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os_x_annoyances [2024.03.13 11:42] – [iCloud not showing up in Finder] Steve Isenbergos_x_annoyances [2025.03.07 15:02] (current) – [Eject USB Stick/drive Issues] Steve Isenberg
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 ====View hidden files and folders in Finder==== ====View hidden files and folders in Finder====
-  Command-shift-.+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.
  
  
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 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 =====
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 |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.1710355364.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024.03.13 11:42 by Steve Isenberg