tracking disk usage on a Mac

When looking to track disk usage on a PC, I often use TreeSizeFree - which is awesome.  But I struggled to find something like that in a Mac.

I have used and like the trial of DaisyDisk.  It gives a graphical representation of all used files including hidden files and it can help you find things like Apple Mail usage or Outlook usage or itunes backups that can be eating up disk space within the Library folder.  

Storing Mac primary data storage folders within cloud storage folders

One of my favorite methods of backup is redirecting the primary data storage folders to a cloud service (like Dropbox or Google Drive).  On a Mac, the process is not intuitive.  Here's my process.

You need to perform the steps once for each folder you want to move.  So if you want to move three folders (desktop, documents, pictures), you'll need to perform the steps three times.  The steps involved two commends.

First, you move the data to the new location.  Then you create a symbolic link to the new location.  In the examples below are a series of commands for desktop, documents, pictures, music, and movies.  The commands with %username% and %Company% would be altered to match the real world situation.

iMac:~ username$ sudo mv ~/Documents "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Documents"
iMac:~ username$ sudo rm -rf ~/Documents/
iMac:~ username$ ln -s "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Documents" ~
iMac:~ username$ sudo mv ~/Desktop "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Desktop"
iMac:~ username$ sudo rm -rf ~/Desktop/
iMac:~ username$ ln -s "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Desktop" ~
iMac:~ username$ sudo mv ~/Movies "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Movies"
iMac:~ username$ sudo rm -rf ~/Movies/

iMac:~ username$ ln -s "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Movies" ~

iMac:~ username$ sudo mv ~/Pictures "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Pictures"
iMac:~ username$ sudo rm -rf ~/Pictures/

iMac:~ username$ ln -s "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Pictures" ~

iMac:~ username$ sudo mv ~/Music "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Music"
iMac:~ username$ sudo rm -rf ~/Music/

iMac:~ username$ ln -s "/Users/%username%/Dropbox (%Company%)/laptopdata/Music" ~

Storing Mac data storage folders (desktop, documents, etc) in a cloud syncing folder (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc)

This page talks about methods for moving data storage locations to cloud syncing folders which allows for real time backup of those data storage locations.  I use this process often for smaller clients who need/want backup on the cheap.  This is particularly easy if they're already using Dropbox or Google Drive or have an Office365 account with OneDrive storage.

https://www.howtogeek.com/204595/how-to-move-special-folders-on-os-x-to-cloud-storage/

SSL certificate errors on Outlook for Mac caused by Outlook bug

Outlook 2016 for Mac has a bug in it that causes Outlook to show a security error when connecting to an Exchange server even when the Exchange server and all parts are properly configured.  This post will talk about what the error looks like and how to make the error disappear.

When opening or configuring Outlook for Mac that connects to an Exchange account, users will get an error like this:

You can hit "continue" to get through the error, but to remove the error forever more . . .

Hit "Show Certificate"
Check the box for "Always trust"
Hit Continue
Enter your password at the prompt that comes up.

Setting up Automator to back up Mac on startup to Google Drive

I've written about using Automator to back up a Mac here.  I've had trouble getting that to work, so I now do this.

Open Automator
Create a new Application

In your Google Drive, create a folder called Backup
In the Backup folder, create a folder Desktop, Documents, etc for each folder you want to back up.

Create these processes:

Get Specified Finder Items
(choose all the folders in the Backup folder - not the Backup folder itself)
Move Folder Items to Trash
Get Specified Finder Items

(choose Documents)

Get Folder Contents

Copy Finder Items

(copy to the Documents backup folder location and choose replace existing files)

Get Specified Finder Items

(choose Desktop and click options and choose Ignore this action's input)

Get Folder Contents

Copy Finder Items

(copy to the Desktop backup folder location and choose replace existing files)

Repeat these steps for each folder you want to back up

Get Specified Finder Items

(choose FolderToBackup and click options and choose Ignore this action's input)

Get Folder Contents

Copy Finder Items

(copy to the FolderToBackup backup folder location and choose replace existing files)

---

Save the Automator application to the Applications folder

Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups

Click Login Items

Add the application you created in Login Items

Installing a Netgear 341U Sprint Mobile Broadband Card on a Mac

I've had some trouble getting a Netgear 341U to install on a Mac.  Here's what I've found to work and also what you're looking for.

The proper Netgear 341U setup shows WWAN LTE as an option as a network to connect.  When the Netgear 341U is plugged in, the WWAN LTE will show as connected.

I've let the drivers install when you first plug the card in, but this did not work for me.  Somehow, they just didn't show the WWAN LTE connection.  The solution seems to be go to Sprint's site and download the drivers from there with the card plugged in.  Download the drivers.  Install the drivers and reboot - all with the card still plugged in.

Drivers located here:
http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27019

Set up for a new Mac on a PC network as of 7/15/15

1. Boot up laptop and log in as admin and create a local password with the domain admin password
2. Install all applicable Apple updates and make sure the system is on the latest OS and OS patch
3. Create new user as local administrator that matches (though doesn't necessarily need to match) the user's login name on the Windows domain with matching domain password
4. Log out and log in as user
5. Install newest applicable version of MS Office
6. Set up VPN
7. Set up all applicable printers
8. Install applicable antivirus
9. Set up network drives
10. Test VPN and ability to access network drives over VPN
11. Configure Outlook and let email download completely
12. Configure any applicable broadband card
13. Add VNC/screen sharing password
14. Add serial number and computer specs to inventory spreadsheet

Using CUPS to configure Mac printers to default to black and white printing

Below is the video that a copier vendor sent me on setting up CUPS to configure print drivers to print in black and white on Macs.  I've had success setting this up on Canon and Xerox printers, but I've found that the option isn't present on Konica Minolta copiers.

Also located here:

http://www.t-solve.com/clients/instructions/CUPS-setup/Set-Print-Defaults-Using-CUPS.mov

backing up a Mac to Google Drive

I was setting up a Mac for a client and looking for a super cheap method for backing it up.  With a 30 GB quota for Google Drive, it seems logical to use Google Drive.  I can simply create a startup batch script on a PC to copy desktop, documents, and other important folders to c:\username\google drive on a PC.

On a Mac, I found a good method using "Automator," which is much easier than using AppleScript.  As far as the method I used, I basically followed option 8 here:

http://mac.tutsplus.com/tutorials/automation/10-awesome-uses-for-automator-explained/

The nice thing about the above steps is that it sets up an automated running of the script on dates/times.

autocomplete on Outlook 2011 connected to SBS 2008 not working

I had a user with Outlook 2011 for Mac (running on OS X 10.8) connected to his Exchange account.  The server runs SBS 2008, fully patched (running Exchange 2007 SP 3).

The Outlook account was set up using autodiscover when the user was on the same LAN as the Exchange server.  When the user was not on the same LAN as the Exchange server, autocomplete did not work.

I troubleshot this problem off-site where I was able to replicate the problem.

I'm not sure exactly what I did to fix the problem, but I'm going to document what I did and what I saw.

First, I investigated the user's settings.  Interestingly, the field for server under directory services was blank.  I wasn't sure if there was supposed to be something there.  I assumed yes.

I created a new identity in Outlook 2011 and created a new Exchange account in that new identity that pointed to my personal Office365 account.  I let autodiscover create the Outlook connection settings.  Interestingly, there was nothing there in the server field for directory services either.  The autocomplete was not working in this Outlook profile/account either.

I logged out as the user and logged in as another user (another local account on the Mac).  I opened Outlook and Office update told me there was an update to install (perhaps 10.2.5 - I'm not sure).  I let that update install.  I opened Outlook and set up an Exchange account for a complete separate client that also has an SBS 2008 server (fully patched).  I let autodiscover create the settings.  Autocomplete was not working on this account either, but I did notice that there was a value in the server field in directory services. The value was set to servername.domainname.local.  Clearly, this server would not resolve since the server was not local and there was no route to the server.  This make some logical sense to me that my client's autocomplete was working in the office when he was on the same LAN as the server so Outlook must have been able to route to the server in some way to pull autocomplete data.  So I replaced servername.domainname.local with the FQDN of the server - remote.contoso.com.  I checked the box for SSL.  Directory services said it would use port 3269 so I went to the firewall of my SBS 2008 server and redirected port 3269 to the local IP of my SBS 2008 box.  I closed Outlook and reopened it.  Outlook complained of a certificate mismatch (directory services was pointing to remote.contoso.com but the cert was for servername.domainname.local).  I allowed Outlook to use the server anyway despite the certificate mismatch.  And lo and behold, autocomplete began working.

In addition, Office 2011 also notified me of another update, 10.2.6 i believe - which I allowed to install.

But this is where it gets weird.

I go back into my the user's original profile and autocomplete is working.  I made no changes to his Exchange account.  None at all.  All I did was get aucomplete working on another Exchange account in a completely different Mac profile.  There is no reason that would have any effect on the user's profile.  Autocomplete also began working on my Office365 profile as well.

I rebooted the Mac and the changes persisted (autocomplete still working).  I disconnected from the WLAN the Mac was on and connected the Mac to my iphone's personal hotspot and the changes persisted (autcomplete still working).

I can't narrow this down to a specific thing I did to fix it, but it's working.

resetting admin password on a Mac

I had a client with a Mac where we did not have the admin credentials for the sole administrator on the laptop.  I was luckily able to find this option to tell the mac to set itself up from scratch by removing the file that tells the Mac it has already gone through the initial setup process so it goes through the initial setup process again on the next reboot.  That is described here:

http://osxdaily.com/2010/08/10/forgot-mac-password-how-to-reset-mac-password/

In case this that post is ever removed, here are the steps:

Restart the Mac holding down the Command+S keys, this will take you into Single User Mode and its Terminal interface

type:
mount -uw /

type:
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

type:
reboot

This worked very well for me and allowed me to create a new account on the Mac and did *not* delete the existing data already on the Mac on the user whose password we did not know.

installing Entourage 2008 EWS and getting error

I had a user with Entourage 2008 and needed to install Entourage 2008 EWS (Exchange web services edition) to work with a new Exchange 2010 server. However, each time we tried to install it, we got this error:

-------

You cannot install Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition on this volume. A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume.

To learn how to fix this issue, see "I can't install Office 2008 for Mac updates" at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/help.mspx.

-------

What I found was that you need install the version of Entourage EWS for the specific version of Entourage you have. If you have Entourage 12.2.3, you need to install Entourage EWS 13.03. But if you have a newer or older update of Entourage on your system, you need a newer or older version of Entourage EWS. It's very lame, but based on the version of Entourage you have, you need a certain version of EWS.

In my case, I was on the most recent version of Entourage, so I needed the most recent version of EWS (13.0.11 as of the time of this post), which is the case most people should find themselves in. First, run Microsoft autoupdate and get your Office 2008 up to the newest version. The go to the Microsoft for Mac downloads page here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads

Click on Office 2008. Click on Microsoft Entourage 2008 for Mac, Web Services Edition. This will take you to the download for the most recent version of Entourage EWS, which should be compatible with your Entourage if you have it up to date. Download and install and you're ready to go.

Thunderbird won't open inbox subfolders after upload to google apps

I think Thunderbird is an excellent mail client -particularly for Macs - for users on Google Apps. When setting it up for a user, I found that I was getting an error that the folder didn't exist whenever a user would try to view the data in one of the inbox's subfolders. The error looks like this:

But then I found this solution:

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/gmail/thread?tid=4ab9bb06a661746f&hl=en&fid=4ab9bb06a661746f000480c21d2a0f66

In short, Thunderbird is looking for a subfiolder of INBOX - but gmail's folder's when imported from Exchange may often be Inbox. So you need to rename inbox portion of the label to be INBOX. So you'd need to change this:

to this:

resetting a password on a Mac

This is a good article on resetting your Mac password if you have lost it and you have the original Mac OS installation discs:

http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=3853

ading a Mac to a Windows domain

I came across this article about connecting a Mac to a Windows domain. Wanted to document it:
http://www.applesource.com.au/how-to/soa/Connect-a-Mac-to-Windows-Small-Business-Server/0,2000451082,339287478,00.htm

VPN set up on a Macintosh

These instructions for setting up a VPN on a Mac work for Tiger and Leopard.  I can't verify for other OSes yet:

Click on the WLAN (wireless LAN) indicator (near the upper right hand corner).

Click on Open Network Preferences

Click on the + near the lower left hand corner of the Network window that appears

For interface, choose VPN

For VPN type, put PPTP

For service name, put **Company Name** VPN

Click Create

For server address, put **FQDN of VPN server**

For account name, put your login name (i.e. john or jsmith depending on your company's policy)

For encryption, leave it at Automatic

Click Authentication and put in your password

Click Connect

And then it should connect.

some Mac set up concepts

Setting up access to a Windows server:

Go -> Connect to Server and put in cifs://aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd - it's the same as smb




Setting up Entourage 2008 with an Exchange server:

When Entourage first opens up, it asks you what kind of server you are on. Cancel out of that. You are not able to get through that without entering a valid LDAP server that you can log on to.

Instead, go to Tools -> Accounts and create a new Exchange account.

Account ID, domain, and password are self explanatory and the only other field that is required is the Exchange server field, where you can use the URL for webmail (including the HTTPS and the /exchange at the end).

Setting up VNC on a Leopard Mac:

http://lifehacker.com/software/how-to/remote-control-leopard-with-tightvnc-319528.php

Connecting a Mac to a Windows 2003 file server

In the last couple of months, I've had the displeasure of trying to attempt to connect two Macs to Windows 2003 servers. No success either time. This is a record of what I've tried and what I think.

Let's start with where I started - a typical Windows 2003 server (in each case the AD controlled by an SBS 2003 box). No modifications for Macs at all.

You can try connecting via AFP (Apple Filing Protocol), but you can't connect. If you choose go -> Connect to Server and just put in the IP address or type AFP://123.123.123.123 - it won't be able to get to the server. If you try to connect via cifs://123.123.123.123 or smb://123.123.123.123 - it will give you a login screen with username, password, and domain/workgroup - but when you put in your info, it says that your login info is no correct. Interestingly enough, in the servers security event log (in my experience today at least) says that the user was authenticated successfully. And if you put in invalid credentials, the security event log will see your invalid login attempt and say so in the security event log.

So that's where we start. The first thing I tried was adding File Services for Macintosh:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/6f3ef0f8-b358-43b0-bbd3-6fbeba43d4d61033.mspx?mfr=true

But what that gets you is the ability to connect to the Microsoft UAM volume on the server using AFP, not any worthwhile shares which is what you probably want to get to. So that is no good.

One thing I came across was a reference to authentication type. Right click on My Computer. Go to manage. Right click on Shared folders from Computer Management/System Tools/Shared Folders. Choose "Configure File Server for Macintosh." In the Security section under Enable Authentication, the drop down box has "Microsoft Only" by default. Switch it to "Apple Clear Text or Microsoft" and hit Apply. Then restart the File Server for Macintosh service.

Unfortunately, for me, this did not help in today's issue. I'm still getting an error on the Mac when I - and error when I input the login credentials on the Mac, I get the error from the Mac about credentials being invalid - though the security event log still says that the login succeeded.

So my temporary solution has been to set up FTP for the Mac users - which works in the short term, but I'd love to get this solved.

One other thing I tried was this:
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2003/12/09/active_directory.html

It added the Mac to domain. But even still, Go -> Connect to Server - it still doesn't connect.

You would think that everything you'd need would be here:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/04ee8e17-bd60-4a9f-bd8a-eb5d4e2cfec01033.mspx?mfr=true

It was written in January 2005, so it must take Server 2003 into account. I will play more with this tomorrow.