FinderCleaner
(was iClean/iCleanup/iCleaner)

What is it?
FinderCleaner is a small application that helps you when you share volumes or folders with Windows users (or any other OS for that matter), for example USB memory sticks. FinderCleaner deletes some files and folders invisible to Mac users but visible to Windows users so Windows users don't get stuck with annoying files that have no use to them. Mac users need not to worry about deleting these files because the volume will still work as usual. Note that you cannot move files to the trash on the selected volume after running this app until you eject and mount it again. You can still delete files but you will be warned that they will be deleted immediately. This app may also be of use when you have trouble with deveices like mp3 players or mobile phones that have trouble with Mac OS specific files.

What does it exactly do?
FinderCleaner removes the following files and folders:
.DS_Store
.Trashes
Resource forks.
FBC files.

Optionally FinderCleaner can eject the volume in a way where the above mentioned files will not be created on eject. Ejecting in the Finder will at least recreate some of the mess you just cleaned.

How to use? (very important!)
First of all: Do not use this program on volumes or folders that are being used by Mac OS 9 or earlier. Classic systems need resource forks and if you delete them you might find yourself in trouble. Using this on an OS X volume is less dangerous than using it on an OS 9 volume but still is something you should only do when you're absolutely sure what you're doing. Using this on your 10.4 disk might corrupt Spotlight searches. Other operating systems don't use these Mac files so you can safely remove them.

To use this program just double click the app and select a folder or volume to clean. Or you can just drag a folder or volume on it's icon. Place it in your dock or Finder toolbar for easy acces so you can drop volumes or folders on it. 

If you're cleaning an external volume such as a usb device you will be asked if you want to eject the volume. This is recommended since ejecting in the Finder will result in the mess you just cleaned being recreated.

Why does the program ask for my admin password?
I'm not doing anything crazy with your system, this is just a result of OS X using permissions.
This can happen in two cases:

1. You try to clean a file or folder that uses file permissions. Most external volumes can be cleaned without password, but if you want to clean something on a Mac disk you'll need to have the right permissions or else nothing can be deleted. Simple as that.

2. You try to eject a volume. This is a little more complicated. Ejecting a volume is done in a different way you would normally. What this means is that normally a standard part of OS X will eject a volume for you. This part of the system handles everything for you so you don't have to enter your password. In the case of FinderCleaner this will simply not work because the system will create a mess when ejecting a volume. The solution is to directly unmount a volume which requires alteration of some stuff on your disk you simply don't have the rights for.

Your password will be stored in the keychain and unless you're running 10.4 and something goes wrong you will not need to enter it again.

How much does it cost?
Nothing, FinderCleaner is completely free. This should have been a standard option in Mac OS X. Paypal donations to timgoeree@hotmail.com are welcome offcourse. If you use this a lot in a professional environment please consider a small donation.

What's new in version 1.6
*	Fixed an error with a variable not defined message again.

What's new in version 1.5.2
*	Fixed an error with a variable not defined message.

What's new in version 1.5.1
*	Fixed a spinning beachball bug caused by Keychain.

What's new in version 1.5
*	Keychain now fully works in 10.4

*	Fixed potential security issue.

What's new in version 1.4
*	Automator workflow included (for 10.4 only)

*	You can now eject network volumes. 

*	Keychain support for 10.4 improved. Now works most of the times.

*	General code cleaning.

What's new in version 1.3
*	Ejecting in Tiger works again. 

*	Keychain support added. Keychain support should work as expected in Panther so FinderCleaner will not ask your password every time it needs one. Keychain support in Tiger is somewhat unreliable, see Tiger notes for explanation.

What's new in version 1.2
*	The program will now warn when you attempt to clean a Macintosh formatted folder or volume.
	It will NOT prevent you from doing so!

*	You can now eject the volume you just cleaned in a clean way.
	No more yanking out usb deveices.

Known issues.
*	Cleaning a volume or folder with permissions requires you to enter your admin password. This is done 	only one time to make it easy on you. The password will be added to your keychain. If this was not the case you would have to type your password several times which is annoying. The drawback is that the dialog you enter your password in displays your password which is not very safe.

I hope to fix these issues as soon as possible.

Disclaimer.
Use this program at your own risk. I have tested it and it works fine for me but if you mess up anything that's your problem, not mine. Be sure only to use this when you are certain these files and folders can be removed without problems, for example when you move usb sticks between Macs and other computers.

Contact.
For any questions or whatever send an email to timgoeree@hotmail.com