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  • August 12, 2004 at 4:39 pm #358761
    Anonymous
    Guest

    I am using 10.2.8 jag server on 500mhz G4 w/ 1GB ram. My users are setup and can log in but I want to creat a dock that everybody uses. I am not sure where the com.dock.plist file is that I need to replace is. I believe that it has to be on the server but where, oh where can it be? So in the end I will lock down the dock so it can not be modified but have all the essential apps right there in front of the user. Suggestion?

    Thank you,

    Steve

    August 17, 2004 at 4:14 pm #358807
    PhillyMJS
    Participant

    Use at your own risk, YMMV, other standard disclaimers apply, but:

    I fooled around with this a while back when I was experimenting with network home directories on Panther Server. IIRC, you can set the default user dock (actually quite a few default user settings) the way you like it on a client machine, and then copy the appropriate preference file to the User Template folder on the server (/System/Library/User Template/English.lproj/) while logged in as root so you can access it. Make sure you fix the permissions on the file so it’s just like the one you’re replacing.

    I know for a fact you can set up a default user (in Jaguar & Panther) just the way you like it on a standalone machine by using the same technique with the local User Template folder instead of the one on the server. I’ve actually copied an entire Preferences folder in there after getting a dummy user account set up exactly the way I wanted it. I’ve only ever had one minor issue doing it like that… two instances where Safari would allow pageviews but file downloads would error out. Solved that by deleting the internet config plist file from the User Template so a new one is created when needed.

    I’ve spoken with an Apple engineer who was amazed that I wasn’t having more problems using that technique, and some of the other tricks I’ve picked up after hours of experimentation. Either I’m very lucky, or OS X is a lot more forgiving and/or flexible than they thought.

    ~Philly

    August 23, 2004 at 10:01 pm #358878
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Because of the way we set up our docks for students with all the right apps on the dock for them is why I have to modify the dock.plist file. I am not allowed to put the adobe software on the server unless I buy an extra license and we do not have the $$ for that. Most of my students can barely use a MAC because of they are part of the MS generation. If I were to set up logins on the client machine then I can get the dock to appear EXACTly as I intended it to be but all my logins are thru the server with Workgroup manager (WGM). Client are bound using OD. After they are created in WGM, I go to the client and log that student in and it takes about 10-15 secs for the folder structure to be setup and then it is go time BUT I’ve replaced the dock.plist file and it STILL creates the regular dock and not mine. When that new user logs in for the first time where is it getting the dock data from? I’ve put it in the same place as the client version I mentioned earlier but still doesn’t work.

    August 26, 2004 at 5:43 pm #358923
    PhillyMJS
    Participant

    [QUOTE BY= mac_ash_cia]When that new user logs in for the first time where is it getting the dock data from?[/QUOTE]

    /System/Library/User Template/English.lproj/Library/Preferences/

    ~Philly

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