Another N00b

[Ashrack]

Greetings,
I am a very long time PC user (IT specialist) who just got a spare mac at work, and I'm trying to play around with it. It's a PowerBook G4 with OS X.2 installed. It had a bunch of stuff already on it so I'm starting off by cleaning out old stuff and updating with new stuff.

Coming from PC I'm a bit unsure about installation / uninstallation of software. Case in point, I downloaded a firefox dmg file and mounted it, but it never went through an install, just opened up... I copied the file that was found in the dmg mount to the applications directory and it seems to work, but I'm wondering what is supposed to happen with these dmg files.

I've also been clearing out old programs by simply dragging to the trash can (assuming I can't find an uninstaller) is this all I need to do? Is there some other cleanup I can do for control panels and the like? I'm confused about this OS9 compatability software, so many utilities. Do I need all this stuff?

I'm using Safari now and liking it well enough, but I'm curious to find more. Mostly I'll be just web browsing, using iTunes, and playing around, but any suggestions for learning activities would be eagerly welcomed. Thanks!

 

[wordmunger]

Yes, that's how you install apps using a .dmg. Apps are really folders, with all sorts of goodies hidden inside. The nice thing about this way is everything is kept nice and neat, no files sprawling all over your hard drive.

In general you can uninstall just by trashing. There are a few files in the library that you could delete, but these won't hurt anything.

Not sure what you mean by OS 9 support. You only need OS 9 stuff if you're running classic. Then, yes, you need it.

 

[Ashrack]

Thanks Wordmunger for the speedy reply!!

Yeah, it has the classic program installed and there were several applications in there (like Netscape and Dave 4 and such). I know we use Dave to connect to our Active Directory network, but I also know we have AdmitMac around that I could use as well. There's also an OS 9 Desktop folder that I can't remove because, "You don't own this item"

Is there any reason to keep the Classic application, or can I get rid of the whole thing?

Do Mac's need defragmenting? (probably a common question I can google the answer for... but figured I'd throw it in here).

 

[patrick0brien]

Thanks Wordmunger for the speedy reply!!

Yeah, it has the classic program installed and there were several applications in there (like Netscape and Dave 4 and such). I know we use Dave to connect to our Active Directory network, but I also know we have AdmitMac around that I could use as well. There's also an OS 9 Desktop folder that I can't remove because, "You don't own this item"

Is there any reason to keep the Classic application, or can I get rid of the whole thing?

Do Mac's need defragmenting? (probably a common question I can google the answer for... but figured I'd throw it in here).

-Ashrack

Q1: Classic: Stay or go.
A: Well, if you aren't using it, it's just taking up HD space, but no processes -it is an invoked process. If I were you, I'd keep it, HD's are so cheap anymore.

Q2: Defrag?
A: Well you are running 10.2 Jaguar, yes, you would need to defrag - though in Mac parlance it's actually a full Optimize (Boot from aux volume and optimize the whole thing rather than just defrag files while leaving apps alone - recommend TechTool, or DiskWarrior for that - I use TechTool myself). I suggest you upgrade the OS to 10.3 Panther at the least as it has volume journaling and that eliminates the need for Optimizing as the HD cleans up after itself - though I'd optimize right before invoking Journaling.

Bonus 1: After upgrading to 10.3 the only thing you should really have to do for regular maintenance is "Repair Permissions", and that's all. Additionally 10.3 is a lot more Windows-friendly - you shouldn't need Dave anymore. Which is good considering it is a Classic, and therefore emulated, app.

Comment: Yes, installing apps and deleting apps really are that simple. Get ready for that and other instances of overthink. Moments of "what else should I do to get this done? What am I missing?".

For example, plug in a two-button scroll-mouse without a driver disk and watch what happens.

 

[wdlove]

Yes, you can get rid of Classic. That is if you don't have any programs that require Mac OS 9. I haven't used classic in over a year. Just haven't removed mine yet.

Many say that there isn't a need for defragmenting in Mac OS X. If a Mac is on 24/7 then it will run a lot of maintenance on its own, in 10.3. I also use System Optimizer X on my Mac. As mentioned above Tech Tools Pro workd very well when problems arise.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/13321

 

[ChrisFromCanada]

3 things you should check out:

Mac Janitor - Manually run Simple DeFrag Like processes

WhatSize - A great tool for cleaning up Hard Drives and getting some additional HD space. Just don't touch the Library or System Folders

- Just to become familiar with the term we use around here.

Also try to find some cheap ($30) 10.3 "Panther" OS CDs or DVD as Panther is a nice little upgrade over Jaguar. Or better yet go out and grab a Tiger install DVD for $100 - $130.