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Chapter 10 Managing Preferences 233
When you use your own application preferences, you can choose the management
frequency applied to those preferences:
Some applications use ByHost preferences. These preferences apply to a specific user
for a specific computer. For example, if a network user sets screen saver preferences,
they are saved as ByHost preferences. The user’s screen saver preferences are saved for
the current computer but are not applied when the user uses other computers.
If your users typically run Mac OS X v10.5 or later, it’s usually a good idea to import
preferences as ByHost preferences. If your users typically run earlier versions of
Mac OS X, don’t import preferences as ByHost preferences.
Some applications use but don’t properly respect ByHost preferences. Test your settings
with “Import as ByHost preferences” selected and deselected to see if the application
you’re managing respects ByHost preferences.
To add to the preference editor’s list:
1 In Workgroup Manager, click Preferences and then click Details.
2 Make sure the correct directory is selected and you are authenticated.
To switch directories, click the globe icon. If you are not authenticated, click the lock
and enter the name and password of a directory domain administrator.
3 Select one or more users, groups, computers, or computer groups.
4 Click the Add (+) button.
5 Select an application in /Applications, or a .plist file located in ~/Library/Preferences/.
Applications without preference manifests appear in italics.
6 If you’ve selected an application and set preferences for it, you can select “Import my
preferences for this application.”
7 Choose a management setting from the “Manage imported preferences” pop-up menu.
If you’ve selected a preference file located in ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost and you’ve
chosen Once or Often from the “Manage imported preferences” pop-up menu, you can
select “Import as ByHost preferences.”
Frequency Description
Once Similar to the Once setting in the main interface. Sets a preference
but allows the user to change that preference and retain his or her
changes.
Often Only available in the preference editor. Allows users to modify their
preferences but the preferences revert to your managed setting
every time the user begins a new session.
Always Similar to the Always setting in the main interface. Sets a
preference and usually does not allow the user to modify the
preference.