Moving Desktops
Q: Why do my desktops keep moving about? I like to use multiple desktops on my Mojave MacBook,
so I can keep different spaces for different apps, and flick between them with a swipe of my trackpad.
Trouble is, they keep reordering themselves. For example, I like to have Mail on the extreme right
desktop, as a full-screen app, but it keeps moving to the second desktop instead. Is there any way to
stop this happening?
Carole Perkins, Bridgewater, Somerset
A: Yes! The desktops keep moving around because, by default, they’re set to rearrange themselves
according to which has been most recently used. To stop this, go to System Preferences > Mission
Control and uncheck the ‘Automatically rearrange spaces based on most recent use’ box. Your Spaces/
Desktops will now stay in the order that they are opened (in the case of full-screen apps) or created (in
the case of Desktops).
On the Dot
Q: I’d love to be able to control my Apple Music from
my armchair just by speaking, but I’ve no use for a
HomePod. I notice the Amazon Echo Dot is cheap and
can be connected to your existing stereo. Is there any
way I can set one up with Apple Music, and manage it
with Alexa commands instead of Siri?
Sky Logan, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA
A: Absolutely. First of all, set up your Echo Dot with
your iPhone in the normal way. In the Alexa app
on your iPhone (or iPad, for that matter), tap the
Three-lines icon in the top left for the menu, and then
tap Skills & Games. Use the Search icon (top right) to
search for Apple Music. Open the Apple Music option,
and then tap Enable To Use. To finish the setup, sign
in with your Apple ID to link your Apple Music account
with Alexa. You’re given the option of setting Apple
Music as the default service; that’s up to you, but
we’d presume you want to do so. You can then play
your music with Alexa commands. “Alexa. Play [band
name] on Apple Music.”
Taking-Its-Time
Machine
Q: Why does my iMac slow down so much
during Time Machine backups? I thought
they were supposed to be very light on
system resources.
Bill Anderson, Glossop, Derbyshire
A: They really are, however it sounds like
you need to rebuild your Spotlight index,
on which Time Machine relies. Open the
Terminal (Applications > Utilities), and type
the following, EXACTLY as it’s written here:
sudo mdutil -E /
Type your admin password when re-
quested; just type it and press enter, even
though it doesn’t appear on the screen as
you type. The rebuild may take a couple
of hours, but when it’s done, you should
find Time Machine no longer slows down
your Mac.
For a cut-price way to enjoy Apple Music with
your existing stereo system, try an Echo Dot.
Using multiple desktops on your Mac is great, especially if you turn off the rather annoying feature
that rearranges their order based on recent use.
Terminal’s ‘sudo’ commands should be used with
great care, but this one can help if Time Machine
slows down your system.
AppleUserMAGAZINE
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