PrefKiller is an application to search preference files that is not needed yet. If you use or test many freeware, shareware or demoware gotten by Internet or CD-ROM, you may have too many preference files in 'Preferences' folder in your Macintosh. You may delete them by your self to drag them into trash, but it is not good idea. We think it is too dull work. We can do same work Just only to double-click PrefKiller.
1-2. Requirement
PrefKiller needs Mac-OS System 7 or later and 500KB of free memory. If you use too large hard disk, you may need more memory.
2. How do you use
2-1. Window
The main window has 6 command buttons, 2 arrow buttons, 2 list boxes and one messege box. The 6 command buttons are at the top of the window, these are
[Search] Button
Search preference files that have no owners.
[Move Files] Button
Move files shown in [trash] list into trash.
[To 'NEEDED' List] Button
Add files to ['NEEDED' Files] list.
[File Information] Button
Show file's information.
[Preference] Button
Show preference dialog.
[Quit] Button
Quit application.
The 2 arrow buttons are
[Right Arrow] Button
Move items in [preferences] list to [trash] list.
[Left Arrow] Button
Move items in [trash] list to [preferences] list.
The 2 list boxes are
[preferences] list
List of preference files found by PrefKiller.
[trash] list
List of preference files that should be moved into trash.
2-2. Menu
'File' menu have only 'Quit' menu item.
'Edit' menu have only one active 'Select All' menu item. This menu item is to select all items in the list box.
'Command' menu have following menu items.
[Search] menu
Search preference files that have no owners.
[Move Files] menu
Move files shown in [trash] list into trash.
[File Information] menu
Show file's information.
[Into Trash] menu
Move items in [preferences] list to [trash] list.
[Into Preferences] menu
Move items in [trash] list to [preferences] list.
[Preference] menu
Show preference dialog.
The all menu commands in 'Command' menu are able to be handled by pushing command buttons in the window.
2-3. Search
You can search 'NOT NEEDED' preference files by selecting 'command'-'search' menu or push [Search] button. PrefKiller find preference files that do not have owner Applications, Extensions or Control Panels. Owner files are
• A file type is 'APPL' (application).
• A file type is 'appe' (background only application).
• All file type in 'Extensions' folder.
• A file type is 'cdev' in 'Control Panel' folder.
PrefKiller search 'APPL' files and 'appe' files all over volumes, then search all files in 'Extensions' folder and 'cdev' files in 'Control Panel' folder.
PrefKiller collect creators of found files, then search preference files those creators are not match with collected creators.
2-4. Handle Lists
PrefKiller have 2 list boxes on the window. The lift [preferences] list is a list of found preference files that have no owner, the right [trash] list is a list of preference files to be moved into trash. If you need some files in [preferences] list, you should add them to 'NEEDED' files list by pushing [To 'NEEDED' List] Button. [Needed files] list is shown on a 'Preference' dialog.
When you move items from [preferences] list to [trash] list, you select them and push a right arrow button or select 'command'-'Into trash' menu. On the other hand, when you move items back from [trash] list to [preferences] list, you select them and push a left arrow button or select 'command'-'Into Preferences' menu. These works don't move files actually.
2-5. Move Files into Trash
When you move files from preferences folder into trash folder actually, you push [Move Files] button or select 'command'-'Move files' menu. Then the files listed in trash list are moved into trash folder. When you delete them, use finder.
2-6. Apple's Owner File
PrefKiller search preference files that do not have same creator as one of creators of found owner files. Some preferences made by MacOS system have creator 'MACS'. PrefKiller cannot find owner files that have creator 'MACS', that is, cannot know whether these preferences have owner files. If you don't want to search preference files that have creator 'MACS', you check "Not search Apple owner's preferences". Then, PrefKiller does not find preference files that have one of following creators.
• 'MACS' some Apple system files
• 'afps' AppleShare file
• 'Clrs' Claris XTEND system
Å@• 'mtcp' MacTCP
• 'find' File search
2-7. 'NEEDED' Files
When you use applications in removable media or other machine on network, these preferences may be made sometimes in preferences folder on your Macintosh. PrefKiller cannot recognize that these files have owner applications, so these preference files appear in [preferences] List after searching. If you know their are necessary for you, you can add them to ['NEEDED' files] list by selecting them and pushing [To 'NEEDED' List] Button. PrefKiller does not find them from next time. This function is very useful. At the first time PrefKiller may find many files, but after using this function, PrefKiller will find only new 'NOT NEEDED' preferences.
2-8. File Information
You can know file information in list by selecting single file and push [File Information] button.
2-9. Preference
PrefKiller preference have 2 check box and 1 list box.
Check Box:
• Search 'appe' creator file (background application) as owner
Background only applications usually are not many. So, if you want first
search, you check this off. Then when preference files of background
only applications are found, you should add them to ['NEEDED' files] list.
• Not search Apple's owner preferences
Please refer section 2-6.
List Box:
• ['NEEDED' files] List
Please refer section 2-7. If you make some 'NEEDED' files searchable, select
items and push 'searchable' button.
2-10. Log
The log is written automatically when you move files into trash folder. If you want to know about the Log, you may open 'Pref Killer Log.txt' file by any editor.
3. Registration
3-1. Registration
PrefKiller is Shareware, but this is fully functional. You can use this only for evaluation. If you like it, please register and pay licence fee.
Registration fee for one copy:
US/Canada/Europe and Advanced country US$7
Japan 700 Yen
Other country
If your are poor, you can pay just the same as 2-lunch's price in your country.
To register your copy, print registration form and fill it out, then mail it to following address with payment of licence fee.
Tatsuro Kosaka
Copo Fuji 105, Noborito, Tama-ku
Kawasaki-shi
Japan 214
You can pay by International Postal Money Order in US$ or Yen or Check in US$ or Yen drawn on a Japanese Bank.
Mailing fee is not included in the above licence fee. You can get registration name and registration ID by E-mail, Postal mail or FAX. If you need our replay by Postal mail, you have to pay mailing fee adding to registration fee.
Mailing fee:
US/Canada US$3
Japan 100 Yen
Other Country US$4
E-mail: tad@cup.com
FAX:03-3469-9651
1-4. License Agreement
The software 'PrefKiller' including this documentation is provided on 'AS IS' basis without warranty of any kind. We (FarEast Software and Tatsuro Kosaka) do not warrant and guarantee regarding the use or the any kind of result of the use of the software, and regarding the corrections, accuracy or reliability of this documentation. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the software is borne by you. If the software or this documentation are defective, you, and not FarEast Software or Tatsuro Kosaka, assume the entire cost of all necessary service, repair and correction.
If you fit within the description above, you may use the software.
1-5. Upload, Publish or Copy
You may copy the software that is not registered and may give anyone. And you may upload or publish the copy of the software that is not registered with our permission. If you want to contact me, send me an e-mail, mail or FAX.
1-6. Bug Report
When you find some bugs, feel free to report to me by e-mail, mail or FAX. We accept your bug report even if you do not register yet.
