AppDelete Version 1.1.1
8/27/2007
New Features and Basic Operation
New Features:
• Log only feature with Log/View button on the main window
• Can now delete widgets, preference panes, and plugins in addition to applications
• Can now delete items by dropping onto icon in main window or by selecting in main menu
• New auto-update feature to check for latest version
• Log now records entries at top of page instead of bottom in /Library/Logs folder
• Improved searching and more accurate in finding associated items
• Reorganized main window/error windows to make more user-friendly
• Possible to "right-click" an item in the Finder and use the AppDelete Automator workflow (not possible with Panther)
• Now removes empty dock icons
• Other minor improvements
Basic Operation
• Purpose is to delete an application (widget, preference pane, or plugin) and the files related to its operation
• Drop an application (or supported item mentioned above) onto the AppDelete icon or choose one from the main menu
• You will be asked for confirmation to Log or Delete these items in the main window
• Items will either be logged only if you click "Log" or they will be moved to your trash if you click "OK"
• If you change your mind you can click "Undo" on the main window or select "Undo" in the main menu
• Results can be viewed in your log by using "View" on the main window or selecting "Show Log" in the main menu
Detailed Instructions
Purpose:
The goal of AppDelete is to delete the items (files and folders) that are associated with the application (widget, preference pane, or plugin) you want to delete. This is so you don't have to delete them manually, or let them remain on your computer once your app (or supported item mentioned above) is deleted. While it is difficult to be perfect in getting every item, AppDelete should remove all of the associated items.
Installation and Updates:
Just mount the AppDelete disk image and drag the AppDelete icon into the Applications folder alias. If you have a previous version of AppDelete you will be asked if you want to replace it. However, if you have a previous version kept in a different location you will have to delete it manually. Regarding updates AppDelete will check in the background for updates upon launching. If an update is available you will see a red stop sign appear on the main window. By clicking it you will be asked to download the latest version. If you choose to download the latest version it will be downloaded to your Desktop. You can also check for updates anytime in the main menu. Notes: previous versions of AppDelete were installed into a "AppDelete" folder in the Applications folder, but it is no longer necessary to keep AppDelete in this location unless you choose to. And while you may continue to use AppDelete if an update is available (the red stop sign might be visible but AppDelete will function normally) it is generally recommended to apply the latest update as soon as possible.
How to use:
AppDelete is a droplet application which means to run AppDelete just drag the application or folder containing the application you want to delete onto the AppDelete icon. (In addition to applications you can also delete widgets, preference panes, and plugins.) An easy way is to keep AppDelete in your dock so you can drag your app or folder containing the app onto the icon in your dock. However, it's also possible to just open AppDelete and select the item you want to delete in the main menu, or to right-click an item in the Finder and use the AppDelete Automator workflow (not possible with Panther). After doing this AppDelete will search your system to find the associated items. All of the associated items will be placed in folders that show the path they were deleted from. They will be moved inside of a folder in the trash named "AppDelete" with the name of the app you dragged onto the icon. You can inspect this folder if you like before emptying the trash. Notes: only drag one application onto the AppDelete icon at a time. If you need to delete more apps you will need to wait until the previous app has been processed. AppDelete will not delete your personal files, just files related to the operation of the app you choose to delete. AppDelete does not need to be used (and cannot be used) during the installation of an app in order to delete the app. And Panther FileVault users may notice slightly slower performance.
Undo:
After running AppDelete and having the deleted items placed in the trash, you can use the Undo feature that is built into AppDelete. This feature will be active upon successfully deleting an application (or supported item mentioned above) and its associated items. An "Undo" button will appear on the main window after this takes place. If you choose Undo it will send all the items back to their original location. This Undo feature is only active until you use AppDelete to log or delete another item or if you quit AppDelete. You can still select Undo in the main menu if the Undo button is no longer visible on the main window, that is if you did not log or delete another item yet. It's suggested that once you delete an application, if you like, you can inspect your trash and if you feel the need to use the Undo then you could do so at this time. You can still restore at a later date, but to do so you will have to use the AppDelete log (see below). Notes: the Undo feature built into the Finder will not be able to restore your items. And FileVault users will not be able to use Undo if you move your deleted items from the trash before using Undo.
Logs:
AppDelete keeps a log of every item that is deleted in case you need to put it back where it came from. You also have the choice to "Log only" items for future reference or to preview before deleting. The first time you run AppDelete there will be a file named "AppDelete Log" created in your /Library/Logs folder. This log will only be created once and will be updated each time you run AppDelete. The first item that will be logged is the one you dragged onto the AppDelete icon. Then all associated items that are found and deleted will be logged with their original path in case any items need to be restored to their original location at a later date. (Any items that are restored using the Undo feature will also be logged.) If you want to use the "Log only" feature then when you drag an item onto AppDelete or choose one in the main menu just select "Log" on the main window and all items will be logged only instead of moved to the trash. When the button changes to "View" it will open the Log for you to see the items that were found. This will give you control over previewing, deleting, and saving associated item information for reference. Notes: if the log is deleted a new one will be created the next time AppDelete is run. Previous versions of the AppDelete log were kept in the AppDelete folder in Applications. If AppDelete finds a log in this location it will be moved to the /Library/Logs folder. And new log entries will be logged at the top of the log instead of the bottom.
AppDelete was designed to be as simple to use as possible and is not a replacement for any uninstall information that came with your application. AppDelete is a Universal binary that will run on both Intel and PowerPC Macs using OS X version 10.3 (Panther) or higher.
2006-2007 by Reggie Ashworth
reggie.ashworth.googlepages.com