The offcial journal of the Wellington Society Inc Volume 35.05 – May 2018

Come to one of Conference our meetings

Wellington Monday, 28 May 7.15pm - 9.30pm Subject: Accessing Digital Media Kapiti Monday, 4 June 7.10pm - 9.30pm Subject: Backups iPad Group* Saturday, 16 June 1 pm - 3 pm Kapiti Help Desk* TBA (July) Apple’s annual developer conference is coming soon: expect Kapiti news about the versions of iOS and macOS on Tuesday 5 See page 2 for more June (NZ time). There is a strong possibility of new Macs and details of meetings iPad Pros being released soon. *Please register by emailing [email protected] Where to find us Unless otherwise indicated, main meetings are normally as follows. Wellington: last Monday of the month (except December) at Brian Davis Room, Cathedral of St Paul, corner Hill St and Molesworth St, Wellington. Kapiti: first Monday of the month (except January) at Kapiti Uniting Parish, Weka Road, Raumati. Help desks and other special interest meetings vary.

The President Writes p2 RIP: Apple Airport, 1999-2018 p6 INSIDE macOS High Sierra report p4 Reveal Invisible Files p7 Committee Contact Details p8

CAPITAL APPLE – MAY 2018PAGE 1 The president writes ...

Kapiti iPad/iPhone Group An iPad/iPhone group meeting will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm on Saturday 16 June at a member’s house in Kapiti. If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact Shane Gordine [email protected].

Help Desk David Empson We had a successful Lower Hutt help desk last [email protected] month. The next help desk is being planned for Hi folks. Kapiti in July. Details will be in next month’s issue of Capital Apple. Wellington Meeting Our main meeting in Wellington will be held on Change of Postal Address Monday 28 May in the Brian Davis Room at After decades of having P O Box 6642, initially at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, corner Hill St and the Te Aro branch then Marion Square, WAUG/ Molesworth St, Wellington, from 7.15pm. WelMac has started the process of moving to a new This month we have a guest presenter: Jess Payne, box number. We have rented the old box for another who is Customer Education Specialist at Wellington year to ease the transition but will be publishing the City Library. Jess will be telling us about applications new address, starting with this month’s issue of used to access digital media available at the library Capital Apple. We hope to have the web site, and elsewhere, including newspapers, magazines membership letters and other official records and books, most of which is available free of charge. updated in the next month. We will be running the main presentation first, starting shortly after 7:15 pm. The presentation is Our new postal address is: expected to take about an hour. This will be followed by supper, then general technical Q&A at the end. Wellington Macintosh Society Inc. P O Box 1100 Kapiti Meeting Wellington 6140 The Kapiti meeting will be held on Monday 4 June (Queen’s Birthday) at the Kapiti Uniting This is actually my own P O Box, which I’m Parish, 27 Raumati Rd, from 7:10 pm. paying for as part of my self-employed business, but We won’t be able to run the same meeting topic allowing WelMac to use free of charge. (Shane as at Wellington, but we are aiming to run a similar normally collects the mail so will also have a key.) meeting at Kapiti later in the year. WelMac doesn’t get enough mail to justify This month’s Kapiti meeting will be covering continuing to pay for its own box, especially a backups: backing up your Mac with Time Machine, double-size one, but we need some form of mailing cloning and possible options for cloud address and don’t have a permanent physical backups, plus backing up and . address. NZ Post charges a ridiculous amount to David won’t be able to attend the Kapiti meeting redirect mail from one business/non-profit box to in person this month but will be available via video another, so it is cheaper to hire the existing box for link to answer any general questions and to cover another year while we get rid of all references to the the main topic. old address. They also don’t offer any way to If you would like to receive e-mail downsize the box (which would be cheaper to hire) announcements about upcoming Kapiti meetings, without changing the box number. please contact Don Niccol [email protected].

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CAPITAL APPLE – MAY 2018PAGE 2 Minor updates might not get mentioned at WWDC but could be released at the same time with a press release to cover the details. Developer Conference There have been rumours of a redesign of the Apple’s annual World-Wide Developer MacBook Air but timing is uncertain. Conference (WWDC) starts on Tuesday 5 June (NZ A refresh or replacement of the iPhone SE is due. time). We can expect a keynote event (5 AM to about There are rumours it might be coming in September 7 AM NZ time) during which Apple unveils the next with the rest of the iPhone models. major versions of iOS (12) and macOS (10.14) plus A product that might be released is Apple’s corresponding tvOS and watchOS updates, which “AirPower” wireless charging pad (for iPhone 8 and are probably due for release in September. The X, series 3 and AirPods with a new keynote can usually be watched live from Apple’s case). It was announced last year and promised for web site or using the Apple Events or WWDC app some point in 2018. on Apple TV and iOS devices. The video of the Don’t expect any major new models of iPhone, keynote is typically available for delayed viewing Apple TV or Apple Watch in June. They are likely to from Apple’s web site shortly after the event, and be announced in September. via the Apple Keynotes (e.g. through We’re long overdue for an updated (the iTunes) by the following day. current model was introduced in October 2014). I One important piece of information expected is won’t be holding my breath for that one, but if it what exactly Apple meant last year when they said does get updated again it usually happens around macOS 10.13 High Sierra would be the last version the same time as an iMac update. that can run 32-bit applications “without The iMac Pro was previewed at WWDC last year compromise”. We should find out what that means and released in December, so a new model is for running 32-bit applications on macOS 10.14. unlikely soon. The redesign of the modular Other sessions throughout the week reveal more is known to be coming in 2019, but we might see technical information mostly aimed at software something about it at WWDC. developers, but technically inclined users may find some topics interesting. Session videos are live Latest macOS and iOS updates coming soon streamed and available for delayed watching via Signs are pointing to the imminent release of Apple’s developer web site and in the WWDC app. macOS 10.13.5 (the next High Sierra update) and iOS As usual I will summarise and report the major 11.4, probably during WWDC if not sooner. announcements to WelMac members via email as Apart from the usual bug fixes and security soon as possible after the event. We will have updates, these versions may finally see the followup reports in the next issue of Capital Apple, availability of in iCloud, which was a and will be dedicating the next meetings in late June promised new feature for macOS 10.13 and iOS 11. If (Wellington) and early July (Kapiti) to analysis and enabled, this will sync your message storage discussion about the announcements. between devices via iCloud, e.g. if you delete a message or conversation on one device it will be Possible new Apple products soon deleted everywhere, and if you set up a new device Apple likes annual release cycles and there is a big it will immediately have access to your message list of products about to hit that mark. If you are history. It also reduces storage requirements on planning to buy a new Mac or iPad Pro in the near devices, though you might need more iCloud space future it would be wise to wait until June 5 to see if you want to keep a lot of message history or large what gets announced. attachments. Apple used the WWDC keynote last year to introduce new models of the iMac, MacBook Pro and That’s all, folks!! David Empson iPad Pro, and there were also refreshed MacBook and MacBook Air models. To contact me, email [email protected], or you can New Mac and iPad Pro models being available ring me at home (976 9755) soon would fit well with the northern hemisphere school and academic year which starts in September.

CAPITAL APPLE – MAY 2018PAGE 3 macOS 10.13.4 High Sierra: How is it looking now? by David Empson

Soon after the previous issue of Capital Apple was published, I bit the bullet and upgraded my main MacBook Pro to High Sierra (macOS 10.13.4). I had been putting it off due to lack of time to deal with known software compatibility issues, but I’ve pushed that aside for now by using a virtual machine to run some old software I still need. Most applications I use regularly have had compatibility updates or bug fixes for running on High Sierra. I’ve been installing updates as they were released (almost all of the updated applications still run on macOS 10.12 Sierra). In With SuperDuper, cloning your main drive is some cases I had to pay for version upgrades to get easy: pick your internal drive from the “Copy” official support for High Sierra. I’m not bothering to menu, your external drive from the “to” menu, and pay to upgrade some applications which I use rarely. the main part of the window explains what will happen when you click “Copy Now”. Testing with a Clone before upgrading It is a good idea to quit all other applications To prepare for High Sierra, I used a spare before starting the copy, and avoid using your computer to test application compatibility and gain computer until it has finished. If you have a lot of experience with the new OS. I started by cloning my data, the clone might take several hours, so running main computer to my spare computer, then it overnight is a good idea. For notebook models, upgraded the spare computer to High Sierra. don’t try to do a clone while running from battery. The cloning process involved putting the spare You will need to authenticate as an administrator computer into “Target Disk Mode” by starting it up (typically with the password you use to log in to with the T key held down, and connecting the two your Mac). computers via a suitable cable. Older Mac models Another software option is Carbon Copy Cloner could do this with a Firewire cable. Recent models from https://bombich.com. It is somewhat more mostly use . Adapters may be required expensive (NZ$60) but offers more features than if you are working with mixed generations. SuperDuper. It has a 30-day free trial. If you don’t have a spare computer (or it isn’t able Once the clone finishes, a spare computer can be to run the new macOS version), the same can be ejected in the same manner as external media, via its achieved using a spare external hard drive, which icon on the desktop or sidebar of a Finder window. must have enough capacity to fit everything on your You can then unplug the cables and shut down the internal drive. Cloning software will normally erase spare computer by holding down its power button. the drive first, so make sure you don’t have On startup it will boot from its internal drive with anything important on it. (I used a spare drive to the clone of your main computer. If you intend to test earlier macOS versions.) use both computers at the same time, you should I used SuperDuper! from Shirt Pocket Software. rename the spare computer via System Preferences > https://www.shirt-pocket.com Sharing, otherwise they will be trying to use the SuperDuper is free for basic cloning, but if you same name on your Wi-Fi network, and one of them pay for it (about NZ$45) it enables the “Smart will rename itself by adding a number after its name. Update” feature which saves time when updating If cloning to an external drive, you just need to an existing clone, plus scheduling and other start up your main computer from that drive, e.g. by advanced features. holding down the Option key during startup, which lets you pick a drive from which to boot. continued over page

CAPITAL APPLE – MAY 2018PAGE 4 In both cases you need to tread a little carefully converted to the new APFS file system, but I have while running from the clone: avoid running barely noticed the difference. software which may have side effects that interfere Some software which includes kernel extensions with your main computer. One in particular to watch require an extra step to authorise them (via System out for is email software: if you have set up Preferences > Security) before they work, e.g. virtual automatic rules for mail processing, running Mail on machine software. your spare computer may do things like move messages to another mailbox on that computer, Stability making them inaccessible to your main computer. The only issue I’ve encountered which concerned Junk mail processing may have a similar impact. me was a period during which the CPU was doing a Some applications have licensing restrictions lot of work with no obvious explanation (it was which may prevent them from being used on a clone getting hot and making the fans spin up, but no (either an external drive or a spare computer) significant CPU usage was showing in Activity without transferring the activation, or if you do run Monitor). I wasn’t able to track it down and it went them, they might stop working on your main away after a restart. computer. (Adobe and Microsoft products are common ones where this can be an issue.) Installation Problems My only remaining main concern for other Older applications which have problems people wanting to install High Sierra is that I’ve I have found the following older applications I seen a few cases of problems with the installer still use which have High Sierra compatibility issues. getting stuck. In one case, the person restarted the • FileMaker Pro 13 or earlier: crashes at random. computer and it was subsequently unable to boot, • Keynote 5.3 from iWork ’09: unable to run not even from the recovery volume. (I was able to presentations but can still edit them. get it working again using Internet Recovery but it • 2.3 from iWork ’09: crashes when required some manual cleanup to deal with the files trying to rename tables via the sidebar (can be left behind by the interrupted installation). avoided by using the Inspector instead). To protect against this risk, you must back up Otherwise seemed OK in several hours of use. your computer before upgrading to High Sierra. As • Several disk utilities which do not yet support an added safety precaution (in case you need to wipe the new APFS file system (they need to wait for High Sierra and revert to backup) I recommend Apple to publish technical details) but most work having two backups (on different drives). on Mac OS Extended (HFS+) volumes. Time Machine is fine for one of the backups, as long as you haven’t excluded any files. To get the Older applications which seem OK best possible “reference” backup with Time • 4.3 from iWork ’09: no problems found Machine, plan ahead so the pre-upgrade backup is yet but given its siblings are starting to the first backup of the day (ensuring it will be misbehave, I intend to move to the latest version. retained on the backup drive for a month). • iPhoto 9.6.1. I haven’t tested everything but For the second backup, a clone (e.g. with main features work. (I had already switched to SuperDuper) is a good idea, because it can be booted Photos a year or two ago but kept a working copy and used to run your previous OS for comparison. of iPhoto for reference.) If you need to restore from backup, you can do a full disk restore from a Time Machine backup using User Interface and general experience the recovery volume. See I can barely tell the difference between Sierra and https://support.apple.com/en-nz/HT201314 High Sierra. Most of the user interface is identical. Restoring from a clone can be done by booting There are obvious new features in some applicaitons, from the clone drive (via Option key at startup) and such as Photos, but most of the others are subtle. using the same cloning software to copy from the There have been a few technical changes. My clone back to the main drive. MacBook Pro has a solid state drive so it got As usual, I’m happy to answer any further questions members might have about OS upgrades.

CAPITAL APPLE – MAY 2018PAGE 5 RIP: Apple Airport, 1999-2018 by Josh Centers

was on the wall when Glenn Fleishman discussed possible replacements in 2015 (see “Alternatives to Apple’s Wi-Fi Base Stations,” 22 December 2015). While Apple ignored its AirPort base stations, the wireless industry was evolving, with mesh networking products like Eero becoming popular (see “Eero Provides Good Wi-Fi Coverage in a Handsome Package,” 25 June 2016). iMore’s Rene Ritchie suggested in a YouTube video that Apple decided that Wi-Fi routing has essentially become a solved problem and that it had nothing else to contribute. There’s truth in that — for most people, inexpensive wireless routers work well these days, and for those with larger spaces, mesh systems like the Eero have eliminated The AirPort line of wireless routers has passed the hassle of extending networks. I use a Wi-Fi away at the age of 18 after a several-year illness. router that I rent from my ISP for $3 per month, Apple made the announcement to 9to5Mac and and it works great. other media outlets. Its passing was not unexpected by the . (Some people seem shocked that I rent a router. When unveiled by in 1999, the AirPort When you consider that a good router starts at base station helped popularize wireless networking around US$150 these days — Wirecutter’s current at a time when broadband was just entering homes. recommendation is more than that — and that a It went through numerous industrial design and router generally lasts about 3–4 years, I’m paying hardware changes, and eventually split into three less than US$150 every 4 years for a commercial- products: the flagship AirPort Extreme, the smaller grade router that will be replaced for free if it AirPort Express with support for AirPlay, and the malfunctions. I explained my rationale in “How to AirPort Time Capsule, which combined an AirPort Ensure High-speed Internet Access When Buying a Extreme with a hard drive for use with the Mac’s New Home,” 18 May 2017.) Time Machine backup feature. If you still use an AirPort router, don’t panic. Your device will continue to work fine for the foreseeable future, and if major security issues come to light, Apple will likely release a firmware update, as it did late last year for the KRACK vulnerability (see “AirPort Base Station Firmware Updates 7.6.9 and 7.7.9,” 12 December 2017). Those who are invested in AirPort hardware for some reason can keep buying them while Apple’s stock lasts. We don’t recommend that for most people, though, and would encourage you to check out Wirecutter’s guides to routers and mesh- networking kits.

The AirPort’s decline was slow and hard to Copyright © 2018 TidBITS Publishing Inc. watch — Apple last revised the hardware in 2013 (see “802.11ac Promises Better Coverage, but Won’t https://tidbits.com/2018/04/27/rip-apple- Hit Advertised Speeds,” 13 June 2013). The writing -1999-2018/

CAPITAL APPLE – MAY 2018PAGE 6 Reveal Invisible Files on the Mac with a Keystroke by Adam Engst

Now and then, advanced Mac users need to your fingers remember when Command-. was the work with files or folders that are normally invisible universal “stop it!” keystroke on the Mac.) because their names start with a period. This need After you press that keyboard shortcut, all goes beyond revealing the ~/Library folder, hidden files and directories appear, grayed out so which we wrote about first in “Dealing with Lion’s you know they’re meant to be invisible, in all open Hidden Library” (20 July 2011) and covered again in Finder windows. Despite being grayed out, you can “Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Shift work with them like any other icons in the Finder, Key” (7 April 2017). double-clicking them, copying or moving them, Some Unix-level files and directories start with a opening them in an app by dragging to the app’s period so they are hidden by default, and many Dock icon, or even trashing them. It all works. That apps create such items to hide support files from the said, don’t go nuts—you’re not meant to see or user. I currently have 61 files and directories that interact with these files, so if you don’t know what start with a period at the top level of my home you’re doing, leave them alone. directory, one dating as far back as 2008. That was a file called .Maelstrom-data that must have been related to the game Maelstrom, a fun blast from the past. Most recently, and the event that was the impetus for this article, I needed to check to see if I had a public key in ~/.ssh. Because macOS is based on Unix, you can open Terminal and list all the files in a directory, including (For those who are paying close attention to the the invisible ones, with ls -asl (only -a is screenshots, the difference in what’s showing necessary, but I always use -asl to get hidden files, between the Terminal listing and the Finder file sizes, and a detailed listing). window is because ls puts the files that start with a capital letter together at the top, whereas the Finder However, sometimes you don’t want to mess doesn’t distinguish between cases when with Terminal, or it would just be easier if you could alphabetizing.) open one of these files in a text editor by dragging it As much as it might sound amusing to work with to the app’s Dock icon. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you invisible files showing, they can clutter the display, could just see these invisible files in a Finder so just press Command-Shift-. again to hide them. window? You can! As long as you remember the keyboard shortcut, it Just press Command-Shift-. and watch your becomes trivial to show invisible files, do what you invisible files appear. The shortcut is easy to need, and hide them again, all from the Finder. remember because the period is the character Unix uses to hide files and directories. (Bonus points to https://tidbits.com/2018/05/16/tipbits-reveal- those who flinch slightly when typing it because invisible-files-on-the-mac-with-a-keystroke/

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The Wellington Macintosh Society Incorporated is a non-profit editor or the Wellington Macintosh Society Inc. Copyright of trade- organisation formed in April 1984 with the following objectives: marks and trade names used remains with the owners at all times. • To exchange and disseminate information among the members Advertising rates: $35 full page, $20 half-page (members); $50 full concerning the computer arts and sciences. page, $35 half-page (non-members). For details, contact the editor. • To publish books, newsletters, magazines and periodicals for the benefit and education of members and the public. Home phone • To conduct and sponsor seminars, lectures and courses relating to Patron the computer arts and sciences. President David Empson 976 9755 • To provide technical assistance to members of the group. Vice President Shane Gordine N/A • To seek privileges and discounts for members. Secretary Andrew McPherson 971 1914 Subscriptions: $30 a year from date of joining. Treasurer Peter Kirby 478 5386 Website: http://www.welmac.org.nz Journal editor Graeme Moffatt 905 6321 Email: [email protected] (email addresses for committee Membership Secretary Shane Gordine 971 1914 members are available on the website) Committee Joseph Booth 526 5141 Graeme Moffatt 905 6321 Please contact the information officer for all enquiries regarding Martin McKendrick N/A meetings and other activities. Membership enquiries should be Information Officer Dennis Hamblin 478 9466 directed to the membership secretary. TheCAPITAL views expressed APPLE in this –journal MAY are 2018not necessarily those of the PAGE 8