pop up.

Sure it ain't scientific, but I think this update has gotten things moving along a tad faster, as have all the other .1, .2, .3 updates. Which is nice as many other OS's just seem to become more bloated with each iteration.

DaveC