Prep work for new iMac

[petercw2]

As my new iMac arrives today (or will it? ) - and while I'm still sorting out the best way to migrate from a 2TB fusion to a 1TB internal SSD and a 1TB external SSD - I also realize this is a good chance to clean up my files before any migration.

Any have a good list of best practices of how to clean out old, unused programs (also prepping for the end of 32bit), files of all sorts (temp, library, caches, etc).

Also, what is the best way to insure my iCloud stuff is properly updated in the cloud? I ask because for reasons I've never understood - I've struggled to keep aspects of iCloud sync'd between my current model iOS devices and my 2011 iMac.

thanks in advance.

 

[joema2]

As my new iMac arrives today (or will it? ) - and while I'm still sorting out the best way to migrate from a 2TB fusion to a 1TB internal SSD and a 1TB external SSD - I also realize this is a good chance to clean up my files before any migration.

Any have a good list of best practices of how to clean out old, unused programs (also prepping for the end of 32bit), files of all sorts (temp, library, caches, etc)...

OmniDiskSweeper is a free app that is regularly maintained. It doesn't automatically find and delete temp, library, caches, etc -- it just shows you the largest files, sorted in column format. However it can be useful to find less-used or forgotten files/folders. You can then delete those or move them to external storage: https://www.omnigroup.com/more

Having duplicate files also consumes space. There are many tools for searching and deleting duplicate files, but my favorite is Gemini 2. It is a commercial tool but it's fast and works well: https://macpaw.com/gemini

 

[mikey8811]

Whatever you do, do NOT use Migration Assistant if you have network settings and shared folders you wish to carry over to the new iMac. They migrate but then screws up the Open Directory so you will no longer be able to edit the sharing permissions or delete obsolete shared folders on the new iMac. This is apparently a known glitch on Mac OS server with Mojave but they haven't bothered to fix it nor warn anyone.

See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8574987?answerId=250746908022#250746908022

While this software bug is there, using Mac OS Mojave as a file server is not recommended as you will encounter lots of problems especially with other legacy Mac OS being unable to perform the most basic sharing functions.

They still have the instructions for Migration Assistant as it was even after I cautioned them to at least put a warning about the issue. Apple likes to use the ease of migration as a selling point when in fact a lot of things are likely not to work afterwards which they are unable to fix.

I found out the hard way and Apple support has no clue how to fix it other than a wipe and an OS reinstall which is pretty piss poor for a new computer. I mean they made the hardware and the software and if they cannot help a user, who can?

I have made arrangements to return mine.