Mac@Work Series: Part 2 – Setup on a Windows Domain

In Part 1 we discussed the decision process involved with choosing mac@work. In part 2 well discuss setting up the mac on a windows domain so I could be fully logged in and able to benefit from active directory.

Now with the iMac unpackaged and beautifully poised on my desk it was time to get it connected on the network. Before getting into the connection Id like to comment that the iMac draws quite a bit attention from people in the office. The windows users are surprised that everything is all in the monitor and there is only one cord coming out. one person asked why it doesnt have a jet engine sounding fan blowing out the back like their windows box. They question why there are no windows machines that are that well crafted and beautiful. The brushed aluminum and slim keyboard definitely are quite aesthetically pleasing. Id have to say there may be a bit of envy floating through the air. Wait until you hear their reaction in a later post regarding the actual functionality of OS X from my coworkers, its quite entertaining.

Connecting to the windows domain was something I figured out during my short trial with the macbook pro, but decided to explain it now for better continuity. I searched the web for instructions without any luck. I drove down to speak to the genius at the apple store and they couldnt help. They suggested I call 1-800-myapple and ask them, and they didnt have an answer however pointed me to an article they found on a non apple website that they thought might help. They were all very willing to help but they didnt have the answers. I finally found a snippet on a website that led me in the right direction. There is a utility in the applications folder called Directory Utility. Once that is running you can type in your domain and credentials to add your computer to the domain. During the process it will require an administrator on the Domain to enter the network administrator password. This is different from the computer administrator password. Our IT department is in the home office so they had to connect through logmein to type in the password.

Now that the iMac was on the domain I wanted to make sure that I had access to the other computers and servers on the network. By default no one could see my computer, but I could see theirs. While browsing through the computers on the network in cover flow OS X shows a preview of the computer. If it were an iMac it would look like an iMac. MacBook Pros look like MacBook Pros and so on. Well since we only had windows computers on our network all the computers were depicted as tan CRT monitors with the blue screen of death (pictured above). That gave myself and our IT staff quite a chuckle. To give my iMac visibility on the network I had to enable file sharing in the preference screen. After enabling file sharing you can type in a name you want your computer to have on the network. It was quite easy.

Next up, Printers. I was dreading this part of the setup. Printers have always been a challenge for me. Fortunately for me OS X makes this pretty simple. We have a business hub in our office as well as a high volume HP laser machine. I went to preferences, clicked on printers and clicked the plus sign to add a printer and the HP was available to select. Apparently that printer was on the network using Bonjour which is a zero config protocal. I chose it and OS X installed the drivers and printed a test page. I dont understand how it could be that simple. It just works as Apple says. The business hub is a Xerox which needed a little more user assistance to install. I found the driver on the xerox web page however due to operator error I downloaded the wrong one. Luckily we have a service contract with our copier people and they remote connected to my computer, downloaded the proper driver, and got it working. All the same functionality is there just as it is with a windows machine.

We use exchange at work so I had to install Entourage and set it up. We contract through a company that hosts our email so downloading Entourage was free and rather painless. They had a series of setup instructions to follow and although I needed a little help from our IT staff to know what to type into the different fields it was rather painless. I would much prefer a Mac version of Outlook however with Snow Leopard integrating exchange into the operating system I may switch to the built in mail, calendar and contacts when it comes out in September. Entourage is functional, however miles behind outlook. Ill explain the differences in a later post. For now it works well enough to not slow my productivity, but for a Mac application I expect much more.

I was sure to download and install all the operating system updates that were available. I installed Microsoft office because iWork is not fully compatible with office files. Ill explain why when I compare MS Office to iWork in a later post. I installed iStat menu, growl, xmarks, and setup time machine. I had to install VM Ware Fusion as well as a windows XP client. This is straight forward and rather easy. With XP running and fully up to date I installed my windows only programs. VM Ware Fusion allows you to hand the DVD drive over to windows so I clicked the icon to give control to windows then installed the programs.

In summary connecting the iMac to the windows domain was rather easy, however information was hard to find when I ran into a problem. The Apple tech support people arent versed in Windows Domains and active directory. I believe Apple is on the verge of exploding into the workplace and this is one area where they need to improve their support. Its evident with the recent announcement of integrating exchange into the Snow Leopard OS that they are pointing their sites on business. They are poised to capture a very large piece of the windows world if they are able to support it. It only takes one Mac in a company to show everyone the benefits and Macs@Work will multiply exponentially.

Note: In Part 1 I mentioned David Allisons blog however I omitted the link.

In Part-3 Ill talk about some of the immediate advantages I found with using the Mac at work. I found some new workflows that made me more efficient using automator and spotlight. Ill also share some of the comments and reactions from my co workers while I gave them a tour of OS X and what it can do.

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