2018
Todd Olthoff | Marriage & Relationship Advice, Devotional Writing, Technology Reviews/Tutorials | 2019 | 2017

macOS Mojave Server Part 3: Profile Manager Set Up

09/12/18 16:41 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I cover how to set up Profile Manager in Mojave. There are some differences in how it is set up including not having the requirement of using Open Directory to use the service and the intermediate certificate being set up through the start of Profile Manager instead of it being set up with Open Directory first.

In a future screencast I will cover how to use Open Directory and when you might want to do that. I will also walk through the features of Profile Manager and how to use it to manage your own devices.

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macOS Mojave Server Part 2: New Installation

02/12/18 16:38 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I walk through a new installation of MacOS Mojave Server. I show you the set up of a new server long with a walk through of the features that are left in macOS Server and set the stage for how to move forward with the server in it’s new form.

In future screencasts we will cover each of the features in depth so you can use and control your how home server.

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macOS Mojave Part 2: Software Update & Screenshot

09/11/18 16:36 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover the new Software Update Utility and the updates to the Screenshot tool built into macOS Mojave. With some of the refinements made to the OS Apple is fine tuning how it handles things in macOS and is making it closer to what we see in iOS. This is not so much a merging of the OSes but rather bringing some similarities to both platforms so things look familiar on both OSes.





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macOS Mojave Part 1: Finder & Desktop Updates

02/11/18 16:32 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I start a series taking a look at some of the updates to macOS Mojave. In this particular screencast I take a look at some of the upgrades made to the Finder and to the desktop which help to make the process of working on your Mac a lot smoother. I cover the view changes, in finder editing options, the new dark mode, stacks on the desktop, and the new add from iPhone or iPad feature.





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macOS Mojave Server Part 1: Upgrade Walk Thru

27/10/18 16:27 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I walk through the upgrade process from High Sierra Server to Mojave Server. With this change Apple is killing most of their server services except Profile Manager and Open Directory which in essence is moving macOS Server to strictly becoming a device management application.

For those of you already running server and wondering what will happen to your existing set up after you upgrade to Mojave, I am doing this walk thru so you can see ahead of time how Apple handles the transition. As you will see you will want to make sure you have a clone of your server if you want to try this but in the end you will move likely want to stay with your previous install as all of your services will stop working.

I will continue to look at other options for server software and will also walk through the Mojave version of server for those who want to use it in conjunction with other services to create the server package that is best for you.



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Smart Home Part 9: Nest Hello Doorbell Walk Thru

12/10/18 15:58 Filed in: Technology
In this screencast tutorial I cover setting up the Nest Hello Video Doorbell. I walk through what is inside the box and the installation of the doorbell itself. I then cover the major features included in the Nest Application for the doorbell including the Nest subscription plan.

This is a part of an ongoing series I am doing on setting up my smart home and working through the issues that come up with the installation and set up of devices that are not always designed to talk to one another. I will also be showing how to do some home automation once those devices are installed so watch for future screencasts outlining this.

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Smart Home Part 8: Nest Protect Install & Set Up

05/10/18 15:41 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover the installation and set up the Nest Protect Smoke & CO2 Alarms. I show you what the initial unboxing and set up looks like and walk through the application, the types of alerts you get and how the Protects show up in HomeKit using Homebridge to get them to be connected to the HomeKit application.

This is a part of an ongoing series I am doing on setting up my smart home and working through the issues that come up with the installation and set up of devices that are not always designed to talk to one another. I will also be showing how to do some home automation once those devices are installed so watch for future screencasts outlining this.

As always thanks for your support and please subscribe, like, share, and favorite these videos so others can find them on the internet.

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Smart Home Part 7: Homebridge Harmony Crash Fix

28/09/18 17:24 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover how to fix an annoying crash that can happen with the Harmony Plugin and in situations where you have a lot of devices connected to HomeBridge.

I show you the cause of the crash and how to fix it on your Mac. Then I go into an automation I set up to fix the issue when I am not at my Mac and need to use my iOS device.

I want to thank you all so much for your support even when I have been MIA lately. My wife had hip replacement surgery, two of my boy started college for the first time and we had to move them in, and I’ve had other projects come up that have taken my time. I am not abandoning the channel even though Apple has chosen to retire macOS server as I have a lot of other interests in doing screencasts to related to the Mac and technology in general.

I couldn’t do this without your support and encouragement. So thanks again and I look forward to producing more content!

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YouTube Channel Update: Where Have I Been?

21/09/18 17:21 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this update I give some information about where I have been and what I’ve been up to. I’ve had to take a bit of a break due to some family issues and projects I’ve had going, but I’m back and looking forward to doing some more content for the channel.

If you have any feedback on software or topics you would like me to cover please leave them in the comments on my channel or email me at todd@toddolthoff.com.

Thanks so much for all of your support. This community has been awesome to me and I am grateful that you view my content on a regular basis! You are the best subscribers on the internet!
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macOS Server Replacement Part 2: VPN Enabler

24/06/18 11:08 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I cover how to replace the VPN service in macOS Server that will be deprecated in upcoming versions of server. I look at a free application called VPN Enabler as a way to enable the VPN service that is built into every macOS. I show you how to take your settings from macOS Server for VPN and transfer them to VPN Enabler and then start and run the VPN service to take over the service on your own Mac.

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macOS Server Replacement Part 1: DNS Enabler

16/06/18 11:06 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial, I start to take a look at services that can be used to replace the macOS Server services that Apple is deprecating in future releases of their server app.

In this screencast I look at an application called DNS Enabler by Cutedge Systems (https://cutedgesystems.com). This application puts a GUI interface to setting up and enabling the DNS Server that is built into macOS. I walk through how to set it up and transfer your DNS settings from macOS to the DNS Enabler.

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OwnCloud Part 7: iOS Client Set up

01/06/18 11:05 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover how to set up and use the iOS client for OwnCloud which allows you to access your files on your own OwnCloud Server for Mac. I walk through all of the features and show you the options you have while accessing your server from your iOS device.

If you haven’t already set up your own OwnCloud Server on your Mac you may want to watch the other videos in this series to get started.



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OwnCloud Part 6: Mac Client Set Up

25/05/18 11:03 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover how to set up the Mac Client for your OwnCloud Server for Mac set up. I cover how to connect to your server and download and sync your files and folders with your Mac devices.

If you haven’t already set up your OwnCloud server on your Mac, you may want to review my previous videos that walk you through the process. As always thanks for your support and feedback.

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OwnCloud Part 5: Contacts & Calendars

18/05/18 11:00 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover how to set up the contacts and calendars plugin’s for OwnCloud for Mac. With Apple deprecating the contacts and calendars service in macOS Server OwnCloud could be a replacement for what you previously set up on your Mac Server. I cover how to add the plugins to OwnCloud and I walk thru the features found in each plugin. Based on what is there including links to adding your calendars to your phone, it looks like a good solution to move to.

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OwnCloud Part 4: External Storage

27/04/18 14:51 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I continue my look at OwnCloud for Mac and address external storage and OwnCloud. I use WebDAV as an example because many of you are looking for replacements to the services that are being deprecated by Apple in their Server Application.

In this screencast I show how to set external storage up and demonstrate how to connect to WebDAV and what it looks like to add files to you webDAV folder and see how they load to OwnCloud itself.

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Smart Home Part 6: LaunchControl Keep Homebridge Running

21/04/18 14:46 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover an application called LaunchControl by Soma-Zone Software (http://www.soma-zone.com/LaunchControl/) which will help you keep your homebridge instance running and auto launch at reboot.

I have received a lot of questions about how to keep homebridge alive when a Mac reboots or the service crashes for some reason. When this happens it can leave you without access to your non HomeKit devices and cause a lot of issues. To help solve that LaunchControl is a front end for controlling launchd which is used to auto launch applications or services and in this case I show you how to set it up to keep homebridge running at all times.

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OwnCloud Part 3: File Sharing

02/04/18 14:44 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I continue my look at OwnCloud as a macOS Server replacement and take a look at the File Sharing Service built Into OwnCloud. I cover how to upload and download files, browse the file sharing interface and the various features included in the application. OwnCloud offers a great option for file sharing and sync across your devices especially if you don't want your files public and want to control end to end how they are stored and the security of those files.



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OwnCloud Part 2: Settings & Open Directory

24/03/18 14:40 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial, I cover the basic settings found in OwnCloud and walk you through how to connect your OwnCloud instance to the Open Directory of your macOS Server. With Apple removing most of their server functionality I thought I would do some screencasts on possible server replacements. OwnCloud is a great solution in that it can replace many of the options you may have been using macOS Server for and has great sync services across all your devices. I will continue to cover more of these features in upcoming videos and will also take a look at other options as well. Feel free to leave a comment if you have a special request of something you would like me to look at.

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Smart Home Part 5: Homebridge Harmony Hub Set Up

18/03/18 14:37 Filed in: Technology
harmony-hub-home-automation-control-hub-and-app
In this screencast tutorial I cover how to set up a Harmony Hub to run with Homebridge so you can control your devices using Siri and HomeKit.

If you haven’t viewed my previous screencasts please take a look at these below first before you view this screencast as I am building on the previous one’s:

Smart Home Part 1: Homebridge Installation & Set Up: https://youtu.be/iOgtOG4Nvc8

Smart Home Part 2: Homebridge Nest Device Set Up: https://youtu.be/T8vi4cN-JtE

Smart Home Part 3: Apple HomePod Review: https://youtu.be/KRDKwRERSkA

Smart Home Part 4: Logitech Harmony Hub Install & Set Up: https://youtu.be/-eKSaTD6J5I

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Smart Home Part 4: Logitech Harmony Hub Install & Set Up

12/03/18 13:53 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover another smart home tech product called the Logitech Harmony Hub. With all of the smart assistants out there for other household needs one of the things that can be forgotten about is our home entertainment centers. These usually include multiple remotes and can be a pain to manage. Logitech tries to fix the with a hub for your entertainment center that works as a universal remote and also controls other things like some of your smart home tech. It can also be integrated with other smart assistants like Amazon’s Echo to bring voice control to your home theater.

In this screencast I cover the installation and set up of the Harmony Hub to get you up and running with the device. In a future screencast I will cover how to integrate the harmony hub into your smart home set up.

As always thanks for you support. Please subscribe to get more of my content and like and favorite these videos so others can find them.

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OwnCloud Part 1: Installation & Set Up

05/03/18 13:51 Filed in: Technology
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In this screencast tutorial I cover how to set up an OwnCloud Server on your Mac to replace some of the services that will no longer be available in macOS Server as of June 2018.

I cover how to install and use an application called Docker (https://www.docker.com) to set up a virtual machine to run your OwnCloud Server inside. I also cover how to set up OwnCloud and get it launched and ready to configure.

If you find this content helpful please subscribe and hit that like button. Also if you have ideas for other shows or questions feel free to leave them below.

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Smart Home Part 3: Apple HomePod Review

18/02/18 13:45 Filed in: Technology
HomePod-Apple
In this screencast tutorial I so a review and walk through of Apple’s new HomePod. I’m doing something different to try to introduce some of these devices with a combination of review and walk through to help you get an overall view of the product first to decide is you want it add it to your smart home and second if you do choose to pick one up, have a walk through of the set up and features. So let me know what you think!

The HomePod is Apple’s foray into the smart speaker market which has been dominated by Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home. Where Apple is different is their attempt to selling the music side of the speaker first with voice assistant technology added in. This comes at a premium as the speaker comes at a $349 price tag and which is their only option while Echo and Google Home have a cheaper entry point. But once you listen to it you can hear that Apple has put a lot of tech into the HomePod. The other advantage is being able to use Siri with Homekit out of the box is a huge plus and is of particular interest to our topic of looking at smart home technology to help us control our smart home devices.

In this screencast we will walk through he unboxing, set up and testing of the HomePod to see if it fits in your own Smart Home set up.

As always thanks for your support. If like my screencasts please like, favorite and share them with others. As always thanks for all your support.

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macOS Server WebDAV Replacement

10/02/18 13:39 Filed in: Technology
Webdavnav
In this screencast tutorial I start a series I will be doing from time to time on how to replace components of macOS Server since Apple’s announcement of the change of focus to being more of a Mobile Device Management Solution instead of a full server. If you missed that previous screencast you can see it at the link below along with a link to Apple’s announcement.

In this screencast I cover an application that takes care of an issue users of the current version of macOS Server have been having and that is connecting to their WebDAV Shares. Apple deprecated the service in the most recent release and it has caused some issues for many people. I found a great application that takes care of all the headaches of configuring the server and that is WebDAVNav Server by Schimera Pty Ltd.

In this screencast I cover how to set the server up, how to connect to it on your local network and remotely using Safari and Documents by Readdle Software. They also have a WebDAV Nav+ App which let’s you browse your shares as well on iOS devices.

As always thanks for your support. Please subscribe like and share so others can find these screencasts.

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macOS Server: The Future of Apple's Server Product

29/01/18 13:56 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
Well Apple made a big announcement this week for it’s Server Product (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208312). It is changing direction to move the current product towards Mobile Device Management and storage management and away from traditional server services. This means Apple is deprecating most of the server product including:






 -Calendar
-Contacts
-Mail
-Messages
-VPN
-Websites
-Wiki
-DHCP
-DNS
-NetInstall

They did provide potential replacements for each service in their support article which means that more and more of our server builds seem to be moving towards SaaS or software as a service types of solutions instead of one nicely bundled software package.

In this screencast I walk through those changes with some thoughts on timing and some things you can do now to protect yourself from having your server go obsolete before you want it to in spring of this year. I also talk about the fact that I will be doing screencasts on the options you have going forward to help you make the transition.

It is a sad day for those of us who have loved the server interface and all that it had to offer but it is also an opportunity to learn new things and new ways of running server services on our Macs.

As always I will be here to help as best I can and will continue bringing your screencasts to help you learn to do more things with your Mac including server replacements, more on smart home set ups, and Apple software and hardware tutorials and reviews.

Thanks for all your support! I love exploring new software for Macs and this presents another great opportunity to grow!



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High Sierra Server Part 11: Network Configuration: Non Apple Routers

19/01/18 14:11 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I cover the basics of setting up some of your network settings to work with macOS Server using a Non Apple Router. I cover router considerations, how to set up a static DHCP reservation for your server, & how to check to make sure that reservations shows up in the right DNS fields to allow your server to function properly on your network.







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High Sierra Server Part 10: Network Configuration-Apple Routers

14/01/18 14:08 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I cover the basics of setting up some of your network settings to work with macOS Server using an Apple Router. I cover router considerations, how to set up a static DHCP reservation for your server, & how to check to make sure that reservations shows up in the right DNS fields to allow your server to function properly on your network.






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High Sierra Server Part 9: Clean Install

06/01/18 14:06 Filed in: Technology
OS X Server
In this screencast tutorial I cover how to do a clean install of your operating system and the Server application. There are times when starting over is necessary and the safest thing to do especially when things stop working! I show you how to prepare for the clean install and walk through the steps of what the clean install looks like.

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