In an already big week with iPhone 4 Mac Mini and Safari 5, Apple on Tuesday released Mac OS X 10.6.4, its latest update for the Snow Leopard operating system, with fixes related to Adobe's Creative Suite 3, as well as a resolution for an issue that could cause a Mac keyboard or trackpad to become unresponsive.

"In addition to general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of Mac systems, Apple said it includes fixes that:

• resolve an issue that causes the keyboard or trackpad to become unresponsive
• resolve an issue that may prevent some Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications from opening
• address issues copying, renaming, or deleting files on SMB file servers
• improve reliability of VPN connections
• resolve a playback issue in DVD Player when using Good Quality deinterlacing
• resolve an issue editing photos with iPhoto or Aperture in full screen view"

Apple also released Mac OS X Server 10.6.4 on Tuesday, with improvements for Wiki Server, Software Update Server, vacation mail notices spanning multiple days and improved reliability of VPN connections.

"The 10.6.4 update is recommended for all servers currently running Snow Leopard Server version 10.6. It includes Safari 5 and general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your server, as well as specific fixes for:

• CalDAV querying of email addresses with Active Directory and Open Directory servers
• stability and reliability accessing Wiki Server pages
• view movies on Wiki Server with Safari on iPad
• accessing publicly accessible Wikis when logged in to the Wiki Server
• listing blogs on Wiki Server 
• vacation mail notices that span across multiple days
• updates from Software Update Server viewable by clients
• stability and reliability to Software Update Server synchronization
• downloading of software updates by Software Update Server
• creating NetInstall images which include iLife updater packages
• address issues copying, renaming, or deleting files on SMB file servers
• improve reliability of VPN connections"

Should I update?

We assume your production systems are mission critical.  As a result, we recommend giving updates a "cooling off" period. A week is usually good enough. If there is a problem with the update, usually the vendor (Apple in this case) will address it within that time frame. Note, however, that there is usually important security content in updates, so generally try to stay on top of updates. Don't let them languish.

Also, whenever possible, test updates to ensure that they don't break mission critical functionality for you before you roll them out to all of your computers.

Questions?

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