How to clean un-used downloaded items

[Mac ROX]

Hey guys. i'm just wondering how to clean up my mac because i've downloaded things in the past that i don't use any more and now i'm just wanting to get rid of it.

also i don't know if this means anything but i went to my down load list and there was this text edit that i didn't recognize. i clicked it and it came up with a bunch of "‹¡™3`@#!@#!@" and things like that does that mean anything? and also what anti virus system do you recommend if it is something i have to worry about.

thanks

[divigation]

You can just drag everything to the trash if you like, that is how I keep things tidy, but I am a fan of manual file management. Hazel is a well regarded application that will keep things clean on your system automatically, alot of people around the forum use it. You don't need antivirus software, that is part of the joy of having a Mac. As regards that text file, it isn't a text file, it is some other sort of file that OSX is not recognizing and so is trying to read as a text file, thus the computer gibberish.

[houltmac]

Originally Posted by Mac ROX

also i don't know if this means anything but i went to my down load list and there was this text edit that i didn't recognize. i clicked it and it came up with a bunch of "‹¡™3`@#!@#!@" and things like that does that mean anything?

If you let us know what the file is called and/or where it came from we may also be able to determine exactly what it should be opened with.

[Mac ROX]

O ok. thanks as long as it isent a virus lol. ok so if i use that app. it will automticly clean my computer up? ok thanks alot =-)

[philbowell]

You will have to configure Hazel and set parameters to make it do what you want to do but essentially it will keep your Mac clean of downloaded items.

Regarding the virus, there are no known viruses in the wild for the Mac so you really don't need anti-virus or to be too paranoid about it. I would however always encourage sensible surfing.

[baseballboy828]

It's not a virus. I highly recommend Hazel as well. It can set rules for certain folders. For example, you could create a rule to import all mp3's and other audio files in your Downloads folder into iTunes automatically and then move the files to the trash. Very powerful.

[Mac ROX]

aww. it costs money :-( but hey guys. i have another question. i have been using PC all my life and my itunes library is on the pc. well i got this laptop and i want to transfer the library from the PC to the laptop. but whenever i plug it in it always says that you cant have the library in 2 places so when i chose transfer it erases my whole library and ipod data! so i don't know what to do i don't wanna have to buy songs all over again and when i go on vacation and i want to have my music on my mac i want to listen to it. so is this anyway to fix this?

thanks.

[Yuiichi]

Haha, plenty of applications cost money. That's how developers feed themselves and their families.

On the subject of transfering your iTunes library over to your Mac, here's a useful guide from Lifehacker. Just to let you know - you can't sync your iPod on two different computers. Choose one and let it sync from there every time.