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Tools That Manage Both Macs and PCs

Posted by kdawson on from the one-tool-to-rule-them-all dept.

johannacw writes "Ryan Faas takes a look at nine tools that handle system management tasks in both Mac and Windows environments for both clients and servers. The tools span a range of tasks such as remote installation, license management, and helpdesk functions. The author gives opinions on each tool's strengths and weaknesses and does not pick an overall winner."

70 comments

  1. Obligartory... by mathfeel · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    But does it run linux...never mind...

    --
    The only possible interpretation of any research whatever in the 'social sciences' is: some do, some don't
    1. Re:Obligartory... by CrashandDie · · Score: 5, Funny

      Do they even need management tools for Windows ? Isn't it supposed to be easy ?

      I mean, put the CD in, install, reboot, install, reboot, the use it, reboot, use it, reboot, then after the weekend's over, install, reboot, inst...

      brb, gotta reboot...

    2. Re:Obligartory... by Sorthum · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Our desktop folks (used interchangeably here with "idiots") recently purchased LANdesk, and they're quite pleased that it can reportedly manage linux/unix, and immediately asked to test it on my (BSD) desktop.

      So supposedly it can, but damned if I'm going to let the monkeys screw with my BSD desktop...

    3. Re:Obligartory... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      The title says "PCs" so that means Linux included because Windows isn't the only OS to run on PCs.. so why not?

    4. Re:Obligartory... by fsmunoz · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Actually, it does, but as usual the article's title is wrong. Somehow "Manage Macs and PC's" translantes to "Manages OSX and Windows", as if OSX runs on some different hardware - it doesn't - and Windows is the only non-OSX OS to also run on it - it isn't.

      This isn't the 90's. They're over, go listen to "Ace of Base" in iTunes while reading the PowerPC Assembly Manual to relive it, and stop with this "Macs and PC's" crap. OSX, Windows, Linux, BSD, etc all run on "PC's" now. What's more it's condescending to assume PC==Windows. Seing that in /. is even more embarassing.

    5. Re:Obligartory... by dotpavan · · Score: 4, Funny

      ahem, may I suggest a cron job? :D

    6. Re:Obligartory... by fazookus · · Score: 1

      Landesk is a tool, nay, a suite of tools, of impressive breadth and depth. It's also impressively flaky and even borders on the zany. I'd have been more impressed with TFA if it was more than just a list of apps, you can get that much from a few hours with the Google.

    7. Re:Obligartory... by TheSkyIsPurple · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is insightful? Really?

      You do realize the term "PC" has evolved to mean more than just "Personal Computer", right?
      It even evolved beyond just being "IBM Compatible PC".

      You do realize that context and usage can change the meaning of a word?

      PC, in that context, means "Windows running machine".
      Mac meant Mac OS running machine.

      The usage is clear, it's concise, it's useful, it's obvious, it's not harmful.

      Pedantry is not a good thing =-)

    8. Re:Obligartory... by MyOtherUIDis3digits · · Score: 4, Funny

      You're lucky all the Win fanboys are busy re-installing or downloading A-V/A-malware/A-whatever updates. Tomorrow, when they get into work, you're gonna get so flamed.

      --
      Ignore anything I said above, I actually agree with everything you believe - mod accordingly.
    9. Re:Obligartory... by cyphercell · · Score: 2, Informative

      Um, no the term "PC" has not evolved.

      http://www.google.com/search?q=PC

      More than likely the term "PC" was used to fit in the title space, no other reason. When dealing with cross-platform anything it's beneficial to be specific about platform. Confusing "PC" with "Windows" is analogous to confusing "The Internet" with "Internet Explorer".

      --
      Under the influence of Post-Cyberpunk Gonzo Journalism
    10. Re:Obligartory... by sootman · · Score: 1

      Yeah. Those stupid jerks don't list ANY tools to manage my Apple ][, Commodore PET, or TRS-80. "Personal Computer" my ass.

      Seriously, you're the one stuck in the past. "PC" hasn't been a generic term for "Personal Computer" for 20 years. Language changes. Accept it.

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
    11. Re:Obligartory... by TheSkyIsPurple · · Score: 2

      The first hit is Wikipedia, which has been criticized for being too pedantic.
      I'm pretty sure I saw a Slash on it, but can't find it. I did find this article though.

      If I choose to go to Urban Dictionary, the third definition is:
      "a personal computer (only refers to Windows, not Macs)"

      Sorry, we're going with first definitions? Look up pc at Merriam Webster
      It's first definition is "parsec", second is a latin abbreviation for "post cibum".

      And yet, in the midst of all that confusion, everyone knew exactly what the article referred to though. =-)

    12. Re:Obligartory... by fsmunoz · · Score: 1

      And *that* is insightful? Really? If I cared one bit about moderation I wouldn't even be touching the Mac articles.

      You do realize that redifining words just to maintain the sense of diferentiation of a community is all well and nice but it doesn't mean that the rest of us have to play along with it? PC, in that context, means almost nothing. *Once upon a time* it did mean something, when Mac fans talked at lenghts about the beaty of PowerPC, so different from the Intel PC garbage (kind of true, but irrelevant here). To say that the term "evolved" is a coup out: it didn't "evolved", the Mac did, and became a PC. IBM compatible PC. With chips mabe by Intel. With an OS that runs on all other IBM compatible PCs.

      I understand the need to "think different" and as such the clinging to an expression that puts things in dualistic terms, but I will not accomodate that need. Words do evolve, and especially so does technology and its use by corporations.

    13. Re:Obligartory... by fsmunoz · · Score: 1

      Oh, right. So, in your opinion, a x86 running Linux or BSD bought from Dell *isn't* a PC? Since apparently it isn't a generic term for a kind of IBM compatible personal computer (this is the narrowest sense), or a general usage personal computer of any architecture (the wider sense).

      So, what is a PC in your opinion? I'm quite ready to accept whatever newspeak you've got, just spell it out for me. What precisely is a PC, how do you define it? You've got my two previsously assumed definitions above.

    14. Re:Obligartory... by ydra2 · · Score: 1

      Not really. PC means Personal Computer; a computer used by an individual for personal use as opposed to a computer owned by a university or corporation and used by many individuals. To say "tools for managing MACs and PCs" is like saying "Motor Oil for GM cars and automobiles." The usage is not clear or consise or useful, its just plain stupid and people who talk that way, (whether in print or spoken language), are announcing their stupidity for all the world to see. PC stands for "Personal Computer" and "Personal Computer" does not mean "Microsoft" in any way shape or form. It's as if some people don't understand one or both parts of "Personal Computer." If you mean "Microsoft Computer" you could easily say that, but the term "Personal Computer" includes all kinds of personal computers, not just Microsoft OS machines.

    15. Re:Obligartory... by cerberusss · · Score: 1

      While doing a school project at Lucent, they asked me whether I wanted a workstation or a PC. Because I was a n00b at the time, it took some seconds to understand that they meant "do you want Solaris or Windows"

      I answered: "I'd like a Linux workstation"

      After which total confusion ensued.

      --
      8 of 13 people found this answer helpful. Did you?
    16. Re:Obligartory... by fsmunoz · · Score: 1

      Yes, that "confusion" is still present today with Linux... for example, many companies have teams that take care of Windows planning and other that take care of Unix planning (i.e. architecture, proposals, etc). Since historically Windows runs on ix86 and proprietary Unix in custom hardaware (dubbed workstation when for PC use, as you noted) the hardware division is also made along those lines. Now, with Linux the expertise is on one side - Unix - while the hardware resposability on the other - since it's assumed that ix86 == Windows. This is is some ways responsible for the lack of Linux proposals, since the people in charge of the ix86 hardware are almost always relunctant to propose Linux.

      Things are changin however, and those teams are sometimes called "Wintel" and the Linux component either gets designed by the Unix guys, or the "Wintel" guys begin to broaden their scope and propose Linux solutions.

    17. Re:Obligartory... by sootman · · Score: 1

      I could talk about this all day but I'm not going to waste my time. Short version: word meaning comes FROM CONTEXT as much as anything else. Therefore, there is no single universally-accepted definition of what construes a PC any more than there is a single list of criteria which determines if a car is a "sports car" or not. It is a generally accepted convention that PC = a computer running DOS or Windows. I doubt anyone was confused by the article's title, and it seems like hardly anyone is getting worked up in a frenzy over the wording. Get over yourself.

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
    18. Re:Obligartory... by TheSkyIsPurple · · Score: 1

      To borrow from another post:

      If I choose to go to Urban Dictionary, the third definition is:
      "a personal computer (only refers to Windows, not Macs)"

      Look up pc at Merriam Webster
      It's first definition is "parsec", second is a latin abbreviation for "post cibum".

      Yours is not the only definition of PC /Ask McDonalds about McJob, and how they're doing with policing the language

    19. Re:Obligartory... by fsmunoz · · Score: 1

      could talk about this all day but I'm not going to waste my time.

      Yes, that usually works.

      It is a generally accepted convention that PC = a computer running DOS or Windows

      Ok, at least you answered my question directly, thanks. If that's what passes for "PC" on /. articles nowadays this place could serv as a support forum for AOLers.

    20. Re:Obligartory... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      News for Nerds...


      Can't believe I'm stepping in this, but when I hear "PC" I don't think of windows at all. I think of hardware, maybe that's because I'm a computer expert, but I don't just come to slashdot for the goatse pictures either. It's not pedantry, it's standard terminology that belongs to a field of expertise that slashdot caters to.


      Your urban dictionary definition doesn't even mention windows, neither does the Merriam Webster definition, maybe you should try this again. :)

    21. Re:Obligartory... by TheSkyIsPurple · · Score: 1

      >News for Nerds...

      So, only computer experts are nerds?
      I currently work as a SysAdmin. I grit my teeth every time I hear it, but I normally hear PC used as this article is using it.
      Maybe I just work with hundreds of stupid people.
      I hear it referred that way at conferences regularly (both Dev and Admin)
      It's a common usage.
      It's annoying, but it's common. (Kinda like ATM machine)

      >Your urban dictionary definition doesn't even mention windows, neither does the Merriam Webster definition, maybe you should try this again. :)

      Well, it moved to definition #4, but it's there: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pc
      "a personal computer (only refers to Windows, not Macs)"

    22. Re:Obligartory... by cyphercell · · Score: 1

      That's different, if you worked in a shop with only Macs and Linux boxen, then the term PC would be equally synonymous with the Linux machines. In a a truly mixed environment (kinda like slash) where you come in saying you have "such and such" that will work with our Macs and PCs, you might do well to mention it won't run on the Linux boxes. Point is, you hear the word the way you want to hear it, Linux is not really a consideration for you so PC automatically refers to Windows, and yes it does bother people who a) know better and b) who use something other than Windows on their PCs.

      I can't believe you actually held urban dictionary above Wikipedia - not bad.

      --
      Under the influence of Post-Cyberpunk Gonzo Journalism
    23. Re:Obligartory... by turbidostato · · Score: 1

      "PC, in that context, means "Windows running machine""

      Yeah, sure. Because everybody knows that Linux doesn't run on PCs... It runs in boxen!

  2. I'd appreciate... by theantipop · · Score: 3, Funny

    if you didn't call me a tool. Thanks.

    1. Re:I'd appreciate... by Joebert · · Score: 1

      The day we've all feared is finally here, the machines are talking back !

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    2. Re:I'd appreciate... by Joebert · · Score: 1

      I feel like an alcoholic in a methadone clinic right about now.

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    3. Re:I'd appreciate... by syousef · · Score: 2, Funny

      if you didn't call me a tool. Thanks.

      Don't worry the official job title is "System administrator"
      - Signed HR

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
  3. This link actually works: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Tried to RTFA but didn't succeed (good thing I can read an address)...

    http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?com mand=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9024079

    -Anony Mouse

  4. For sure by VincenzoRomano · · Score: 1, Funny

    A set of screw drivers shoud be fine do "manage" both Macs and PCs!

    --
    Maybe Computers will never be as intelligent as Humans.
    For sure they won't ever become so stupid. [VR-1988]
    1. Re:For sure by jptechnical · · Score: 3, Informative

      A hammer, or a 16 ounce adjusting tool like my grandpa likes to call it.

      --

      Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear.
    2. Re:For sure by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 2, Funny

      A hammer, or a 16 ounce adjusting tool like my grandpa likes to call it.

      I prefer a hammer AND a 16 ounce adjusting tool, although the cylindrical 12 ounce adjusting tools work just as well...

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    3. Re:For sure by Joebert · · Score: 1

      It's time to put grandpa in a home, or a golden years club as we like to call it.

      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    4. Re:For sure by Miseph · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's called "percussive maintenance".

      --
      Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
  5. Best/Cheapest Tool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Wheelbarrow.

    Dump the overpriced Macs out back in the garbage bin.

    1. Re:Best/Cheapest Tool by poopdeville · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You're better off selling them, especially since they don't depreciate anywhere near as fast as generic PCs.

      --
      After all, I am strangely colored.
  6. When networks became "larger"? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    As computing environments become larger, particularly those that are multisite and multiplatform...


    Are you sure this article isn't from the mid-1990's? It seems that most people have been connected to a computer for a while.
    1. Re:When networks became "larger"? by ProjectLAN · · Score: 1

      It looks like a bit prehistoric. ;)

  7. For those that hate paged articles by drpimp · · Score: 5, Informative

    Especially those with a list of apps, mashups or what ever the buzzword is today on top of that without links. Make your own decisions. BTW I only count 8.
    There is also the printable version
    - FileWave
    - NetOctopus
    - LANrev
    - Radmind
    - ManageSoft
    - LANDesk
    - Timbuktu
    - NTRsupport

    --
    -- Brought to you by Carl's JR
    1. Re:For those that hate paged articles by catmistake · · Score: 1

      LANrev wins for the picture on their page... that is genius, and fucking hilarious.

      --
      The Admin and the Engineer
  8. I find... by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 0

    ...that a hammer works quite nicely.

  9. TOOL'S CLOSED! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    On 7/12/06, a band of brothers from /b/, YTMND, SomethingAwful, GNAA, Encyclopedia Dramatica and myg0t took a vow. A vow to close the Habbo Hotel pool, for it was ridden with AIDS and diabeetus. It was later confirmed that the pool also had, in fact, stingrays. The brothers valiantly closed the pool, despite the outcrys from the habbofags, and the mods' banhammer. That vow was taken nearly a year ago. The AIDS is still there. It is time to honor the B&, to contain the AIDS... To close the pool.

    WHAT: Reunion of The Great Habbo Raid of 7/12/06
    WHEN: July 12th, 2007, 1700 EST (2200 GMT)
    WHERE: Habbo US; Habbo UK
    WHO: eBaumsworld and Hal Turner (If anyone asks, THEY DID IT, lol)
    WHY: Pool's got AIDS!

    More info:
    Encyclopedia Dramatica
    PoolsClosed.com

    1. Re:TOOL'S CLOSED! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      LOLLERSKATES!

      http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Image:PoolCam Pic.jpg

      Is that you, little /b/-tard?

  10. Missing by kandresen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They missed Webmin... http://www.webmin.com/

    Can simplify management tasks quite well for Windows, Mac, Linux, and most other flavors of Unix...

    1. Re:Missing by AdamWeeden · · Score: 2, Interesting

      And Altiris also, which I use to manage 1500 boxes (with about 1% of that being OS X and the rest Windows).

      --
      I was quoted out of context in my autobiography...
    2. Re:Missing by jp10558 · · Score: 1

      And for those of you who want to look at OSS tools (that may not meet all needs on OSX quite yet) you ought to look at a combination of OCSNG and ZenOSS (with GLPI integrated to OCSNG for a full helpdesk/inventory etc database, License tracking and more).

      --
      Opera, Proxomitron-Grypen,GPG 0x0A1C6EE3
    3. Re: Missing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      also Marimba from BMC (the makers of Remedy - a favourite closed loop system of many support staff!)

    4. Re:Missing by phillymjs · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "Altiris: Now Part of Symantec"

      No thanks! After seeing how Symantec acquired, ruined and then discontinued other good products that at one time supported the Mac, I'll pass.

      ~Philly

    5. Re:Missing by Arimus · · Score: 1

      To be fair to Symantec they didn't just destroy Mac products, they've ruined a fair few PC based products...

      --
      --- Users are like bacteria -> Each one causing a thousand tiny crises until the host finally gives up and dies.
  11. THE IPHONE IS GOING TO ABSOLUTELY SUCK!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    THE IPHONE IS GOING TO ABSOLUTELY SUCK!!!

    ewoiasdlkf;jserghiujawertlk;jsdfag4q3p0ueawli;kjad sfglknhafgdlk;dbvireulkdfgasakfdgnmrawetu@$#%@%#$^ @%$^$@#%^&@$%^$@%&$%@^#$!^%$%@^#$

  12. Insensitive clod by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I use Linux you insensitive clod!

  13. Windows SMS by Vince+Ferg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I havent tried any of these but after looking by most of them it didnt seem like there were to many differences between these applications and Windows System Management Server. I understand that these allow for cross platform compatability but aside from that are there a lot of differences?

    1. Re:Windows SMS by cyphercell · · Score: 1

      Sorry if I sound like an ass, but I'm really struggling to figure out how your comment is even slightly relevant. A feature comparison means little if a core requirement is cross platform support.

      --
      Under the influence of Post-Cyberpunk Gonzo Journalism
  14. plus 5, Tro4pll) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    or chair, return fly They looked Represents the came as a complete too, ca8 be a Usenet. In 1995,

    1. Re:plus 5, Tro4pll) by cyphercell · · Score: 0, Troll

      Mod parent into the dirt before he hurts someone.

      --
      Under the influence of Post-Cyberpunk Gonzo Journalism
  15. Macs and PCs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Macs aren't computers for personal use anymore?

    1. Re:Macs and PCs? by toQDuj · · Score: 1

      Nope, They've always found a place in digital arts and publishing, and I'm happy to say that I've been allowed to enjoy the use of one at my workplace, in chemical engineering research. It just frustrates a little less than a windows machine and is therefore a little more productive to use.

      B.

      --
      Every experiment which ends in a big bang is a good experiment.
    2. Re:Macs and PCs? by cparker15 · · Score: 1

      Right. I don't understand it when people refer to Macs and PCs, as if Macs are somehow not PCs. Anyone?

      --
      Have you driven a fnord... lately?

      You must wait a little bit before using this resource; please try again later.

    3. Re:Macs and PCs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Behold, the power of marketing! PCs no longer mean "personal computers", they mean "lame guy in a suit."

  16. Mac server?! by PSaltyDS · · Score: 1

    Wow. Learn something new every day. Where do they keep it? :-P

    --
    Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. - Geek's corollary to Clarke's law
    1. Re:Mac server?! by Jellybob · · Score: 1

      It's ingeniously kept at http://www.apple.com/server/

  17. They missed One by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Creduware manages passwords and certificates on Mac and PC servers. It is written on Macs as well. I know this b/c I helped write it.

    Check it out. http://www.creduware.com/

  18. Don't bother by passthecrackpipe · · Score: 1

    As there are a bunch of key tools actually missing - I failed to spot any FLOSS tools that do the same, and most of those actually perform way better then the ones listed in the article. YACR (Yet another clueless reporter)......

    --
    People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.
    1. Re:Don't bother by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Neither do you jackass. So, name some!

  19. Re:Veggie Burgers at local take away. by Max+Littlemore · · Score: 2, Funny
    To answer a question with a question:

    Sorry, I haven't read TFA, and I'm having trouble thinking straight cause I been hitting my own melon head with a 15 ounce adjusting tool, but I fail to see the difference between the local take away and Bob's Big Beef Burgers. I understand that vegetarians can't eat at Bob's, but aside from that are there a lot of differences?
    --
    I don't therefore I'm not.
  20. Some tools I use by AVryhof · · Score: 1

    We have an Apple and an NT server at work since our page designers and editors use OS X and everyone else uses Windows. (The apple server covers just about everything but accounting and subscriptions)

    Some of the tools I find extremely useful are VNC, and PuTTY (I assume any SSH client will work, but my workstation is Windows at work)...I also use Hamachi for some things (when I need to do stuff from home)

    Aside from them, I have a few Shell scripts for the Apple Server, and web services turned on for the Intranet so I often find myself putting together PHP scripts for doing tasks.

    I assume this method would work on other configurations as well, since VNC and SSH seem to be everywhere.

    --
    Make America grate again!
    1. Re:Some tools I use by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and cygwin, pkgsrc for the win

  21. Also ODBCrouter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ..also ODBCrouter gives access to almost every version of every brand of SQL database ever produced from Macintosh, Linux and Windows using the database vendors own "officially supported" Windows database drivers installed one time on a shared server. This means that all the mobile Mac and Windows laptops and the front-end LINUX webservers are updated instantly whenever any database driver update happens on the shared box hosting ODBCrouter. (No more running around to each machine, scheduling appointments with people to bring laptops in or downtime for the front-end servers while holding off upgrading to next version of database server.)

  22. nine tools by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm one of those tools, you insensitive clod!

  23. what? by dropadrop · · Score: 1

    So am I missing something here? This is almost like a shop selling the products, he gives a features list with no mention on how the features work. Based on that article one might (for example) think Landesk is actually a useful application, when in reality managing Macs with it is extremely slow and tedious.