Freman: Difference between revisions

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


== Initial configuration ==
== Initial configuration ==


=== Outside macOS ===
* Plug it in
* VM noVNC kinda works ok; press the Windows key if you need to switch between windows of the same application by then hitting the backslash ` key.
* 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; then you can do the [[Linux_barebones_quickstart#Copy_ssh_keys|usual ssh config]]
* Set the hostname via Apple > System Preferences > Sharing (two places)
* Get MAC address from Apple > System Preferences > Networking and update dnsmasq to give out a static IP; renew lease on mac
* Set display resolution to 4k
* Allow VNC: System Preferences > General > Sharing > click Remote Management (i) > VNC users may control ON
* Ensure you can start a VNC session from cast using [[Remmina]]; note the full-screen toggle is RIGHT-CONTROL-F
* Turn off Lock Screen: Apple > SysPrefs > Privacy&Sec > Lock Screen > Turn display off NEVER, Require after off NEVER
* Allow SSH: Apple > System Preferences > General > Sharing > check Remote Login; then you can do the [[Linux_barebones_quickstart#Copy_ssh_keys|usual ssh config]]
* Connect via ssh with kitty to teach Mac zfs terminal:
* Connect via ssh with kitty to teach Mac zfs terminal:
  m@cas[] kitty +kitten ssh freman
  m@cas[] kitty +kitten ssh freman
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* set a banner in ~/.zshrc
* set a banner in ~/.zshrc


== Installation ==
* Allow VNC: System Settings > General > Sharing > click Remote Management (i) > VNC users may control ON
 
* Ensure you can start a VNC session from cast using [[Remmina]]; note the full-screen toggle is RIGHT-CONTROL-F
WHY did they ship me a 2024 in 2025?  I need to call them... FIRST
* Turn off Lock Screen: Apple > System Settings > Privacy&Sec > Lock Screen > Turn display off NEVER, Require after off NEVER
 
* 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


=== macOS the way I like it... ===
== Configure macOS ===


==== Keyboard ====
=== Keyboard ===
* Install [https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ Karabiner-Elements] key mapping tool, oh yeah
* Install [https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ Karabiner-Elements] key mapping tool, oh yeah
* Click predefined rules by community, search for ''''PC-Style Shortcuts'''' pack, wowza
* Click predefined rules by community, search for ''''PC-Style Shortcuts'''' pack, wowza
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* Strip the conditions from it, and it will start to work!
* Strip the conditions from it, and it will start to work!


==== Software ====
=== Software ===
* Install TextMate: download, open archive, drag app to Utilities, run, pin to dock (, add to path?)
* Install [https://brew.sh/ homebrew]
* Install ne
brew install ne
* Finder
* Finder
  rclick in whitespace > Show View Options >
  rclick in whitespace > Show View Options >

Revision as of 17:34, 5 October 2025

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.

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; then you can do the usual ssh config
  • 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 a banner in ~/.zshrc
  • Allow VNC: System Settings > General > Sharing > click Remote Management (i) > VNC users may control ON
  • Ensure you can start a VNC session from cast using Remmina; note the full-screen toggle is RIGHT-CONTROL-F
  • Turn off Lock Screen: Apple > System Settings > Privacy&Sec > Lock Screen > Turn display off NEVER, Require after off NEVER

Configure macOS =

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!

Software

  • Install TextMate: download, open archive, drag app to Utilities, run, pin to dock (, add to path?)
  • Install homebrew
  • Install ne
brew install ne
  • Finder
rclick in whitespace > Show View Options >
[x] Always open in list view, sorted by name, hit Use as Defaults
  • Install XCode, EFI Agent, meld, SF Symbols, Karabiner-Elements.
  • Pay $3 and install IconKit, saves hours of work to build stupid icon packs
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