TOKU - Treasury of Knowledge for Users

A variety of information you might find useful

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
os_x_annoyances

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
os_x_annoyances [2023.08.08 09:45] – Steve Isenbergos_x_annoyances [2025.08.03 11:57] (current) – Steve Isenberg
Line 37: Line 37:
   - Then lock   - Then lock
   - You may need to restart Zoom.   - You may need to restart Zoom.
 +
 +----
  
 ====Change default application==== ====Change default application====
Line 45: Line 47:
   - Confirm that you want to make the change.   - Confirm that you want to make the change.
 From this point on, all files with the same extension will open with this application. From this point on, all files with the same extension will open with this application.
 +
 +----
  
 ====Reset Printing System==== ====Reset Printing System====
Line 59: Line 63:
   - You may need to enter administrator password or finger.    - You may need to enter administrator password or finger. 
 The printing system will be reset and you will need to add back your printer. The printing system will be reset and you will need to add back your printer.
 +
 +----
  
 ====Determine IP address of Samsung M2830DW printer==== ====Determine IP address of Samsung M2830DW printer====
Line 65: Line 71:
   - Output is printed. On second page you'll find the IP address.   - Output is printed. On second page you'll find the IP address.
  
 +----
  
 ====MacBook Beeps Often==== ====MacBook Beeps Often====
Line 73: Line 79:
   - General tab   - General tab
   - In the drop-down menu next to the **New messages sound**, select your favorite sound or None.   - In the drop-down menu next to the **New messages sound**, select your favorite sound or None.
 +
 +----
  
 ====iTunes Playback skips -- skims -- music==== ====iTunes Playback skips -- skims -- music====
Line 83: Line 91:
  
 20190923, happened again. Did the above, problem solved. 20190923, happened again. Did the above, problem solved.
 +
 +----
  
 ====See all running applications with force-quit==== ====See all running applications with force-quit====
Line 91: Line 101:
   * __top__: Run Terminal, command=top. Sort by cpu or memory usage: ''top -o cpu'' [or] ''top -0 rsize''   * __top__: Run Terminal, command=top. Sort by cpu or memory usage: ''top -o cpu'' [or] ''top -0 rsize''
   * __ps__: Run Terminal command=ps ''ps aux'' [or] ''ps aux | grep process''   * __ps__: Run Terminal command=ps ''ps aux'' [or] ''ps aux | grep process''
 +
 +----
  
 ====View or Change a Program's Properties==== ====View or Change a Program's Properties====
Line 104: Line 116:
 To remove the limit, use the following command: To remove the limit, use the following command:
 <code>sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine MaxSize</code> <code>sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine MaxSize</code>
 +
 +----
 +
 +====Developer Cannot Be Verified====
 +You have downloaded an application and you are sure that it is safe to run on your machine.  However when you run it, you are presented with the error ''PROGRAM cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.''
 +
 +The site [[https://www.lifewire.com/fix-developer-cannot-be-verified-error-5183898]] has several suggestions, that I have copied here.  
 +These include looking for a newer or alternate version of the application.  But I think most useful is:
 +  - Open Finder
 +  - Locate the app you're trying to open
 +  - Control-Click (or right-click) the app
 +  - Select Open
 +  - Click Open\\ //this should let you open it easily in the future//
 +
 +----
  
 ====Can't Delete File Because There's Not Enough Space==== ====Can't Delete File Because There's Not Enough Space====
Line 114: Line 141:
   - Then quit the disk utility and restart your Mac.   - Then quit the disk utility and restart your Mac.
   - Then empty the trash.   - Then empty the trash.
 +
 +----
  
 ====How much space is each subdirectory using?==== ====How much space is each subdirectory using?====
Line 126: Line 155:
  
 To use this and get a sort based on size: ''du -hcd 1 | sort -h''  (the -h on the sort reads first column as human readable values, that is it treats 800M < 1G as you would expect) To use this and get a sort based on size: ''du -hcd 1 | sort -h''  (the -h on the sort reads first column as human readable values, that is it treats 800M < 1G as you would expect)
 +
 +----
  
 ====Active Window is Covered==== ====Active Window is Covered====
Line 134: Line 165:
   - The Finder (hidden) window will appear; quickly drag this so it's outside the covering View Projects window.   - The Finder (hidden) window will appear; quickly drag this so it's outside the covering View Projects window.
   - You can then work on the no-longer-hidden Finder window and continue.   - You can then work on the no-longer-hidden Finder window and continue.
 +
 +----
  
 ====Enter/Exit Full Screen Mode==== ====Enter/Exit Full Screen Mode====
Line 151: Line 184:
  
 //exiting full screen mode in DaVinci Resolve isn't working -- once I put Resolve in full-screen, I can't get it to exit full screen mode. [20200208]// //exiting full screen mode in DaVinci Resolve isn't working -- once I put Resolve in full-screen, I can't get it to exit full screen mode. [20200208]//
 +
 +----
  
 ====Screen Shot Mods==== ====Screen Shot Mods====
Line 163: Line 198:
 and be sure to do this to load the settings (or reboot):\\  and be sure to do this to load the settings (or reboot):\\ 
 killall SystemUIServer killall SystemUIServer
 +
 +----
  
 ====Dock Tricks==== ====Dock Tricks====
Line 183: Line 220:
 ===Highlight hidden apps in Dock=== ===Highlight hidden apps in Dock===
 ''defaults write com.apple.Dock showhidden -bool yes; killall Dock'' ''defaults write com.apple.Dock showhidden -bool yes; killall Dock''
 +
 +----
  
 ====See Wifi Passwords==== ====See Wifi Passwords====
Line 197: Line 236:
 For example: ''security find-generic-password -ga Home\ Wifi | grep ”password:”''\\  For example: ''security find-generic-password -ga Home\ Wifi | grep ”password:”''\\ 
 Using the ''\ ''  in ''Home\ Wifi'' allows spaces in the Wifi name for the command. Using the ''\ ''  in ''Home\ Wifi'' allows spaces in the Wifi name for the command.
 +
 +----
  
 ====Compare two files using command line==== ====Compare two files using command line====
Line 214: Line 255:
  
 Also consider the app CompareMerge2 from the Application store. Also consider the app CompareMerge2 from the Application store.
 +
 +----
  
 ====Handling MacOS Slowness==== ====Handling MacOS Slowness====
Line 227: Line 270:
   - Not Optimizing Mac   - Not Optimizing Mac
 The article has details on all of these.  Thanks, MUO. The article has details on all of these.  Thanks, MUO.
 +
 +----
  
 ====iCloud not showing up in Finder==== ====iCloud not showing up in Finder====
Line 236: Line 281:
   - In the Preferences panel open the Sidebar tab. Click the checkmark for iCloud Drive.   - In the Preferences panel open the Sidebar tab. Click the checkmark for iCloud Drive.
  
 +----
  
 +====View hidden files and folders in Finder====
 +In Finder, go to the directory, and then: ''Command-shift-.''\\ 
 +Repeat to re-hide stuff.
  
 +----
 +
 +====Reset Networking====
 +I found that NordVPN was not working correctly and their support said to reset the MacOS networking.  On my iMac running Catalina, I did the following to effect this:
 +
 +  * In Finder, go to /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
 +  * Locate these three files and rename them (like add XXX to beginning of file name -- ''preferences.plist'' to ''XXX preferences.plist'')
 +    * <ff serif>com.apple.airport.preferences.plist</ff>
 +    * <ff serif>NetworkInterfaces.plist</ff>
 +    * <ff serif>preferences.plist</ff>
 +  * Reboot the computer
 +    * From apple in upper left, choose Reboot
 +    * If this fails, start terminal and enter command ''sudo shutdown -r now''
 +
 +----
 +
 +====Eject USB Stick/drive Issues====
 +If you try to eject a USB drive and get message “drive wasn't ejected because one or more programs may be using it” here's some things you can try. 
 +
 +Suppose drive is called DD1.\\ (You would run these commands in Terminal.)
 +
 +===What processes are using the drive?===
 +
 +''sudo fuser -u /Volumes/DD1''
 +
 +===Info about the process===
 +Suppose the command above returns process ID 129.\\ 
 +''ps -fp 129''\\ 
 +A process with /System/Library/ in the path is a system process.  If it's in /Applications/ then it's likely a third-party app.
 +
 +===Command that started the process===
 +''ps aux | grep 129''
 +
 +===Parent of the process===
 +''ps -o ppid= -p 129''
 +
 +===If the process is something 'mds'===
 +A process with ''mds'' in it means it's a Spotlight app.  To temporarily exclude the drive from Spotlight,\\ 
 +''sudo mdutil -i off /Volumes/DD1''\\
 +or\\ 
 +System Settings > Spotlight > Spotlight Privacy\\ 
 +Click + and select DD1, and add it to the list.
 +
 +----
 +
 +====Rename Files====
 +You have many files with similar names that you want to rename at one time.
 +
 +===Files starting with numbers===
 +You have files like “01 something” and “02 something else” etc and you want to remove the numbers in front of each of the file names; meaning you want ”something” instead of “01 something”, etc.  Here's what you do.
 +
 +  - Go into Terminal.
 +  - Go to the directory with the files: ''cd directory''
 +  - Type command: ''for file in [0-9][0-9]\ *; mv ”$file” ”${file:3}”; done''
 +The file:3 means skip the first 3 characters.
 +
 +===Files with word(s) to remove or replace===
 +Suppose you have files named like “my music song 1”, “his music orchestral 13”, “our music guitar solo” and you want to remove the word ”music” from them (so you would end up with “my song 1”, “his orchestral 13”, etc.  You use Finder for this.
 +
 +  - Open the directory holding the files in Finder.
 +  - Select the files you want to rename.
 +  - Right-click and choose ''Rename''.
 +  - In the dialog, choose ''Replace Text''
 +  - Find: put the text you want to remove or replace (e.g., ''music'')
 +  - Replace with: leave as blank to remove the text (or put the text you want to replace it with)
 +  - Click ''Rename''
 +
 +The file names will be changed.
 +
 +----
  
 ===== Interesting Software and Applications ===== ===== Interesting Software and Applications =====
Line 264: Line 383:
  
 If you want to change things (add/delete images, re-arrange them) then open the PDF you created in Preview, and select View > Contact Sheet or View > Thumbnails and add/delete and re-arrange.  Then save from the file menu. If you want to change things (add/delete images, re-arrange them) then open the PDF you created in Preview, and select View > Contact Sheet or View > Thumbnails and add/delete and re-arrange.  Then save from the file menu.
 +
 +----
 +
 +====Edit PDFs====
 +“Read, edit, convert, merge, and sign PDF files across devices for completely free and without signing up.”  This is what PDFgear claims.  [[https://www.pdfgear.com/]] with info on [[https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2024/03/the-best-way-to-edit-pdfs-on-a-mac/|LifeHacker]]
 +
 +Convert PDF to Word, Excel, JPG, PNG, and more. 
 +
 +Free downloads for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.  Rated 4.8 (as of 3/16/2024) in Mac Store.
  
 ===== Reinstall MacOS ===== ===== Reinstall MacOS =====
Line 355: Line 483:
   - Change user and login information on ABCD.   - Change user and login information on ABCD.
   - Go through the Settings (Select the Apple and System Preferences) and adjust as necessary on ABCD.   - Go through the Settings (Select the Apple and System Preferences) and adjust as necessary on ABCD.
 +
 +=====Upgrade old iMac/MacBook=====
 +You want to upgrade your iMac or MacBook but Apple won't let you because the machine is too old.  The guy called Mr. Macintosh may have the answer.  You can find him on YouTube, search for ''Mr Macintosh''.
 +
 +Some videos from him:
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbooT2eyfk4|How to Install Ventura on Unsupported Macs Easy OCLP Guide]]\\ “You can Install macOS Ventura on Unsupported Macs from 2008-2016! I'll show you in a step-by-step easy way how to use OpenCore Legacy Patcher to install macOS Ventura on your old Mac & make it new again!”
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3oOoTjf8Ps|MacOS Ventura 13.5.1 Update - What's New?]]
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYggaACjV6A|2012 MacBook Pro with Ventura]]\\ “Now that I've shown you how to install Ventura on a 2012 MacBook Pro, let me talk about how it works and if a 2012 MacBook Pro with Ventura is any good.”
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrvezkF1ezg|How to create a MacOS Ventura Bootable USB Installer Drive in 4 Simple Steps]]
 +
 +OCLP = Open Core Legacy Patcher
  
 ===== Terminal goodies ===== ===== Terminal goodies =====
Line 503: Line 642:
 |13|Ventura| |13|Ventura|
 |14|Sonoma| |14|Sonoma|
 +|15|Sequoia|
 +
 +=====Inserting Symbols=====
 +You want to insert some symbols into your text that aren't on your keyboard.\\ 
 +(This info extracted from [[https://www.webnots.com/option-or-alt-key-shortcuts-to-insert-symbols-in-mac-os-x/|Webnots]])
 +
 +You can also press Control-Command-Spacebar to open the Character Viewer.  Scroll down to find the math and other symbols, like command (⌘) and option (⌥) and a host of others.
 +
 +These symbols can be used with the standard keyboard.  Consult Webnots for what you have to do so you can use other codes that require four digit hexadecimal Unicode points (or use ^⌘spacebar).
 +|<40% 10 35 - >|
 +^Symbol^Keystroke^Meaning^
 +|™|Option-2|trademark|
 +|®|Option-r|registered|
 +|©|Option-g|copyright|
 +|£|Option-3|pound|
 +|¢|Option-4|cents|
 +|∞|Option-5|infinity|
 +|§|Option-6|section|
 +|°|Option-shift-8|degree|
 +|≠|Option-=|not equals|
 +|±|Option-shift-=|plus or minus|
 +||Option-shift-k|apple symbol|
 +|€|Option-shift-2|euro|
 +|¥|Option-y|yen|
 +|≤|Option-<|less or equal|
 +|≥|Option->|greater or equal|
 +|≈|Option-x|approximately equal|
 +|√|Option-v|square root|
 +|÷|Option-/|divided by|
 +|‡|Option-shift-7|double dagger|
 +|»|Option-shift-\|
 +|«|Option-\|
 +|…|Option-;|ellipsis|
 +
 +
 +
 +
  
os_x_annoyances.1691513155.txt.gz · Last modified: by Steve Isenberg