Freman

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Revision as of 18:36, 5 October 2025 by M (talk | contribs)

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

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 meld
brew install meld
  • (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?)

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 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
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