Probably the most unwanted surprise for many macOS users. The popular macOS app, Bartender, is indeed sold to an unknown third-party. Speculations seem to lead that the new owner is an iOS app publisher, but that is the least of our —or mine— concern. Not only Bartender already needed critical permissions to run, if you are running version 5.0.52, Bartender has already included new analytics framework without notifying the users of the changes. There could be possible changes in pricing model as well, perhaps introducing subscriptions for future Bartender.
Tagged macOS
How to Set Time Machine Quota on NAS
I don’t recall Time Machine having a quota feature when it was originally announced back in OS X Leopard. Most users would use any hard drive lying around, and if needed, can set up a pseudo-quota by creating a volume in Disk Utility.
How to Band-Aid Fix SteamAPI Initialization Issue on macOS
I do want to make it clear that this isn’t the usual ‘how to fix’ tips post. Instead, I’m hoping to log what I’ve learned for indexing purposes. I do have a band-aid solution for the time being, but I wouldn’t call this an ideal fix. Perhaps someone will pick up where I left off, or someone will make a breakthrough. Or perhaps the problem lies with the Steam or the games distributed through Steam and fixes come out of there.
How to Fix Greyed Out Files and Folders on macOS Finder
This happens more often with network drives than physically attached ones, and I, for one, had this issues happening with Synology NAS. A file or a folder that is most likely not damaged and most likely was accessible previously, is now inaccessible on macOS Finder. The real odd ball is that other devices and apps have no problem accessing it.
How to Fix Time Machine Volume’s “Low Space” Warning on Synology NAS
Time Machine is a fascinating topic, so I’m back with more. One of the features Time Machine provide is its automated space management, i.e. delete older backups. Having a NAS doesn’t solve the physical limitation of any backup solutions; that is, it will always take up some space somewhere. On NAS side of the business, storage can be expanded relatively easily. However, storage filling up to its full capacity is not a desirable status.
How to fix Time Machine “Disk Not Ejected Properly”: “Backups of [mac]”
Being a Mac user myself, one of the biggest features I recommend is Time Machine. Personally a well-designed backup system alone can make up enough reason to choose an OS for home use. I highly recommend using a Time Machine backup via NAS, for the benefit of traveling light and separating out a backup drives physically.
How to Connect MTP Devices on macOS
Media Transfer Protocol, or MTP, is something Microsoft came up with in the days of PMPs and PMCs. If the history teaches us anything, it is that most of the remnants from MP3 eras were fragmented and chaotic patchwork of technologies to make that one proof of concept to just barely work.
How to Fix Time Machine Error 45, 5999 or SMB Connecting Error
One of my benignly controversial piece on how to fix Time Machine authentication error, while the drive is hosted on NAS, always gathers wrong kind of attention. Network problems are bound to be difficulty to troubleshoot; with at least 2 computers in the mix, just the very number of suspects double. But with added October Apple events, I wasn’t surprised to see more problems popping up left and right.
MX Keys for Mac, after 3 Years
As some of you are aware, I have been a big proponent for Microsoft keyboards, especially its ergonomic lines. I had adored Microsoft Hardware products, until the market has shifted away from desktop, and the Seattle-based manufacturer decided to throw the flagship keyboard down the bus. My search for go-to Mac keyboard led to Logitech. I recall the brand synonymous at one point for experimental extended battery design, though it quickly got out of hand with ridiculous solar-powered keyboard.
How to Boot in Recovery Mode without Apple Keyboard
Mac has quirky keyboards policies. Until the operating system is fully loaded, the machine will not take inputs from Bluetooth keyboards, again unless it’s been cleared —meaning, Apple Keyboard. Now the most obvious solution is to use a wired keyboard. But if you are on a wireless keyboard via USB dongle, it might strike as odd why the keystrokes would not register. This is a short band-aid solution for users like myself.
How to Fix Time Machine Backup Server Authentication Error
Another how-to on Time Machine backup, available on all OS X and macOS machines. Friendly reminder: your Mac does include nifty backup tools for free of charge, and you can use any drives lying around. If you have an old drive, preferably more than 3 years, and if it is at least the size of your Mac’s system drive, that is a perfect candidate to stow away Time Machine backups in it. Do encrypt your drive though.
ControllerMate Not Compatible with Catalina
This is a quick announcement for anyone who read my MS Sculpt Keyboard posts. I’ve been made aware ControllerMate does not work with Catalina in current version. Unfortunately, circumstances surrounding the app seem to suggest the developers either do not have a specific time table to support Catalina or do not plan to support Catalina.
Duskers Quicksaver Housekeeping Update
I am yet to finish Duskers, the sci-fi survival game where you must survive using nothing but your drones to scavenge other, hopefully abandoned willfully, ships. General atmosphere of the game resembles much of Alien franchise, where computers so ancient are running probably most sophisticated programs ever written known to mankind.
FTL:Faster Than Light Quicksaver Housekeeping Update
FTL now has a spiritual sequel from Subset Games. It’s been beautiful 9 years of random encounters since its release, and I still play it just for old times sake. It almost reminds me of SkiFree or Minesweeper.
File Not Found Error on macOS wfsctl
Apple has been consistently phasing out Server related apps and services. Some of them have been moved around to macOS, while the others are either killed off or been moved as an embedded feature. WebDAV was one of them. If you are so inclined, macOS can now handle WebDAV hosting without the Server app from Apple. But be warned, no GUI support.