Is there a defrag utility?

This is my first mac and so much different from pc...i was curious if there is a defrag utility or if i even need one for the mac? what about firewall? is there anything important i should know or use on a mac? i just want to keep it running smooth and safe...thank for an info you can help me with.

Hello thunder:
To add my 2 cents to the feedback....
There is essentially no "routine" maintenance required for a Mac running OS X. OS X "defrags" files of less than 20 MB on the fly. The UNIX maintenance routines are automatically initiated. Do not bother with AV software as there are NO documented viruses that affect a Mac running OS X - none. Repairing permissions is probably a waste of time although I admit I do it after software updates.
As a platitude, I suggest you keep your system clean. In other words, don't install "cute" hacks that do "clever" things. Keep your software up to date by running software update periodically.
As mentioned earlier, a good backup/retreat strategy is invaluable. OS X has a feature called Time Machine. While it is not perfect, it has the advantage of automatically backong up your system on a regular basis. I "overkill" backups by making bootable clones of my iMacs using a little program called SuperDuper ($28 at www.shirt-pocket.com).
Finally, if you ever have a problem or are curious about something use these forums. These forums are the best on-line community anywhere - and everyone is a volunteer!
Barry

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Disk defragmenting utility software for tiger 10.4.7?

I am a new Mac owner. I just getting deeper in understanding my newly acquired MacBook.
The big question I have is "is there a defragmenting utility sismilar to the one in Windows XP in this operating system?
I don't seem to find a disk maintenance tool within the operating system
trying to find some answers!

I really don't know.
I do know that if you repair permissions after every install and update, and when things just don't feel right, things might get a little better.
From Apple:
About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature
Learn about Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature. This document applies to Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 or later.
Disk Utility lets you verify and repair disk and permissions issues. This document explains one of Disk Utility's features for Mac OS X disks, Repair Disk Permissions.
How does Disk Utility check file permissions?
Many things you install in Mac OS X are installed from package files (whose filename extension is ".pkg"). Each time something is installed from a package file, a "Bill of Materials" file (whose filename extension is ".bom") is stored in the package's receipt file, which is kept in /Library/Receipts/ . If you look in the Receipts folder, for example, you should see all kinds of files that end with .pkg, including some that were created when Mac OS X was installed (for example, BaseSystem.pkg). Don't worry, these files don't take up much disk space and you shouldn't put them in the Trash.
Each of those ".bom" files contains a list of the files installed by that package, and the proper permissions for each file.
When you use Disk Utility to verify or repair disk permissions, it reviews each of the .bom files in /Library/Receipts/ and compares its list to the actual permissions on each file listed. If the permissions differ, Disk Utility reports the difference (and corrects them if you use the Repair feature).
Does Disk Utility check permissions on all files?
Files that aren't installed as part of an Apple-originated installer package are not listed in a receipt and therefore are not checked. For example, if you install an application using a non-Apple installer application, or by copying it from a disk image, network volume, or other disk instead of installing it via Installer, a receipt file isn't created. This is normal. Some applications are just designed to be installed like that.
Also, certain files whose permissions can be changed during normal usage without affecting their function are intentionally not checked.
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I hope that helps.

My computer is getting slower and slower. Is there a standard utility I can run to clean things up?

My Imac is getting slower and slower. Is there a standard utility I can run that will clean things up? I am an old PC guy but changed to Mac about 5 years ago. PC had a program called DeFrag. Is there anything like that for the Mac? Thanks, Rick

Rick,
A Mac that loses performance can be caused by many many things. Forget about Defrag, that isn't the problem and is something done by PC users in the 1990s. The more common things to check are RAM (do you have enough) and Login Items. You can easily check if you need a RAM upgrade by operating your computer as you normally do and opening Activity Monitor (Applications - Utilities - Activity Monitor) and click the System Memory tab. In the lower left you will see:
Free
Wired
Active
Inactive
Used
If the amount of Free RAM is in the vicinity of 500MB or less your system needs more RAM.
To check the Login Items navigate to System Preferences - Accounts - Login Items. If you seen applications in the list that you don't need loading when you login simply highlight them and click the - symbol at the bottom of the box to remove them.
Finally I would recommend your visit and read 25 Ways to Speed Up Your Mac.
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What's the Cheapest and Best Defrag Utility?

Hi Friends,
Tried to install Boot Camp, but it says some files could not be moved. Sounds like I need to do a little defragging.
The name "Drive Genius" has been bandied about, but I'd rather not spend $100 on it. Are there any other free or cheap Snow Leopard drive defraggers out there that are also reliable? (I've got Disk Warrior, but I don't think it defrags...)
Also, can I install my Boot Camp partition on an external hard drive?
Thanks!

If you are looking for an inexpensive and very good defrag utility for Snow Leopard, I've been using iDefrag for a couple of years. As a matter of fact I'm using it right now to defrag my MacBook Pro.
http://www.coriolis-systems.com/iDefrag.php

Is there a Java utility class to help with data management in a desktop UI?

Is there a Java utility class to help with data management in a desktop UI?
I am writing a UI to configure a network device that will be connected to the serial port of the computer while it is being configured. There is no web server or database for my application. The UI has a large number of fields (50+) spread across 16 tabs. I will write the UI in Java FX. It should run inside the browser when launched, and issue commands to the network device through the serial port. A UI has several input fields spread across tabs and one single Submit button. If a field is edited, and the submit button clicked, it issues a command and sends the new datum to the device, retrieves current value and any errors. so if input field has bad data, it is indicated for example, the field has a red border.
Is there a standard design pattern or Java utility class to accomplish the frequently encountered, 'generic' parts of this scenario? lazy loading, submitting only what fields changed, displaying what fields have errors etc. (I dont want to reinvent the wheel if it is already there). Otherwise I can write such a class and share it back here if it is useful.
someone recommended JGoodies Bindings for Swing - will this work well and in FX?

Many thanks for the reply.
In the servlet create an Arraylist and in th efor
loop put the insances of the csqabean in this
ArrayList. Exit the for loop and then add the
ArrayList as an attribute to the session.I am making the use of Vector and did the same thing as u mentioned.I am using scriplets...
>
In the jsp retrieve the array list from the session
and in a for loop step through the ArrayList
retrieving each CourseSectionQABean and displaying.
You can do this in a scriptlet but should also check
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What is a good defrag utility for OS X?

Hi, I was wondering what is the recommended defrag utility for 10.4.6. Thanks.

I think that I remember reading that since 10.3, X automatically does it, but I cannot remember for sure.
As the linked article claims, rayray, the OS defrags, but only up to a point.
Firstly, it only defrags files less than 20 Megs in size. This used not to be much of an issue, but in these days of humungous video files and the like, it sometimes can be these days.
Secondly, and significantly, it does not defrag free space. THis isn't much of an issue either when your disk has plenty of free space, but it can certainly become so when things get tight.
Various processes run by Mac OSX require "contiguous" free disk space. A badly fragmented drive may still have quite a few gigabytes of free space, but all of it may be in very small hunks. When the OS needs to write a file all in one place (like a directory extents file, for example), but can't find the room, this can result in very nasty things happening. It may , for example, simply write the file anyway, right over the top of another file.
Until your HD gets down to its last 40 or 50 gigs of free space you don't need to worry. When you DO get down to this sort of level, though, especially if yo are working with very big video files and the like, you need to do something about it. It depends a fair amount on what you are doing with your computer. Some people will get away with it until they are down to the even the last 4 or 5 gigs. Trouble is, if their usage patterns change they may well run into strife.
One solution is to simply "clone" your internal drive to an external, wipe the internal drive, and then clone it back. Make sure the clone really works before you wipe the internal though!
Alternatively , as suggested by Angus, Coriolus's "iDefrag" is the best of the utility bunch for this sort of stuff., I've been using it happily myself for quite some time now.
Cheers
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Running a 2011 Macbook Air with Bootcamp (Win7).
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The 650mb partition is still there (from Disk Utility "Show All Partitions") but cannot be accessed...
What should I do if I want to enable Filevault 2? It needs the Recovery HD partition right?
Help!

The problem is Boot Camp: It uses a hybrid GPT/MBR partitioning scheme - which ends up hiding the Recovery HD partition - which is an EFI physical partition (neither GPT nor MBR).
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(http://wiki.onmac.net/index.php/Triple_Boot_via_BootCamp)
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rEFIt is used to update both the GPT and MBR records so that all partitions will be visible using its "gptsync" command.
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Disk Defrag Utility

HI, I have a G5 and have just
installed Final Cut Studio
I am wondering what the best
Disk Defragmentation Utility is
I already have Disk Warrior, but is
there something better
I notice that my fans start up randomly and stop
and I may need to erase my Hard Drives eventually
and start fresh
thank you

I notice that my fans start up randomly and stop
and I may need to erase my Hard Drives eventually
and start fresh <
No, they don't. The fans come on for specific reason and the only way to know is to have Activity Monitor or another Terminal window/app open.
The idea that defragmentation can solve anything is a holdover from the ancient days of 60meg hard drives. Disk Warrior is a directory rebuilder only, that's al it does, it does not defrag anything. The risk of something truly horrible happening while you are defragging is greater than the perceived benefits but you do this at your own risk. Be sure you have a battery UPS on your machine. The best way to defrag a system drive is to use a cloning tool, make a clone, erase the drive, and clone the clone back to the source of the clone.
Get on the Net and research defragmentation. Make your decision carefully. And then post your experiences for the rest of us.
bogiesan

My drive collapsed. I have an external hard drive. How can I put all my files there, using disk utility?

So my MacBook Pro collapsed one day, and it turns on but only "Restarts" and shuts itself down on the procesa. The only thing I have access to is that 'Command + R' thing. There I tried "Verifying" and "Reparing" the Diak but the message of "Cant repair disk backup as many files as possible, reformat the disk and restore" popped up. So I have am external hard drive with more than enough space to put all of my files in there. my question is: HOW DO I DO THAT? from disk utility. Can somone please help me? Please! Step by step cause ptherwise I will mess it up and I really dont want to lose all the memories I have in my computer.

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Is there a "new" utility called Maintenance?

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