Apple has released Mac OS X v10.3.2, an update to its "Panther" operating system, available for download through the Software Update System Preferences pane. Apple also notes that a standalone installer is available. The new update is recommended for all users, according to Apple.

Changes to Mac OS X v10.3.2 include the following, according to Apple:

Address Book and Mail enhancements

Mail moves messages marked as junk to the Junk mailbox more reliably.

In Address Book, you can now configure Exchange synchronization with either a hostname or full server URL, including a (https://) URL to automatically use SSL.

Improves syncing between Address Book and Microsoft Exchange. You can now move an email to a different mailbox if you use an email server that previously didn't allow this and an "The destination mailbox does not exist" alert would appear.

Improves results when using Mail with a .Mac or IMAP account and an SSL connection.

Networking enhancements

Improves results when looking for SMB-based servers in the Network view.

Resolves an issue in which the Mac OS X firewall could no longer be available if you perform an upgrade installation of Mac OS X Panther.

Allows automatic configuration of proxy servers via Proxy Auto Configuration (.pac) files.

Resolves an issue that could prevent the computer from getting a DHCP lease after certain kernel extensions were unloaded and reloaded.

Improves DNS for Mac OS 10.2 clients that use a shared Internet connection from a Mac OS X Panther computer.

Resolves an issue with getting or maintaining an IP address via DHCP, under certain conditions. Addresses an issue in which the L2TP VPN could not connect with leftover racoon.pid.

Print and fax enhancements

The size of printouts from certain applications, including Safari, has been fixed.

Addresses an issue in which an "No pages were selected to be printed in this document" alert appears when printing from Mail or Safari, before the application unexpectedly quits.

Improves compatibility for Microsoft Virtual PC 6.1's emulated printing features.

You can now save faxes in a folder whose name includes a 2-byte character.

Addresses an issue with some USB PostScript printers, including the HP Laserjet 2300, Lexmark E310, and GCC Elite 21, in which a "Printer not responding" message appears when you add the printer in Printer Setup Utility, or when you try to print.

Improves compatibility for Brother HL 1240 printers when used on an AirPort network with Rendezvous; an alert message with "-9672" could appear when adding the printer.

Addresses an issue in which an application could unexpectedly quit when sending a fax to several recipients.

Improves compatibility for some Lexmark printers when they print an A4-sized page.

Improves reliability of Mac OS X Panther's fax email delivery feature.

Finder and other enhancements

Addresses issues that could keep a disk image from appearing in the Finder when you open its file.

You can now eject a FireWire-based volume from the Finder without entering an administrator password.

Improves security of background applications when Screen Saver is on, and when entering a Screen Saver password.

The Repair Permissions utility no longer reports a permissions issue with the printer.conf file.

Character Palette no longer appears when you log in or after the computer wakes from sleep.

iTunes will keep importing songs from an audio CD if you switch to another account.

FileVault no longer prompts to recover unused disk space each time you log out; it will now ask only when needed.

A FontBook collection's name, if it included a slash, or solidus, character ("/"), could cause issues; you can no longer use a slash in a FontBook collection's name.

Addresses an issue in which a PowerBook G4 computer may stop responding when a Classic application's window is moved.

The consonant of the first character for certain words entered using the Simplified Chinese ABC input method is no longer ignored.

Improves compatibility for CH Products' joysticks and flight yokes.

Improves compatibility for MagTek credit card readers.

Improves reliability of third-party FireWire audio hardware devices.

More reliably recognizes some FireWire devices, including the iSight camera.