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bkb · Feb 11, 2004, 09:10 PM

I'm thinking about installing and using MacJanitor, based on this logic:

The Unix subsystems on Mac OS X were originally written for machines that were typically never shut off. Mac OS X inherits this assumption in version 1.x, and has many system maintenance tasks that are scheduled to run between 3 am and 5 am. In addition, there are scripts designed to run weekly on weekends, and once a month in the middle of the night. If these maintenance tasks are never run (such as on a laptop that is always shut off at night), many log files and system database will grow extremely large or fail to get backed up.

However, I am a not sure if it is a good idea. Can someone comment on using third party maintenance programs such as this?

Thanks,
BKB.

Tomster · Feb 11, 2004, 09:25 PM

You can change the system crontab via terminal or using Cronnix. Or just type in sudo periodic daily weekly monthly in the terminal.

BTW, this has been covered a bunch of times in the OS X forums. That might be a better place to search.

bkb · Feb 11, 2004, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by Tomster:
You can change the system crontab via terminal or using Cronnix. Or just type in sudo periodic daily weekly monthly in the terminal.

BTW, this has been covered a bunch of times in the OS X forums. That might be a better place to search.

Thanks. I thought it would be more of a PowerBook issue, since fewer of us leave our machines on all night, compared to desktops.

MOTHERWELL · Feb 12, 2004, 02:52 PM

I run MacJanitor every once in a while. I could change the cron job, but my laptop is never always on at a certain time of day. I like the fact that I push a button and something happens that I really have no control over.

jorgem4 · Feb 12, 2004, 04:23 PM

Tomster,

Is Cronix an 3rd party app?

I am far from being a Terminal person (I wish I was one) but what is sudo and what does it do? How can I find the Crontab(s)? Where can I learn to get out more from the terminal? Am I missing of something good?

Thanks.

dagaz · Feb 13, 2004, 05:07 AM

An excellent place to start learning some Unix for OSX is at the OSXFAQ Learning Centre.

bkb · Feb 13, 2004, 05:31 PM

Originally posted by dagaz:
An excellent place to start learning some Unix for OSX is at the OSXFAQ Learning Centre.

Dagaz (or anyone else for that matter),
I've started taking a look at this site you recommend. What would be really cool is if I can get the terminal window to 'stay on top' while i am browsing this page in Safari. On my somewhat small 12" screen, this would make things a lot easier. Is there any way to get the terminal window to stay on top of everything else?

Thanks,
BKB.

banditcosmo · Feb 13, 2004, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by dagaz:
An excellent place to start learning some Unix for OSX is at the OSXFAQ Learning Centre.

dagaz,
Thanks for the great link.

chabig · Feb 13, 2004, 07:52 PM

I like Macaroni best of all.

Chris

Tomster · Feb 14, 2004, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by jorgem4:
Tomster,

Is Cronix an 3rd party app?

I am far from being a Terminal person (I wish I was one) but what is sudo and what does it do? How can I find the Crontab(s)? Where can I learn to get out more from the terminal? Am I missing of something good?

Thanks.

Go here.

Just set the maintenance tasks to whatever time your Powerbook is usually on. Hope it helps.