Now that Tiger is out of the bag, some Mac software makers say the new cat doesn't play well with others.
Several companies say their networking software isn't compatible with Apple Computer's new operating system, and some blame changes made to the kernel of Mac OS X. A number of the products in question are VPN programs that allow one to connect to a corporate network. Cisco said last week that its VPN software was incompatible with Tiger, the latest version of the Mac OS that went on sale on Friday.
Other networking products are also affected, including two from Thursby Software. Thursby chief technology officer Paul Nelson said that with Tiger, Apple created a new set of kernel programming interfaces that change the way the operating system works with software written directly to its kernel. The move rendered obsolete some longstanding Unix networking program methods, known as Berkeley protocol stacks.
"Now we have to go back and redesign our kernel extensions to work with Tiger, which is a major job for us," Nelson said.
The software maker hopes to have updated versions of its of ADmitMac and DAVE products by August.
Microsoft is also reporting problems with the Virtual Switch networking feature of its Virtual PC software. Also, Microsoft said its zero-configuration printing and ability to launch PC programs via the dock is impacted.
"Microsoft is working closely with Apple to address issues and will put out a patch within two to three months on microsoft.com/mac," a Microsoft representative said in an email.
Other vendors have reported problems, as well. Lobotomo Software reported Tiger-related problems with its IPSecuritas VPN software.
Equinux warned on its Web site that its VPN Tracker software also won't work properly with Tiger.
"In extensive tests we confirmed that Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger has a bug that seriously affects the VPN performance," the company said. "Depending on the actual application, the VPN throughput under Tiger is about 50 to 75 percent lower than under Mac OS X 10.3 Panther."
Equinux said it can't solve the problem, calling it a bug in the Tiger kernel. "However, we're closely working with Apple to deliver a fix soon."
Apple declined to comment specifically on what changes were made to Tiger's kernel, but said in a statement late Tuesday that it is "working closely with those few developers that have some work to do to update their applications for Mac OS X Tiger".
Talkback
The changes to the Tiger kernel were well advertised for at least a year prior to shipping. These companies knew their products wouldn't work, so this is not a surprise. The Tiger kernel finally brings a solid KPI (Kernel Programmer Interface) that will provide better *future* software compatibility.
Every time Apple modified the kernel prior to 10.4/Tiger these extensions had the possibility of breaking. Once these companies update their products to use the KPI, they are guaranteed compatibility going forward.
Have these morons never heard of the Apple Developer Connection? I've been using Tiger for a few months now discovering issues and sending feedback to Apple....hmmm...if I can do it....so can they. Laziness and a wait and see attitude doesn't cut it anymore...then playing the blame game. LOL....
First, Cisco missed the date for inclusion into the software. That is not Apple's fault. Second, the companies that are complaining could have been members of the Apple Developers group and been working on this a long time ago.
To all of a sudden blame Apple and the OS X kernel smacks of someone not doing their job at these companies and not communicating well with Apple.
If Apple changed the kernel just before releasing it then they are at fault. Otherwise this is just a bunch of whining.
Isn't that what the beta program was for?
Did these things just suddenly break at golden master time? Seems very unlikely...