Author: Daniel Mettler

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Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server: Configuring outgoing SMTP authentication for postfix

More and more ISPs require customers to use the ISP’s own SMTP server for sending mail (to effectively block spam coming from hijacked customer workstations). Or you simply might want to send outgoing mail using your own SMTP mail server somewhere in the Internet, which  should only accept encrypted, authenticated connection requests.

If you’re lucky, you can configure postfix on your Snow Leopard Server (and later) using the supplied ‘Server Admin’ GUI tool and enter your authentication credentials and the name of your (or your ISP’s) SMTP server there. This is explained in the following Youtube video: Using Your ISPs Mail Server in Snow Leopard Server.

In my case, this wasn’t sufficient, i.e. didn’t work and hence I had to use the CLI tool instead (which appears to be buggy, see later). The configuration of outgoing SMTP authentication for postfix on Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server is analogous to my quite old post about configuring SMTP auth for postfix on Linux, only the commands slightly differ.

Here are the commands I had to use:

# serveradmin settings mail:postfix:smtp_sasl_mechanism_filter = "plain"

mail:postfix:smtp_sasl_mechanism_filter = “plain”

# serveradmin settings mail:postfix:smtp_sasl_security_options = "noanonymous"

mail:postfix:smtp_sasl_security_options = “noanonymous”

# serveradmin settings mail:postfix:smtp_use_tls = "yes"

mail:postfix:smtp_use_tls = “1”

 

The last command reveals a bug in the ‘serveradmin’ tool which will prevent postfix from working correctly as the value is set to “1” instead of “yes”! As a workaround, you need to manually set the value to “yes” in /etc/postfix/main.cf:

 

# vi /etc/postfix/main.cf

smtp_use_tls = yes

 

# vi /etc/postfix/sasl/passwd

# cat /etc/postfix/sasl/passwd

smtp.mydomain.com login:password

# postmap hash:/etc/postfix/sasl/passwd

# serveradmin stop mail

mail:state = “STOPPED”

# serveradmin start mail

mail:state = “RUNNING”

Done that, you can test the new settings by composing and sending a message using the ‘mail’ command:

# mail -s "a test message" myaddress@mydomain.com

(enter the body text and finish editing the message by entering a dot on an empty line)

Check the mail queue with

# mailq

Requeue messages that couldn’t be delivered using

# postqueue -f

[Edit 20130401: Fixed some typos, clarified the phrasing, anonymized data]

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Got a Zeppelin Air? Upgrade its firmware now.

All in all, after several months of using it, I can strongly recommend the B & W Zeppelin Air. It’s a truly great iPod/iPhone speaker, filling even larger rooms with quite impressive depths and crisp heights. And in contrast to its competitors (e.g. think of the lousy hardware of the otherwise innovative Sonos speakers – what a pity!), you can see, feel and hear its excellent build quality. It’s been engineered by the guys who equip the famous Abbey Road Studios, supply the audio system for Jaguars and invented extravagant speakers like the Nautilus, after all.

The only thing which wasn’t satisfying so far, is the Zeppelin Air’s buggy default (software) implementation of Airplay, i.e. that the Zeppelin Air lost the Wifi connection after a while in stand-by mode. As I finally found out, all that’s needed to fix this is a firmware upgrade to version 2.00.24 [updated 20120930]. At least, my Zeppelin Air hasn’t ever lost its Wifi connection anymore since. So, if you experience Wifi connectivity issues with your Zeppelin Air (likely), don’t hesitate and upgrade the Zeppelin’s firmware now, although it’s somewhat cumbersome (you need a suitable USB cable, e.g. from an external hard drive or printer, as this isn’t included in spite of the Zeppelin’s upmarket price). It’s well worth it!

Zeppelin Air firmware download at Bowers & Wilkins Support.

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MagicPrefs

MagicPrefs.

“MagicPrefs is a free application for OS X which aims to improve the functionality and configuration options of the Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and the MacBook glass trackpad.

It features the ability to bind a variable number of finger clicks, taps, swipes, pinch and other gestures to functions like Middle Click, Hold Down Both Mouse Buttons, Spaces, Expose, Dashboard, Recent Applications, Tweet, Read Tweets, Google Reader etc.”

A must-have.

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Notes on tracing code execution in Django and Python « SaltyCrane Blog

Eliot from the SaltyCrane blog wrote a nice Django management command that allows to easily trace a Django runserver simply by executing ./manage.py trace runserver. Works great!

Django trace tool, django-trace is [..] a Django management command that uses sys.settrace with other Django management commands. https://github.com/saltycrane/django-trace.

via Notes on tracing code execution in Django and Python « SaltyCrane Blog.

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Samsung Audio Dock DA-E750 supports AirPlay and AllShare

Das Samsung Audio Dock DA-E750 ist das erste Audio-Device mit integrierter Docking Funktion, das über ein einzigartiges Dual Dock System verfügt. [..]

Darüber hinaus „verbindet“ das Samsung Audio Dock DA-E750 auch kabellos – und zwar nicht nur mit dem Samsung Galaxy S II und Galaxy Note über AllShare. Auch Apple iPod, iPhone und iPad können sich barrierefrei über AirPlay andocken. [..]

Der gute Ton macht die Musik
Für audiophile Enthusiasten spielt das DA-E750 alle Stücke. Das Gerät ist mit Samsungs exklusiver Hybrid-Technologie an Röhrenverstärkern ausgestattet. Sie erzeugt die, für diese Verstärkertechnik typischen, klaren und warmen Klänge. Das 2.1-Soundsystem samt integriertem Subwoofer sorgt für 100 Watt sattem Sound. Das Samsung Audio Dock ist aber nicht nur für die Ohren, sondern auch für die Augen konzipiert. Die Lautsprecher sind aus Fieberglas gefertigt. Das Dock selbst verbirgt sich kaum sichtbar im Hintergrund und die Oberfläche aus Holz verleiht dem Produkt ein elegantes Auftreten.

via Offen für Neues? Samsung Audio Dock DA-E750 verbindet

Would like to listen to it to compare it to other high-end Airplay iPhone/iPod/iPad docks like the B&W Zeppelin Air.

The Samsung DA-E750 isn’t a steal, but considering the high-quality components and manufacturing, a price of around 700 CHF seems reasonable.

 

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Belkin Zero Stand for MacBook Pro

Belkin’s stylish Zero Stand is the ultimate solution for your MacBook or MacBook Pro, providing an optimal viewing angle for comfortable, everyday use.

 

  • Rubber grip keeps laptop in place
  • Open design improves airflow
  • Clutter-free cable management
  • Easy to assemble

via Belkin Zero Stand for MacBook Pro – Apple Store (U.S.).

Haven’t tried it yet with my 13″ MacBook Air, but this stand seems to be pretty good (though expensive) according to reviews (youtube video).

(Thanks to @fjoachim for the hint)

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Essential iOS apps: Headquake by Sonic Emotion

Headquake® by Sonic Emotion Absolute 3D offers the listening experience on the go. Headquake is the world’s premier sound enhancement app out there that takes you to another dimension! Listen to your iTunes library of music in a never before heard quality, that is personalized to your favorite type of headphones. You will listen to music as if you were there live and not wearing headphones! 

Headquake is plug and play. The app will automatically sync your iTunes music so all you need to do is press play and enjoy! 

Headquake is available with unlimited use at $.99.

Sonic Emotion Absolute 3D Sound – the listening experience for all consumer audio products.

The depth that Headquake adds to a plain stereo signal is amazing. When listening to music on my iPhone I always use Headquake, if possible.

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Essential Mac OS X tools: Shades app

Shades is a FREE utility for controlling the brightness of your screen. It runs in the background providing always-available fine-grained control over the brightness of your display via a slick Mac-like interface

via Shades | Software | Charcoal Design.

My new Thunderbolt Apple Display seemed to be rather dark, compared to other displays and what I expected. Thanks to the Shades app I then found out that the display had a factory brightness setting of only about 50% of its maximum brightness. Shades now lets me control the Apple Display’s brightness.