Getting Started with Mac: Understanding Power Management
Getting Started with Mac: Understanding Power Management
I handle IT tasks on a Mac to become more comfortable with MacOS whenever one of our limited users requires assistance. Our Mac users are straightforward—they just need access to Okta SSO, a few SMB shares, and an intranet portal. We're implementing Threatlocker so we no longer need to assign local admin rights for software installation.
One challenge we face is configuring laptops within Active Directory. Previously, the setup restricted them to the local network, preventing remote access when they tried to work from home. This issue occurred before my arrival, and I can't provide specifics on their actions or mistakes. If you have any advice on installing a Mac into an Active Directory domain without these restrictions, please share it.
Additionally, I've been dealing with several difficulties:
- I lack direct access to Active Directory Manager. My workaround involves using RDP from my Windows laptop or accessing AD Manager via a browser, though I prefer local applications over web-based ones. This also affects my experience with managing DNS and DHCP on Windows servers.
- Screenshots are tricky. I can't easily copy-paste them into Teams or other platforms because of timing issues with the pop-up interface.
- Window management is problematic. With two 2K monitors, I struggle to switch between apps smoothly—especially when trying to toggle between Firefox, Outlook, and VoIP without a straightforward method.
- SMB shares are unreliable. Macs often fail to recognize or save shared folders, making it hard to access files consistently across devices.
I've spent months tackling these problems and find myself frustrated with MacOS's performance in my usual workflow. I'm seeking tips to improve my Mac skills so I can work more efficiently without the frustration.
I prefer capturing all my screenshots using the "Screenshot and Recording Options" feature. My setup includes a WASD mechanical keyboard and the Print Screen key is set to F13 on macOS. The simplest method to mount shares at startup is navigating to "Login Items," selecting +, and adding the desired folder for automatic mounting. This will trigger a finder window upon login. Regarding tiling, I haven’t done it myself—I’m not fully confident but many users seem satisfied with https://rectangleapp.com/. For Active Directory issues, I understand the frustration and can relate to similar challenges. At my workplace, we avoid using AD for Mac logins because it caused significant inconvenience for everyone.