Freman

Freman is a 2024 Mac Mini in the server rack. I prefer to use it headless via VNC, specifically using Remmina on cast.

I bought it in 2025/10 but Apple idiots say this 2024 is their "current release" (for over a year now), and even sales doesn't know when next Mini will drop. I hate Apple.

Development configuration

Install software

• Install Xcode from the Apple Store
• Install [developer.apple.com/sf-symbols/|SF Symbols]
• Install homebrew AFTER Xcode (it will then include Xcode stuff)
• Install ne

brew install ne
ne .zshrc # and set EDITOR=ne, so meta

• Install wget, git, meld

brew install wget git meld

• Install nvm, npm, node

NOTE: again, must be done AFTER you install Xcode, but also after you create .zshrc. Do NOT use homebrew, nvm github page says it is not supported. Go to the github repo and run the script line from there in a terminal.

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash
# close and reopen terminal
nvm install --lts

• (not sure i want this yet, it is Intel-based and requires this "Rosetta" bridge bullshit...) Pay $3 and install IconKit, saves hours of work to build stupid icon packs
• (not really using this yet...) Install TextMate: [1], open archive, drag app to Utilities, run, pin to dock (, add to path?)

Dev env

• Set up repos

cd
mkdir development
cd development
git clone morosoph:development/scripts.git
cd scripts/node/mah-haus
npm install -g
npm install -g @moodboom/git-semver
cd ~/development
mkdir -p thedigitalage/AbetterTrader/frontend/iOS
cd thedigitalage/AbetterTrader
git clone morosoph:development/thedigitalage/AbetterTrader/server.git
git clone morosoph:development/thedigitalage/AbetterTrader/scripts.git
cd scripts/node/atci
npm install -g
cd ~/development/thedigitalage/AbetterTrader/frontend/iOS
git clone morosoph:development/thedigitalage/AbetterTrader/frontend/iOS/AbetterTrader.git

• Open in Xcode: ~/development/thedigitalage/AbetterTrader/frontend/iOS/AbetterTrader

Configure macOS

Settings

• Finder

rclick in whitespace > Show View Options >
[x] Always open in list view, sorted by name, hit Use as Defaults

Keyboard

• Install Karabiner-Elements key mapping tool, oh yeah
• Click predefined rules by community, search for 'PC-Style Shortcuts' pack, wowza

(ok that didn't handle Ctrl-Insert (copy) so I tried this one instead

• Go through all the macOS permissions loosening to allow it access - you will NOT REGRET IT
• I could NOT find Ctrl-Ins that worked, even tho karabiner-windows-mode has TWO (they say you can't enable more than one but i tried them each separately).
• So, edit the file at ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json (Windows-Shift-. to show hidden files)
• You can find the karabiner-windows-mode overrides by searching for

"key_code":"insert",

• Strip the conditions from it, and it will start to work!

Initial configuration

• Plug it in
• WAIT
• Use connectors to get a mouse and kb connected to its USB-C ports; some mice/kb don't work but the Logitech/i-rocks ones do; WAIT for it to recognize them
• Upgrade to Tahoe
• Set the hostname via Apple > System Settings > Sharing (two places)
• Get MAC address from Apple > System Settings > Networking and update dnsmasq to give out a static IP; renew lease on mac
• Set display resolution to 4k (3840x2160): System Settings > Displays

• Allow SSH: Apple > System Settings > General > Sharing > check Remote Login
• Copy ssh keys
• Connect via ssh with kitty to teach Mac zfs terminal:

m@cas[] kitty +kitten ssh freman

• Update /etc/ssh/sshd_config to disallow passwords, and restart sshd:

sudo launchctl stop com.openssh.sshd
sudo launchctl start com.openssh.sshd

• set aliases and a banner in ~/.zshrc

• Allow VNC: System Settings > General > Sharing > click Remote Management (i) > VNC users may control ON
• Turn off Lock Screen: Apple > System Settings > Privacy&Sec > Lock Screen > Turn display off NEVER, Require after off NEVER
• Ensure you can start a VNC session from cast using Remmina; note the full-screen toggle is RIGHT-CONTROL-F
  • TODO mouse scrolls in very tiny increments; I can't seem to find any solutions yet; may need to try a different VNC client