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HowTo: Keyboard Remapper (Using Karabiner-Elements)(Mac)

Karabiner is a powerful keyboard (& mouse button) customiser for the Mac. This software is used by those who wish to reassign one or more keys on a keyboard for various reasons:

  • faulty keys can be reassigned to unused ones on your keyboard;
  • to create a multi language keyboard on your main or alternate keyboard;
  • Mac gamers can use this to assign keys to WinTel only devices or even older ones whose driver no longer works due to a system upgrade. I have a Razer Orbweaver that no longer has a functional
    driver for recent
    versions of macOS. I will use this as a demonstration of how to make it work again! Here is how...

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HowTo: PDF: Combine using Apple Preview (Quick Version)

I have often found that I need to either add additional, delete, extract, or replace pages within a PDF document. The addition of extra pages also involves merging the PDFs – either by appending or inserting pages at a specific place within the document. All by using Apple Preview.

I will cover each of these in my Apple-Q How To Tutorials.

Once an Apple-Bug magazine is converted to PDF by our Editor and sent to me for uploading I may find an error. Instead of sending it back to get corrected it is often easier to just insert the corrected article (as a PDF) into the original.

This tutorials shows a very simple method of combining PDFs including deletion of pages.

Here is how...(8 Steps)

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HowTo: PDF: Combine Using Apple Preview

I have often found that I need to either add additional, extract, or replace pages within a PDF document. The Addition of extra pages also involved merging the PDFs – either by appending or inserting pages at a specific place within the document. All by using Apple Preview.

I will cover each of these in my Apple-Q How To Tutorials.

Once an Apple-Bug magazine is converted to PDF by our Editor and sent to me for uploading I may find an error.
Instead of sending it back to get
corrected it is often easier to just

insert the corrected article (as a PDF) into the original.

This tutorials shows a very simple method of combining PDFs including deletion of pages.

Here is how...

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HowTo: PDF: Extract Selected Pages using Apple Preview (Quick Version)

I have often found that I need to either add additional, delete, extract, or replace pages within a PDF document. The addition of extra pages also involves merging the PDFs – either by appending or inserting pages at a specific place within the document. All by using Apple Preview.

I will cover each of these in my Apple-Q How To Tutorials.

Once an Apple-Bug magazine is published I often extract selected articles from it and place them on our web site for those who may be interested in particular topics covered within the Apple-Bug. To do this a just extract pages from it and save them as a separate document.

This tutorials shows a very simple method of extracting pages from a PDF and saving them in a separate PDF document.

Here is how...(in 5 steps)

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HowTo: PDF: Extract Selected Pages using Apple Preview

I have often found that I need to either add additional, extract, or replace pages within a PDF document. The Addition of extra pages also involved merging the PDFs – either by appending or inserting pages at a specific place within the document. All by using Apple Preview.

I will cover each of these in my Apple-Q How To Tutorials.

Once an Apple-Bug magazine is published I often extract selected articles from it and place them on our web site for those who may be interested in particular topics covered within the Apple-Bug. To do this a just extract pages from it and save them as a separate document.

This tutorials shows a very simple method of extracting pages from a PDF and saving them in a separate PDF document.

Here is how...

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HowTo: PDF- Delete Pages using Apple Preview (Quick Version)

I have often found that I need to either add additional, delete, extract, or replace pages within a PDF document. The addition of extra pages also involves merging the PDFs – either by appending or inserting pages at a specific place within the document. All by using Apple Preview.

I will cover each of these in my Apple-Q How To Tutorials.

This tutorials shows a very simple method of deleting pages in PDFs using Apple Preview.

Here is how...(5 Steps)

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HowTo: PDF: Delete Pages using Apple Preview

I have often found that I need to either add additional, delete, extract, or replace pages within a PDF document. The addition of extra pages also involves merging the PDFs – either by appending or inserting pages at a specific place within the document. All by using Apple Preview.

I will cover each of these in my Apple-Q How To Tutorials.

This tutorials shows a very simple method of deleting pages in PDFs using Apple Preview.

Here is how...

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HowTo Collection: Apple Preview

Tutorials in this collection include:

  • Batch Convert Photos (eg HEIC to JPEG)(2022-01)
  • Create a Signature to Sign Forms(Mac)(2021-02)
  • Hide Personal Information within Screenshot (2020-09)
  • PDF- Extract Selected Pages using Preview(2023-06)
  • PDF- Delete Pages using Preview(2023-06)
  • PDF- Combine using Preview(2023-06)
  • (Quick)- PDF- Extract Selected Pages using Preview(2023-06)
  • Quick)- PDF- Combine using Preview(2023-06)
  • PDF- Create From Multiple Photos (2023-06)
  • (Quick)- PDF- Create From Multiple Photos(2023-06)
  • (Quick)- PDF- Delete Pages using Preview(2023-06)

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Cloud: New NextCloud app (iPhone)

The NextCloud app for iOS has been around for many years but was not overly friendly. I find this new version easier and much more intuitive.

The NextCloud app allows mobile devices (iPad, iPhone,...) to assess a NextCloud Server which is what the Apple-Q- Cloud is. So you can use it to access and view files (in particular PDF files like Apple- Q HowTo Tutorials, Apple-Bug magazines, and Selected Articles).

Here is how...(there is also an iPad version of this tutorial)

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Cloud: New NextCloud App (iPad)

Apple-Q HowTo Tutorial 2022

The NextCloud app for iOS has been around for many years but was not overly friendly. I find this new version easier and much more intuitive.

The NextCloud app allows mobile devices (iPad, iPhone,...) to assess a NextCloud Server which is what the Apple-Q-Cloud is. So you can use it to access and view files (in particular PDF files like Apple-Q HowTo Tutorials, Apple-Bug magazines, and Selected Articles).

Here is how...

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HowTo Video: Access Apple-Q Meeting Server(Discord) (from Applications)

Video on how to access our Apple-Q Meeting Server (Discord) including joining a Meeting, turning your camera on & off, muting & un-muting audio, and quitting Discord after the meeting.
Videos in this series (in order):

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HowTo Video: Re-enter Apple-Q Meeting Server(Discord)(from Dock)

If you followed the previous HowTo Video: Access Apple-Q Meeting Server and Quit Discord while you were still in the Meeting, then all that you have to do is start Discord again and you will still be located there. Also if you quit Discord without logging off, then restarting Discord will automatically log you in again.
Videos in this series (in order):

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HowTo Video: Access Apple-Q Meeting Server (from Dock)

Video on how to access our Apple-Q Meeting Server (via Discord in the Dock) including joining a Meeting, turning your camera on & off, muting & un-muting audio, and quitting Discord after the meeting.
Videos in this series (in order):

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HowTo Video: Drag Discord to the Dock

Instead of starting the Discord app from the Applications folder each time that you wish to join an Apple-Q Meeting, you can drag Discord to the Dock and start it from there. Here is how...
Videos in this series (in order):

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HowTo Video: Re-enter Apple-Q Meeting Server(Discord)(from Applications)

If you followed the previous HowTo Video: Access Apple-Q Meeting Server and Quit Discord while you were still in the Meeting, then all that you have to do is start Discord again and you will still be located there. Also if you quit Discord without logging off, then restarting Discord will automatically log you in again.
Videos in this series (in order):

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Apple-Q HowTo Video: Meetings Server Access

Once you have downloaded the Discord app, registered an account, and accepted the invitation to the Apple-Q Meetings Server, it is very easy to access it and join in.

Here is a video...

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HowTo Video: Re-login without a password

Once you log into the Apple-Q web site you often do not have to log in again with your password. This is due to the security authentication process that is used. Passkeys are exchanged with the site and is remembered by your web browser. So all that is required is for you to Grant Access.

Depending on your settings within your browser it may also keep this passkey active even after you close your web browser.

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HowTo Video: Log in and access the Apple-Bug (Safari)

Short video on how easy it is to log in and access the Apple-Bug Magazine.

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HowTo Video: Log in and access the Apple-Bug (Firefox)

Short video on how easy it is to log in and access the Apple-Bug Magazine.

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HowTo: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac

Apple Macs come with a Hardware Diagnostic Tool (formally called Apple Hardware Test) which few know about and, due to this, it is rarely used. So if your think that your Mac might have a hardware problem you can run this tool to test it. It does not do an extensive test, simply tests that the hardware is working, so you may need to do further testing if you feel there is a hardware problem that was not detected.
I have written a series of HowTo Tutorials called Clean Your Mac to help you diagnose and fix problems
with your Mac – both hardware and software.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Mac: Start T2 Mac from an External Drive

If you have a Mac with Apple’s T2 Security Chip (see the list in this tutorial) you will need to change a setting to allow it to start up from an external drive. External startup is disabled so that some unauthorised person is unable to access your Mac using their own startup drive. However if your internal drive becomes corrupted or fails it is good to be able to connect an external drive to either continue using or recover your internal drive.
Here is how...

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HowTo- Apple-Q Web Sites- Easy Access (Mac,Safari)

Now that the Apple-Q and the Apple-Q-Cloud sites are linked (requiring a single login) it has become very easy to navigate between these sites and the Apple-Q-Core site via the Members’ Abyss menu on the main site. If you have your log in details saved you can even do so (almost) seamlessly.

Here is how...

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HowTo- Apple-Q Web Sites- Easy Access (Mac,Firefox)

Now that the Apple-Q and the Apple-Q-Cloud sites are linked (requiring a single login) it has become very easy to navigate between these sites and the Apple-Q-Core site via the Members’ Abyss menu on the main site. If you have your log in details saved you can even do so (almost) seamlessly.

Here is how...

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HowTo- Firefox- Secure Cookies & Exceptions

Site cookies were originally designed to store your preferences for a particular web site however some sites abuse this by collecting additional personal data. Some cookies can even track you across multiple sites (called cross-site cookies). You could totally block cookies however many sites do not function correctly if you do this.

There is a compromise. You can choose to block cross-site cookies, delete all cookies when you close Firefox, and even add exceptions for those sites that you trust (like Apple-Q😀).

Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Cloud: iPad App

Nextcloud Server is used to run the Apple-Q-Cloud. Nextcloud also has (client) apps that run on the Mac, iPad, and iPhone. The Mac version allows you to synchronise a folder on your Mac with one on the Apple-Q-Cloud. So you could, for example, have the full, automatically updated collection Apple-Q Tutorials on your Mac.
The iPad/iPhone app does that and much more. You can view the whole Apple-Q-Cloud within the app and selectively chose which tutorials to keep a local copy of along with which folder you wish to sync.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Cloud: New Apple-Q Tutorial Alert

The is a very underused feature of macOS called Folder Actions. It allows you to attach an action to a folder in the Finder. The screenshot below shows some of these. In this tutorial I am going to add a Folder action that watches the Apple-Q HowTo Tutorial (Synced) folder an alert you when a new tutorial has been added.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Cloud: Share Large eMail Attachments

You may wish send a friend some files (eg photos) via email but your email server will not allow it. Some email providers limit email attachment to only a few MB however by using the Apple-Q-Cloud you can send attachments of up to 1000MB.

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Cloud Sync (Mac)

Ever wanted to have the whole Apple-Q HowTo Tutorial collection immediately available on your Mac and have it automatically update whenever a new tutorial is created? It can be done. In fact I use this feature to
backup the entire Apple-Q-Cloud to two other Macs
The NextCloud Server that we use to power the Apple-Q-Cloud has a Desktop app that you can use to sync all or part of the contents of a NextCloud Server that you have access to – in this
case the Apple-Q-Cloud.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q HowTo: Gramps: Import Family Tree with Media

One of the biggest problems that I have had with importing my family trees into an application is making certain that the media remains attached to the entries in my imported family tree. The biggest problem is when that media is placed all over the drive and not in a single location. I have covered this in another tutorial but the best thing that you can do is to make sure that you place all of your media within a dedicated folder before you attach it to your family tree (no matter what app you are using).
If you are transferring your family tree between two different Gramps installations then you should Backup your family tree using Gramps then Import this backup into the second installation of Gramps (there are HowTo tutorial about this).
So this tutorial assumes that your media is all within one parent media folder. It is also assumed that you
have exported your family tree from your app as a GEDCOM file.
I have covered this topic with webtrees and I thought that I would do the same with Gramps.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Tutorials: Download All or Whole Topic

The main Apple-Q site and the Apple-Q-Core are handy when you wish to access a single
HowTo Tutorial, however downloading all of the individual tutorials on a particular topic
would require a lot of work.
Here is where the Apple-Q-Cloud proves to be very useful – in just a few clicks you could
download all of the tutorials on a topic or even the whole Apple-Q HowTo Tutorial
collection!
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Sites Integration- Main, Cloud, Core (2022-04)

One of the most common things members ask me is how to access the Apple-Q-Core and Apple-Q-Cloud in order to access our over 1000 Apple-Q Publications (HowTo Tutorials, Apple-Bug, Selected Articles, and more). I have written Apple-Q HowTo Tutorials, placed the links in the Apple-Bug, and even send them Favourite & Bookmark links to add to their browser and include in their browser menu bar... but still they ask!

So now that the Apple-Q-Cloud is linked to the Main Apple-Q site, logging into the main site allows them complete access to both sites!

The Apple-Q-Core requires a separate login – but by using a simple step, it can be almost automatic as well.

Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Meetings Server: Quick Guide to Accessing

This is a quick tutorial on how to install, set up, and connect to the Apple-Q Meetings
Server using the Discord app for macOS. This can be used for Virtual Meetings and
Training. It allows an unlimited number of members to join other members on-line for a
group chat session. Video is also supported for up to 25 people – but this will not be
covered here.
This tutorial skips several steps and assumes that you something about installing
applications. You may be asked for permission to access microphone, camera, and keyboard
during the setup.
Either your Discord username or About Me needs to include
your real name and membership number.
We suggest that you create a username of your choice but include
an About Me that has your name and Apple-Q membership
Number.
We use this to make sure only Apple-Q Members have access to
the server.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Web Site: Members’ Login (2022-04)

Apple-Q uses Single Sign On to securely log into its main site via an Authentication Server located on the Apple-Q-Cloud Site. You do not need to go there – you will be redirected there automatically when you try to login.Doing this also allows you to download the contents of the Apple-Q-Cloud directly from our main site. This includes the Apple-Q HowTo Tutorials, Apple-Bug, & Selected Articles.Members will be issued with an individual login. Once you are logged into the site I strongly suggest that you change the initial password that you have been given. You can do this by either going to the Password Reset Help page or by reading the tutorial:Apple-Q HowTo- Apple-Q Web Site- Reset or Change Password. The process is very simple and logs you onto the Apple-Q-Cloud at the same time! Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q-Web Site: Reset or Change Your Password (2022)
Apple-Q uses Single Sign On to securely log into its main site via a Secure 0Auth2
Authentication Server located on the Apple-Q-Cloud Site. So in order to change your
password you will need to do so on that site.
There are two reasons why you may wish to reset your password:
either you no longer know it (Forgot your password);
you just wish to change it to another one (maybe due to
security issues or you were given a default one)
(Change your password).
Both methods are covered here. Here’s how...
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HowTo Collection: Gramps (2022)

Here is a list of all of my completed tutorials about Gramps (currently 18).
Research, organise and share your family tree with Gramps.
Gramps is a free software project and community. We strive to produce a genealogy program that is
both intuitive for hobbyists and feature-complete for professional genealogists. It is a community project, created, developed and governed by genealogists.
(https://gramps-project.org/introduction-WP/)

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HowTo: Apple-Q Meetings Server: Name & Membership Number

Just a quick tutorial to cover how to add an About Me that includes your Real Name and
Apple-Q Membership Number.
We have people on our Meetings Server who are not easy to identify as Apple-Q Members.
We need to do this to be certain that only Apple-Q Members have access to our server –
unauthorised users could cause problems for our server and may even cause our server to be
banned.
We still like the fact that members can feel
relaxed and use their favourite username, so we
suggest that they simply add an About Me Note
to their Profile. It is very easy!
Here is how...

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HowTo: Submit Apple-Q Proxy Form (2022)(Mac)

This is a tutorial about how to fill out and send the Apple-Q Proxy Form for the 2022 AGM. We will need at lest 13 members in total (proxies + Apple-Q Committee Members who attend the Special AGM). If we do not get enough then we will have to delay the AGM if there are not enough numbers by March we will have to disband Apple-Q (under its rules).

You have the option of doing so totally electronically (using this tutorial if needed), filling it in manually (then emailing a scanned copy), or mailing a physical copy (and hope the it arrives in time) – it is your choice.

Here is how...

There is also a tutorial on how to Sign this form using a signature scanned in via your Mac’s camera (see Step 18 for details).

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HowTo: Apple-Q Meetings Server (iPhone Discord app)

This is a tutorial on how to install, set up, and connect to the
Apple-Q Meetings Server using the Discord app for iPhone
(iPad is similar). This can be used for Virtual Meetings and
Training. It allows an unlimited number of members to join
other members on-line for a group chat session. Video is also
supported for up to 25 people – but this will not be covered
here.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Meetings Server (Discord Web)

This is a tutorial on how to install, set up, and connect to the Apple-Q Meetings Server
using the Discord via a web server (it is recommended that you use the Discord app as it
provides better response and features). This can be used for Virtual Meetings and Training.
It allows an unlimited number of members to join other members on-line for a group chat
session. Video is also supported for up to 25 people – but this will not be covered here.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Meetings Server (Discord - Mac)

This is a tutorial on how to install, set up, and connect to the Apple-Q Meetings Server
using the Discord app for macOS. This can be used for Virtual Meetings and Training. It
allows an unlimited number of members to join other members on-line for a group chat
session. Video is also supported for up to 25 people – but this will not be covered here.
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple-Q Meetings Server (iPad Discord app)

This is a tutorial on how to install, set up, and connect to the Apple-Q Meetings Server
using the Discord app for iPad (iPhone is similar). This can be used for Virtual Meetings
and Training. It allows an unlimited number of members to join other members on-line for a
group chat session. Video is also supported for up to 25 people – but this will not be
covered here. Here is how...

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HowTo Collection: LibreOffice (2015-2022)

Tutorial Collection:

Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice 7 Base Enable - JavaSDK-OpenJDK(2022-02).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Change Selection Highlight (2015-04).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Create a PDF Entry Form (Mac)(2022-01).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Create Database Entries for PDF Forms (Mac)(2022-01) 2.pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Create Database Entries for PDF Forms (Mac)(2022-01).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Enable LibreOffice Base by installing Java (2016-06).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Extracting Photos from Word Processor Files (2017-12).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Install with Language Pack (2015-07).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Landscape & Portrait Pages in One Document (2018-02).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Remove paragraph border in LibreOffice (2015-07).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Removing Locked Personal Settings (2018-06).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Template Creation (2022-02).pdf
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Template Creation.odt
Apple-Q HowTo- LibreOffice- Working with Objects (2019-03).pdf

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HowTo: Submit Apple-Q Proxy Form (2022)(iPad)

This is a tutorial about how to fill out and send the Apple-Q Proxy Form for the 2022 AGM. We will need at lest 13 members in total (proxies + Apple-Q Committee Members who attend the Special AGM). If we do not get enough then we will have to delay the AGM if there are not enough numbers by March we will have to disband Apple-Q (under its rules).

You have the option of doing so totally electronically (using this tutorial if needed), filling it in manually (then emailing a scanned copy), or mailing a physical copy (and hope the it arrives in time) – it is your choice.

Here is how...

There is also a tutorial on how to Sign this form using a signature scanned in via your Mac’s camera (see Step 18 for details).

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HowTo: Apple Preview: Create a Signature to Sign Forms (2022)

Apple has a Signature creation and storage feature built directly into its Markup Toolbar. You can use it (via the Apple Preview app) to create a signature that you can use to sign forms without having to print them, sign, then scan it back in, before emailing it. Once entered you can use it almost anywhere where Apple Markup is supported (Apple Mail, Preview, etc).
Here is how...

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HowTo: Apple Preview: Batch Convert Photos(eg HEIC to JPEG)

The last couple of years I have been using my iPhone to take the Harvey Christmas Village photos. The problem with this is they are stored using Apple’s HEIC format which is not well supported with other non-Apple apps and devices. I could change the default format to JPEG but that is not as good a compression format as HEIC. I had imported the photos into Apple Photos on my Mac and had dragged them into a folder
ready to upload them to the HarveyCloud when, while not thinking clearly, I double-clicked on them and they all open with Apple Preview. Then followed another series of somewhat foggy events and I found that I had converted them all to JPEG.
Much later, I realised I had done something unusual – I then set out to find out how to replicate that method.
Here is how...

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HowTo- AirDrop iPad-iPhone Screenshots to Mac (2021-12)

I was once again playing with AirDrop and found out another handy feature. I was writing an email on my Mac which required screenshots from both it and my iPad. So I opened the iPad app, took a screenshot, then AirDropped it to my Mac. With new Macs this could also be done using Apple’s Handover. I tried handing over the Mac email to the iPad, attaching the iPad screenshot, then handing the email back to the Mac but it was a bit tricky attaching a screenshot to an existing email (it can be done but required more steps). I could have started the email on the iPad then handed it o ver to the Mac then dragged the Mac screenshot onto it but I already had the email started. Besides, the AirDrop method should work for Macs, iPads, and iPhones made within the last 10 years.

Here is how...

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HowTo Collection: AirDrop

Apple AirDrop allows you to transfer files wirelessly between your Apple devices- including Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

The first AirDrop tutorial only covers how to set up AirDrop on your Mac, iPad, & iPhone.

Tutorials include:

  • Setup: Mac, iPad, iPhone (2021-03)
  • Transfer Mac PDFs to iPad (2021-03)
  • Transfer iPhone Photos to Mac (2021-03)
  • Transfer iPad Photos to Mac (2021-03)
  • Transfer Difficult Files from Mac to iPhone (2021-03)
  • Transfer Common Files from Mac to iPhone (2021-03)
  • Weblinks Between Mac, iPad, iPhone (2021-12)
  • iPad-iPhone Screenshots to Mac (2021-12)

Older tutorial: AirDrop Files Between Mac & iPad (2017.07)

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HowTo: Gramps: Contextual Configuration Settings

Gramps has a slightly different way of implementing Settings / Preferences that most apps –
although I find it very useful. Apart from the general preferences for Gramps, located as
usual under the Gramp menu, most other settings are contextual. This makes it easier to
quickly find the Settings that are relevant to the feature of Gramps that you are currently
using. I will use Pedigree & Fan Charts as examples.
Here is how...

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HowTo: AirPrint: Printing from Your iPad/iPhone (2021)

It would be almost impossible to write an article showing how to set up AirPrint because, as it is with modems, there are many printers that each use different methods to configure this service. I can however show you how to use AirPrint on your iPad/iPhone to print wirelessly to your AirPrint enabled printer. Your printer has to support AirPrint, and have it enabled, to use this method. There was a paid app that I was a while ago that allowed your normal printer use AirPrint. It installed on a Mac which had a printer attached – so you had to keep the printer on all of the time. So what do you need to do to print to your AirPrint enabled printer from your iPad/iPhone?

Here is how...