Optimal Settings for DVMAX on Macintosh

Owned by John Bellos (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Mar 19, 2019 by Amy Blanchard
4 min read

Following is a list of functions on multiple Operating Systems that should be configured on any computer, whether it be a server or workstation. Some settings are not applicable on certain Operating Systems so pay special attention to whether a specific function applies to you.

Parental Controls

If you utilize parental controls on your workstations to restrict usage of the machine, make sure you give full control to everyone with DVMAX. The DVMAX Program is typically located here:

Macintosh HD::Applications::DVMAXProgramFiles(current installed version)

Energy Saver / Power Settings

If your computer is set to sleep or go inactive, this could interrupt your use of DVMAX. Make sure the following are set on both the workstations AND the DVMAX Server!

  • From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences
  • Click on Energy Saver
  • For Put the computer to sleep when it is inactive: Drag the slider bar to Never. *This may show as 'Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off. This box should be Checked.
  • Uncheck the option to 'Put the hard disk to sleep when possible'
  • Uncheck the option to 'Enable Power Nap'

Note: It is OK to allow the display to sleep at a certain interval.

(warning) If using a laptop, make sure you check both Battery and Power Adapter settings.

Security & Privacy

From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences
Click on Security & Privacy
In the section titled Allow applications downloaded from, change the bullet point to Anywhere

App Nap (OS 10.9 & Above)

Open Finder, and navigate to the Applications folder.
Double click on DVMAXProgramFiles folder to open it.
If you're on a workstation highlight DVMAX Client. If you're on the Server, highlight DVMAX Server.
Press Apple+I to get info, or Right click the program and choose Properties.
Place a check in Prevent App Nap.

GUI Scripting (OS 10.9 & Above)

This is a 2 step process due to a new feature introduced in OS 10.9 (Mavericks).

First, Launch DVMAX Client on your workstation, and log in.
Click the Appointments or Boarding icon in the command palette.
A prompt will appear asking if you want to turn on GUI Scripting, click Enable.
The prompt may occur again, click Enable or Cancel  if it does not go away.
Quit DVMAX Client.

Second, From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences
Click on Security & Privacy.
Click on the Privacy tab at the top
Click on the Accessibility tab on the left.
Ensure DVMAX Client is checked.
If an application called Applet is listed, check that as well.

Adjust Browser Settings

Depending on which web browser you decide to use with DVMAX, some settings will need to be adjusted. We've included them below.

(warning) (Steps to edit settings may vary based on version of the web browser) (warning)

You must have Allow Cookies enabled on the browser you use for the Scheduler/Boarding in order for functionality to work.

Firefox:

  • Turn off Open new windows in a new tab instead
    • Click on the icon with three horizontal bars at the top right and choose Options.
    • Click on the Tabs icon at the top.
    • Uncheck "Open new windows in a new tab instead".
  • Allow pop-up windows
    • Click on the Content icon at the top.
    • Uncheck "Block pop-up windows", or alternatively click on Exceptions and add the DVMAX Scheduler web address to the list of exceptions.
  • Disable Smooth Scrolling
    • Click on the Advanced icon at the top.
    • Uncheck Use Smooth Scrolling.

Chrome:

  • Empty Cache
    • Click on the Chrome menu at the top left and choose Clear Browsing Data.
    • Make sure you have set "Obliterate the following items from:" to "the beginning of time".
    • Ensure cached images and files is selected.
    • Click Clear browsing data.

  • Allow pop-up windows
    • Click on the Chrome menu at the top left and choose Preferences
    • Click Show Advanced Settings
    • Under Privacy click Content Settings
    • Under Pop-Ups check Allow All Sites to Show Pop-ups, or alternatively click on Exceptions and add the DVMAX Scheduler web address to the list of exceptions.

  • Disable Smooth Scrolling - (warning) This can now only be done on workstations using Mac OS 10.13 (High Sierra)
    • Get into Flags by typing in "chrome://flags/" (no quotes)
    • Scroll down til you see Smooth Scrolling
    • Click Disable

Safari:

  • Do not allow pages to open in new tabs
    • Click on the Safari menu at the top left and choose Preferences.
    • Click on the Tabs icon at the top.
    • Set "Open pages in tabs instead of windows" to Never.
  • Allow pop-up windows
    • Click on the Security icon at the top.
    • Uncheck "Block pop-up windows"


Date Format

Your date format must be in mm/dd/yy format and be consistent across all computers that access DVMAX in any shape or form. This includes the Server, workstations, and any external integrations (lab equipment, etc.) that talk to DVMAX.


Network Setup

While DVMAX can work on both wireless and wired connections, the DVMAX Server MUST be wired with an ethernet cable.
Workstations can be configured wirelessly, but connectivity and performance can vary due to enviromental limitations (brick walls, poor signal, occasional interferance). The best performance can be achieved with wiring all connections via Ethernet.

Server Reboot

We recommend a restart of the server computer every 30 days. This can be done in conjunction with any necessary updates to the server that require a restart.

(warning) Always check our Certification Matrix for DVMAX Practice Product Line document before upgrading your Server Operating System.

Client Application Relaunch

We recommend a daily relaunch of the client application on each workstation.