Freman

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Revision as of 14:23, 4 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.

Installation

  • 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

WHY did they ship me a 2024 in 2025? I need to call them... FIRST


  • 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
  • Allow SSH: Apple > System Preferences > Sharing > check Remote Login; then you can do the usual ssh config
  • 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

Setup

Outside macOS

  • 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.

macOS the way I like it...

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

  • 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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