Clean My Mac

[sluggo]

Does anyone use this app? I've had version 2 for quite some time now and it seems to simplify some little tasks like uninstalling items or getting rid of large files or cleaning up caches.
I haven't yet made the jump to El Capitan, but CMM is now asking if I'd like to upgrade to version 3 (El Capitan friendly, I guess) for a 50% off price of $19.95.
Is it worth the upgrade? Are there free or lower cost alternatives? On a related note, is there any reason not to make the jump to El Capitan?

[jchuzi]

I will probably upgrade to EC fairly soon. I was waiting for version 10.11.1 to be released, which happened yesterday. I also will check app compatibility at http://roaringapps.com before taking the plunge. My procedure will be:

1. Make a complete backup via SuperDuper.
2. Use Disk Warrior to rebuild the directory.
3. Disconnect all peripherals except keyboard and mouse.
4. Download and install EC. Some people do the installation while in Safe Mode but I don't know if that's necessary, particularly because 10.11.1 purportedly has fixed some installation issues.
5. Dance naked around the computer without having the cats in the room (they throw up when they see me in the altogether). This may be done during step 4, if desired.

[sluggo]

Opened App Store this afternoon and considered downloading EC. Read many reviews. I'd say many more negative than positive. I think I'll remain in the land of functioning computers for now.

[Xairbusdriver]

Not many techs recommend these 'Mac cleaning' apps. Just never trusted them to remove only what they should. Many reviewers noted that they often do not delete everything, anyway. But, even worse, they sometimes delete files that are used by other apps! You can easily delete most browser caches from their own menu. Many Apple apps have a "Debug" menu which usually includes that function. Many caches are simply rebuilt as soon as the app that needs them runs again, and, if it's the OS, they will probably get rebuilt as soon as you delete them! The cleaners claim deleting caches make you machine operate faster. It does... until it next needs the cache and things slow down while it gets rebuilt!

Unless you have a very old, small drive, it's hardly worth the risk of deleting the wrong stuff just to regain a few hundred bytes of disk space. If your drive is that small, it is probably pretty old and may be well beyond its 'mean time between failures'; in other words, run, do not walk, to get a replacement, and likely larger drive!

QUOTE

Are there free or lower cost alternatives?

Besides the options built in to many apps, not to mention the "Un-installers", there a much better 'utility' apps that many of us here use; OnyX, Cocktail, Disk Warrior, TechTool Pro. I think only one of those is free, but they will all do so much more than "Clean My Mac".

If you do upgrade/buy it, first make absolutely sure you have a bootable, usable backup ...or two!

[sluggo]

I've actually used Clean My Mac for many years. Never once an issue. Not that there's a big need to create space, I've got tons of that. I like the drag & drop uninstaller if I want to get rid of an app. Many times it doesn't seem to be that simple to get rid of everything associated with a particular app. They don't all have built in uninstallers. I used OnyX for quite some time too. Then one time I ran it and all kind of things got goofy on me. I don't remember specifics because it was quite some time ago. But I ditched it and never went back after that.
I do have a Super Duper backup if needed someday. But if I don't make a move to El Capitan just now, the decision on whether to update CMM becomes moot. I'm leaning toward holding out right now.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

one time I ran it and all kind of things got goofy on me

All programs have at least one bug

All programs can be reduced to one line

That one line will be a bug.

I consider it much more likely that you will find something "goofy" happen when running CMM. That's not just my opinion, but you can do the searching for your self. Drag & Drop is not an "uninstall" method. That will work for many newer apps that install things as a 'package'. Their icon is basically a disguised folder where all its files are stored; dump the icon and you'll dump all its files... usually.

I hope you have continued good luck with CMM.

[sluggo]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Oct 22 2015, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Drag & Drop is not an "uninstall" method. That will work for many newer apps that install things as a 'package'. Their icon is basically a disguised folder where all its files are stored; dump the icon and you'll dump all its files... usually.

I hope you have continued good luck with CMM.

Should have clarified. CMM has an uninstaller option where apps can be selected from a menu or dragged & dropped into the uninstaller.