wlitsch
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: System and App Updates

Hi, I have three Mac computers (two Mini's and a PowerBook Pro) all running OSX 10.9.1.  Unfortunately, my only choice for internet access is cellular, which has limited bandwidth.  In the past, I would download updates from the Apple support website once and install them on each computer.  Since updating to Mavericks, I've not been able to find the same updates at the support website as are listed in the App Store for each computer.  Is there a way to download the updates once and use the same update for multible computers?  At least as much as possilble.

 

I'm obviously not particularly good with computers, just able to muddle through.

 

thanks

 

Bill

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Dec 30, 2013 3:16 PM

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wlitsch

Q: System and App Updates

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  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Dec 30, 2013 5:03 PM in response to wlitsch
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Dec 30, 2013 5:03 PM in response to wlitsch

    Open /Library/Updates/ in list view. Launch MAS prefPane and check for updates. Any you download will be put into a folder in the Updates folder. Acting quickly, you could copy that to another location before the app starts updating and destroying itself. Then, you can copy it to the other machines w/o wasting resources. You can also send feedback to Apple about this idiotic and wasteful process and request a way to easily save the update before it destroys itself during installation.

  • by wlitsch,

    wlitsch wlitsch Dec 31, 2013 2:16 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 31, 2013 2:16 PM in response to baltwo

    baltwo,

     

    I did send feedback to Apple, per your suggestion.  I've downloaded a couple of updates using the AppStore, and watched in the file (/Library/Updates) without seeing any temporary files opened at all.  I even downoaded an app that allows me to toggle hidden files on/off to make sure it wasn't happening in a "hidden" file.

     

    To make sure I'm in the right directory, the only contents I see in /Library/Updates are three files, "index.plist", "PPDVersions.plist" and "ProductMetadata.plist".  Each of these files have been updated concurrent with my downoad activity.

     

    Am I in the wrong place?  (Macintosh HD/Library/Updates)

     

    Bill

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Dec 31, 2013 2:23 PM in response to wlitsch
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Dec 31, 2013 2:23 PM in response to wlitsch

    You're in the right place. Strange, but most Apple updates from the MAS put a temporary folder inside it while DLing. Now, it might be that other updates are just DL'd and installed w/o creating those temp folders, but I've not checked lately, since everything I have is up to date.

  • by wlitsch,

    wlitsch wlitsch Dec 31, 2013 2:34 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 31, 2013 2:34 PM in response to baltwo

    Ok,  I've one more update to do on my MacBook Pro, then I'll need to wait for more to continue this avenue.  I'm currently using my daughter's internet access, which I've been doing for quite some time, so there's no issue of wasting bandwidth. 

     

    The other problem associated with this is I can't find the same updates listed on the apple support page.  Some are there, others not.  Seems to be limited to Iworks Apps, so I must have a couple of generations installed on my assortment of machines.  Otherwise I could just continue to download and save the files so they are available for all the machines.  Perhaps I'll have to get all the Iworks apps to the same version.

     

    Thanks, I'll continue to try.

     

    Bill

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Dec 31, 2013 3:25 PM in response to wlitsch
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Dec 31, 2013 3:25 PM in response to wlitsch

    Do note that the new iWorks apps have been dumbed down (i.e., missing previous features) to make them compatible with their iOS bretheren. Details in

     

    http://www.betalogue.com/2013/10/24/pages-5-disaster/

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5468056?start=0&tstart=0

    http://9to5mac.com/2013/10/25/new-iwork-ilife-apps-go-for-simplicity-upset-power -users-all-over-again/#comments and

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6049