Author: aucadmin

Munki Hacking for Fun and Profit

Bart Reardon, CSIROPart of XW17

Taking advantage of the client customisations in Munki, we can modify the interface and functionality without modifying the underlying codebase by inspecting the HTML Munki generates and changing document objects on the fly.

For the example use case I will go in to how we can change the button to on a per app basis for self service license cost recovery, intercepting the Munki install process to process payment and enabling app installation. It will also include a simple server side design for an application purchase register to record purchases.

I will also go into reasons why you might want to do something like this, and if time allows I will also touch on examples of other modifications that can be made.

Bart has worked for CSIRO IT for 15 years in Canberra.

For the last 6 years he has worked for the desktop infrastructure team that looks after the Windows, Linux and Mac SOE’s. His responsibilities have included the Linux and Mac SOE, servicing ~1200 clients and almost 700 macOS workstations. He has contributed to the Munki codebase (install and uninstall alerts and the current managed software centre icon).

He implemented country wide, single queue printing and for the last two years has looked after CSIRO’s software agreements and purchasing on a temporary basis.

Onboarding in a Culture First Environment

James Smith, Culture Amp Part of XW17

We’ve all been there, you’ve just stated a new job and you’re excited to get to work, the only problem, you don’t have access to the systems needed for your job, you can’t setup your equipment (or it hasn’t arrived), and to top it off the right people didn’t even know you started today.

This is a new hire’s worst nightmare and worse still, it reflects badly on you. I’ll be covering what we can do to improve onboarding, what tools you can use to automate the process, and how to keep your head above water with a growing team.

James is a Systems Engineer for Culture Amp, a 100 person startup based out of Melbourne, SF, NY, & London focussed on Employee Engagement.

In a previous life he has been a Barista, DJ, and Technical Director for corporate events.

/dev/world announced for August, CFP now open

/dev/world is back again, running August 28-30, 2017. This year will be our tenth anniversary, and we’re incredibly pleased to be able to partner again with RMIT University in Melbourne for this year’s event. The call for presenters is now open – why not offer a talk and help us make this the biggest, best /dev/world yet!

Apply now »

WWDC Student Scholarship Travel Assistance

If you’re a currently enrolled student at an Australian or New Zealand University, and you win an Apple Student Scholarship to attend WWDC 2017 (results announced on or before Friday, April 21, 2017), we might be able to help out with your expenses. We’ve allocated 3 student support scholarships of $1500 each to assist with airfares. Conditions apply, and applications close May 5 at 5pm (Sydney time).

Apply here »

WWDC Scholarship Travel Support 2017

This program has closed for 2017.

If you’re a currently enrolled student at an Australian or New Zealand University, and you win an Apple Student Scholarship to attend WWDC 2017 (results announced on or before Friday, April 21, 2017), we might be able to help out with your expenses. We’ve allocated 3 student support scholarships of $1500 each to assist with airfares. Conditions apply, and applications close Friday May 5 at 5pm (Sydney time).

Terms and Conditions

Verify that you are eligible before applying. The AUC WWDC Scholarship Support program is offered under the following terms and conditions:

  • You must be currently enrolled at an Australian or New Zealand University, undertaking at least a 50% full-time study workload.
  • You must live in Australia or New Zealand.
  • You must have already won a WWDC scholarship from Apple prior to applying for travel support with the AUC.
  • You must be able to provide documentary evidence of your WWDC Scholarship from Apple, and your University enrolment, on request.
  • There is no known impediment to you traveling to the USA to attend WWDC.
  • You must become an AUC Student Member for at least 12-months should you be awarded a Support Scholarship
  • You must commit to delivering a talk at this year’s AUC /dev/world conference in Melbourne (late August).
  • In the event that more applications are made than scholarships available, the AUC will establish a selection panel to assess applicants and to determine how the scholarships will be awarded.
  • Disputes arising in relation to the scholarship provisions will be dealt with fairly by the Chair of the AUC or his/her nominee, and any decision made by the Chair in relation to that dispute will be final.

X World 2017 Call for Presenters

X World is our annual training event for OS X and iOS system administrators and support staff, and will be held at UTS, Sydney. This year the event will run June 29-30. If sufficient presentation and workshop offers are received, we plan to expand the event to Wednesday June 28.

We are now calling for presenters who wish to offer sessions and workshops at this year’s event. If you have a background in the installation, configuration, deployment, or on-going administration of OS X based systems, or experience in iOS deployment, management and app development, or if you work in related areas, we’d really like to hear from you. Presenters receive free registration to X World, and qualify for subsidised flights and/or accommodation.

The call for presentations is now open, and closes Monday April 24, 2017, at 5pm Sydney time. Offers can be made by completing the submission form.

More information, including ticket pricing, final dates, and the event program details will be posted shortly after the CFP closes.

[Update 27 March] Want to request a session at X World? Now you can on our requests board. We can’t guarantee anyone will pick it up and run with it, but you might just inspire someone else to share their experience!

CreateWorld Success

CreateWorld was held once again at Griffith University’s South Bank campus on December 8-9. This year’s event was a great success, and we thank everyone involved for their participation. Here’s what others are saying:

Makeblock and Mbot

Little Bird Electronics Part of CW16

Makeblock and the Mbot range are not just your regular off the shelf STEM project in a kit form. Makeblock, which is the programming environment based upon the Scratch framework and the Mbot range offer true creativity with robotics. Using precisely made and interchangeable chassis, mechanical and electronic components, there is no limit to what can be created and explored from all terrain robots to drawing machines. Makeblock and Mbots are designed to make learning and understanding the underlying technology and engineering pleasurable and that makes them the perfect tools for creative expression.

Dancers & Technology, a Collaboration Celebrating “Corporeal Difference”

Sonia York-Pryce Part of CW16

This paper examines the role of dancers who extend beyond the paradigm of age and their contribution to current dialogues in the field of dance through film documentation. This project aims to make visible the older dancer through film giving new materiality and value by celebrating the older body on screen. The research seeks to investigate which is the preferred performing body, the youthful or the mature? These older dancers choose to ignore the rationale and perform which In turn could be considered inappropriate behaviour by the western dance world. There is a need for the mature dancer to be acknowledged not only for their ‘corporeal difference’ but recognition that their practice rather than their age defines them.

Human-machine Agency in Interactive Music Systems

Andrew Brown, Griffith University Part of CW16

Much of my creative work involves the design and use of algorithmic music systems intended to facilitate a close creative partnership between musician and machine. But what does it mean to design and construct such instruments, to make an interactive music system with a sense of creative agency that evokes a rich sense of creative interplay? In this presentation I will discuss some of the issues that arise for me in this activity; examining both conceptual and design perspectives in the context of making and playing original interactive musical systems and devices.