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FAQs

Useful online resources

A guide for our apps and services



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My website seems to not work correctly, how to solve it?

Most issues are often related to Javascript code. It's recommended to use macOS 14 Sonoma for the best compatibility with modern websites using a lot of Javascript. WebKiosk is using the javascript engine provided by Apple, integrated inside the operating system. We have many customers who solved problems by just upgrading their Macs to macOS 14. As a reminder, Apple updates are always free if your hardware is fully supported.

NEW: In version 8.5.2, we implemented a Web Inspector for developers allowing you to debug problems on websites. It's available from the preferences window. 



How to Schedule Shut Down, Restart, and Boot/Wake

It's often recommended to clear the memory of your Mac. This can be done by restarting a Mac.
You can setup it with a specific schedule by using the terminal: 
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/schedule-shut-down-boot-up-macos-ventura/



Can you build a custom version for my project?

You are missing a feature? We can build a custom browser to support multiple screens, your branding or even custom functions. We built more than 10 browsers for enterprise customers. Fill this form to receive a quote.



Does WebKiosk support multiple screens?

Only the Classic version 7.1 is compatible with multiple screens. You can display a web browser on the main screen and an HTML content on the second screen.



How to use the local web server on the Mac version?

When you enable local option in WebKiosk settings, a full web server is running in the background.

This is where you need to put your website:
Users / Your account / Library / Containers / WebKiosk / Data / Documents / WebKioskServer / 

IMPORTANT
the default page should be named index.html

PHP is not supported.
If you need it, enable the Apache server included in macOS or use a server like MAMP.

NOTE
By default, the library folder is hidden on macOS. Hold the option key while you go to the Go Menu in Finder to see it appearing.



Do you have an iPad version?

Yes, we are now also offering a simplified iPad version. It's available on the Apple App Store.



How do I disable the automatic start of WebKiosk?

How WebKioskAgent app is working?

WebKioskAgent app is a freeware that is automatically relaunching WebKiosk when a user is detected on the Finder or after a crash.

You need to have at least WebKiosk 8.1 and the settings enabled in Preferences (security section).
The feature is disabled temporary when you are in preferences and when you click the Quit button from preferences.
Because of Apple Sandboxing policy, you need to launch the app at least one time to give an authorization of use.
You can download WebKioskAgent here: https://download.xproline.io/WebKioskAgent.dmg

We recommend to move WebKioskAgent inside the Utilities folder of the Mac.

NOTE: since version 8.2, you can download and install WebKioskAgent app from preferences.



What are the limitations of the trial version?

There is no time limitation. Entering your license allows you to: 
> remove the trial message appearing on top of the browser view
> protect the preferences with a password (not working in trial mode)
> disable the quit menu (not working in trial mode)
 



How to deploy the app for multiple kiosks?

You have two options:

1. Using xProline servers (a FREE service)

There is a Child and Parent mode available in WebKiosk Preferences. When you  setup a kiosk in Parent mode, the preferences are saved locally but also automatically uploaded to xProline servers. Then, you can just select the Child mode to apply the same preferences to other kiosks. Very simple and very powerful. Requires at least version 8.1. The parent and child kiosks also need to run the same version of the app.
 
NOTES: 
The feature can be tested in trial mode but the option to always update preferences at launch of the app requires a valid user license. 
If you have a custom logo for the toolbar located in the Documents folder , the logo need to be present on all kiosks too in order to be displayed correctly. 


2. Using Apple Remote Desktop

You can use this application to copy the app and preferences to multiple computers.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-remote-desktop/id409907375?mt=12
You just have to copy two items:
1. The application WebKiosk
2. The folder containing preferences at the same location. Users / Account Name / Library / Containers / WebKiosk

NOTE: The license is checked few times per month at launch of the app to verify the number of users related to the license



Do you control licenses with a server?

YES, we validate user licenses with a server when you register your license. We also check randomly (average one time per month) the license at launch of the app.



What is the EULA or VPAT for your product?

Our license and accessibility agreement is the same than Apple for the Mac App Store. Nothing specific related to our product.



Is it possible to hide the menu bar of the Mac or disable some menus?

YES, in the preferences (security section), you can hide the menu bar or disable the menu options of the Apple menu.



Is it possible to disable the Force Quit function of macOS?

Yes, in preferences of WebKiosk (security section), you can disable Command+Option+Escape option and many other settings.



How do I access to the preferences if I remove the button?

Mac version
You can use the keyboard shortcut COMMAND+OPTION+P

Windows version
You can use the F5 keyboard function



Which app do you recommend for remote control of a kiosk?

How to block access to adult content?

Two methods are available:

Using the app:
With WebKiosk, you can create a white list (restricting access to a list of websites).

Using third parties solutions :
We recommend to use some third parties DNS or apps like these ones

https://pornaddictiontest.com/free-porn-blockers-mac/
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/xguard-porn-blocker-with-ai/id1475474731?mt=12
 



What is the HTML engine?

Mac Version
WebKiosk web browser is using Apple Webkit engine used by Safari. It's modern, fast and integrated in the operating system for the best performance. It' also updated automatically when the operating system is updated. The new version 8 is using the modern version named WKwebview.

Windows version
WebKiosk use Chromium engine



How do I sync with iCloud service?

First, you need to make sure that you have at least version 4.3.

Second, you just need to enable EasyGantt support in your iCloud settings in macOS preferences. After relaunching the app, you should be able to save your documents directly to iCloud folder and sync projects automatically between your Mac computers. 



What are the limitations of the trial version?

By default, all features are enabled and you can use the app during 5 days.



What is the EULA or VPAT for your product?

Our license and accessibility agreement is the same than Apple for the Mac App Store. Nothing specific related to our product.



How I do create dependencies between tasks?

Select a task on the Gantt view. You will a dot at the end of the task. Click on the dot while keeping the mouse down and connect the next task. 

NOTE: when you select a dependency, you can edit many options.



Do you have an example to download?

Yes, you can download many projects made with EasyGantt by clicking here



Can I open a Microsoft Project file?

YES but you need to export a project to Microsoft XML format as Microsoft default format is not open to developers. You can import projects from the Import menu (90% of documents are compatible. It's not 100% because Microsoft do not even respect  XML standard conventions)



What are the limitations of the trial version?

Limitations of the trial version:

You can only manage two docks

You can only add up to 10 items per dock

You can unlock all limitations by purchasing a license from our website.



How to use a custom AI engine instead of OpenAI?

You can use any AI service compatible with OpenAI API. One of the best is Mistral AI.
You can also use an open source engine installed on a server or on the kiosk itself.
One of the most easy to use is LMStudio

Step 1. Download LMStudio app 
Step 2. Download the AI model of your choice from the app
Step 3. Enable the server with all options (double arrows icon). 
That's it. You can now replace the default URL of HelloKiosk with the one provided by LMStudio app (you don't any API key in this case)



What are the limitations of the trial version?

When you are in trial mode:
- a text trial mode is displayed on the kiosk screen
- you can only display 5 conversations with AI



What is the purpose of the app?

HelloKiosk is an application designed for internet kiosks in public spaces like museums, libraries, and office lobbies. It enables users to interact with artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT but also any open source model, through a user-friendly interface. 

Key features include full-screen mode, password protection, the choice of ChatGPT versions or any compatible OpenAI service, speech synthesis, and a clear history option. The app is built for Mac, built for macOS 13 Ventura or later, and offers a trial version that can be upgraded with a purchase.



How do I access preferences if I hide the settings button?

To access preferences, you can use the secret default keyboard shortcut “COMMAND + OPTION + P”

To quit, you can use the secret default keyboard shortcut “COMMAND + OPTION + Q”



How to get an API Key at Open AI?

  1. Create an OpenAI account‍ at OpenAI
  2. Verify your account‍
  3. Log into your account‍
  4. Navigate to the API section
  5. Generate a new API key.
  6. Save your API key for HelloKiosk (the key is displayed only one time)
  7. Set up billing (credit card information for OpenAI service).
  8. Set usage limits (ChatGPT 3.5 is way cheaper than version 4).

    NOTE : since version 1.1, you can use any service compatible with OpenAI API and any open source AI model. 



Do you have some templates to use?

You can download a file as a starting template. You can customize each image with any content from any image editor. Affinity Photo Editor or PixelMator Pro are great options to create stunning content for your digital signage kiosk.



Are you planning a Windows version?

Not at this time. We are more committed to Apple platforms than ever. PCs with Windows are not reliable computers for digital signage applications. You can often see blue screens or broken displays in public spaces powered by Windows. 



What are the limitations of the trial version?

The trial version can only display the first 3 images. Purchasing a license is unlocking all features. 



Why does it requires at least macOS 13 Ventura?

We decided to invest in modern technologies. The app is built with Swift language for the best performance to handle a large amount of images. It's also more reliable with recent hardware powered by Apple silicon. 



What are the limitations of the trial version?

Limitations of the trial version:

  • You can set up a password in preferences but it's not operational 
  • You can only manage up to 10 notes
  • The trial sentence will appear in the primary window

You can unlock all limitations by purchasing a license from our website.



Where the data is stored?

By default, the data is stored on your computer inside a SQLLite database that is encrypted. No data is sent to the cloud.



Why it’s only optimized for Macs with Apple silicon chips

When we thought about which Mac to support, we realize that it doesn't make any sense to support Mac with Intel chips anymore.
Apple is offering Macs with Apple silicon chips since 2020 and the company have no plans to go back to Intel chips.
For better stability, performance and focus on future features, it was logical to only support Apple silicon chips, especially for this kind of app. 



How do I remove the background app?

InfoMac is working with a background agent app named “InfoMac Agent”
You have two ways to remove this background app that is useful to check the health of your Mac.

1. Reboot the Mac, it will not restart again until you launch InfoMac app again.

2. Follow these steps:

- Launch Activity Monitor located in Applications / Utilities
- Enter InfoMac in the search field
- Click on InfoMacAgent name and click the first button to kill the app



Is it a reborn of the popular xScan app?

YES, xScan was a very popular app for Mac users. We cleaned the code and optimized it for Apple silicon chips.
We also simplified the user experience. So in substance, InfoMac is the evolution of xScan.

NOTE: licenses purchased for xScan are not compatible.



Can I use it with an iCloud email address?

Yes, you can find the settings for iCloud email addresses here : https://support.apple.com/en-us/102525



Which email protocol is supported?

At this time, only the modern IMAP protocol is supported. Pop3 servers are not supported.



What happens when my computer is sleeping or shutdown?

During this time, your mailbox is not monitored.

The only solution in this case is to install SpamOut on a server. We recommend to rent a server from MacWeb



What are the options available?

In preferences, you can setup two ways to monitor your mailbox

- entering your own list of sentences or words to ban 
- using the list created and managed by SpamOut (the list is updated weekly)



How often my mailbox is monitored?

By default, SpamOut check every 5 minutes your mailbox but you can setup it with more options in preferences. 



What is the purpose of the backup button?

The backup button allows you to backup your secrets to a secure online server. It's completely optional and the feature requires a user license. 

You also need to setup preferences to activate the feature. The backup can also used by the iPhone version.

Another use case: you lost your computer. You can restore your backup data any time from another computer. 

The backup is stored on secure Mac servers. 



How the iPhone version is working?

SecretBox for iPhone connect to the backup of SecretBox desktop version.

Step 1 - On your Mac, enable the backup option in preferences of SecretBox.

Step 2 - On your Mac, click on the backup button above the list of secrets.

Step 3 - You can now use your backup with SecretBox Mobile version.



Where the data is stored?

By default, the data is stored on your computer inside a SQLLite database that is encrypted. No data is sent to the cloud.



What are the limitations of the trial version?

Limitations of the trial version:

  • You can set up a password in preferences but it's not operational 
  • You can only manage up to 10 secrets
  • The trial sentence will appear in the primary window

You can unlock all limitations by purchasing a license from our website.



What type of categories are available?

You can manage your secrets by categories. These are the ones available in version 3:

  • Web passwords
  • Software licenses
  • Credit cards information
  • Computers or server passwords
  • Other information like the ones related to people



What is the used encryption technology?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric block cipher chosen by the U.S. government to protect classified information.

AES is implemented in software and hardware throughout the world to encrypt sensitive data. It is essential for government computer security, cybersecurity and electronic data protection.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) started development of AES in 1997 when it announced the need for an alternative to the Data Encryption Standard (DES), which was starting to become vulnerable to brute-force attacks.

NIST stated that the newer, advanced encryption algorithm would be unclassified and must be "capable of protecting sensitive government information well into the [21st] century." It was intended to be easy to implement in hardware and software, as well as in restricted environments -- such as a smart card -- and offer decent defenses against various attack techniques.

AES was created for the U.S. government with additional voluntary, free use in public or private, commercial or noncommercial programs that provide encryption services.