What's new in VUWER 1.9.2
Aug 2, 2016
- Modified VCP creation routine to make script compilation more reliable.
New in VUWER 1.9.1 (Jul 31, 2016)
- Made changes to ensure that VUWER is compatible with App Translocation security feature in macOS Sierra.
- Made more bug fixes and updates to documentation.
New in VUWER 1.9 (Jul 29, 2016)
- Installation Option 3 now includes the VUWER Control Panel (VCP), an application that can be copied to another computer or to a USB flash drive. If your computer is ever lost or stolen, you can run VCP from any other Mac computer to activate and control VUWER.
- Due to a required update to the Platypus application, VUWER 1.9 only supports OS 10.6 or higher.
- Minor bug fixes and updates to documentation.
New in VUWER 1.8.2 (Jul 7, 2016)
- Fixed bug that could cause VUWER to crash for OS X 10.8.5 and earlier.
New in VUWER 1.8.1 (Jun 27, 2016)
- For Installation Option 1, the sendEmail program has been modified to eliminate SSH handshake errors that some users have experienced.
- For Installation Option 3, Dropbox upload / download functions have been upgraded to API v2.
- During installation, VUWER setup now checks installed versions of sendEmail, Imagesnap, and wacaw. If the binaries have not changed, they are not reinstalled.
- Made various minor bug fixes and updates to documentation.
New in VUWER 1.8 (Jun 11, 2016)
- This version introduces Installation Option 3, which integrates VUWER with Dropbox. This new option is recommended for most users due to its improved performance and ease of installation.
- The PowerPC architecture is no longer supported by VUWER. Version 1.7.7 will remain available on the VUWER web site for PowerPC Macs.
- VUWER now sends periodic status update emails / files even if the computer is placed in lost / stolen mode.
- When VUWER sends a status update in standby mode, you have the option to also see a desktop notification (for versions of OS X that support notifications).
- Added new VUWER documentation for Installation Option 3.
New in VUWER 1.7.7 (Mar 14, 2016)
- Fixed bug that caused installation failure on some Macs with solid-state drives.
- Fixed attributes bug that prevented VUWER from installing on computers using the Ostiarius security program.
- Modified documentation to emphasize the requirement to change Gmail settings so that sendEmail (which Google considers a “less secure app”) will function correctly with Installation Option 1.
New in VUWER 1.7.6 (Dec 4, 2015)
- Fixed problem where SSH key was not being shared between different user accounts after Installation Option 2 in OS X 10.11 (El Capitan). If using Installation Option 2, you should re-run the SSH setup routine and recreate the SSH key prior to upgrading VUWER.
- Fixed bug causing VUWER to fail on laptops with non-U.S. character sets with El Capitan installed. If you have been unable to successfully install or operate VUWER since upgrading to OS X 10.11, this update should resolve it.
New in VUWER 1.7.5 (Nov 20, 2015)
- VUWER now works with OS X 10.11 (El Capitan).
New in VUWER 1.7.4 (Dec 8, 2014)
- Fixed bug that caused VUWER setup program failure for a new installation.
New in VUWER 1.7.3 (Dec 8, 2014)
- Fixed problem that caused FaceTime image capture to fail on newer MacBooks due to hardware incompatibility. VUWER now uses the imagesnap application as well as the wacaw application to ensure successful image capture. As a consequence, image resolution cannot be adjusted during installation. Instead, by default VUWER will take snapshots at the maximum image resolution of the camera.
New in VUWER 1.7.2 (Jun 7, 2014)
- Fixed bug that that could cause wacaw (the image capture program used by VUWER) to freeze if third-party image capture software is installed. VUWER will now specifically look for an iSight or FaceTime camera to use. If neither is available, VUWER will use the first available USB camera that it finds. If no USB camera is available, VUWER will attempt to use any other camera connected to the computer.
- Added new clickable Google Maps link to show computer location with radius circle drawn around it.
- Geolocation file now includes information about computer’s software configuration.
- Made various minor bug fixes and updates to documentation.
New in VUWER 1.7.1 (Jan 28, 2014)
- VUWER is now compatible with OS X Mavericks (10.9.x).
- Modified IPInfoDB.com IP geolocation subroutine to conform to new API commands.
- Made numerous fixes to restore Installation Option 1 functionality in OS 10.4.11 (Tiger).
New in VUWER 1.7 (Jan 4, 2013)
- Due to deprecation of Google Gears API, VUWER now uses Google Maps geolocation to determine latitude and longitude of a lost or stolen computer. All VUWER users should upgrade to version 1.7 to restore latitude / longitude geolocation functionality.
- Per user request, Installation Option 2 allows users to change port numbers for SSH and SCP protocols.
New in VUWER 1.6.3 (Oct 3, 2012)
- Fixed bug that could cause VUWER log file to be created in case of network failure, even if VUWER is not in debug mode.
- Revised VUWER documentation to emphasize the necessity of adding a firmware password to your computer.
New in VUWER 1.6.2 (Sep 19, 2012)
- VUWER emails (Installation Option 1) and the vuwerlastcheck.txt file (Installation Option 2) now include a summary of VUWER status and commands, as well as remind the user of the VUWER activation password and control web site (for Installation Option 1).
New in VUWER 1.6.1 (Sep 10, 2012)
- Fixed a bug causing the VUWER SSH setup routine to fail due to deprecated command line option.
- Debug mode now provides additional runtime information about data transfer commands.
- VUWER documentation was revised.
New in VUWER 1.6 (Sep 1, 2012)
- VUWER now has a debug mode to assist users in troubleshooting any problems with their installations.
- The runtime script has been streamlined to make VUWER respond more quickly to user commands if the lost / stolen mode is activated.
- Fixed bugs that could potentially make VUWER freeze if improperly formatted control strings are used.
- Fixed bug in the setting of the transmit interval for the IP geolocation file.
- VUWER documentation was revised.
New in VUWER 1.5.7 (Aug 21, 2012)
- VUWER setup program has been digitally signed for Mountain Lion.
- Setup should now run without bypassing Gatekeeper security.
New in VUWER 1.5.6 (Aug 20, 2012)
- The VUWER geolocation file now includes a hardware profile summary with the serial number to aid in identifying a lost or stolen computer to the police.
- VUWER setup now saves your configuration to aid in reinstalling or updating VUWER.
- If desired, a custom camera resolution can be selected during installation.
New in VUWER 1.5.5 (Aug 20, 2012)
- The resolution of the camera can now be specified to take better advantage of external high-resolution cameras or FaceTime HD built-in cameras.
- Made bug fixes and enhancements to VUWER setup program.
- Made revisions to VUWER documentation.
New in VUWER 1.5.4 (Feb 2, 2012)
- This update fixes a critical bug that can cause VUWER to freeze. All users of version 1.5.3 should upgrade to this version immediately.
New in VUWER 1.5.3 (Jan 21, 2012)
- The maximum VUWER check-in email interval was increased to one week (useful for desktop Macs that are never turned off).
- Added minor enhancements and bug fixes to control string parser and Google geolocation functions.
- VUWER scripts for Installation Options 1 and 2 were combined into a single unified script.
- Made further revisions to VUWER documentation.
New in VUWER 1.5.2 (Dec 10, 2011)
- Fixed Google geolocation bug for Installation Option 2.
New in VUWER 1.5.1 (Dec 5, 2011)
- Modified VUWER control string parser routine to prevent failure due to the presence of extended ASCII characters in a Google Sites web page. This update fixes a problem that has occasionally prevented first-time users of VUWER from being able to control the program.
- Disk image now includes separate installer for older PowerPC systems.
- Revised VUWER documentation.
New in VUWER 1.5 (Sep 13, 2011)
- Due to changes in the Skyhook Wireless API, VUWER now uses Google WiFi geolocation to locate a lost or stolen computer.
- VUWER provides version information in IP data and check-in emails.
- Made revisions to VUWER documentation.
New in VUWER 1.4.7 (Jul 2, 2011)
- Modified VUWER control string parser to eliminate extraneous HTML tags inserted by the Google Sites editor. This upgrade is strongly recommended if you are using Google Sites to control VUWER (Installation Option 1).
New in VUWER 1.4.6 (May 28, 2011)
- Fixed bug to prevent VUWER from stalling if IPInfoDB or Skyhook Wireless servers are unavailable.
- VUWER setup now provides more descriptive error messages during installation.
- VUWER setup tests SSH/SCP connection during Installation Option 2.
- IP geolocation and iSight image capture can now be completely disabled during operation.
- Made minor revisions to setup menus and VUWER documentation.
New in VUWER 1.4.5 (May 7, 2011)
- Fixed bug that caused VUWER to fail with some email passwords containing special characters (Installation Option 1).
- VUWER setup modified to prevent installation with a blank control string (Installation Option 1) and eliminate invalid configurations.
New in VUWER 1.4.4 (Apr 29, 2011)
- Modified SSH setup routine (Installation Option 2) to improve compatibility with OpenSSH.
- Computer serial number (useful for police report) is provided with geolocation data.
New in VUWER 1.4.3 (Apr 23, 2011)
- Fixed bug that might prevent some installations from parsing control string properly.
- VUWER setup now checks OS version, and will only install for OS 10.4.11 or later.
New in VUWER 1.4.2 (Jan 13, 2011)
- VUWER now works correctly with the new IPinfoDB.com API.
- Fixed bug in web page parsing routine.
- Updated Platypus to latest version.
New in VUWER 1.4.1 (Jun 23, 2010)
- Any new account created on the computer is now automatically enabled to run VUWER by default. If the thief somehow gains administrative access and creates his own account, VUWER will continue to function.
- Additional revisions made to VUWER setup menus.
New in VUWER 1.4 (May 5, 2010)
- VUWER now provides Skyhook Wireless geolocation data if it is available.
- Fixed bug that caused VUWER to hang if a second external camera is connected to the computer at login.
- If computer has no built-in iSight camera, or if the iSight camera is being used by another application, VUWER will attempt to use any external webcam that is connected to the computer.
- Emailed VUWER image and data files now have timestamps. Also, geolocation data email includes clickable link to Google Maps.
- Minor revisions made to VUWER setup menus.
New in VUWER 1.3.1 (Nov 27, 2009)
- Per user request, SMTP account name can now be independently specified.
- Fixed bug that caused VUWER to hang if an Airport card is not installed.
New in VUWER 1.3 (Nov 18, 2009)
- Created new setup application that combines install, uninstall, authorization, and SSH setup subroutines.
- Made numerous menu enhancements to streamline and simplify VUWER installation.
- User can now modify email settings for Installation Option 1.
- For Installation Option 2, VUWER control file and VUWER data files are now placed in a subfolder, which allows multiple computers to be controlled from a single account.
- Updated bundled sendEmail package to version 1.56.
- Fixed bug that could result in sendEmail failure due to special characters in the Mac’s Sharing name.
New in VUWER 1.2.6 (Sep 5, 2009)
- Used Snow Leopard’s Applescript Editor to compile VUWER applications and eliminate potential runtime errors in some OS 10.6 installations.
- Fixed bug that could result in VUWER installation path being parsed incorrectly.
New in VUWER 1.2.5 (Aug 20, 2009)
- Added port specification and fixed bugs in email syntax to improve reliability.
- Web page control string parser eliminates hidden tags to prevent errors.
- VUWER checks for new version at startup or login.
New in VUWER 1.2.4 (Aug 14, 2009)
- Added IP geolocation to VUWER data collection, courtesy of IPInfoDB.com.
- Revised vuwer_sshsetup.app dialogs to clarify SSH configuration procedure.
- Further revisions to VUWER documentation.
New in VUWER 1.2.3 (Aug 7, 2009)
- Revised VUWER documentation.
- User must accept terms of usage during installation process.
- Increased maximum iSight image capture interval to 10 days (which effectively disables it).
New in VUWER 1.2.2 (Jul 20, 2009)
- Changed sendEmail TLS setting to “auto” to improve compatibility with some SMTP servers accessible outside U.S.
- SMTP email settings are now listed at beginning of vuwer_install.scpt to allow easy modification in case you want to change the default SMTP server used by VUWER.
- Installer script now sends a test email to confirm that VUWER email settings are correct.
New in VUWER 1.2.1 (Jul 15, 2009)
- Ended beta period, added wireless network scan to IP information.
- Removed confusing dialog at start of installer script.