Multiple Users Compatibility Testing

Some application software may not be fully compatible with the new Multiple User technology introduced with Apple's System Software version 9.0. The steps below are provided to help you determine if your application is fully compatible with this feature.

 

Step 0: read the documentation

It is important that you first become familiar with the details. Be sure to read the Multiple Users Guide (SimpleText document) and technote 1186 (Acrobat™ Reader document, "Technote 1186 - How To Be a Good Multiple Users Citizen"). Then do a clean install of the latest version of Mac OS 9 and enter the appropriate data at the first run of Mac OS Setup Assistant, that is, your name and password. The clean install helps to eliminate or minimize other potential problem sources.

 

Step 1: running on Mac OS 9 without Multiple Users

Test your application running under Mac OS 9 without activating Multiple Users (the Multiple User Accounts should be set to "off" in the control panel, this is the default setting). Once you have qualified your application on Mac OS 9, you can proceed to the next step.

 

Step 2: running on Mac OS 9 as the owner

Turn on the Multiple User Accounts using the Multiple Users control panel. You will notice the "on" and "off" radio buttons found at the bottom of the control panel. Assuming you entered your name and password as part of the Mac OS setup you should have one user account defined as owner. Test your application with this configuration, and once you qualified it, proceed to the next step.

Note: Running your application as the owner and running your application when Multiple Users is not running is not the same thing. Refer to Technote 1186 for more details.

 

Step 3: running on Mac OS 9 as a restricted user

You should test your application to ensure that it operates correctly when a user is logged in as a restricted user. There are three different types of restricted user accounts that can be created; hence, for this stage of testing you should create one of each type: a Normal account, a Limited account, and a Panels account. Once you have created these accounts, you should log in and test your application with each account type to ensure it works correctly. Once you have completed the testing of your application in each type of account, you can move on to step 4.

Note: When you log in as a user (as opposed to the owner), it may take a few minutes before you can actually start working with the computer. Please be patient.

In addition of having a user account of each type, you might also want to modify their access privileges (See setup details in the User editing dialog) and test your application under these different privilege configurations. Once you qualify your application against all the configurations, proceed to the next step.

Some application functions are more likely to be affected when running with Multiple User Accounts, this includes but may not be limited to:

  • Reading your preferences files, you have to use FindFolder correctly in order to find them,
  • Writing your preferences files, you may not have write access even if you have read access,
  • Opening or saving files without using the Standard File Package or the Navigation Services.

If your application performs any functions related to the above it would be important to specifically test these kinds of functions.

 

Step 4: regression testing

If you have made any modifications to your application in order for it to perform successfully during any of the testing carried out in steps one, two, or three, then repeat steps one through three until no more changes are required. The final and necessary test is to turn Multiple Users off or, even better, "remove" it through the Extensions Manager control panel and test your application again.

Important: These steps are intended to be a general guide for testing your software for compatibility with Multiple Users. You are responsible for the complete and thorough testing of your application. The above procedures should help you identify common Multiple User compatibility issues in your software. These procedures may not identify all rare or unforeseen incompatibilities that could exist.

 

Troubleshooting

If you encounter unexpected behaviors or errors during testing:

The documentation can help determine possible causes and actions. Be sure to refer to the technical documentation, starting with the Technote 1186.