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uv23 · Dec 1, 2003, 05:01 PM

I was just looking through a list of "cool mac apps" and came across two apps: MacJanitor and Macaroni, both of which claim to resolve issues with OSX and missing "scheduled maintenance." The blurbs talk about missing some sort of required system maintenance if your machine is off or asleep between 3am and 5am. Now obviously, my 12" PB will always be off or asleep at that time so now I'm concerned that I'm not doing something right. Is this something that was fixed in Panther (my PB came with Panther installed)? Is it anything to worry about? Can anyone elighten me? Cheers.

MPMoriarty · Dec 1, 2003, 05:57 PM

Basically, Mac OS X runs a series of maintenence scripts -- Daily, Weekly, Monthly -- that clear out system caches and some other tasks.

The problem is that by default, these scripts are set to run in the early morning hours...between 3-5 AM if I am correct.

This really isn't an inconveinance for those who leave their machines running all the time. The problem arises for normal users who generally shut their computer off or put it to sleep before they go to bed.

You can configure the scripts to run at a more conveinant time, but it requires using the terminal and unix commands. Here's an Apple article that tells you how...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107388

What programs such as Mac Janitor try to do is give you an easy to use GUI to run these scripts yourself manually. A lot easier than using the terminal.

If you do decide to go with downloading software, I would recommend a great little utility called Cocktail. It will let you run these scripts and a whole lot more.

http://www.macosxcocktail.com/

While it isn't critical to run these scripts, it is just good OS maintenence. It helps keep your system running more smoothly.

Hope this helps,

Mike

uv23 · Dec 1, 2003, 06:03 PM

Thanks very much, most helpful.

gorickey · Dec 1, 2003, 06:08 PM

I personally am a registered user of Macaroni and absolutely love it's simplicity and "behind the scenes" work...hasn't failed me yet and the authors are very quick on the updates....

MPMoriarty · Dec 1, 2003, 06:12 PM

Hmmm...I've never tried Macaroni.

Does it do anything else besides running the cron scripts?

gorickey · Dec 1, 2003, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by MPMoriarty:
Hmmm...I've never tried Macaroni.

Does it do anything else besides running the cron scripts?

Repairs permissions...that's about it...

uv23 · Dec 1, 2003, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by gorickey:
Repairs permissions...that's about it...

What's a permission and why would I need to repair it?

gorickey · Dec 1, 2003, 06:28 PM

Originally posted by uv23:
What's a permission and why would I need to repair it?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106712

mcsjgs · Dec 2, 2003, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by gorickey:
Repairs permissions...that's about it...

Actually, Macaroni can do quite a bit more if you configure it to do so. Here's an e-mail from the guy who runs the company that made it:

My question:

In looking at Macaroni a bit more closely, doesn't the program have the same capabilities as CronniX? If you have a script or unix program you want run and know its path, can't you add it as a new task in Macaroni?

His answer:

Yes, you can add your own scripts to Macaroni. However one of the chief differences between Macaroni and CronniX is that, with CronniX, scripts are scheduled for a specific time and don't run unless the Mac is on then. With Macaroni they run on schedule (or as close as possible to it) regardless of when the Mac is on. There are other differences, but that's the only one that seems relevant to your question.

New jobs are added in Macaroni using the "New Job" button. I can provide more detailed information if the "read me" file included is not sufficient.

uv23 · Dec 2, 2003, 01:48 PM

Well I went to that first apple link and simply ran my daily script cleanup from the shell. Not sure why I'd need a program to do that for me. And in about a month, I'll run the monthly script. Am I missing something? Cheers.

mcsjgs · 12:35 PM

No, not at all. Macaroni just automates the same processes. Some people think Apple should have made this part of OS X, since most users are not fluent in Unix.

Addition:

I looked at Cronaid's web site and it has almost the same functions. It looks as if it either did not need a Panther update or has not been updated for Panther judging by the dates. Since repairing permissions is such a hassle, that might be the only significant difference.

Storyboy · 10:35 AM

I didn't see any mention of CronAid, which, so far as I can tell, works fine for me. It runs unattended about every 10 minutes or so, and doesn't seem to slow anything down.

Apparently the 10 minute interval can be lengthened, as it does seem a bit excessive. Can anyone out there tell me how to do that?

Check it out.