Apple Mac OS X Server (Administrator’s Guide) - Manual (Page 285)

Client Management: Mac OS X 285
Managing a Preference Once
If you want to manage a preference initially for users, but allow them to make changes if they
have that privilege, select Once in the management bar. When a user logs in, preference files
in his or her home directory are updated with any preferences that are managed “once.”
These preference files are time stamped. If you update settings for a preference that is
managed once, Workgroup Manager applies the most recent version to the user’s preference
files the next time he or she logs in.
For some preferences, such as Classic preferences or Media Access preferences, Once is not
available. You can only select Never or Always.
Always Managing a Preference
You can force preference settings for a user by selecting Always in the management bar. The
next time the user logs in, the preference reverts to the original settings chosen by the
administrator even if the user is allowed to change the settings. Preferences that are “always”
managed are stored in the /Library/Managed Preferences folder.
Never Managing a Preference
If you don’t want to manage settings for a preference at all, select Never in the management
bar. If you provide users with access to an unmanaged preference, they can change settings
as they wish.
“Never” is the default setting for all preferences.
Managing User Preferences
You can manage preferences for individual users as needed. However, if you have large
numbers of users, it may be more efficient to manage most preferences by group and
computer instead. You might want to manage preferences at the user level only for specific
individuals, such as directory domain administrators, teachers, or technical staff.
You should also consider which preferences you want to leave under user control. For
example, if you aren’t concerned about where a user places the Dock, you might want to set
Dock Display management to Never.
To manage user preferences:
1 Open Workgroup Manager.
2 Use the At pop-up menu to find the directory domain that contains the user account you
want, then click Preferences.
3 Click the lock and enter your user name and password.
4 Click the Users tab and select a user account in the account list.
5 Click the icon for the preference you want to manage.