WebDAV CIFS SMB NFS and .DS_Store don't mix in a Read/Write secure environment e.g.: Microsoft

Using OSX within a windows environment always has mixed results.  After some quick investigation I had discovered that OSX wants to always create .DS_Store file on both local and remote drives.   .DS_Store is a file that OSX uses to record data about the folder e.g.: view options etc.  Not the most important feature when its locking up / slowing down access. This is caused when you access WebDAV, CIFS, SMB and OSX does not have write access to create the file. 

To fix it open terminal and type the following:
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SpotlightServer.plist ExternalVolumesIgnore -bool true

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true

Verify the setting:

defaults read com.apple.desktopservices

defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SpotlightServer.plist

Microsoft Office 2011 Updates for MAC

Quick links to Microsoft Office 2011 MAC updates for next time I need to find it in a hurry.

- Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.4.4 Update  File: Office2011-1444Update_EN-US.dmg
- Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.5.1 Update  File: Office2011-1451Update_EN-US.dmg
- Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.5.5 Update  File: Office2011-1455Update_EN-US.dmg

Quick links to Microsoft Office 2011 Lync updates for next time I need to find it in a hurry.
- Update for Lync for Mac 2011-KB3074981  File: lync_14.1.1_150716.dmg

Microsoft Lync for MAC 2011 Debugging connection issues

After installing Lync 2011 for MAC I needed to debug why it was not connecting correctly.  Here is how to enable and view debug information.

- Go to Lync Preferences.

- Tick the "Turn on logging for troubleshooting".

- Locate your debug logs in: /Users/myusername/Library/Logs/Microsoft-Lync.log

Outlook 2011 for MAC Identity control

One way to separate your work from home emails is the use of Outlook 2011 for MAC identities with the use of the Microsoft Database Utility

- Launch Outlook 2011 for MAC while holding [OPTION] key

- The following window will come up

- Rename the "Main Identity" to "Work"

- Create a new identity by clicking on the [+] button and name it "Home"

- Now click on button to make the "Home" identity default.

- Close down Microsoft Database Utility.

The identity is stored in:
/Users/<username>/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities

Next time outlook is launched it will use a new database with new setting, contact, calendars and emails.  To swap between identities just launch outlook by holding [OPTION] key and set a new default.

Wireshark XQartz and OSX Mavericks 10.9.X

Clean install of OSX Mavericks and its time for first network utility.  Moving from old version of OSX I discovered Mavericks requires a separate installation of X11.

Software:
- http://xquartz.macosforge.org and download XQuartz a X11 server.
- http://www.wireshark.org and download Wireshark network protocol analyser.

Installation:
- Install both XQuartz and Wireshark in that order.
- Launch Wireshark
- Window will popup asking for X11 installation.
- Select XQuartz

Issue:
- XQuartz and Wireshark OSX app launched, however wireshark X11 window will NOT pop up.

Fix:
- Close down wireshark and XQuartz (in that order)
- Start up XQuartz.
- Start up some inbuilt X11 Applications. e.g.: Terminal, Xman, Xlogo.
- Start up Wiresharek again.After about 5 min wireshark X11 window will POP up. 
- After the initial problem wireshark now works every time.

Create OSX 10.9.X bootable install USB

After a few versions of OSX its time to upgrade.

- Start by downloading the OSX install from Appstore.
- Go to Apps Made by Apple.
- Locate the OSX install. In my case OS X Mavericks Version 10.9.3
- Hit download and wait.  The download is visible in the updates tap or in your launchpad. (PS its ~6G)
- Once downloaded installer will ask to install automatically.
- Cancel the installation.

- Next install a 8G (min) USB flash drive and make sure its mounted.
- Go to command shell (Terminal >_)
- Execute the following to get root access
$ sudo bash
Password: ********

- Next execute the command to install OSX onto the USB key.  (in my case /Volume/UNTITLED)
# /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/UNTITLED --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app

- The installation will start.
Ready to start.
To continue we need to erase the disk at /Volumes/UNTITLED.
If you wish to continue type (Y) then press return: y

- After the USB is erased it will take ~45min (in my case) to build the USB.
Erasing Disk: 0%... 10%... 20%... 30%...100%...
Copying installer files to disk...
Copy complete.
Making disk bootable...
Copying boot files...
Copy complete.
Done.

- For more info go to:   http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5856

Fusion 4 OVA import using OVF Format Tool

If you running into problems importing OVAs into fusion 4 here are some quick steps to follow:

- Download VMware Open Virtualization Format Tool (ovftool) from Vmware developer center.

https://developercenter.vmware.com/web/dp/tool/ovf

- Install the DMG.

- Run the following (online):

$ /Applications/VMware\ OVF\ Tool/ovftool /Users/someuser/Downloads/UCSPE2.2/Cisco_UCS_Platform_Emulator_2.2.1bPE1.ova /Users/someuser/Downloads/UCSPE_Fusion/ucspe.vmx

Opening OVA source: /Users/someuser/Downloads/UCSPE2.2/Cisco_UCS_Platform_Emulator_2.2.1bPE1.ova

The manifest validates

Opening VMX target: /Users/someuser/Downloads/UCSPE_Fusion/ucspe.vmx

Writing VMX file: /Users/someuser/Downloads/UCSPE_Fusion/ucspe.vmx

Transfer Completed                    

Completed successfully