tl;dr -> Get Started at http://www.jumpsquares.net/
- The Macintosh (mainly Mac since 1998) is a family of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Inc. Since January 1984. The original Macintosh is the first successful mass-market personal computer to have featured a graphical user interface, built-in screen, and mouse. Apple sold the Macintosh alongside its popular Apple II, Apple III, and Apple Lisa families of computers.
- Periodically, some Mac systems may experience jumpy cursors when using mice. Here are some options for troubleshooting this behavior.
GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio right inside your Mac — with a complete sound library that includes instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummers and percussionists.
I've been working on this project for about 1.5 months and I'm very happy that I can finally share it.
So.. what is a JumpSquare? Let's start off with Why..
We've all been there before:
- You start a new job and have no idea where anything is located
- A contractor comes on site and you have to point them to every application
- You are constantly sending emails asking where an application has been installed because you never bookmarked it
- You have a very large datacenter environment and can't remember all the virtualization, storage, and network addresses
- There may be 100+ different applications in your environment and you want to keep track of what's out there.
- Maintaining excel documents or sharepoint sites suck
- Browser bookmarks can be messy if you have a lot of them
The idea spawned because I had trouble keeping track of 6 VMware environments in our lab. Within those 6 environments, there were 100+ applications consisting of multiple vSphere Web Clients, vCOPs, vClouds, physical assets like switches and arrays. Bookmarks would have been messy and I got tired of sending emails trying to figure out what servers hosted which applications. I got a non-persistent desktop to access the lab environment so bookmarks didn't stick (don't ask why they can't figure that out), plus those bookmarks are only personalized for me. So if someone goes and installs vCOPs for POD3, I have to go to the web client, open it up, search for the IP address, then try and guess to see if i can remember the port or slew of /'s to find the login page. There had to be a better way.
Introducing the JumpSquare (an image)
https://prof-software.mystrikingly.com/blog/pdf-expert-edit-and-sign-pdf-2-4-14. Take a quick tour and watch the video
The JumpSquare contains some great information. We have the title of our application (whatever you want to call it), choose an image logo from over 250+ images in the catalog, specify the server or location where the application is installed, and the ability to remove or edit the JumpSquare. What you don't see is the link to the application that can be either http(s):// or ssh:// and a description. Hover over the JumpSquare and the information populates so you can see it (above is a picture, see the animated SaaS version at http://www.jumpsquares.net).
There will be three different versions of JumpSquares because security folks never trust anything:
- 'SaaS' version. Go to http://www.jumpsquares.net and get registered to get going. I would encourage SaaS first.
- 'Authentication' version: (download at bottom) is pretty much exactly like this hosted version. It gives you the ability to create users, give 'admin' rights to users for Application Logo Type creation as well as many other privileges. There will be a bit more work for you to deploy this internally to setup proper email alerts.
- 'Wiki' version: removes authentication from the application. My original intention for this program was to create a mix between Pinterest and a Wiki. Essentially creating a landing page where anyone can create, edit, update, and delete JumpSquares. This allows a team to use it instead of just one individual.
- The appliances will have 250+ AppType Logos included, but will allow you to create your own.
- The appliances will not have a 'Software Update' feature. You will have to run a bit of git/ruby code to update the application if I ever add additional features. Doing a git -HARD might jack some of your data, so I do not take any responsibility if you do screw something up.
- I take no responsibility in keeping the Debian (OS) appliance up to date with security patches. You're on your own
- As a final note, I do not take any responsibility for anything you post on JumpSquares
- Built on twitter bootstrap for rails so it's pretty much mobile-ready
- Create, Edit, and Delete all your own JumpSquares
- Jump locations (links) can be internal or external addresses. Your internal DNS server will do the name resolution
- Jump locations can be http://, https://, or even ssh:// when using the FireSSH plugin
- Customize the JumpSquare size to your liking. Change the image size as well as the character count to fit more or less JumpSquares on the screen
- Create your own Tags and assign multiple tags per JumpSquare
- Tags create an easy way categorize JumpSquares
- The hosted version doesn't allow you to upload your own Application Logos, but you can request one with a form after registering
- View and Edit open Application Logo Type requests
- Manage your own account. Deleting your account will erase all your data
- All registered user passwords are stored in an encrypted and hashed format
- The administrator dashboard can't view another users JumpSquares', only the count of how many you have created. Gotta keep that private
- No 'team' features are built-in. Just share a common username between a few individuals so you can act like it's a 'Wiki'
The Appliance versions
Again, I encourage you to go for the SaaS version at http://www.jumpsquares.net and try that first because rolling your own is something else you have to keep track of.
The VM is a simple 1vCPU 1GB/RAM OVA that has VMware Tools and ruby on rails installed. The web services are configured using thin and nginx.
Deploy the OVA into your environment and by default its configured with the hostname 'jumpsquares' and DHCP for the NIC.
You can leave it or change it. If you want to change it, I created a bash script located in the /home/ directory called changemyhostname.sh and you can edit that and run it to change all the parameters of the hostname. username: root, password: jump123
Deploy the OVA into your environment and by default its configured with the hostname 'jumpsquares' and DHCP for the NIC.
You can leave it or change it. If you want to change it, I created a bash script located in the /home/ directory called changemyhostname.sh and you can edit that and run it to change all the parameters of the hostname. username: root, password: jump123
Wiki Version: nothing else to do but download it. https://group-find-bangkok-slots-how-steam-id-wt-to.peatix.com. Enjoy!
This version is 1.3. Check the change log below to see if there is a newer version that can be updated using the directions.
Authentication Version: there is a bit more work to do in terms of settings up ActionMailer. I will get an authenticated version made soon that looks like the SaaS based version. It's not available yet because I need to document everything that must be done to get this version working correctly. NOT AVAILABLE.
all downloads of the appliance are released under the Apache 2.0 license.The code is open sourced and available at the github repository. The operating system is based on debian and all updates are applied from the debian repository. I am not redistributing anything that isn't publicly available.
How to Update JumpSquares to the latest version
SaaS at http://www.jumpsquares.net:
- Nothing to do, this all done at my expense
Wiki Appliance Version:
- SSH or console into the jumpsquares appliance
- default username is 'root' and password is 'jump123'
- Change to the var/www/jumpsquares directory
- cd /var/www/jumpsquares
- Do a git pull to bring down the latest changes from the repository
- git pull
- If you get an message talking about Gemfile.lock and needing to stash it, run this command
- git stash
- after stashing locally, run git pull again and it should pull everything down correctly.
- Assuming you don't have any localized code changes, there will be no need to reset the 'head'
- We need to keep the gems up to date
- bundle install
- bundle update
- Most new features are going to require some type of database additions so we need to make those changes
- rake db:migrate RAILS_ENV=appliance-production
- Now you have the most up to date version of JumpSquares. You can reboot if you want but it's not necessary.
screenshots of the upgrade process
UPGRADING TO VERSION 1.3
If you are upgrading from a previous version to 1.3 (you downloaded the appliance before 7/28/2014), then you need to follow these additional steps below
- Perform the above git stash, git pull, bundle install, bundle update, and rake tasks within the /var/www/jumpsquares directory
- Pre-Compile the assets by typing:
- RAILS_ENV=appliance-production bundle exec rake assets:precompile
- We have to add a value for the Jumpsize sort order. Open the Rails Console and update the attribute by typing the following
- rails console appliance-production
- (you will now be in the rails console)
- u = Jumpsize.find(1)
- u.update_attribute :sortorder, 'name'
- exit
- (you will be back in the normal window)
- Reboot your VM by typing reboot
- Everything should be good once again
Change Log
Version 1.0 (11.15.2013)
- 1.0 released
Version 1.1 (11.21.2013)
- Added RDP, VNC, SSH to server string
- Changed JumpSquare form language and formatting
- Changed JumpSquare form helpers to modals instead of a block of help text
- Updated homepage and help page with new features
- Added documentation on how to add 'rdp://' as a Jump Location. No code change required
- Added functionality to generate .rdp files to quickly RDP into servers
Version 1.2 (1.9.14)
- Added Nmap Scan XML functions. Upload Nmap XML file to create JumpSquares quickly.
- Changed a bunch of deprecated Rails 3 warnings to be Rails 4 compliant.
- Uploaded new wiki appliance with all new functionality and Debian Wheezy patches
- Fixed bootstrap modal appearing on right side of screen
Version 1.3 (3.27.14)
- Changed homescreen to add in twitter kudos
- Changed buttons to match color palette
- Added glyphicons to menubars, forms, and jumpsquares
Version 1.3.1 (8.6.14)
- Changed containers to fluid instead of fixed
- Crammed more into the space
- Added a new homepage with new CSS for JumpSquares.net
- Made minor changes to bootstrap.css and application.css
Few things are as frustrating as trying to start your Mac and ending up with the dreaded Mac folder with a question mark. You’ve probably tried using keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+R, CTRL+Option+R, or Shift+CTRL+Option+R, but you still get the flashing folder icon on startup.
While this may strike fear into your heart as a Mac user, there are known causes for it, and tried and tested solutions that will help you get your Mac back to normalcy.
Follow along to find out why you’re getting the folder with the question mark in the middle of the screen, and how you can resolve the problem. While this is issue is more prevalent among older Macs, we shall try to address the same for new Mac models as well.
Also on Guiding Tech
#macbook
Click here to see our macbook articles pageCauses of Flashing Mac Folder with Question Mark
There are several reasons why the folder with a question mark appears on your Mac’s screen:
- Your Mac can’t find a bootable volume. That means it can’t find its startup disk, so it can’t boot or start up. Probably you previously started up your Mac from an external disk and later unplugged it, or its hard drive just failed terribly, so it’s having trouble locating its system folder or boot directory.
- Corrupt macOS.
- Corrupt system files.
- Hard disk drive has failed catastrophically.
- The external disk you boot from may be off or disconnected.
- The ribbon cable connecting the drive to the motherboard may be damaged. This cable sits between the bottom case and optical drive, and if the case has indentations in the same area, the cable may be the problem.
Also on Guiding Tech
How To Create a Bootable Backup of Your Mac for Free
Read MoreBoot Your Mac From an Install DVD (For Older Macs)
This process forces your Mac to boot from the install DVD placed in the optical drive. For that, you must follow these steps:
Step 1: Place the install DVD that came with your Mac in the optical drive and reboot. You can use that disc, or if you have a later macOS version, use a newer disc for the same purpose.
Step 2: Once you hear the boot chime, hold down C key on your keyboard or the Option key until you see the Install Disk or Apple logo show up.
Note: Boot from the recovery partition if you’re on 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, and then repair the OS 10.7 or 10.8 partition using Disk Utility.Jumping Squares Mac Os Download
Step 3: When your Mac starts up, choose the language you’ll use, press Return on your keyboard, and an Installation window will open. Ignore this window and click Utilities and then click Disk Utility.
Jumping Squares Mac Os 11
Step 4: If you see your hard disk on the list, click your macOS partition for the hard drive, and then select First Aid tab.
Step 5: Next, run Repair Disk. To enable this button, click on your hard drive’s macOS partition. If this fixes any issues, run it all over again until you see the green OK, and then run Repair Permissions.
Step 6: Finally, use the Startup Disk to select your hard drive to restart your Mac from the hard drive. If it’s not recognized under Disk Utility, it’s probably dead.
Also on Guiding Tech
How to Sync Folders Anywhere on Mac with Multiple Backup Services like Dropbox, Google Drive and More
Read MorePut Your Mac in Recovery Mode
If you’re trying to boot from your Mac’s internal drive, you need to shut down the computer and then start it up while holding down Command+R keys until the globe or Apple logo appears. That will put your Mac in Recovery Mode, and then you can change the startup disk by selecting the option from the Apple Menu.
Recovery Mode comes handy when your Mac won’t boot normally because the startup disk is damaged or corrupted.
That could be caused by corrupt files or mild power surges you’re not aware of, but it fixes the issue without you having to go to extreme lengths, such as performing a reinstall of your macOS.
Note: You can boot using an external Mac startup disk or bootable installer if macOS Recovery doesn’t work.Replace the Disk
If the Mac folder with a question mark appears because of your disk has failed, the only thing you can do is to replace the disk and use the time capsule or another backup device you’ve been using to recover your data to the new disk.
Backup Data and Reinstall macOS
If Disk Utility can’t repair your startup disk, you may have to reformat it. Before doing that, take a backup of any important data from the disk before erasing everything stored on it. You can take the steps below to take a backup of your data to an external drive if you don’t have a recent data backup for your startup disk:
Step 1: Connect an external drive that’s similar in size or larger than your startup disk. Erase the external drive using macOS Recovery and then install macOS to it. Select the external disk that you want to erase, not your startup disk.
Step 2: Once macOS is installed, your Mac will restart automatically from the external drive. When you see the Setup Assistant, choose the option you want to use to move data from another disk, and select the startup disk on your Mac as the source from which to migrate data.
Step 3: After migration, follow the setup assistant instructions to the end, and when you see your desktop, confirm that all your data is present on the external drive.
Jumping Squares Mac Os Catalina
Step 4: Erase your startup disk using macOS Recovery and reinstall macOS (don’t select your external drive). After erasing the disk and installing macOS, your Mac will restart automatically, and the setup assistant will appear. Copy your data to your startup disk by selecting the option to migrate data from a Time Machine backup or another disk, in this case your external drive.
Note: If you can’t erase the startup disk or reinstall macOS, take your Mac for repair to an Apple Genius or authorized service provider.Get Your Mac Back
We hope you now know what to do when you find the flashing Mac folder with a question mark on your screen. Try the fixes above and let us know what worked for you.
Next up:Want to reduce boot time for your Windows PC? Our next article shows you how to do that using Quick Startup.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
Read Next
How to Record a Time-Lapse Video of Mac Screen
Want to show off your digital art skills or records workflows? Here's a guide on how to record time-lapse videos of your activities on #Mac #screen.