|  | 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 directories, as well as the font directory for the currently logged in user. Comparing installed packages returns a list of all package receipts in the /Library/Receipts directory.

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, or keep your client computers up to date.

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

   Selecting Applications compares all executable applications.

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

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

5. To search using new data, select Collect New Data For Report; to search using saved data only, deselect Collect New Data For Report.

   If you want to search using new data only if the saved data is too old, select If Current Data Older Than, and enter the desired amount of time.

6. Click Generate Report.

   The newly generated report window appears.