Apple’s released the first update for the newest version of OS X, which fixes over two dozen bugs (that one we wrote about that nukes folders when their moving is rudely interrupted by a disappearing destination volume, and a bothersome one about Time Machine losing track of where it puts the archived folders are thankfully repaired).

With all the fixes, Mac OS 10.5.1 is hefty - a 109MB download. Those among us finicky about not getting a first release can take the plunge now and finally get Leopardized. (Yes, Bernie, this means you; waiting for 10.5.3 is a bit too psycho, isn’t it?)

Just run Software Update to get it. Full shopping list of improvements, and additional info, can be found here.

Tiger users who haven’t yet gone Leopard can take heart; you’re not that obsolete yet.

Apple has just updated (for one last time?) Mac OS 10.4.10, better known as Tiger (the last version before the release of Leopard 10.5 last month) to 10.4.11. We’ve about accepted that Tiger had effectively dead-ended, but it seems we were a bit wrong. Versions of 10.4.11 exist for both PPC and Intel Macs. Just run Software Update to get it. What does it do? In brief:

Mac OS X Update 10.4.11 (PPC: 46.1mb)

The 10.4.11 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Tiger and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.  This update also includes Safari 3, the latest version of Apple’s web browser.

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306297.

On another note, iPhoto has also been updated to 7.1.1, and this one “supports compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.” This update on my system weighs in at 10.8MB). Your mileage may vary.

No word yet if these updates bite after the fact. We’ll holler if we hear anything. (After I post this, I’m updating both. Just wanted to make sure I wrote about it before I do in case it hoses my system.)

Upgrader Beware: Be extra careful when moving folders from one physical volume to another when using Leopard. If for some reason the destination volume disappears (like its an external USB drive, and your klutzy brother trips over the cord and disconnects it while the folder is being moved), you’re going to lose data in a big way. Leopard’s Finder has carried over this major bug, which apparently harks back from Panther, according to blogger Tom Karpik.

Video evidence taped by Mr. Karpik here.

Canadian MAD Reader Bill McConkey writes that I never post anything about iChat.

Two major reasons for that oversight, Bill. One is, of the myriad of choices to write about in the Apple universe, I just haven’t gotten to it yet. The other more telling one is that I’m not much of a chatter myself, and it’s not too high up on my list of topics to write about.

I was going to get around to it sometime, but since Bill’s comment, I took a look at iChat AV 4.0 from Leopard, and realize that it’s certainly come a long way. And chatting is really an indispensable part of life for people who need to get in touch with friends and loved ones from far away (like Bill), and it’s high time I wrote about it.

That said, I am amazed at the improvements in iChat with Leopard, and it seems worth the price of the upgrade. Admittedly a lot of the improvements aren’t anything especially new, since they are available elsewhere, but its refreshing to have them all come in the box and work flawlessly out of it.

One of things that bother me about iChat is the profusion of windows that pop up when doing simultaneous chats, and the juggling one needs to do to keep on top of things. The new iChat now lets you do tabbed browsing (and improves the look by sparing the window from the Brushed Aluminum theme we’ve all come to hate). And if you’re afraid of missing out on other chat replies while concentrating on one, little thought balloons pop up when someone says something from other simulchats.

You can now also have multiple log-ins if you have different AOL/dotMac accounts with separate buddy lists. How you keep from getting confused will be the trick.

Visually, there are a bunch of new goodies: you can do the Photobooth trick during a video chat and make yourself look like an idiot from across the miles; you can do the bluescreen trick and change your backdrop as well - pretend you’re chatting from poolside, when in reality you’re in the dark basement of your parents’ house; and you can use plug-in filters that change your look even further - one of the most popular ones (that didn’t make it into Leopard but is being circulated on the net) is the shimmery hologram look that makes you look like Princess Leia saying “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

You can even record video and audio chats now, which are saved in MPEG-4 and AAC respectively. Just hit the red button. You can even do rudimentary audio and video podcasts using this. Apple’s made it so that you can’t hide your recording though - everyone involved will know the chat’s being recorded and needs to give their consent.

A couple of the most useful additions is based on sharing. You can now share any document or file that can be viewed using Quick Look with your chatmate - pictures, video, presentations and the like. More exciting is Screen Sharing, which is essentially VNC without the hassles. You can remotely access and control each other’s screens. This is perfect for teaching or troubleshooting - or snooping, if that’s your thing.

There are other improvements in iChat, and as soon as I get facetime with it, I’ll come back with a more comprehensive report on the new version. Maybe I’ll even chat with you guys.

I have fond memories of Sherlock, Apple’s old and venerable search utility. He has saved me in many a time of need, and has himself survived many an OS update. But it seems he has finally outlived his usefulness, eclipsed by the upstart 21st century detective Spotlight, who has come into his own with Leopard. The King is dead! Long live the King!

With the introduction of the new OS, Sherlock seems to have completely and totally disappeared, spirited away into the ether unceremoniously, without fuss or French horns, although there hasn’t really been any official announcement one way or the other.

Never mind a clean install; if you upgrade from Tiger to Leopard, Sherlock is simply erased from your system. Searching for him on the Apple site leads nowhere; he’s just vanished from sight, erased from memory. Sniff.

A moment of silence, please, for our dear, good, dependable friend Sherlock. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest…