BlueHarvest: Manage DS_Store, resource forks, Trashes and more.

About

BlueHarvest allows you to keep your disks and servers free of Mac "trails" by:

Automatically removing DS_Store files.
Automatically removing resource forks ("dot underscore" files).
Automatically removing hidden folders such as ".Trashes" from removable disks.
Providing simple Control-Click Finder based cleaning of disks, folders and Zip archives.

BlueHarvest is fully customizable (via a System Preferences Panel) and is a Universal binary, supporting Intel and PowerPC based Macs.
BlueHarvest 2 requires 10.4.x or 10.5 and later.

Read the Guide for details of each of BlueHarvest's preferences.

Whats New

Version 2.0.2 (21-Apr-2008)

Fixed a bug in whitelist processing.
Fixed a bug where "Automatically check for updates" couldn't be disabled.
Added French, Japanese and Polish support.

Version 2.0.1 (15-Feb-2008)

Authentication dialog now appears much less frequently
Fixed a bug where the remove button in the extras panel wouldn't enable
Basic AppleEvent/AppleScript support (see the FAQ).

Version 2.0 (26-Oct-2007)

Simple & Advanced setups
Finder contextual menu for fast and convenient cleaning
Support for MacFUSE file systems (including sshfs)
Zip archive cleaning
Whitelist support
Optimized for 10.5 Leopard

This version of BlueHarvest only includes an english language translation. Other languages will be available soon.

Note: BlueHarvest 2.x requires you to purchase a new serial number. Upgrading pricing is available. (See below)

Download

Click here to download BlueHarvest.

Register

If you use BlueHarvest for more than thirty days you must register. A single user registration costs $US12.95. Discounted 10-user packs and site licenses are also available. Click the register link below for upgrade pricing.

Click here to register BlueHarvest.

Installation

Open the BlueHarvest disk image and double click "BlueHarvest.prefPane". Follow the prompts. That's it. If you're upgrading from a previous version you'll need to uninstall before upgrading.

Uninstalling

Open System Preferences and click the BlueHarvest icon. Click the Stop button. Quit System Preferences. Drag the BlueHarvest.prefPane file from /Library/PreferencePanes to the Trash. Logout then log back in.

Guide

To change BlueHarvest's configuration, open the System Preferences (via the Apple menu) and click the BlueHarvest icon.

BlueHarvest's Preference Panel

BlueHarvest has two ways to configure it: Simple and Advanced. These options can be chosen by using the popup menu in the top left of the preferences window.

Simple Preferences

When enabled Simple setup allows you to configure BlueHarvest using just three check boxes. This setup method if recommended for novice users looking for quick, basic setup.

Advanced Preferences

This setup option give you full access to all of BlueHarvest setup options for advanced users. Below you'll find a description of all these options.

DS_Stores

Use this tab to control where BlueHarvest will allow the Finder to use DS_Store files. If you open a folder in the Finder which you've specified shouldn't contain a DS_Store file, BlueHarvest will remove the DS_Store if it exists. It will also remove the DS_Store file if the Finder creates any in these location.

Resources

Use this tab to specify any resource fork (._) files which should be deleted. Resource forks are identified by file extension and are deleted when created or accessed by the applications in the list on the right. You can enter multiple extensions by separating them with a comma (,). To remove resource forks for any file with an extension check the "Any" item. Uncheck an item to temporarily disable it. This function is only active on Non-HFS volumes.

Disks

The checked items in this list will be deleted from removable, non HFS disks when the disk is mounted. Custom items can be added and removed by using the +/- buttons. Use caution when adding items - they are deleted without warning!

Extras

Use this tab to specify any extra items you would like to have deleted from your disks. For example, this can be used to remove Thumbs.db files from your Bootcamp window partitions.
UNIX style wildcards are supported.

Finder Contextual Menu

BlueHarvest 2.0 adds a contextual menu to the Finder for easy access to cleaning folders, disks and Zip archives. To access this menu simply control-click (or right click) the folder, disk or Zip archive you wish to clean in the Finder. Then select "Clean with BlueHarvest" from the menu and your done! This will clean the folder or disk using your current BlueHarvest preferences.
When you clean Zip archives, all MacOS specific files are removed from the archive. (See the FAQ for more details of Zip cleaning).

FAQ

What is a DS_Store/Resource fork (._) file?

If you don't know what these files are you don't need this software! DS_Store files are created by the Finder to store information about directories and files including viewing options and icon positions. Resource fork (._XXXXX) files, (correctly called AppleDouble files) are created by the MacOS when an application adds a resource fork to a file on a volume whose format doesn't natively support resource forks. Such as SMB, UFS and NTFS. A file's resource fork may contain information which is important, redundant or both.

Apple support article on AppleDouble files.
Apple support article on disabling DS_Store files on servers.

Why would I want to remove DS_Store/Resource fork files?

These files can cause problems with certain types of software, hardware devices and file servers. If you've never had a problem with these files you don't need this software.

How can I see what BlueHarvest is deleting?

Open Console.app inside the /Applications/Utilities folder and click Console.log on the left. BlueHarvest will print a "BlueHarvest:...." message whenever it deletes something.

Does BlueHarvest scan my disks and servers looking for files to delete?

No. BlueHarvest simply deletes DS_Store files or resource forks when the Finder or applications create or modify these files.

I'm using Apple's Bootcamp software to run Windows XP. Can I use BlueHarvest to keep my FAT32 partition free of Mac "dust"?

Yes, BlueHarvest works really well with FAT32 partitions and Bootcamp.

Does Mac OS X 10.5 create DS_Store files on MSDOS volumes?

No. Unlike 10.4, 10.5 does not create DS_Store files on MSDOS volumes. However resource forks are still created when appropriate.

Can Windows be configured to stop creating Thumbs.db files?

Yes. Google Search for Disabling Thumbs.db

How are Zip archives cleaned?

Zip archives are cleaned using the built-in Zip command line tool. The command used to clean the archive is:
zip -d archive.zip __MACOSX* *.DS_Store
This removes all DS_Store files, metadata and resource forks.

Why has blueharvestd asked me to authenticate?

BlueHarvest will ask the user to authenticate if it doesn't have sufficient permissions to delete the items listed in the "Disks" panel. If you choose not to authenticate BlueHarvest will be unable to delete the items.

What is blueharvestd?

blueharvestd is a background application which BlueHarvest launches to delete DS_Store and resource fork files. It is installed as a login item (visible by opening the Accounts preferences panel) when you start BlueHarvest. If you accidentally delete the BlueHarvestHelper login item, open the BlueHarvest preference panel, click Stop then click Start. The login item will be re-added.

What is BlueHarvest Addition?

BlueHarvest creates a Scripting addition named "BlueHarvest Addition" inside (home)/Library/ScriptingAdditions. Scripting additions provide a mechanism for delivery of additional functionality that can be used in AppleScripts and Applications.

What files does the BlueHarvest copy to my Mac?

When BlueHarvest is started it copies the BlueHarvest Scripting Addition to your (Home)/Library/ScriptingAdditions folder and it copies the BlueHarvest contextual menu plugin to (Home)/Library/Contextual Menu Items.
All these items are deleted when you stop BlueHarvest.

Can I use AppleScipt to control BlueHarvest?

You can send an 'open' AppleScript command to BlueHarvest to get it to clean a folder or volume with your current options. For example:
tell application "blueharvestd" to open POSIX file "/Volumes/MyDisk/AFolder"
The folder and all its sub folders will be cleaned. Avaliable in BlueHarvest 2.0.1 or later.

Who's responsible for BlueHarvest's great icon?

Tom Murphy designed the icon. He can be found at turphdesign.
Thanks Tom.

I've got a question that isn't answered in the FAQ. How can I get in contact with the author?

Click the Contact link on the menu on the top left. Please allow up to 2 business days for a reply.

WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMER:

BLUEHARVEST IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THE BLUEHARVEST, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

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