<http://db.tidbits.com/article/11993?rss>

Lion's Roars -- We'll have to keep mum on many Lion details, as many of us 
at TidBITS are enrolled in the developer program that gives us access to 
non-public preview details. However, on the public side:

   �	Lion�s AirDrop will let you exchange files between two Macs (and, one 
expects, iOS 5) using Wi-Fi. But it�s not a variant on Bonjour: the two 
Macs do not need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi base station or larger 
Wi-Fi network. Rather, they only need to be within Wi-Fi range of one 
another. AirDrop uses a peer-to-peer ad hoc connection, only with security 
and simplicity. A Mac using AirDrop doesn�t drop a Wi-Fi network connection 
if it has one; it can communicate to another Mac and maintain its network 
connection, too. This requires newer hardware. I suspect nearly all 
machines shipped since 2007 or 2008 will have the right Wi-Fi gear, but 
Apple will need to release guidance.

   �	Lion�s FileVault is essentially an entirely new bit of technology 
labeled with the old name. FileVault before Lion encrypted only the Home 
directory of a user, and had substantial weaknesses. The new FileVault is a 
full-drive encryption method: everything on the hard drive (and external 
drives, apparently optionally) is completely secured. Apple didn�t explain 
whether you will need to enter a password at boot, as is the case with many 
existing full-drive encryption products for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. 
Apple told me that the new MacBook Pro models can use accelerated 
encryption processing in the i5 and i7 processors that eliminate any 
performance loss due to handling encryption.

   �	Mac OS X Server is built into Lion, although not active when you 
upgrade or boot a new machine, apparently. Apple declined to provide 
details, but said that reports were inaccurate that you had to make a 
choice during installation of Lion, or reinstall Lion to use server 
features. You will activate something within Lion, not yet disclosed. It�s 
unclear whether this will come at no cost. I wouldn�t be surprised if you 
pay for the upgrade in the Mac App Store to download an unlocker. Apple 
might make it free, but there�s no disclosure about pricing yet.

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In article 
<michelle-412EDE.11442827022011@reserved-multicast-range-not-delegated.e
xample.com>,
 Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote:

>    �	Lion�s FileVault is essentially an entirely new bit of technology 
> labeled with the old name. FileVault before Lion encrypted only the Home 
> directory of a user, and had substantial weaknesses. The new FileVault is a 
> full-drive encryption method: everything on the hard drive (and external 
> drives, apparently optionally) is completely secured. Apple didn�t explain 
> whether you will need to enter a password at boot, as is the case with many 
> existing full-drive encryption products for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. 
> Apple told me that the new MacBook Pro models can use accelerated 
> encryption processing in the i5 and i7 processors that eliminate any 
> performance loss due to handling encryption.

That's the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks.

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In article 
<michelle-412EDE.11442827022011@reserved-multicast-range-not-delegated.e
xample.com>,
 Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote:

> <http://db.tidbits.com/article/11993?rss>
> ...
>    �	Lion�s AirDrop...uses a peer-to-peer ad hoc connection, only with security 
> and simplicity.

Real security and simplicity are usually antithetical. On the surface, 
AirDrop looks like a giant security hole waiting to be exploited. Or 
does one type in a 128-place password for each connection? Any security 
experts want to speculate on how this might be implemented to achieve 
both goals?

On Feb 27, 10:44=A0am, Michelle Steiner <miche...@michelle.org> wrote:
> <http://db.tidbits.com/article/11993?rss>
> =A0 =A0 =A0Lion s AirDrop will let you exchange files between two Macs (a=
nd, one
> expects, iOS 5) using Wi-Fi. But it s not a variant on Bonjour: the two
> Macs do not need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi base station or larger
> Wi-Fi network. Rather, they only need to be within Wi-Fi range of one
> another.

Ho hum.  I remember doing this in 2001, between two iBooks running OS
9.

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K.

Lang may your lum reek.