On 2024-06-06 10:20, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
> How to disable the Focus function on an iMac? Preferably permanently!
>

Just go to Settings and remove all the foci...

....AFTER you turn OFF "Share focus across devices"

This is assuming you have the latest version of macOS of course.

:-)

On 6/6/24 1:33 PM, Alan wrote:
> On 2024-06-06 10:20, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
>> How to disable the Focus function on an iMac? Preferably permanently!
>>
>
> Just go to Settings and remove all the foci...
>
> ...AFTER you turn OFF "Share focus across devices"
>
>
> This is assuming you have the latest version of macOS of course.
>
> :-)

Thanks, looks like that took care of it. Have no idea how I managed to
accidentally turn it on in the first place!

--
…and I don't know anything about the mess-boys eating strawberries…
- Captain Queeg

On 6/6/24 5:17 PM, Alan Browne wrote:
> On 2024-06-06 15:59, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
>> On 6/6/24 1:33 PM, Alan wrote:
>>> On 2024-06-06 10:20, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
>>>> How to disable the Focus function on an iMac? Preferably permanently!
>>>>
>>>
>>> Just go to Settings and remove all the foci...
>>>
>>> ...AFTER you turn OFF "Share focus across devices"
>>>
>>>
>>> This is assuming you have the latest version of macOS of course.
>>>
>>> :-)
>>
>> Thanks, looks like that took care of it. Have no idea how I managed to
>> accidentally turn it on in the first place!
>
> Apple's opaque status and wording in all things related to focus don't
> help: you made me go look at the settings for focus.
>
> * Do Not Disturb shows - but it's not clear what state it's actually in
>   (A simple ON-OFF slider would do the trick).
>
> *Allowed People show "None allowed" under it - but drilling deeper and
> it shows: calls from anybody are allowed;
>
> Etc.  Settings on Mac has become very cruddy in layout and what it
> shows.  (Not to mention finer control of date/time formatting which has
> narrowed in scope).
>
>
Yup.

And one of my favorite befuddling Apple menus is the System Settings
main menu where they group functions in ways that make sense to them so
it's hard to find what you're looking for.

I just right-click on the SS icon in the dock which yields a simple
alphabetical listing. Much easier...

And don't get me started on the convoluted iOS Settings menu and sub-menus!

--
I am at the age where not finding a good parking space at an event is
enough to make me go homeus.

On Jun 6, 2024 at 8:35:39 PM EDT, "André G. Isaak" <agisaak@gm.invalid> wrote:

> When I put my Mac to sleep for the night, all the external hard drives
> spin up for a few minutes around once an hour or so which is irritating
> me. The screen does not wake up. I was wondering if anyone had any
> suggestions for how to prevent this.

I gave up on sleep/hibernate/etc. For similar reasons. Too much weird stuff.
I just shut down now. Booting from an SSD is plenty fast for me.

I realize this does not answer your question. Just stating my experience.

On 2024-06-06 16:09, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
> On 6/6/24 5:17 PM, Alan Browne wrote:
>> On 2024-06-06 15:59, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
>>> On 6/6/24 1:33 PM, Alan wrote:
>>>> On 2024-06-06 10:20, Colour Sergeant Bourne wrote:
>>>>> How to disable the Focus function on an iMac? Preferably permanently!
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Just go to Settings and remove all the foci...
>>>>
>>>> ...AFTER you turn OFF "Share focus across devices"
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This is assuming you have the latest version of macOS of course.
>>>>
>>>> :-)
>>>
>>> Thanks, looks like that took care of it. Have no idea how I managed
>>> to accidentally turn it on in the first place!
>>
>> Apple's opaque status and wording in all things related to focus don't
>> help: you made me go look at the settings for focus.
>>
>> * Do Not Disturb shows - but it's not clear what state it's actually in
>>    (A simple ON-OFF slider would do the trick).
>>
>> *Allowed People show "None allowed" under it - but drilling deeper and
>> it shows: calls from anybody are allowed;
>>
>> Etc.  Settings on Mac has become very cruddy in layout and what it
>> shows.  (Not to mention finer control of date/time formatting which
>> has narrowed in scope).
>>
>>
> Yup.
>
> And one of my favorite befuddling Apple menus is the System Settings
> main menu where they group functions in ways that make sense to them so
> it's hard to find what you're looking for.
>
> I just right-click on the SS icon in the dock which yields a simple
> alphabetical listing. Much easier...
>
> And don't get me started on the convoluted iOS Settings menu and sub-menus!
>

Yeah.. ...I'm not happy with the rearrangement of System Preferences
into System Settings either.

But it's all still there and with the search box, nothing is very hard
to find.

On 2024-06-06 20:35, André G. Isaak wrote:
> When I put my Mac to sleep for the night, all the external hard drives
> spin up for a few minutes around once an hour or so which is irritating
> me. The screen does not wake up. I was wondering if anyone had any
> suggestions for how to prevent this.
>
> I'm running a 2020 Retina 5K iMac under macOS 12.6.7. In my Energy Saver
> System Preferences, both 'enable power nap' and 'wake for network
> access' are UNchecked. 'put hard disks to sleep when possible' is checked.

I wrote a program to (amongst other things) keep my external spinning
disks awake during the day and then late in the evening it stops that
until morning. Alas, something deep in the OS doesn't play fair.
The program should be (like the Mac) not logging anything through the night.

Recent log:
06-05::23:03:41 Stopped Keep Disk Awake Threads.
06-06::01:50 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 1.000 MBi/hr
06-06::02:47 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
06-06::03:52 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
06-06::04:52 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
06-06::05:49 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
06-06::06:54 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 12288 0.000 MBi/hr
06-06::07:21 Cur Mem: 12288 Max Mem: 12288 1.000 MBi/hr
06-06::08:06:31 Started Keep Disk Awake Threads.

Sometimes it will go the whole night w/o waking more than once or twice.
(In the "daytime" that log hits 1/hour on the hour as designed).

--
British writing about the US can be condescending, but that there is
value in an outsiders’ perspective because they can “see the alarming
cracks in the wall the resident has stopped noticing… but also see the
grandeur of a room where the resident can only see the cracks.”
Jesse Armstrong.

On 6/9/24 7:40 PM, Percival John Hackworth wrote:

> Sounds like a dead or dying hard drive.
>
> Install a new disk into the machine and reinstall MacOS from the network
> (command-R from boot).
> Attach the old drive to the system with a USB cable. Amazon sells ones from
> Sabrent but there are others.
> When the new install asks if you want to migrate from another machine, select
> the old drive as the source OR use your latest Time Machine Backup.
>
Thanks guys! I kinda knew that was the position, - I was just hoping
that I might have overlooked some option for reading what was on the
drive. But short of re-building whatever the Master Boot Record is
called on a Mac, I do accept that this is unlikely.

I'm pretty sure this is just a backup computer and whatever is on it is
somewhere else as well so it just isnt worthwhile spending too much time
getting it working.

I also agree that this whole situation only arises because the drive is
on it's way out and the computer urgently needs throwing away, rather
than wasting time pulling it apart to put a new HD in it

Apple announce their AI as "Apple Intelligence" with the emphasis on
_personal_ and _private_.

Integrated of course across Apple apps. (... and 3rd party via App
Intents API).

Strong "action" oriented commands.

AI will be on device for most processes.

Private Cloud Compute for loads that can't be done on device - using
Apple Silicon based servers. No storage of your data.
Independent 3rd party source code verification.

Siri to get AI - and boy does she need it. (Recent use has come up with
a lot of flaws). Also remembers the recent context in Siri as well as
your cross app context over time.

Writing tools for various apps to rewrite messages (such as a mail
message) in different ways. Grammar checking, tone, etc. Auto TL;DR
summary generator, etc. and so on.

Reading tools to summarize incoming e-mails with relevant content.

Emoji generator (text what you want, it gens an "emoji" like
illustration. (silly fun).

ChatGPT 4o integration w/o an account. If you have a ChatGPT account,
then "paywall" features will be accessible as well...

(As soon as the Keynote mentioned ChatGPT - Apple stock shot up).

Looking forward it. Need devices compatible with the latest OS' of course.

Ref: WWDC - 2024 - Keynote (YouTube).

--
"It would be a measureless disaster if Russian barbarism overlaid
the culture and independence of the ancient States of Europe."
Winston Churchill

On 2024-06-10 15:18, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2024-06-10, Alan Browne <singularity@blackhole.org> wrote:
>>
>> Coming with the new iOS and Mac OS' this fall, from the Mac you can
>> access your iPhone (say in another room) to pretty much full
>> functionality. The iPhone itself stays locked.
>
> I've been waiting for them to roll this out along with the ability to
> control other people's iPhone/iPad screens remotely!

I'd be happy just to be able to control my iPhone when it's in another room.

--
"It would be a measureless disaster if Russian barbarism overlaid
the culture and independence of the ancient States of Europe."
Winston Churchill

On 2024-06-10 16:55, Your Name wrote:
> On 2024-06-10 18:44:43 +0000, Alan Browne said:
>
>> Apple announce their AI as "Apple Intelligence" with the emphasis on
>> _personal_ and _private_.
>>
>> Integrated of course across Apple apps.  (... and 3rd party via App
>> Intents API).
>>
>> Strong "action" oriented commands.
>>
>> AI will be on device for most processes.
>>
>> Private Cloud Compute for loads that can't be done on device - using
>> Apple Silicon based servers.  No storage of your data.
>> Independent 3rd party source code verification.
>>
>> Siri to get AI - and boy does she need it.  (Recent use has come up
>> with a lot of flaws).  Also remembers the recent context in Siri as
>> well as your cross app context over time.
>>
>> Writing tools for various apps to rewrite messages (such as a mail
>> message) in different ways.  Grammar checking, tone, etc.  Auto TL;DR
>> summary generator, etc. and so on.
>>
>> Reading tools to summarize incoming e-mails with relevant content.
>>
>> Emoji generator (text what you want, it gens an "emoji" like
>> illustration.  (silly fun).
>>
>> ChatGPT 4o integration w/o an account.  If you have a ChatGPT account,
>> then "paywall" features will be accessible as well...
>>
>> (As soon as the Keynote mentioned ChatGPT - Apple stock shot up).
>>
>> Looking forward it.  Need devices compatible with the latest OS' of
>> course.
>>
>> Ref: WWDC - 2024 - Keynote (YouTube).
>
> And *nobody* even knows why or what they would want the useless crap
> actually for ... the geek brigade just want it so big tech is happy to
> add it to everything and charge you more for doing it.  :-\
>
> Yet more pointless gimmick "features" added while still not fixing all
> the annoying bugs.

I recently read the Ken Follett book, "The Armour of Light" and it
mentioned the Luddite uprising against industrialization.

You were first to come to mind!

I've been using ChatGPT for a couple years, it's very good. An example:
I wrote a long letter in French but found it too casual for the intended
audience. I had ChatGPT change it to be more serious in tone. It
employed French formality a little too strongly, so I asked it to be
more Québecois in tone (and still formal). It handled it beautifully.

Here's another nice example:
"Please compose a three paragraph essay comparing large language models
to the admonishment in "Dune" forbidding the making of machines in the
likeness of the human mind."

Result:
"Large language models, such as GPT-3, share an intriguing parallel with
the cautionary tale presented in Frank Herbert's "Dune" regarding the
prohibition against creating machines in the likeness of the human mind.
In "Dune," the Butlerian Jihad has left a lasting imprint on the
universe, warning against the dangers of relying too heavily on
artificial intelligence. Similarly, large language models have raised
concerns about their potential consequences. While not machines in the
traditional sense, these models, like GPT-3, possess an immense capacity
to understand and generate human-like text. The cautionary undertone in
"Dune" echoes in contemporary discussions about the ethical implications
and control over powerful language models, hinting at the potential
risks of unbridled reliance on advanced artificial intelligence.

Both the Butlerian Jihad in "Dune" and the debates surrounding large
language models grapple with the idea of preserving human agency and
preventing the undue concentration of power. In Herbert's universe, the
ban on thinking machines aims to safeguard human independence and
prevent the creation of entities that might surpass or subjugate
humanity. In a similar vein, concerns surrounding large language models
center on the concentration of knowledge, influence, and decision-making
capabilities within the hands of a few organizations or individuals. The
comparison prompts reflection on the delicate balance between
technological progress and the need to ensure that such advancements
align with human values and autonomy.

Despite the cautionary elements, large language models like GPT-3 also
offer significant potential for positive impact. They have the capacity
to enhance communication, generate creative content, and aid in various
tasks. However, the key lies in developing responsible frameworks and
ethical guidelines to govern their use. Just as the universe in "Dune"
navigates the aftermath of the Butlerian Jihad, our society must grapple
with the challenges posed by advanced language models and work towards
harnessing their potential while ensuring safeguards against unintended
consequences. Ultimately, the comparison invites reflection on the
responsibility that comes with wielding powerful technologies and the
imperative to shape their trajectory in harmony with human values."

Which ain't bad. College profs have to use software to detect when
their students are handing (e-mailing in) assignments to be sure they're
not AI generated...

--
"It would be a measureless disaster if Russian barbarism overlaid
the culture and independence of the ancient States of Europe."
Winston Churchill

On 2024-06-08 01:37:35 +0000, Your Name said:

> On 2024-06-07 22:01:30 +0000, Alan Browne said:
>
>> On 2024-06-06 20:35, André G. Isaak wrote:
>>> When I put my Mac to sleep for the night, all the external hard drives
>>> spin up for a few minutes around once an hour or so which is irritating
>>> me. The screen does not wake up. I was wondering if anyone had any
>>> suggestions for how to prevent this.
>>>
>>> I'm running a 2020 Retina 5K iMac under macOS 12.6.7. In my Energy
>>> Saver System Preferences, both 'enable power nap' and 'wake for network
>>> access' are UNchecked. 'put hard disks to sleep when possible' is
>>> checked.
>>
>> I wrote a program to (amongst other things) keep my external spinning
>> disks awake during the day and then late in the evening it stops that
>> until morning. Alas, something deep in the OS doesn't play fair.
>> The program should be (like the Mac) not logging anything through the night.
>>
>> Recent log:
>> 06-05::23:03:41 Stopped Keep Disk Awake Threads.
>> 06-06::01:50 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 1.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::02:47 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::03:52 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::04:52 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::05:49 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 11264 0.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::06:54 Cur Mem: 11264 Max Mem: 12288 0.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::07:21 Cur Mem: 12288 Max Mem: 12288 1.000 MBi/hr
>> 06-06::08:06:31 Started Keep Disk Awake Threads.
>>
>> Sometimes it will go the whole night w/o waking more than once or twice.
>> (In the "daytime" that log hits 1/hour on the hour as designed).
>
> There are all sorts of things MacOS does behind-the-scenes during
> "idle" times, Spotlight indexing, Time Machine, update checking,
> malware checking, etc. being just a few examples. Sleep mode doesn't
> stop all those things happening. Other apps running will also have
> things the do.

I would suspect Time Machine is the culprit. I don't use it myself -- I
just keep the system backed up on a Samsung flash drive because I don't
really need up-to-the-minute backup -- but I realize a lot of people do.

I normally just sleep the computer and never have a noise problem like
the OP described.

However, on my Ye Olde system on an old G3 MDD I did try sleeping it
all the time and I did notice noise like that, so I just went back to
keeping it turned off all the time.

> The simple solution, as someone else said, is to just shut the computer
> down when you're not using it - there's zero reason for it to be
> running 24-7, unless it's an internet server that others need to access
> while you're asleep.