JarInspector on Mac OS X

There is a tiny little utility that let's you inspect JAR/WAR/EAR files on the Mac OS platform. The software is available here. Install it. To open a JAR, simply right click and chose JarInspector as the application. I personally did not set JarInspector as my default .jar application to let the default JAR launcher kicks in but I have been very close to.

Amongst the useful features:

• navigate in your jars recursively
• edit/view files (useful for MANIFEST.MF)
• decompile a class
• find a file/class by name

By the way, this utility also opens zip files.

Enjoy.

TimeMachine backs up too much?

I just discovered the reason why TimeMachine was backing up so much data. I forgot to exclude my Maven and Ivy repositories :o)

Here is a good tip to discover which files are backed up. You need to have the Developer Tools installed.

When TimeMachine backs up

• Launch /Developer/Applications/Instruments
• Select File Activity
• Open the default target combo box and attach the backupd process.
• Start recording
• Enjoy the list.

I wish there were a less geeky solution.

Mac OS X Leopard and internet downloads

If Leopard asks you if "you are sure you want to open this application which was downloaded from the web" every single time, read further.

I installed Mac OS X Leopard yesterday. Leopard started to warn me about applications downloaded from the Internet. Every single time I open them (not only the first time) I have to confirm it's a safe app.

I first thought Apple believed I was both stupid (can't take care of my security) and with huge memory issues (yes I am trying to open this troyan app 8 times in a row, thank you for reminding me I forgot).

Apparently, this is a small bug. If you download an application with one user account but do not open it with the same account, the security flag is never lift up. To work around that, log on your original account, open all you downloaded apps (27 for me, the dock was a nice christmas tree :) ), accept the security warning for all of them. Next time you open one of them, the security warning will not appear, pfffeu!

Another tip for free. If, like me, you want your old iLife applications back after a clean OS install, go download Pacifist, extract the iThing packages from the Tiger CDs and install them.

It was nevertheless the smoothest clean reinstall experience I've ever had (Carbon Copy Cloner and the Migration Assistant are fantastic).