Re: MAC Address Detecting Menubar App

FROM : I. Savant
DATE : Mon Nov 19 22:26:23 2007

> I'm fairly new to Cocoa, so I'll try not to sound like too much of a
> n00b here, but... I'd like to build a menubar application which will
> change icons dependent upon whether a certain MAC address is present
> on the local network. So far, I've assembled SystemUIPlugin and
> MenuExtraView Classes, but I'm not sure where to proceed from here.


  The only thing "n00b" is the clarity of your question. The rest is
perfectly valid. ;-)

  Specifically, are you asking a) how to create a menu extra / status
item, or b) how to detect the presence of a MAC address?

  Regarding "a", there are *lots* of sources (including this list's
archives), so if you run into trouble, ask a specific question,
otherwise, read, read, read.

  Regarding "b", I've never done this, but it seems you'd have to
resort to 'polling' (repeatedly checking for something at regular
intervals). Polling generates a lot of unnecessary overhead (in the
case of a network, traffic). So ... that begs the question: what are
you really trying to accomplish (in general)?

  If you want to detect a certain computer, you might look into
Bonjour services. If you know other computers will be running your
software, just announce via Bonjour.

  If on the other hand, you want to simply see if *any* computer
(regardless of type, or software it's running), you're getting into
some pretty involved stuff with a lot of "gotcha's" and sharp teeth
for a beginner.

  With that in mind, you might want to clarify your post by clearly
stating your specific goal and specific questions you have *after*
reading all available material you can find on the two subjects you
raised. Come with specific questions and you'll get specific answers.
;-)

--
I.S.