Somehow I missed this until now, but in macOS Monterey, Apple added the terminal command “networkQuality”. This displays the download and upload speeds of your internet connection, as well as a metric called RPM that Stuart Cheshire (the Bolo guy!) came up with at Apple.
Handy if fast.com or speedtest.net aren’t your thing!
Currently listening: Chillhop Essentials Spring 2018 - worth a re-listen after all these years, still a great compilation…
Apple made the Hearing Test feature of the AirPods Pro 2 available today in Australia. I ran through it, more out of personal interest than any real concern over hearing issues.
It first runs through some suggestions to get the best result, including making sure that you have the AirPods in the correct ears, that the silicone tips are the appropriate fit, and that where you are taking the test is quiet enough. The entire test takes about five minutes, it plays a series of tones in one ear of varying frequencies and volume, then the other ear. I was happy to know that I have a little to no hearing loss, despite the typical misspent youth of attending music festivals and concerts etc!
Currently listening: Caravan Palace - “City Cook”
I received my replacement JetKVM last week and I have been putting it through its paces. The issue with the previous one was certainly a hardware problem, the video quality is much better with this one!
When I had contacted support, they said they were sending me a replacement PCB, but what arrived was an entire unit.
Out of interest I opened up my faulty unit, and I found on the PCB there was one IC that had a missing soldier joint, potentially what was causing the issue. It might be interesting to connect that and see if the problem is fixed.
Currently listening: Barry Can’t Swim @TheLotRadio 02-14-2024
When you have EPUBs and PDFs that you’ve added yourself to “Books” (formerly iBooks, Apple’s eReader app), they’re added to a special folder within iCloud Drive called “Books”.
Annoyingly, that folder does not appear when browsing the file system, and it is not just simply a matter of it being hidden/invisible.
If it were, the Finder has a keyboard shortcut Command-Shift-. (That’s a full stop, btw) which toggles on/off displaying hidden items.
No, the folder just doesn’t seem to exist in the file system due to the special nature of iCloud Drive.
Thankfully I figured out a way around this, it involves a few steps but makes accessing the folder in future much easier.
First step is to add a PDF into Books on your Mac, then double click on it, which will open it within Preview.
Then, right-click on the file name in the title bar, and there’ll be a drop down list with “Books - iCloud Drive” as the second item. Click that, and it will open the magical special folder in question.
Assuming you have the Path Bar visible, you can just right click on “Books” along the bottom as per the screenshot and choose “Copy “Books” as Pathname”. Paste that pathname somewhere, and remove the single quote marks from the start and from the end. Then copy the edited pathname so it’s in the clipboard.
(Alternatively, you can right click on any item in that “Books” folder whilst holding the option key, and within the contextual menu that appears, there will be “Copy “«filename»” as Pathname”, where «filename» is whatever the filename is. Paste that pathname somewhere, and remove the single quote from the start and the filename and single quote from the end - it should read something like “/Users/«username»/Library/Mobile Documents/iCloud~com~apple~iBooks/Documents/” (without quotes, and where «username» is whatever your username is). Then copy the edited pathname so it’s in the clipboard.)
Next step is to make an alias in the Finder of any item, then “Get Info” on the alias, and click the “Select New Original…” button. Then paste in the pathname (note, not in the Search field, just with the main part of the sheet selected), and the folder shown will now be “Books”. Click “OK”, rename the alias to taste, and place it somewhere handy.
I’ve saved the alias directly into my iCloud Drive so I can access it again easily, rather than having to jump through hoops.
Using Terminal, you can see just how many more items are within “Mobile Documents” A.K.A. iCloud Drive, but I’d suggest not poking around too much :)
Currently listening: MOON ZOOZ (Too Many Zooz + Moon Hooch) - “Space Cow”
Like Gruber, I’d somehow missed Downie until now. It makes saving audio and video files from different websites a very simple process, great for preserving media that may otherwise be far more ephemeral than you’d think - changes in licensing agreements, etc, cause more things to disappear these days than old-school bit rot, it feels like.
So, next time you need to save a YouTube video, rather than spelunking through multiple pages of web searches and visiting a bunch of very dodgy feeling websites that may redirect you to malware, enjoy the refreshing change of using a nicely designed Mac app! Much nicer experience :)
Currently listening: Billie Eilish - “CHIHIRO (Black Coffee Remix)”
Will have to get it done next weekend…
In the meantime, enjoy the classic Russian Sci-Fi from 1981, “Per Aspera Ad Astra”.
Nothing to post this week…
I’ll be running the wiring on the weekend for the Yardian Pro and the irrigation valves hopefully, so I’ll write an update about the process after that :)
The Yardian Pro smart irrigation controller arrived, next challenge was to get it installed. The unit itself works well, but it appears the existing wiring to the valves is flakey, so I will have to replace it… Some of the wiring has had a hard life being exposed to the elements without even a protective conduit, so no surprise really.
I’ve at least confirmed the solenoids from the valves work by directly connecting them to the Yardian Pro, so making progress!
Currently listening: FIREWALKER - “alone” - Warning, contains Twerking Squidward…
Well, after contacting support and posting to their GitHub Issue Tracker, still no luck. Does appear to therefore be a hardware problem, so I’ve reached out to begin the RMA process. Not super put out by this, and it doesn’t appear to be a wide-spread thing, just unfortunate luck-of-the-draw I got the one with an issue. I will update it when I get the replacement, not to jinx things, but I’m sure it will be fine :)
Currently listening: Sole space - “green soap."
It’s wonderful that in macOS Sequoia, there is a loving tribute to earlier Mac days in the form of a new screensaver, simply called “Macintosh”. Look closely and you’ll see many iconic (pun partially intended) references; ResEdit, Clarus the DogCow, the Chicago typeface (speaking of, came across this recently), and part of “The Crazy Ones” text from the Think Different campaign. It’s incredible how far Mac has come, despite (perhaps that should be because of) how popular the iPhone and iPad are, it is still the beating heart of Apple’s lineup. They may sell more iPhones and iPads, but I’d argue more important development and creation is happening on the Mac still. Here’s to many more years, Macintosh!
Currently listening: Aquasky - “Tranquility”
My JetKVM arrived yesterday, and I have begun exploring what it can do. So far, very impressed with ease of set up, how polished the user experience is in general, and the hardware quality of the unit.
The one strange issue I’ve run into is the quality of the video stream so far has been terrible - this is in both Safari and Firefox on my Mac Studio. I’ve tried an iPhone 15 Pro, a Framework laptop, and a iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019) as the source, with multiple HDMI adapters. I have also tried a different Mini HDMI to HDMI adapter.
Next I tried viewing it in Microsoft Edge on my PC desktop running Windows 11, with the same issue, below is a screenshot.
I couldn’t spot any related open issues on their Github repo, so I’ve reached out to JetKVM’s support regarding this… Will update as new info comes to hand!
Currently listening: 4AM Breaks - “90s / Modern Ambient Jungle Mix”
I recently ordered a Yardian Pro Smart Sprinkler Controller, which my lawn will be grateful for! Neat thing is it works with Apple Home and Home Assistant (amongst others). I will be running an ethernet cable to it, as it supports a wired connection and I prefer to reduce WiFi reliance if possible.
Will post my thoughts once I’ve installed it and put the unit through its paces.
Currently listening: Kazdoura - “Khayal خيال”
For the last 3 years, I have had Stephen Hackett’s lovely Apple calendars up on the wall in my Store. He had Kickstarter campaigns for his 2022, 2023, and 2024 calendars, but none for this year though, which is a shame. They’re all well photographed, and had a lot of small touches that I did appreciate.
So, I had been looking for an Apple related 2025 calendar, and spotted on eBay one put together by the Apple Museum Poland which looks rather nice! May be a tad pricey for some, but seems to be good print quality and you can look forward to a whole year of gazing at old-school Apple goodies…
Currently listening: Dillinja - “Never Believe”
Can’t believe we are in the year 2025…
Hopefully this year might be a little less crazy, but we will see.
More technology after a little interlude :)
It finally arrived yesterday, after over two years of waiting! I love it so far, only started putting it through its paces.
GameCube works well over SCART, my daughter was helping test it out with the original Animal Crossing :)
I will most likely not be posting for the next week or two, hope everybody has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I have been using this time of year over the last 5-6 years to take stock of a number of things - disabling/deleting unneeded accounts, improving password strength, removing smart home features/automations, and in general, ruthlessly simplifing, keeping things as efficient as possible, and trying to always be improving security - remember the last is always a moving target.
One last exciting update for the year is that the arrival of my Checkmate Retro Display is imminent! I backed it on Kickstarter way back in December 2022, so it has been a bit of a wait… Looks to be worth that wait though, the success of it has meant a bunch of extra development and improvements compared to what was originally proposed.
Currently listening: Kruder & Dorfmeister - “Live at AB - Ancienne Belgique (30th anniversary show)"
Disk Jockey is a highly useful tool when dealing with vintage machines, as a lot of the drive/disk formats used back in the day are no longer supported on newer hardware or operating system versions, creating additional hurdles to moving data back and forth… This app allows access to many of the formats simply by dragging and dropping the drive image, which can then be browsed, and files/folders exported. Another handy feature is being able to generate new, arbitrarily sized blank images for use with BlueSCSI/ZuluSCSI devices.
There is a Windows version, a command-line macOS tool, and even a meet-you-halfway version that runs on versions of Mac OS X 10.4 through to Sierra (so no-one is left out on the fun) called Disk Jockey 1999 - the site has beautifully era-appropriate web design - what’s not to love? :)
Currently listening: Peshay - “Studio Set (1996) - HQ Remix” - Thank you “NoZra”, for putting up a HQ version of this classic :)
Following along with the Branchus Creations review video, I set up the WiFi DaynaPORT Ethernet emulation with my recently arrived ZuluSCSI Pico Slim, so as to get my Colour SE/30 connected to the world…
This is just an interim solution, as I am working on having wired ethernet - the issue I’ve run into is all the SE/30 ethernet cards I have are expecting to be the sole card, and don’t seem to make allowances for changing ID. This means they conflict with the video card when I use the double adapter I soldered together recently… Still working on that one.
But for now, I have connectivity! Here is Frogfind in all its Netscape version 1.1 glory :)
Currently listening: 4AM Breaks - “Planetary Drift Vol 02 - Atmospheric Drum N' Bass Compilation (2024)"
I’m at least one step closer to reviving a 386 motherboard I have been working on. There was a bit of damage due to a nasty battery leak, and it wasn’t showing any sign of life when I hooked up a PSU and POST card. After replacing a dodgy looking capacitor, I’m at least getting an initial boot screen, but it’s very quickly cycling between counting RAM, then briefly displaying the below screen, irrespective of whether the keyboard is connected or not, and rebooting… It would appear there is a damaged trace - although realistically many - and so the next step will be to go over it very closely and check continuity.
Currently listening: 4AM Breaks -“Jungle Fatigue Vol 2 (2023)"
Joshua Stein is a legend! Not only did he program the section of the BlueSCSI firmware that allows the hardware to provide Wi-Fi networking to the vintage Mac it is connected to, in itself a very neat Hack™, he then goes and creates a software interface that lists the nearby Wi-Fi networks and lets you choose the one you’re connected to - in the form of an old-school Desk Accessory suitable for System 6 and 7!
Here is the current version…
Bonus cool thing: leave his website up without interacting for two minutes, and you’ll be greeted with the best screensaver of all-time!
Currently listening: Swillie - “Squence02 // Modern Jungle/DnB mix (2023)"
If there are certain events going on in the world that leave you disappointed in humanity and feeling downcast about the direction the world is taking, some simple escapism may help… Going to watch both of these now…
I noticed in the last night’s release video for the new Mac mini M4, that Apple put in a sly reference to the Steve Jobs quote that the Mac was built to be a “Bicycle for the mind”, in the form of a familiar poster up in the corner of a bicycle design studio called “Rider EightyFour”.
There is also an iPod mini on a desk later on in the video! Wonder if they’ve swapped out the IBM MicroDrive for a nice big CF card :)
Thankfully a more positive update this week :)
Sourced a replacement metal chassis and made some modifications to it so as to fit around the LCD panel mount.
Assembled almost everything for a test fit, so far so good. The extra video RAM does currently impinge on the metal chassis, but I’ve ordered some PCBs and parts to make the dual slot adapter that Chopsticks on 68KMLA designed.
This means the video card RAM sticking out won’t be an issue, and more importantly means I can use an ethernet card I already have without having to source an expensive one with the PDS passthrough… Mac84 desoldered and replaced the slot on one designed for a Mac IIsi, as the passthrough comes out at a right angle, but another solution would have been to do this.
Still to do: I need to internally mount the LCD driver board, PSU, power switch and input… And also replace capacitors on (and clean!) the main logic-board…
Currently listening: Utami Hasegawa - “Drum n Bass DJ Mix | 9-30-24 at VRChat’s The Collective”
I removed the damaged antenna connector from the T-Deck Plus and was partway through fitting a replacement one, but tore one of the pads. Lesson learnt, it is better to use a hot air station than a soldering iron to remove surface mount components, they’re a lot less forgiving than through-hole… Back to the drawing board in terms of figuring a fix. Double Sigh
Currently listening: Simon & Garfunkel - “The Sounds of Silence” - Yep, fits the mood rn…
So, ordered a T-Deck Plus a while ago, it arrived, I excitedly played with it, then decided to install an external antenna for better reception. I watched a couple of YouTube videos, carefully prised it apart, long story short somehow manage to snap off the centre pin of the IPX/U.FL antenna connector on the board… What is most surprising and frustrating is that I’m no noob with these connectors - I have run my own Mac/PC repair store for over 17 years at this point, and I’ve connected and disconnected these innumerable times as they’re used for antenna connections on WiFi cards.
Well, I have now watched some videos on YouTube showing methods of replacing these, and this approach looks good.
I’m awaiting a 10 pack of replacement connectors I’ve ordered, and will update when I tackle swapping this. Wish me luck!
Currently listening: LITTLE BIG – “KURWA” - another catchy banger from these weirdos! :)