Getting 'Back on your Mac' without .Mac
updated 11:35 pm EST, Wed November 7, 2007
Back On My Mac, no .Mac
One Mac user has cleverly figured out a way to deliver Leopard's "Back on my Mac" feature without using Apple's subscription-based .Mac service. Apple's new Leopard operating system introduced a new feature called "Back on My Mac" that allows .Mac subscribers to retrieve files from from their Mac from any remote remote location; however, the feature requires a subscription to Apple's .Mac web service, which provides email, internet disk storeage and other integrated functions to the Mac desktop; it costs $100 per year. All Forces has outlined an alternate method of accessing a remote Mac using Leopard's advanced iChat, thereby circumventing Apple's .Mac requirement.
The "back door" utilizes two iChat accounts and a slight modification to an auto-accept script. The workaround requires decent knowledge of iChat's functions and scripting, but once the setup is complete, it works without any advanced knowledge.
The first step in the process is to limit which users will have access to the desktop, through iChat's 'Accounts' preference panel. If the permissions are not set, then a user will create an open door for anyone who has ready access to that user's iChat handle. Once the definitions are in place, the necessary script – Auto Accept.applescript – must be selected in iChat's 'Alerts' preference pane. The user is then required to modify the contents of the script, located in Macintosh HD/Library/Scripts/iChat/, and nullify part of the script using the AppleScript utility.
After saving the script, the user needs to ensure that the computer remains active for the period of time that is required, which is done by disabling the sleep functionality through the Energy Saver System Preference pane. Once this is complete, the last step required is to initiate the screen sharing session from the second computer, as all of the previous steps will enable iChat to automatically start the screen sharing session.
incorrect, and a poor one
11/08, 12:45am reply
First off, its "Back TO my Mac" not "Back ON my Mac"
secondly. this is a poor substitute. it only offers remote desktop support, which could be had just as easily with a DYNDNS type service and any VNC viewer. what about remote file access, including SPOTLIGHT?
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
/
11/08, 01:36am reply
Well, guest up there said pretty much what I was going to say. And setting up a Dyndns service and using a VNC viewer is arguably easier than this method, and definitely more secure, but still is pretty involved.
The biggest selling-point about BtMM is that, in theory, it should be a simple as a button click. Unfortunately, with .Mac having issues, it's not working for a lot of people, including me.
tomodachi
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Joined: Apr 2002
Come on
11/08, 02:02am reply
If this truly did work, and details are posted up there, don't you think the OS designers could easily nullify this mod? They'd be completely within their realm of influence since it'd be hurting dotmac business.
Although, before we all say it, I do wish dotmac was less expensive. Yes, it offers some very useful utilities, but it's still pretty pricey for what it does.
Here's to hoping for that someday...
danviento
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Joined: Dec 2005
Dang,
11/08, 09:34am reply
This sounds dangerous. Are you also going to post instructions on how any idiot can remove finger guards on their table saws?
TheSnarkmeister
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Joined: Jun 2007
Logmein
11/08, 09:56am reply
www.logmein.com is simpler than VNC and more secure.
boris_cleto
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2002
umm
11/08, 10:20am reply
For remotely accessing a mac, couldn't you just turn on SSH and get your files that way? And then use VNC for the visuals (VNCing through SSH for security is the best route).
Man, that was hard...
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
VNC is easier? No!
11/08, 10:44am reply
Sorry, tomodachi, the method setting up VNC and DynDNS is much more difficult. Not so much setting up VNC, which is already included in Macs since Tiger (maybe Panther). But the hard part is opening ports up on your home routers.
DynDNS is a service for power users. Novices wouldn't even know to go there, much less what to do once they did. Not only that, most users have a hard time configuring their router to open ports.
Those who post here are pretty savvy so they could do it, but it's beyond the skillset of most Mac users.
Downloading a script and setting it in iChat is much easier.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
HamachiX makes this easy
11/09, 02:14am reply
To get back to my mac I use HamachiX and a VNC client–sometimes Apple Remote Desktop others Jollyfast VNC. Incredibly easy to setup. No port forwarding or dyndns to mess with. I use it to trouble shoot other people's computers too. For security, they run HamachiX only when necessary. If you just want to access your home files, HamachiX is all you need since it handles afp:// connections.
I have tried the dyndns method but had difficulties. By the way, Lighthouse.app is invaluable for very easily dealing with port forwarding.
Received my 10.5 DVD but have yet to find time to install it. Am looking forward to trying the 'official' Back to my Mac.
DentalMac2
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Most Mac Users
02/14, 10:09am reply
An operating system as elegant and powerful as OS X is completely lost on the absolute RETARDS that primarily use this platform. People that think this is hard or dangerous are probably the same personality types that said the same things about the automobile in the days of horse+carriage. It took me 20 years of *NIX and PC usage to finally adopt Macs. The OS, fankly sucked until 10! Now it is an amazing platform built on (usually) amazing hardware and a lot of you mouth breathers RUIN it!
This article/person was just sharing a perfectly viable and safe alternative to continuing to shovel money in to Apple for features that are and have been built in to this and almost every OS for 20 years!
Get with it...
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999