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.

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