Essential, Free OS X Mac System Utilities

In my previous article detailing free audio/video apps, I started thinking about system utilities. Apple has a standard vanilla offering of Disk Utility to diagnose and repair minor issues, and when combined with automatic backups via Time Machine, it's a pretty good combination. But if you're interested in fully cleaning out old programs and reducing waste that bogs down your computer, it's no good. Neither is it helpful in fully copying every file so that you have a bootable backup. In order to unlock OS X's hidden abilities and use new tools, you'll need to download the following free (or very nearly so) software.

*Tinkertool
System requirements: OS 10.4+ / License: Freeware / Download: [link]
Tinkertool is, as its name suggests, a tool for tinkering with OS X. Do you dislike the OS X Leopard glassy, three-dimensional dock? Banish it to oblivion by clicking a check mark. Tired of the scale and genie effects that play when you minimize a window? Unlock the (in my opinion) far superior "suck" animation. Are you a web developer who wants to use Safari to inspect HTML? Activating the hidden "developer" window item increases its functionality fourfold. These are just some of the many abilities Tinkertool grants. Best of all no matter how much you mess around with your system, it's unlikely to cause problems--and if it does a full restore is a simple click away.

*Onyx
System requirements: OS 10.2+ (multiple versions available) / License: Freeware / Download: [link]
The only times my Mac has ever had catastrophic system failures that required me to restart were ironically when I tried to use system utilities such as Norton or Techtool to fix things. I've learned my lesson, and gone with the free and (so far) much less malevolent system utilities extravaganza, OnyX. The program has some overlap with Disk Utility in its ability to verify the hard drive's SMART status, identify and repair permissions, but it has a host of other helpful features as well. Virtually any cache files on your computer can be deleted, and like Tinkertool can configure hidden OS X system abilities. As part of spring cleaning you'll want to give OnyX a go.

*Carbon Copy Cloner
System requirements: OS 10.4+ (multiple versions available) / License: Freeware / Download: [link]
Time Machine works by backing up all your files once, and then each successive time only updating changed or new files. That's certainly a method for backups, but some people prefer to make their own backups of everything. Enter Carbon Copy Cloner, which as its name suggests clones your computer's hard drive to an external backup. For those who can't be bothered with manual backups you can schedule when you want the program to do its thing--the options are far more flexible than Time Machine.

*AppZapper
System requirements: OS 10.4+ / License: Trial ($12.95 to buy) / Download: [link]
The vast majority of OS X apps are simple to download and install. Conversely uninstalling them is as simple as dragging the app to the trash. Sure there might be one or two preference files somewhere, but that's not a real issue. But if we're talking heavy duty programs that you want to be rid of--old versions of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, et al come to mind--then good luck. Few of these programs that muck with your system even come with uninstallers, and so they end up wrapped around your system, causing problems or wasting your space. Enter AppZapper. Uninstalling any program is as simple as dragging the application icon onto the AppZapper window, and via a nifty sound effect, it's gone. AppZapper identifies any child files that the application has left behind, to be selectively nuked or saved at your leisure. AppZapper is a trial program, meaning you only have a certain number of free zaps before the program demands to be registered. You could just trash your preferences and reinstall the program to use it for free indefinitely, but due to the utility of the program I think it's well worth the $13 (and free upgrades for life).

*The Unarchiver
System requirements: OS 10.3.9+ / License: Freeware / Download: [link]
OS X has a built-in file or archive expander, but its functionality is rather limited. That's where The Unarchiver (aka the freeman's StuffIt) comes in. Its supported formats include such archaic names such as "Zip, Tar-GZip, Tar-BZip2, Rar, 7-zip, LhA, and StuffIt", to name a few. Its RAR support alone makes it essential for any Mac power user who has to handle the messy files.

*atMonitor
System requirements: OS 10.5+ / License: Freeware / Download: [link]
Ever wondered what's going on under your computer's hood? How hot it gets before the fans start whirring on overdrive to keep things cool? How much memory you're using at any given second, and how much is free? For those stat-crunching, system profiling power users, atMonitor is a free delight. Customizable with multiple themes and display preferences, with atMonitor you can observe your system in real time. It's more graphic and user friendly than OS X's own Activity Monitor (if you even know what that is), and allows logging and even some maintenance options, right from the app. A great addition to any toolbox.

This is one of several of David Fuchs' articles on Associated Content detailing OS X applications and tricks. If you're a creative interested in free apps to increase your audio/video output or handling, read "9 Essential (and free) OS X Mac A/V apps". You can also go browse Apple's own collection of free, shareware, or demo system utilities and hacks at the official OS X download page. Got another handy app that you want others to know about? Post it in the comments!