Ask MetaFilter

My soon to be eight year old is now on YouTube, etc.; and not always supervised. He spends his time mostly on MineCraft videos, Wild Kratz, and more MineCraft videos; and he uses Apple platforms to do so. I'd like to be able to see where he goes to; control where he can / can not go to; and to be able to track and control his time on his devices. TIA mefi folk. :)
posted by Afghan Stan on Feb 8, 2020 - 6 answers

Is there a simple app or service to control or schedule internet access, perhaps for individual devices? [more inside]
posted by treblekicker on Jun 30, 2019 - 4 answers

Ever since I updated iTunes for Windows to 12.6, it has been totally unable to connect to the iTunes store and other networked services from Apple like the Apple ID server. iTunes works fine for accessing local content, but every time it tries to connect to the store or the Apple ID server, it chunks along for about five minutes and then throws an error about being unable to connect; it also locks up completely for about five minutes every time iTunes starts. [more inside]
posted by strangely stunted trees on May 12, 2017 - 5 answers

So, a while back we got an Apple Airport to try to extend Wifi in our apartment. It doesn't really work and I think perhaps I've misunderstood something fundamental about the airport. Help. [more inside]
posted by Gray Skies on Mar 30, 2016 - 18 answers

Hello hive. A bit of a head scratcher here Suddenly none of my mac devices will connect to the internet on my network. I was working fine earlier This problem is both wired and wirelessly. My macbook air, iphone and ipad None will connect to the internet However my friend is able to connect with his devices. I deleted and re entered DNS address, restarted everything multiple times. Still no prize. My iphone and my ipad both connect to a 3g network no problem. The only thing these devices have in common is my apple ID What do you think?
posted by citybuddha on Feb 18, 2016 - 12 answers

I have an ATV2. It asks me to turn on home sharing. I do. ATV insists that i turn on home sharing. It worked in my previous location excepting a few times, where I just unplugged the router and ATV and replugged back in. It worked here on initial setup the first try but a few days later this whole stuff happens. It worked again only after I did a complete factory reset. I have read many of the threads online and perhaps it is a bit of daftness on my part. This previous thread on mefi helped the gentleman with his question. I didn't actually understand it very well. I have an iMac running Snow Leopard. The ATV does connect to Netflix and all other things. Just not my computer. [more inside]
posted by snap_dragon on Sep 9, 2013 - 9 answers

I have an iMac using Snow Leopard. I use my apartment public w-fi and it has worked fine up to a few months back. It started dropping wi-fi no matter where the Mac was positioned in the apartment while my PC and a few other tablets worked fine consistently (tried them at times when the Mac stopped to a several minute crawl or gave me message of no connection). [more inside]
posted by snap_dragon on Apr 19, 2013 - 8 answers

My old PC laptop runs perfectly as do any tablets on my apt public wi-fi. The iMac computer (Snow Leopard), slows to a halt and won't get to pages after a few times. I have done several things such as reset PRAM, gone to /Library/Preferences and moved all the files in the System Configuration folder to the Trash, and restarted Mac...The second bit helped for a week and now it is doing it again, no matter what browser. MacKeeper says the computer is alright, and airport utility just tells me I am connected to the internet. (I've done the reconnecting and assistant and diagnostics but nada...) I cannot figure this out and I have scoured the net. If somebody was downloading a ton on it, I would at least understand but any other devices work fine. My husband wants throw it out the window. Any ideas?
posted by chicaboom on Jan 4, 2013 - 18 answers

I have public wi-fi at my new apartment, and am able to stream Netflix just fine via a friend's laptop. I am not sure if there is a way for my Apple TV (2nd gen) to work here. I have googled around and others seemed to be able and others not. Normally when using my home computer or kindle tablet, I have to connect to wi-fi after a given period of time left unattended and then click "connect" from a browser page so perhaps this is why the ATV2 cannot work. Any thoughts? Thanks and have a good Thanksgiving!
posted by snap_dragon on Nov 22, 2012 - 7 answers

iPad email connexion problems. [more inside]
posted by paduasoy on Oct 19, 2012 - 3 answers

While on Firefox (12.0) for my Mac (OS 10.5.8) I hit a mail link which caused my Firefox window to open rapidly window on window ad infinitum. It locked up my mac and I couldn't even get to Firefox Preferences/Tools etc without multiple windows opening on top. I force- quit. I restarted and this did not help. I uninstalled an reinstalled and this did not help. It hit about midnight and stupid and tired, I deleted my entire profile....The whole blasted thing in a rash moment. So unlike available articles on Mozilla for retrieving missing/lost/messed with profiles mine is simply bye-bye by my own hand. I emailed Mozilla and got these instructions: "Try to delete the profiles.ini file *http://kb.mozillazine.org/profiles.ini_file *http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox" I don't have the ini file in the locations specified nor elsewhere. This link did not seem to help, either. I tried entering a terminal command for Firefox (cannot find page for that now) and no luck. If I click on Firefox, it says "Firefox is already open, only one copy can be in use." (Nothing else is open and I even restarted the computer a few times.) Any ideas? I like Firefox the best and would like to use it. And yes, I was an idiot to delete things so will take appropriate lashings.
posted by snap_dragon on May 13, 2012 - 17 answers

Balancing function and price: What's the best (and least expensive) Mom Computer, especially if we're trying to go Mac? [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Jan 12, 2012 - 19 answers

Is 200 MB enough? I got an Ipod Touch for my birthday. It does have WiFi access but I don't want to have to run into a cafe every time I need to look something up online. So I'm in the market for a mobile WiFi hotspot and a wireless data plan. The cheapest plans available -- and I'm all about the cheap -- typically offer you c. 200 MB a month. [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet on Jul 17, 2011 - 15 answers

Internet Fury in Brooklyn: We seem to be unable to get a fast internet service in our apartment in Brooklyn; please help me figure out what the problem is. [more inside]
posted by pipti on Dec 22, 2010 - 8 answers

Please recommend me a simple, reliable DSL modem that will work automagically with an Airport Extreme? [more inside]
posted by grapesaresour on Dec 11, 2010 - 3 answers

Wireless internet conundrums. After internet signal problems being repaired by the internet provider and plugging into the modem directly showing that the connection itself is fine, the wireless goes out every few minutes for the Macs in the house, but works fine for the PC. [more inside]
posted by elpea on Dec 8, 2010 - 20 answers

iPad as Hitchiker's Guide: I've got a couple weeks of travel coming up and I want to carry as little as possible. To wit, I want to bring my iPad as my portable Internet Device and I was wondering what apps would make it the perfect travel companion. Which apps have saved your life enroute? What do you wish you had? [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 7, 2010 - 15 answers

Internet-enabled HDTV VS. regular HDTV w/Apple TV: Which is better? [more inside]
posted by sorrenn on Sep 22, 2010 - 9 answers

I have never set up wireless internet before. I'm going to college later this week. There's internet in my dorms, but no WiFi. What do I need to set up WiFi in my room? [more inside]
posted by JimBennett on Aug 29, 2010 - 23 answers

Weird internet blockage—problem resolved, but mystery remains. Macintosh and Time Warner cable internet inside… [more inside]
posted by klangklangston on May 13, 2010 - 3 answers

I now own a MacBook Pro 17". And now I have some questions relating to MacOS and Windows 7, hardware upgrades and getting Applecare-on-the-cheap. [more inside]
posted by Effigy2000 on Nov 11, 2009 - 19 answers

I have a MacBook Pro running OS 10.6.1, and an Airport Extreme Base Station. Is there a user-friendly way to see if someone is trying to use my internet connection or hack into my network? [more inside]
posted by invisible ink on Nov 10, 2009 - 15 answers

What is the difference between an Apple Airport Express Base Station, and an Airport Extreme Base Station? I have a tiny 500-square foot apartment. All I want is to be able to surf the web wirelessly. Can I go with the cheaper Express Base Station? Why is one cheaper than the other (in other words, what can the Extreme do that the Express cannot)?
posted by invisible ink on Sep 13, 2009 - 17 answers

Help me try and fix my mother's weird internet/Mac Mini issue. [more inside]
posted by selfnoise on Jul 3, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm in the market for a new laptop. Should I get a PC or Mac? What specs are important for me to look at when making a decision? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 2, 2009 - 31 answers

My facebook, delicious and flickr aren't working, but all other sites are fine. What's wrong and how do I fix it? [more inside]
posted by carofowler on Feb 2, 2009 - 8 answers

Help extending a wireless network? I have a Time Capsule acting as my primary wifi base station. It's in the living room, attached to the only DSL line in the house. It has a great signal all over the house...except of course in my office, in the back room. Any good ideas how to extend the network back there? A few more details inside. [more inside]
posted by barnone on Sep 15, 2008 - 10 answers

Should I buy a computer today (the last day of the apple promotion) and/or is my landlord required to provide me with a stable wifi signal if it is included in the lease? [more inside]
posted by Nickel on Sep 15, 2008 - 12 answers

PowerBook&NetworkingFilter: Dialogue box freezes after I choose System Prefs > Sharing. Help? [more inside]
posted by reductiondesign on Jun 8, 2008 - 4 answers

WTF? Dialup on my MBP (OS X 10.5.x) is all wacky. Dialup provider? External USB Modem? Phoneline? [more inside]
posted by jammnrose on Jun 2, 2008 - 2 answers

Lately my computer (Powerbook, OS X 10.4.6, wireless ADSL internet) has been giving up halfway through downloading files. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by teem on Jun 17, 2006 - 3 answers

I'm looking for very simple WYSIWYG web development software package like JAlbum, Freeway and RapidWeaver. Are there more packages out there that are very similar and very good for the Mac? [more inside]
posted by brokekid on Jan 23, 2006 - 7 answers

When I try to access http://apple.com, Safari gives me the following error: "The error was: “POSIX error: Permission denied” (NSPOSIXErrorDomain:13)". What's going on? [more inside]
posted by teem on Sep 22, 2005 - 9 answers

I have a Mac at home running 10.3.9. I would like to plug a telephone line into the modem port and be able to call in to it while I'm on the road using my laptop. I don't need or want access to the files, I don't want or need to see the Tibook's screen, or control the computer at home. I just want dialup access to the internet via my cable modem connection at home, more or less rolling my own ISP. Is this possible? If not with my Mac, what about one of those AirPorts? I heard some of them have modems but some of them don't, anyone else doing anything like this? [more inside]
posted by pwb503 on Sep 4, 2005 - 3 answers

How much does Apple Computer gross for every dollar spent on iTunes? [more inside]
posted by Mutant on Aug 28, 2005 - 14 answers

Why does my Powerbook with OS-X 10.4 go ffftt! and jump to a different web page unprompted? [more inside]
posted by philmas on Jul 29, 2005 - 5 answers

My Airport Extreme Base Station claims I am connected to the Internet via Ethernet, and yet I am not. [more inside]
posted by McIntaggart on Jul 7, 2005 - 3 answers

Is there an easy way to download my gmail messages to Apple Mail (bearing in mind I'm a computer dunderhead)? I've tried creating a gmail account in Mail; but when I use Mail to check gmail, Mail prompts me for my gmail account password - and then nothing happens.
posted by carter on Oct 14, 2004 - 6 answers