Apple Remote Desktop Help
Index

# Generating a Software Difference Report

The Software Difference report compares the applications, fonts, and installed packages of the selected client computers with those on the administrator computer. The resulting report lists the items compared, their version, location, and whether or not they were found on the selected client computers.

The Software Difference report can compare all executable Mac OS X and Classic applications. Unbundled Java (.jar) applications and command-line utilities are not included in the report. The report can compare all the fonts in the /System/Library/Fonts/ and /Library/Fonts/, as well as the Fonts folder for the currently logged in user. Comparing installed packages returns a list of all package receipts in /Library/Receipts/.

You can use this report to find out if your clients have the applications or fonts they need. Comparing differences in installed packages can help you troubleshoot software conflicts, and keep your client computers up to date.

1. Select a computer list in the Remote Desktop window.
2. Select one or more computers in the selected computer list.
3. Choose Report > Software Difference.
4. Select the software type you want to compare.

   Selecting Applications compares all executable applications. You can limit which folder on the administrator computer Remote Desktop uses to look for applications.

   Selecting Fonts compares all fonts in /Library/Fonts/, /System/Library/Fonts/, and user font directories.

   Selecting Installed Packages compares all package receipts in /Library/Receipts/.

5. To search using new data, select Rebuild data for report.
6. Click Generate Report.

   The newly generated report window appears.

See also:

- Exporting Report Information
- Using Report Windows to Work with Computers