best way to uninstall software in OSX

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Sun May 22, 2005 1:29 am

Hi, this is for my PB G4. I was wondering what the proper procedure is in uninstalling a mac application, since the only logical way I see is to simply delete the "package". But as far as I can see, this still leaves behind preference files and I'm just guessing a bunch of "debris" kind of stuff that builds up after time.

So, I was wondering if there was something like regclean for windows.. something that clears out orphaned files and no longer needed settings, etc.

By the way, my wife's iBook is updated to Tiger. So far so good.. it's fancy and all. Not sure if the update's worth the money though. The dashboard thing and the core video update... well, core video is cool if you're into video programming, but probably useless for audio people. Hard to say. Anyone done experiments?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kensuguro on 2005-05-22 02:54 ]</font>

borg · Post by **borg** » Sun May 22, 2005 4:24 am

about the uninstall, to be honest, i don't know anything. i only know the only uninstaller i have seen till now, is the microsoft office uninstaller.

about Tiger: free midi over network (heard the same is in the works for audio (meaning not only for logic)), access to all your soundcards at the same time (maybe not an issue on your pb), some new audio units (the timestretcher seems to be very nice)...
haven't upgraded though, but will after the theatre show i'm using the pb for at the moment.

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Sun May 22, 2005 1:23 pm

As far as I know, uninstall routines aren't really needed on Mac as virtually all apps don't install anything else but their own folder, so you can just delete that. There is no such thing as a registry on Mac, although there are prefs folders - do a search on your system for .plist files.

I'm a relative OSX noob so there may be more to this, but this is my experience so far.

Post by **hubird** » Sun May 22, 2005 3:16 pm

indeed, app folder, prefs and possibly a controll panel, that's all, just trash those

But I'm still on OS9, due to a small company founded at the end of the last century that goes for 'the latest OSX support on earth' cup

Don't know OSX works different, but it would have been frontpage news if OSX needs any kind of uninstaller

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sun May 22, 2005 5:45 pm

well, I wouldn't hold my breath on anything from Apple in this context

someone please tell me how to remove a (once entered) mail server from the connection setup in the mail app. I must be too stupid because I am able to add entries, but delete a selected one seems impossible...

it'a a unix thing, and there may be config files and a lib here and there - not necessarily - and that's the true sh*t.

as a Mac user you dunno, and Apple doesn't want you to know either

btw I've recently done some office work on the mini, a bit adress tailoring and clean up, something I've done a dozen times or more. Nahh I'll spare the details - just forget about it. Use the mini for iTunes, digicam and games and buy an office Mac (running OS9) for 50 bucks on eBay - seriously, it will be 4 times faster on the job.
sorry for the OT, but Office OSX and AppleWorks were impressive examples that there is user interface programming that's slower than CWA's !

cheers, Tom

samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Mon May 23, 2005 4:00 pm

On 2005-05-22 18:45, astroman wrote:
someone please tell me how to remove a (once entered) mail server from the connection setup in the mail app. I must be too stupid cheers, Tom

You stupid? This doesn't fit you

Mail: -> preferences -> accounts -> Outgoing mail server (SMTP) {open the servers list and choose "Edit server list, choose a desired server, then choose remove}. Is this what you were searching for?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2005-05-23 17:05 ]</font>

samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Mon May 23, 2005 4:04 pm

According the main topic.... When I want to get rid of an unwanted app, I open the Sherlock and type the name of the app. Unlike windows, the names of all associated files contain the name or the main part of the name of the app or the manufacturer. Try the same in windows - 'sder5432ggdsdf.dll' refers to? Or find all apropriate register keys. This is really tricky! No, this is not another mac/pc war so please don't feel like offended.

Post by **hubird** » Mon May 23, 2005 4:52 pm

not at all

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Tue May 24, 2005 5:01 am

Try the following on a Mac:

copy Folder_A into Folder_B, which already contains a folder with the same name as Folder_A, but with none of the same files inside. What happens? The files in the already-existing Folder_A are over-written.

This is amazingly stupid, and it's never ever been like this on Windows.

Moral of story? All platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. I like both platforms, but I do not swear allegiance to either of them.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Tue May 24, 2005 8:03 am

On 2005-05-23 17:00, samplaire wrote:
...
Mail: -> preferences -> accounts -> Outgoing mail server (SMTP) {open the servers list and choose "Edit server list, choose a desired server, then choose remove}. Is this what you were searching for?

yes Sam, that's the location I would expect it - but I swear there was no such button 'remove server'.
I've 'noticed' it in an older installation (not my own machine), on the Mini it's according to your tip

yet no apologies in the direction of the big fruit from my side - there's more than a ton of BS (see dark's post above) in that OS, the point is... it's well hidden

cheers, Tom

samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Tue May 24, 2005 8:51 am

To add some bitter sauce on OSX: I hatethe thing that slow the mouse pointer when you are over a button or textbox

It's not annoying - it's tireing (causing me tired)! Also the system of highlighting a folder/file with a colour label is awful. The one in classic coloured only the appropriate icon while now the whole line is coloured

So this is not I'm that OSX delighted. And I can't play my beloved game on Mac - Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004 by auran