| Author | Message | ||
     Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9920 Registered: 1-2003  |
I bought a G5 imac yesterday. I have over 20 years of experience with using unix, which helps a bit. - How do I turn on sshd? - Where is the accounts database? I see regular users are not added to /etc/passwd. I would like to administer this from the command line. - Is there a version of vnc I can install? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7576 Registered: 4-1997  |
1) Go to System Preferences panel :: Sharing :: enable remote login 2) Not sure. 3) Check http://fink.sourceforge.net/ | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9921 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks. I'll try that. I downloaded the desktop software for my Palm. It came as a sit file. How do I expand the files therein? I guess I have to find stuffit, huh? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7577 Registered: 4-1997 |
Look for /etc/master.passwd (edited: Nope, this isn't it either) | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7578 Registered: 4-1997 |
You can download the Stuffit Expander (free) here: http://www.stuffit.com/mac/index.html | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1370 Registered: 7-2002  |
Try OSXvnc, http://www.redstonesoftware.com/vnc.html | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9924 Registered: 1-2003 |
monster, I expected you to know about the accounts database? I want to be able to change passwords and do similar things from the command line. Dave, /etc/master.passwd seems to be a file of templates to be pulled later. I did find http://developer.apple.com/internet/security/securityintro.html but it doesn't go deep enough for me. Do you agree with the advice to use a non-administrator account? I currently have four accounts (besides root): one for me, one for my wife, one for each of my two daughters. I made the two for me and my wife to be administrators. Should I remove admin privileges from them? I guess that wouldn't be so bad, since more than one user can be logged in at once. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9925 Registered: 1-2003 |
I knew the one button mouse wouldn't make me happy. While buying the machine, I saw they have regular PC-type mice for sale. I normally like the two button mouse with a wheel in the middle. They also had an Apple mouse called a Mighty Mouse. My wife convinced me not to be a cheapskate, so I bought the Mighty Mouse, at $49. I bet it's pure profit for them. But I actually like it, so thanks again to my lovely wife. Interestingly, since the upper shell seems to be the button, I thought it was a one-button mouse, but Opera (my preferred web browser) seems to know when I'm pressing the left or the right side, so effectively, I have a two-button mouse. Actually, it's a three-button if I could the wheel as a button. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9926 Registered: 1-2003 |
I guess I should give my impressions early so I don't forget them. The screen is excellent. And I love the quietude, if that's a word. This is replacing a three- or four-year old tower PC which was deafening by comparison. We leave the family computer on 24 hours, and it sits in the living room, so this is lovely. The visual effects of all the windows moving around are dazzling but a little strenuous to my eyes. I might end up defeating some of them, and I understand that that's possible. I'm really glad the keyboard has a PC layout and not the same layout as an Apple laptop, because as a unix user, I use the control key a lot and prefer it to be at the edge of the keyboard. I think this keyboard is short (top to bottom) enough to require a wrist wrest, though. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7579 Registered: 4-1997 |
See if this helps http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20040729201549396 | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9951 Registered: 1-2003 |
It does. It tells me of the existence of the dscl command which will let me read and manipulate the database. I can read the manual page for dscl. Thanks! As for ssh, maybe sshd only allows accounts that are in /etc/passwd. Well, if that's true, it's annoying, so maybe I'll sync the ldap accounts into /etc/passwd. Actually, no, it's worse than that. I can't ssh into the system, even as root, and I did enable root logins in /etc/sshd_config. I created a hole in my home router to direct inbound ssh connections to my Mac but I get "connection closed" immediately upon trying to connect. Any guesses as to why? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7583 Registered: 4-1997 |
you can view your log files using Console.app located at /Applications/Utilities/Console | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1372 Registered: 7-2002 |
I don't mess with user accounts via the Terminal, but I have fooled around with "NetInfo Manager", located in /Applications/Utilities/ http://www.applepedia.com/NetInfo_Manager Here is a pdf at Apple for NetInfo Manager, http://www.apple.com/server/pdfs/UnderstandingUsingNetInfo.pdf For most other Mac users that may read the above, I suggest you forget NetInfo Manager even exists. Have you tried OSXvnc to check to see if you can get into the remote Mac that way? Tom, you might enjoy becoming a Developer member at Apple, it's free and it gives you access to more than most casual users have. http://developer.apple.com/ | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1375 Registered: 7-2002 |
another article that may be of interest http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106274 | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9974 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks, folks. I have not had time to follow all these suggestions yet. Last night, I installed some version of XFree86 so that I can run OpenOffice. I don't understand how I am supposed to run it. Any clues? I do have Microsoft Office, but I want OpenOffice also. We have some files saved in their proprietary format. Plus, it would be nice to have X, since I'm used to it. My big gripe is keyboard shortcuts. There are lots of things in Mac apps that don't have keystrokes. I have to use the menus. And is there a keyboard way to pull down the menus on the top menu bar? Also, tab doesn't navigate through all options, in apps and on web pages. Where is AlleyGater? | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1376 Registered: 7-2002 |
For keyboard shortcuts go to System Preferences>Hardware>Keyboard & Mouse, and enable them. Under the keyboard tab select the checkbox to enable the F keys, then select the keyboard shortcuts tab, you will be presented with a customizable list of keyboard shortcuts, select the checkbox for turning on full keyboard access. By using the defaults for example, I can focus on the menu, the dock, etc., and then navigate from there using arrow keys, tab, etc. There are also third party apps that will give greater functionality, control, and customization options. I don't have X11 installed at the moment, but in the past I used Fink to install it and it worked fine, http://fink.sourceforge.net/doc/x11/inst-xfree86.php?phpLang=en Here is a list of Keyboard shortcuts to get you started, STARTUP Press X during startup............................Force Mac OS X startup Press Option-Command-Shift-Delete during startup...........................................Bypass primary startup volume and seek a different startup volume (such as a CD or external disk) Press C during startup...........................Start up from a CD that has a system folder Press N during startup...........................Attempt to start up from a compatible network server (NetBoot) Press R during startup...........................Force PowerBook screen reset Press T during startup............................Start up in FireWire Target Disk mode Press Command-V during startup.......Start up in Verbose mode. Press Command-S during startup.......Start up in Single-User mode (command line) Press Shift during startup start up in Safe Boot mode and temporarily disable login items and non-essential kernel extension files (Mac OS X 10.2 and later) FINDER WINDOW Keyboard shortcut.................Description Command-W.......................Close Window Option-Command-W................Close all Windows Command-Right Arrow.............Expand folder (list view) Option-Command-Right Arrow......Expand folder and nested subfolders (list view) Command-Left Arrow..............Collapse Folder (list view) Option-Command-Up Arrow.........Open parent folder and close current window MENU COMMANDS Keyboard shortcut..................Description Shift-Command-Q...................Apple Menu Log out Shift-Option-Command-Q ...........Apple Menu Log out immediately Shift-Command-Delete..............Finder Menu Empty Trash Option-Shift-Command-Delete.......Finder Menu Empty Trash without dialog Command-H.........................Finder Menu Hide Finder Option-Command-H..................Finder Menu Hide Others Command-N.........................File Menu New Finder window Shift-Command-N...................File Menu New Folder Command-O.........................File Menu Open Command-S.........................File Men Save Shift-Command-S...................File Menu Save as Command-P.........................File Menu Print Command-W.........................File Menu Close Window Option-Command-W..................File Menu Close all Windows Command-I.........................File Menu Get Info Option-Command-I..................File Menu Show Attributes Inspector Command-D.........................File Menu Duplicate Command-L.........................File Menu Make Alias Command-R.........................File Menu Show original Command-T.........................File Menu Add to Favorites Command-Delete ...................File Menu Move to Trash Command-E.........................File Menu Eject Command-F.........................File Menu Find Command-Z.........................Edit Menu Undo Command-X.........................Edit Menu Cut Command-C.........................Edit Menu Copy Command-V.........................Edit Menu Paste Command-A.........................Edit Menu Select All Command-1.........................View Menu View as Icons Command-2.........................View Menu View as List Command-3.........................View Menu View as Columns Command-B.........................View Menu Hide Toolbar Command-J.........................View Menu Show View Options Command - [.......................Go Menu Back Command - ].......................Go Menu Forward Shift-Command-C...................Go Menu Computer Shift-Command-H...................Go Menu Home Shift-Command-I...................Go Menu iDisk Shift-Command-A...................Go Menu Applications Shift-Command-F...................Go Menu Favorites Shift-Command-G...................Go Menu Goto Folder Command-K.........................Go Menu Connect to Server Command-M.........................Window Menu Minimize Window Option-Command-M..................Window Menu Minimize All Windows Command-?.........................Help Menu Open Mac Help UNIVERSAL ACCESS Keyboard shortcut........................Description Option-Command-* (asterisk)..............Turn on Zoom Option-Command-+ (plus)..................Zoom in Option-Command-- (minus).................Zoom out Control-Option-Command-* (asterisk)......Switch to White on Black Control-F1...............................Turn on Full Keyboard Access When Full Keyboard Access is turned on, you can use the key combinations listed in the table below from the Finder. Control-F2......Full Keyboard Access Highlight Menu Control-F3......Full Keyboard Access Highlight Dock Control-F4......Full Keyboard Access Highlight Window (active) or next window behind it Control-F5......Full Keyboard Access Highlight Toolbar Control-F6......Full Keyboard Access Highlight Utility window (palette) The Universal Access preference pane allows you to turn on Mouse Keys. When Mouse Keys is on, you can use the numeric keypad to move the mouse. If your computer doesn't have a numeric keypad, use the Fn (function) key. MOUSE KEYS Keystroke...............Description 8.......................Move Up 2.......................Move Down 4.......................Move Left 6.......................Move Right 1, 3, 7, and 9..........Move Diagonally 5.......................Press Mouse Button 0.......................Hold Mouse Button . (period on keypad).....Release Mouse Button (use after pressing 0) OTHER COMMANDS Keystroke................................Description Option-Command-D......................Show/Hide Dock Command-Tab...........................Switch application tab...................................Highlight next item Command-Up Arrow......................Move up one directory Command-Down Arrow....................Move down one directory Page Up or Control-Up Arrow...........Move up one page Page Down or Control-Down Arrow.......Move down one page Option-Drag...........................Copy to new location Option-Command-Drag...................Make alias in new location Command-Drag..........................Move to new location without copying Shift-Command-C.......................Show Colors palette in application Command-T.............................Show Font palette in application Command-Shift-3.......................Take a picture of the screen Command-Shift-4.......................Take a picture of the selection Command-Shift-3.......................Take a picture of the screen Command-Shift-4, then Spacebar........Take a picture of the selected window Option-Command-esc....................Force Quit Control-Eject.........................Restart, Sleep, Shutdown dialog box Control-Command-Eject.................Quit all applications and restart Option-Command-Eject or Option-Command-Power..................Sleep Command-click window toolbar button (upper right corner) Cycle through available views for the window's toolbar (dependant on the nature of the Finder or application window) | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7601 Registered: 4-1997 |
Don't forget SHIFT+F11 | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1378 Registered: 7-2002 |
ooooooohhhhhhhh, you know what's really cool? go to the dock and right click on an icon, now don't click and move the mouse off the menu leaving it open, start doing doing all of the exposé commands over, and over, and over.........now click on the desktop. Use the shift key for a slower ride. try command>option>control>8, all at the same time | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1379 Registered: 7-2002 |
Tom, you might like to check out Rixstep's "Clix" (it's free), it's a utility for storing and running Unix commands. http://rixstep.com/4/0/clix/features.html "CLIX includes a default database containing more than 450 Terminal commands that perform useful actions in OS X—many of them usually inaccessible—categorized by the aspect of the interface they affect (Dock, Finder, Security, and System, for example)." It will also allow you to store whatever commands you wish to add. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9984 Registered: 1-2003 |
Good stuff. Thanks a lot. I definitely have to get the book Mac OS X Tiger for Unix Geeks. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 10026 Registered: 1-2003 |
How do I change default applications? 1. I like the Opera web browser and use it almost exclusively. When I click on an http link in my email program, it opens up Safari. How do I get it to open Opera instead? 2. The system came with a 30 day trial version of MS Office. I bought Office and installed it. There are two installations of Office. When I open a Word doc, it opens the trial version. How do I switch to the permanent one? 3. Three days after I bought this system, they announced an improved model, for the same price. What are the chances I can upgrade at no cost? I realize this was a risk I took, but three days kinda burns me up. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7612 Registered: 4-1997 |
To change default browser, open Safari and go to Preferences > General. Choose Opera. For Office, I would try deleting (or moving out of Applications) the trial version. Call the Apple Store and ask. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 10033 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks. I updated Safari. While I was at it, I told Apple Mail that my mail program is Thunderbird. What browsers and mailers do you folks like? | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2005 |
Tom.. I'm pretty sure Apple will let you return your iMac in exchange for a new one.. They're pretty good about that. Give the store a call. | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1394 Registered: 7-2002 |
I usually use Mozilla, and Apple's Mail app. Now that Opera is free I've been trying it out also. Even though I use Moz. I usually have Safari open too, sometimes it's just better to use two browsers to free one up. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 10096 Registered: 1-2003 |
I called the Apple store. They'll take back my Mac if it's 14 days since purchase or less, and they'll charge me a 10% restocking fee. I'll go for it. I'll have to order a new computer and wait, which means I'll be back to using my icky old PC. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 10097 Registered: 1-2003 |
Oh, and I got the perfect book for me. It's called Mac OS X for Unix Geeks by Brian Jepson and Ernest E Rothman, pub O'Reilly. It has a chapter on the commands that deal with the NetInfo databases. | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1419 Registered: 7-2002 |
You  | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7690 Registered: 4-1997 |
I'm now using Flock (beta) for a browser. It's makes more conscious use of online social networks. http://www.flock.com | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 39 Registered: 3-2005 |
It seems to me that Mac users here on MOL make up a larger percentage than the overall Mac marketshare of around 3.5 percent, maybe 4.5 percent nowadays with the "Halo" effect. It would be interesting to see what percentage of MOL members use Macs, no? My personal computers have been Macs since about 1994, still have to use Wintel in the office for AutoCad products. I'm guessing this is Tom's first Mac, how about everyone else? How long are you all Mac users? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7692 Registered: 4-1997 |
7.8% (based on visit stats, not headcount) Mac user since the first G4s were shipped. | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1441 Registered: 7-2002 |
I tried it but I fscking deleted it | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 40 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thanks, Dave.. That percentage must mean something, beats Apple's normal marketshare - I guess we need more data. Pretty cool! | ||
| davidbuckley Citizen Username: Davidbuckley Post Number: 397 Registered: 5-2001 |
Never used but a Mac. Began using computers that I bought in mid-80's. Not true. Used a DEC PDP1145 (time sharing!), '73-'76. Would have just fit in my current living room, not including Halon gas system. If you've never had a Mac, buy one, you'll be glad you did. Compute well, all. David | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 10258 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yeah, that iMac I owned for a week was the first Mac I owned. I brought it back so I could buy the iMac that's coming out soon. My wife has owned Macs for many years, and I started dating her and using her computer in 2001, so I'm a bit familiar with MacOS 9. I've used other Macs very lightly over the years since the first one in 1984. I'm not a PC devotee, either, though. I started a computer career in 1982, and there's no way to recount all the different computers I've used. I've used IBM and Amdahl mainframes that were so big that I could walk inside them. | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1443 Registered: 7-2002 |
I have a Mac SE & an SE 30 up in the attic, and they work. here's a shot of my obsolete collection, though I have since managed to get rid of some of them, but then I keep getting more, then I have to get rid of them, then I keep getting more, then I....  and a link to a few more shots, http://homepage.mac.com/jocnsoc/PhotoAlbum49.html | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 42 Registered: 3-2005 |
Your collection looks a lot like mine, though I think you win. I have a couple of Mac classics, a Performa, a Power Mac 6500, Power Mac 7500, Power Mac 8500, a Ti-Book and a few misc. Apple monitors. and a StyleWriter. I'm probably going to wait until the next generation of powerbooks to upgrade from my current 1Ghz G4 machine, although the new quads are so tempting. | ||
| Eponymous Citizen Username: Eponymous Post Number: 11 Registered: 6-2004 |
To change default apps, try installing the third-party freeware system pref panes "Default Apps" and "More Internet". Both will do it. Check versiontracker for VNC. I think I'm using OSXvnc which easily lets you run it as a startup faceless app so it'll always be on when the computer is. Chicken of the VNC is a good client. Try NeoOffice instead of the clunkier X OpenOffice app. It's a fairly proper OS X java-based version. Slow to start up, but more mac-like to use. Works just fine for me. | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1005 Registered: 10-2004 |
I was using Chicken of the VNC. I have no idea if it's the best VNC out there, but it sure has the most ridiculous name, and it works. I've been busy with life and haven't had time to play around on MOL. I'm really glad your getting into your mac Tom. Congrats on the purcase. I've been told by some Unix geeks that OSX has the best front end that Unix has ever had. Best/easiest to use/most accessible. I think it's cool that most users don't know the terminal or netinfo manager even exists. But if you need the power, then voila, there it is. | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 1559 Registered: 7-2002 |
why install something else to change your default app for files? Just get info on a file, and then under the "open with" section, choose which app you wish to use for that particular file, if you wish for all files of that type to be opened with the same app just select "change all". While I'm not above installing haxies (I'll install practically anything, & enjoy trying to fix any problems that may arise because of it), Apples way works fine. Speaking of problems, I haven't done a fresh install of OS X since the very first time I installed it (and that was on top of an OS 9 system), I keep upgrading (usually an "Archive & Install"). So far I've been able to resolve any issues that have occured (even if it may take awhile at times), I love the challenge. |
