Lately I've been using a little utility called 'AppTrap'. I run it just before I delete an application and it pops up straight after asking to remove associated files. Cant really say just how good it works.

Ive never done a bootable backup. (I must check that out..) Are you doing yours to an external HD or a dvd ?

The ultimate test with any App remover is to go into Console (Applications/Utilities) and have a read - that will show any left overs that are still getting involved at all.

I use a Ext HD on Firewire 800 - much quicker on a Mac viz;
My Experiment;
Copying 52,000 files and 58 GB USB 2.0 = 33 hours
Using Firewire 800 for same - 44 minutes

Have used a Voyager Q and a 2 bay SOHO tank to allow for off site HD - covers in case of Fire or Theft. Both are very flexible and FW 800.

http://www.totallymac.com/nz/detail.lasso?product=NWTFWU2ES2HDK&discount=cash

http://www.stardom.com.tw/sohoraid_sr2_feature.html

Geez - there's a heap of stuff going on in there, mm. (Console I mean.)
Seems a lot of probs occurring with Picasa. I must look into this more..

Hey I hear there's a new OS upgrade coming - 10.7 Lion.

Looking at the comments on features.. not sure I've seen any so far that make it all that appealing ???

Yup - my son buys a family copy. I was quite happy with Tiger when he bought Leopard, i was quite happy with Leopard but liked the idea of smaller HD footprint and better coding with Snow Leopard and am happy with what i have now. Guess he will buy Lion and in time i will be OK with that but i do tend to agree, some of the Bells and Whistles seem unnecessary or under used.
He.. if it hadn't been for his pushing i could well be still on 9.2

well that's handy, mm - him keeping you up to date like that.
I was looking at 10.6 in harvey norman this morning $60. That not bad eh. Would have bought it too but just found out I need a new shock absorber on the van... so it might have to wait a bit yet.

I wonder though if they bring out lion if they will pull all the snow leopards of the shelves... and perhaps I should get one before they do.

One comment I've read indicated that lion was written for ipad users to help them transfer over to mac pcs. (Though I wouldn't have thought that would be much of a problem ??)

SL does come up on Trademe for under $50 from time to time. One advantage of going for SL with upgrade to 10.6.6 is the new App Store - just paid $1.29 for Learn-to-switch-to-Mac App to review it and i would recommend it to any that have made it to the Mac platform. One of the best audio/visual instructional tools i have seen. Even those who have been on the platform for a while will learn new stuff and it is so easy.

I'd been looking on trademe this afternoon to see what the prices were like. I guess it depends on the day but there there was one for (next bid) $50 but with postage it would only save $5.

Mind you after lion comes out there may be some cheaper ones.

I took a look at their info on the 1gb upgrade to 10.6.6. They seem to make most comments about how it hooks up with the mac app store.

I really dont like the way they seem to be locking (or at least focusing) users into their store - very much like itunes does.

The 'learn to switch' app you mention sounds rather good.

I was having a play on a ipad in harvey norman today. Can't make my mind up about those. The portability is the main factor for me I guess.. but not 'a must have'. I see you can hook them up to one of those small mac keyboards.

Have you had a 'play' on one of those, mm?

With the iPad - my wife has one - i think one should be sure of the planned use before making the jump in buying one. Seems to me they are different enuff that one should be fairly sure it will worthwhile in the planned manner of use.
First a wireless network at home is needed and if you are planning to set one up i would recommend an Apple Airport Express or Extreme, unless you are technically up to setting up wireless networks.
When you buy the iPad the first choice you come up against is WiFi model or WiFi + 3G (for a Data connection) and of course going with 3G means either pre pay or a plan which adds a monthly cost to operating.
If one were traveling a fair amount then 3G capable unit could make ones on line life a lot simpler.
Just as an iMac or a Laptop have their niche advantages so do the iPhone and the iPad, so for me the iPad would never replace my iPh & iMac combo but would be a fun addition when i win the Lotto, but be aware having 2 or more units brings up the spectre of keeping your data in Synch on all units otherwise one ends up wanting to send an email to a person whose address just happens to be on the other unit.
In regards to being locked in, with 100s of thousands of available apps that are not easily available elsewhere, why would one buy an iPh or iPad unless one was wanting to get a bunch of free or cheap apps.
Hope that helps!

yep - I have an airport extreme.. just use the modem in it for my web connection.

In some ways adding 3G kinda makes ipad like a big iphone,eh. Actually I overheard a sales rep explaining that as an idea to a customer.

Yep I guess it all comes down as to why you'd want one. Cant think of anything except portability.. but then maybe there some whizz bang app out there..lol.

Well I went and bought a copy of snow leopard. I couldn't install it as you suggested, mm. I would have liked to but don't have the right gear for the back up before flushing everything out for a clean start.

So just did a system install only... retaining all the old debris.

So far all my existing software seems to work ok. I haven't gone thru it all just the ones I use a lot.

The only odd thing so far is when I use wireless. There's an option for 'show time connected' which I usually have on (to keep track on time wasted online.) Sometimes it tend to scroll with each second instead of just counting. But I can easily fix that by turning it off and on again... so its no big deal.

Actually online seems more stable with some some things that were a bit flakey on dial up before..

OK bb - if u have made the plunge here is a suggestion. If u are on dial up then do not upgrade to 10.6.6 as i think with the new App Store on the Mac it might give u a bit of grief on Dial Up. On disc (the one u bought) it is probably 10.6.3 so ideally you should upgrade to 10.6.5 (free upgrade) but that is almost a GB in size so don't try to download that on dial up. Are you doing this on a Laptop or desktop? If a laptop go to a mates place and use their broadband to update to 10.6.5.