Filed under: Utilities, Macintosh, Shareware
Xslimmer: Thin down your obese Mac programs
by Simon Kerbel Jan 30th 2008 at 6:00PM
So how does Xslimmer work? By removing the variations of a program's code that does not apply to the architecture of your machine. When a Universal Binary application is created, it contains several versions of the code: a version intended to run on PowerPC machines (like G4 or G5 Macs), another one meant for the more recent Intel machines. This ensures universal platform support, but it bloats the application size. Xslimmer will remove the pieces of code that will never be run on your machine. Voila! More hard drive space, same programs.
If the explanation of how Xslimmer works worries you, fear not, young padawan: the developers have designed Xslimmer to be completely safe and reversible:
- Xslimmer has a database of "blacklisted" applications, that is, applications that have their own integrity check and who rebel if anything is modified. Xslimmer will never modify these applications.
- You can create a full backup of all your applications prior to the liposuction.
Xslimmer's execution is simple. Drag and drop any application onto the Xslimmer interface, click slim, and you're done. If you're feeling lazy, the built-in genie will automatically scan all of your applications, and you can slim all or a selection with one click.
You can try Xslimmer for free and slim up to 50 MB, and register the software for $11.95. That's less than a visit to Starbucks, for crying out loud (well, if you get a Venti Mocha Frappucino with extra shots and one of those delicious little sausage, egg and ham muffins. Mmm...muffins...).
Get a WordPress.com Blog
With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet.
They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joey said 12:05AM on 1-31-2008
I emailed the developers but does anyone know what the blacklisted applications are. They have a trial download that limits 50MB usage. But prior to installing this it would be nice to know which apps would/would not benefit from this.
Reply
Pedro said 5:26AM on 1-31-2008
Hi Joey,
I just saw the email you sent us, but thought it could be useful for others to answer here.
I'd recommend you do download Xslimmer. Once you have it installed, you can open the Blacklist window (using the Applications menu) to see te most current set of applications that have been blacklisted.
You may also drop all your apps onto Xslimmer's interface (or use the Genie to have them found for you): Xslimmer will analyze them and will tell you which ones cannot be slimmed down and the reason why. It will also estimate the space savings you'll have. You can also play around with the language settings to tell Xslimmer how many app localizations you want to keep, and you'll immediately see the impact on the space that can be freed.
If you download Xslimmer you don't need to buy a license to have the analysis performed, and you'll get a chance to see if Xslimmer's beautiful interface is to your liking ;)
peehskcalba said 1:37AM on 1-31-2008
Why pay for XSlimmer when you can have Trimmit (www.lipidity.com/software/trimmit/) for free?
Sure, it doesn't have blacklisted apps, but it's fast, and it has more configuration options than XSlimmer does.
If you're looking for a slimmed down version of XSlimmer, I'd try Trimmit.
And you can't beat the price can you?
(Unless you got XSlimmer from Macheist, that is.)
Reply
DagMX said 3:41AM on 1-31-2008
IMO the blacklist is important, otherwise you'll keep having to go revert programs if they get messed up