Cannot type a space when Full Keyboard Access is enabled

MacOS Ventura has a System Setting for Full Keyboard Access in Accessibility settings.

If that is enabled, you cannot type a space in MacWise.

The other problem it causes when enabled is that hitting tab causes each function key to be highlighted each time you hit tab.

Full Keyboard Access is not enabled by default.

But if you have it enabled, you need to turn it off.

In Ventura, select System Settings from the Apple Menu.

In the search field, enter Full Keyboard Access

Then click on Full Keyboard Access under Accessibility.

Turn Full Keyboard Access off.

NOTE: In earlier versions of the MacOS the Full Keyboard Access setting is in Keyboard Shortcuts and you only have a choice for All Controls or Text boxes and lists only. (and you choose the latter for MacWise to work correctly)

MacOS Ventura Compatibility with MacWise

 Macs running MacOS Ventura ( 13.0 ) or later require MacWise version 23 or later.

All previous versions of MacWise will not work with Ventura.

(Those older versions will not display a flashing cursor).

The latest version of MacWise is always here...

MacWise download page

SSH Secure Shell Login Falure with Diffie-Hellman - Fix

If you get the following error while trying to connect with SSH...

"Unable to negotiate with xx.xxx.xx.xx port 22: no matching key exchange method

found. Their offer: diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha1,diffie-hellman-group1-sha"

That error is due to the fact that diffie-helllman is an older less secure connection method.

Apple has removed it from the MacOS starting with MacOS Mojave.

If the server you are trying to connect to cannot upgrade their key exchange method for some reason, You can add diffie-hellman to the MacOS.

Here's how to do that:

Launch the terminal app and enter the following command.

sudo nano /etc/ssh/ssh_config

Locate the line ‘ #   MACs hmac-md5,hmac-sha1,hmac-sha2-256,umac-64@openssh.com,hmac-ripemd160′ and remove the Hash/Pound sign from the beginning, and add the extra hashing algorithm that I’ve shown above in red. 

Locate the line ‘ #   Ciphers aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc’ and remove the Hash/Pound sign from the beginning.

Then paste the following on the end;

HostkeyAlgorithms ssh-dss,ssh-rsa

KexAlgorithms +diffie-hellman-group1-sha1

The Modified text should look like this:

Ciphers aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-cbc,3des-cbc                                                                            

HostkeyAlgorithms ssh-dss,ssh-rsa

KexAlgorithms +diffie-hellman-group1-sha1

MACs hmac-md5,hmac-sha1,hmac-sha2-256,umac-64@openssh.com

Now you should be able to connect with SSH

Telnet connection with Apple Silicon Macs

Telnet connection with Apple Silicon Macs sometimes would not connect to the server.

Symptom was just a blank screen as if it were not trying to connect.
When verbose login was selected, you could see an error message that said, "Bad CPU Type".

Solution:  Upgrade to MacWise 21.6  or later.

Telnet connection using VPN

Problem:  Cannot get a login using MacWise with Telnet and a VPN connection.

Error might be, "Failed: Operation timed out"

or it might be "Sorry, you must SET LINE or SET HOST first"

The simple fix can be to set the VPN service order to the top of the list in Network Preferences.

Select System Preferences... from the Apple Menu

Then select Network

Find your VPN in the list of networks in the left column and drag it to the top of the list.

That's it.

Now your VPN has first priority when making a connection to the internet and your telnet connection should work with MacWise.

Note that lots of things can cause a telnet connection to fail but this is one you might never think of.

MacWise and Big Sur (Info about USB to Serial adaptors and MacWise versions)

MacWise version 21 or later is compatible with Big Sur.

www.macwise.com

Version 21.5 is the first version that is a universal app for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

It is a 64-bit app.

If you are connecting to your host with a Keyspan USB Serial Adaptor, it will not work with Big Sur.

Keyspan is owned by Tripplite and has not updated their driver to work with Big Sur yet (as of this date, 11/15/20)

However, the Prolific drivers work for other third party USB to Serial adaptors including the Plugable brand here... Plugable PL2303-DB9 USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Chipset)

Code Sign Error

MacWise versions 20.0.1 through 20.1.4 would quit immediately when you tried to run.
This was an incompatibility with code signing after upgrading to MacOS Catalina 10.15.4

Apple requires all applications to be code signed and notarized with Apple.
Apps will no longer run unless they are authorized by Apple.

This problem was fixed with MacWise 20.1.5 with compatible code signing and notarizing.

The current version of MacWise is here
http://carnationsoftware.com/domains/MacWise/Download_MacWise.html

MacBook Air 13" 2020 Review

April 8, 2020
Rich Love
Carnation Software

(Updated April 9, 2020 with adaptor and cable info)

This is the MacBook Air I have been waiting for.
2020 MacBook Air 13"

I have been using an Early 2014 MacBook Air 13" for several years now and it has worked great for me. But I have aways wanted a retina display.

The 2014 MacBook Air had a great keyboard with scissor keys, but no retina display.
And for the past few years, the MacBook Air had a retina display. But its butterfly keyboard had issues - plus, it didn't have the same feel as the scissor keyboard.

So, I was very happy to get the new MacBook Air 13" with retina display and scissor keyboard.
I purchased the model that has an i5 processor with 512 GB SSD and 8 GB memory.


Display
Very nice display. Deep, rich colors and sharp.

Keyboard
I like this keyboard. It is similar to the 2014 MacBook Air keyboard and has slightly more tactile feedback. (Hard to explain but it feels natural)

Speed
Much faster than the 2014 MacBook which had the i5 processor but was dual core.
This new MacBook has a quad core i5 processor.
(Note that the base model has an i3 processor.)

Size and weight
This 2020 model is smaller than the 2014 model but has the same screen size.
Both are almost identical weight, with the 2020 model being 2 ounces lighter.
( I weighed them on my postal scale)

2014 model     2 lbs  15 oz
2020 model     2 lbs  13 oz

Sound
This new 2020 model has much better sound than the 2014 model.
The speakers are located to the left and right of the keyboard so you get good stereo separation.
And the sound is very spacial sounding.

Touch ID
I love this. You can use your fingerprint instead of your password to wake your MacBook up.
And it works to log into many websites and pay for things.

Websites that support ApplePay work with your fingerprint also.

Transferring your data from old to new MacBook
I was amazed how fast this process was.
When you start up your new MacBook Air, it asks if you want to transfer your data from another Mac. Answer yes and then connect your old MacBook to your new one with a Thunderbolt cable in Target mode.  It only took one hour to transfer about 260 GB of data. Amazing!
To set up your old MacBook in Target mode, go to System Preferences and click on Startup Disk.
Then click the lock icon to unlock and click on Target Disk Mode...

Of course you need an adaptor. My old MacBook had a thunderbolt 2 connector instead of USB-C
So you need a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor (and a Thunderbolt cable)

Adaptors that I purchased

nonda USB C to USB Adapter(2 Pack),USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter
Ordered from Amazon
shorturl.at/azJ13
These adaptors work with the Apple CD / DVD and other devices.
You get two of them, but I actually only needed one.

VANMASS USB C Hub, Premium 9 in 1 USB C Adapter with 4K HDMI, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Port, 4 USB 3.0 Ports, TF/SD Card Reader 90W PD Port
Ordered from Amazon
shorturl.at/nEFTX
This is a really nice hub at a good price.
It also has a charging port so you still have an extra USB-C connector available on your MacBook to use when this hub is plugged in.

Note: the USB ports do not work with the Apple CD / DVD.

Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
This adaptor lets you use your old Thunderbolt adaptors.
It also lets you transfer your data from your old Macbook to the new one, using your old thunderbolt cable.

Apple Thunderbolt cable
You may already have one of these. I did.
It lets you transfer data from your old MacBook to the new one when used in combination with the above adaptor.


Cons

The charger cord is now a USB-C connector.
It takes two hands to plug the charger into the MacBook because you need to hold the MacBook with one hand and plug the cable in with your other hand.
I liked the old magnetic charger much better.

Less ports:
Not a huge deal but it was nice having a camera card slot and USB ports on the old MacBook Air.
Now you just get two USB-C connectors.
That means you need to order some adaptors to use some of your old external devices.


Bottom Line
I think you will be very happy with this 2020 MacBook Air.
I know I am.