X World Sessions

Note that all sessions are subject to change and final confirmation with the presenters. Sessions may be withdrawn or changed without notice. Due to Apple's WorldWide Developers Conference happening in mid-June, some sessions may be added, changed or modified to include updated content.

X World will feature a number of Feature Presentations, Hands-on Workshops and Presentations.

Feature Presentations

Apple Update
Wed 11:15 - 12:30
Come along and hear about the recent announcements from Apple including those during the recent WWDC Conference in San Francisco.
Link to more information.

Presentation Magic with Keynote
Wed 1:30-2:30
Les Posen
Les Posen is a Clinical Psychologist in practice specialising in anxiety disorders. But he has been a Mac user since 1988, and a Keynote user since its introduction in 2003 when he also commenced post graduate studies in Knowledge Management at the Melbourne University.
Since then he has continued to use Keynote as a knowledge sharing tool, and his prowess with the application has seen him join the Macworld teaching faculty in San Francisco where he has presented two day powertools workshops for the last three years. He has also presented to and maintains contact with the iWork development team in Cupertino and Pittsburgh. Les is currently President of the iMug Mac user group in Melbourne and this is his first time presenting at X World.
Les Posen's Presentation Magic.

Training & Certification
Wed 2:30-3:00
Dimension Data and KeyOptions offer a number of Apple Certified Training Courses and they will run through the courses they offer and why it is important to have certification and how the AUC can help.
Link to more information.

Mac OS X Server
Wed 3:30-4:30
Arek Dreyer is a Chicago, Il based author, courseware developer and computer consultant, expert in Mac OS X and directory services in Mac OS X Server. He is an Apple Certified Trainer and Apple Certified System Administrator and has been delivering system administration training for Apple Worldwide Training and Certification since 2002. He maintains expertise in Microsoft Windows and UNIX based environments, particularly Sun Solaris, Mac OS X has become his preferred platform, and he enjoys the challenge of heterogeneous networks like integration with Active Directory.
 XWorld2010-ArekDreyer.pdf

iTunesU Roundtable
Wed 4:30-5:15
iTunes U ia a powerful distribution system for everything from lectures to language lessons, films to labs, audiobooks to tours and is an innovative way to get educational content into the hands of students. A number of iTunesU users and contributors will discuss how they make use of iTunesU and what it means to their University.
Link to more information.

Apple Consultants Network
Fri 1:30-1:45
The Apple Consultants Network (ACN) is a group of independent professional service providers and technology consulting firms that specialise in Apple and third-party solutions. Certified on Apple technologies, ACN members deliver on-site technology services and support to home users and businesses of all sizes. Learn more about the steps you can follow to join this exciting new Apple program.
Link to more information.

What is the deal with iPhone and iPad Software Development?
Fri 1:45-2:45
We’ll discuss and demonstrate the latest in software development for Apple’s mobile devices, and if the presenter messes up we may wind up demonstrating the debugger as well. If time permits, we will also cover the relative successes of Canada and Australia in recent world sporting events.
Link to more information.

Hands-On Workshops

Please note that workshop spaces are limited by the number of available computers in each lab. Workshops are filled on a strictly allocated basis. This is to allow everyone the opportunity to attend a workshop.

Building an MOE/SOE
Adam Reed, ANU
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Thu 1:30-5:00 (Repeat)
This hands on session will cover numerous aspect of building and maintaining a SOE/MOE including understanding OS X, software packaging, basic scripting and the command line. In addition you will see and use various tools that make managing a SOE easier. Finally you will gain some practical ideas that you can utilise in your environment. This session is a repeat from 2009.
 XWorld2010-BuildingAnSOE.pdf

Launching into Automation (Are You Being Served?)
Peter Stagg, Monash Uni
Thu 1:30-5:00 & Fri 9:00-12:30 (Repeat)
One of the often overlooked features of Snow Leopard, the latest OS from Apple, is the revamp of services (AKA that useless menu item that wants to convert your Chinese text). Services are now "contextual, convenient, configurable and customisable." Anyone can create services quickly and easily with Automator, AppleScript and / or any other supported scripting language.
In this workshop we'll look at creating and configuring services and how they relate to other Apple automation techniques and technologies. Don't worry if the sleeves are too long, you'll find they'll ride up with wear. In other words this workshop is one size fits all; suitable for beginners of all ages.
 XWorld2010-AreYouBeingServed.pdf
 XWorld2010-AreYouBeingServed_Worksheet.pdf

iPhone/iPad Development Basics
Jayant Varma, James Cook University
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Fri 9:00-12:30 (Repeat)
The workshop shall take the attendees through the process of creating an iPhone App more suited towards the enterprise use in comparison to individual utility applications. The attendees will:
- Create a basic iPhone app using the iPhone SDK
- Learn about the UI Framework available with the iPhone SDK
- Learn about the different type of applications, native, Web and Hybrid
- Create a Hybrid application
The attendees will learn how to create applications modelled on paper based forms and hierarchical data.

Using Munki for Managed Software Installations 
Rob Middleton, University of Sydney
Thu 1:30-5:00 & Fri 9:00-12:30 (Repeat)
This workshop will summarise the various deployment and updating options, however the specific tool of focus will be 'Munki' (a free tool), and associated repackaging techniques. Munki has major benefits for managing a diverse fleet. It is quite able to install and update specific software whilst allowing the computer owner to install other applications, and to generally retain "ownership" of their computer. Additionally as a deployment method it is unfussed by new Apple hardware not yet supported by the main OS X builds (an area where imaging techniques fall down).

Apple Remote Desktop 3
Apple
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Fri 9:00-12:30 (Repeat)
Apple Remote Desktop is the best way to manage the Mac computers on your network. Distribute software, provide real-time online help to end users, create detailed software and hardware reports, and automate routine management tasks — all without leaving your desk. Featuring Automator actions, Remote Spotlight search, and a new Dashboard widget, Apple Remote Desktop 3 makes your job easier than ever.
 XWorld2010-AppleRemoteDesktop3.pdf       Link to more information.

OS X Server Secrets
Arek Dreyer, USA
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Fri 9:00-12:30 (Repeat)
Arek Dreyer is a trainer and consultant specializing in Mac OS X Server. In 2008 he helped update the Apple Global Training courses for Directory Services as well as Xsan 2 Administration. He is the author of the reference guide, Mac OS X Directory Service. In this workshop he will show you some of the secrets for managing and getting the most out of your OS X server installation.

Modular System Image Creation with PackageMaker and DeployStudio
Apple
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Thu 1:30-5:00 (Repeat)
Modular System Images are deployable images created by applying updates, packages and custom scripts to a base operating system image.
In this workshop, attendees will learn how to create packages to distribute custom software and files using the PackageMaker application and some handy hints on integrating package creation with Automator workflows. We'll then explore how to create custom deployment sets in DeployStudio to simplify deployment to multiple systems.
This session will also include an overview of Apple's Custom Software Solutions, a program to assist IT department with large scale rollouts of Apple computers.

Podcast Producer 2
Paul Cowan, University of Waikato
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Thu 1:30-5:00 (Repeat)
Podcast Producer 2 is a complete, end-to-end solution for encoding, publishing, and distributing high-quality podcasts — ideal for employee training, university lectures, presentations, and more. New features in Podcast Producer 2 offer more options for capturing, creating, and publishing podcasts, making it even easier to share critical content around your organisation.
Paul Cowan is the Technical Support Team Leader, Faculty of Education at the University of Waikato and has extensive experience with Podcast Producer.
Link to copies of Presentation, Practicals and Images

Build Your Own Mac Apps
Apple
Thu 9:00-12:30 & Fri 9:00-12:30 (Repeat)
Why wait for someone else to do it?   Need a simple application? Why not build it yourself?  We’ll show you how to use Xcode, Interface Builder, Applescript and maybe a touch of Objective-C to build your own Mac OS X applications.   We’ll look at how to use the tools, the basics of Applescript and Objective-C, and perhaps most importantly, where to look for more information.  Because there is a LOT of information.

Presentations

These presentations are approx 45 mins each and cover a wide variety of topics of interest. Each presentation is a case study in how a technology is used on a University campus.

ICStatus - A reporting and monitoring tool for lab computers
Adam Reed, ANU
ICStatus is a iPhone tool and website that I have developed to allow ANU to monitor the state of ~1500 student machines, and to provide reports and statistics on them. The tool uses simple web technologies to track machines across different platforms and operating systems, and has allowed us to target our support resources. The iPhone has enabled us to make the information more accessible and timely, allowing us to become more proactive, instead of reactive and reducing our costs.
 XWorld2010-ICstatus.pdf

MOE @ UTS
Pascal Grosvener, UTS
The goal of the MOE project is to implement a managed operating environment for staff who use OS X.  This is in conjunction with a desktop architecture project in progress for windows staff computers.  Key components of the MOE project include :
- Using Open Directory for user authentication and workgroup management (MCX).  The user accounts in OD are replicated from UTS' central LDAP system.
- MIgrating staff to mobile accounts, which utilise the uni's central SAN system for the network copy of home directories
The presentation will cover the design and implementation of the MOE system.  As well as our progress and experiences migrating mac users to this new environment.
 XWorld2010-MOEatUTS.pdf

NetBoot & DeployStudio @ Uni of Newcastle
Tony Williams, University of Newcastle
A look at the infrastructure and methods used to deploy images to Macs for both staff and labs. Discusses problems with large images and remote sites.

Web Page to iPad App at Speed
Tony Williams, University of Newcastle
A look at one (relatively) quick and easy method of creating an iPad native application from a web page using HTML 5, CSS and JavaScript.

The iPad Revolution
Aaron Tan, University of Queensland
Mobile technology continues to march along, evolve and grow. Imagine for just a second, if every student in a classroom had an iPad. Would the publisher/textbook industry change if every student in a classroom had a mobile device? Can the iPad revolutionise education? This presentation presents an insight into how the iPad can be used in education and introduces attendees to new research in programming on mobile platforms.

Introduction to Active Directory Integration
Mathew Tilney, ANU
As funding becomes tight, most universities are seeking savings by creating a single directory service, typically Microsoft Active Directory. This presentation centres around mac integration and management  through a directory with specific emphasis on AD integration. Key points include: System deployment and maintenance, Software deployment, User settings, Network resources (inc file shares and printing) and Client migration from a Windows to Mac system.
During the presentation I will cover how the initial development was sort about for out current setup on the CAS domain. I will hi-light areas of difficulty and the changes to address them. As I am also involved in the migration onto our new UDS domain, I will also explain some of the constrains placed on the system. As the project is still in development phase I will provide detail about some of the expected designs issues that are being address. One particular area which I am assessing solutions for is machine management and software deployment of which there are many solutions 3 of which I will explain during the presentation. What I hope people can take away from the presentation is ideas on how they might be able to go about setting up their own environment with in a directory system.
 XWorld2010-ADIntegration.pdf

OS X Command Line Tools
Andrew Wellington, ANU
An overview of Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server from the command line. Includes tools to manage Directory Services, preferences, Server Admin and other gems hidden in Mac OS X. These tools can be used to automate a wide range of Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server configuration, especially handy when dealing with large numbers of machines.
 XWorld2010-CommandLineTools.pdf

Making Big Science Tick
Phil George, University of Queensland
How we use open source technology, free software and smart management to provide support for two large research institutes (The Queensland Brain Institute and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology).  How we run our internal systems
(helpdesk/intranet/deployment images/support) for minimal cost and stress and how we overcame hurdles such as the enormous storage/system requirements (500TB and counting) which come with managing scientific institutes.
 XWorld2010-MakingBigScienceTick.pdf

Developing Native and Web Applications for Educational Content Delivery in Higher Education
Graeme Salter, University of Western Sydney
The presentation would focus on the innovation grant project (ie. the development of an educational iPhone app template)  eg. what worked, what problems were encountered along the way (and our solutions to them). The presentation would include a demonstration of the pilot application and desktop backend (where content can be easily changed for different topics). It would also include an examination of what some other universities are doing in this domain along with ideas for future development.