On Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at 10:21 AM, Bryce Lee wrote: >>> 1. Microslop (in some form or another) has to reside on the >>> computer, >>> although under 8.6 on my 350 Mhz iMac >>> it wasn't even allowed on the property. >> >> not at all. i haven't a single MS app on any of my Macs at home, which >> run everything from System 7.5 all the way up to the latest version of >> OS X. i'll personally guarantee that Microsoft software is completely >> irrelevant to your problems. > > OK if that's the case, what then might be the problem as the only > thing I > removed was Internet Explorer.
somehow, other stuff was removed. massive directory structure damage caused the system to lose track of important files. a stray neutrino nuked that part of your disk. someone else sat down and erased the files. however, the files in /etc have nothing to do with Microsoft. these are UNIX configuration files. If i delete many of the files in /etc on my Linux machine (which is utterly and completely devoid of Microsoft software), I will get the same error messages. >> this is EXTREMELY dangerous thinking with an OS like OS X. just >> because >> YOU don't think it's needed............ you could be very wrong. the >> problem you mentioned above (/etc/passwd missing) is probably caused >> by >> this thinking. in OS 9, you probably saw a folder called "private" or >> "etc" and, thinking it extraneous, trashed it. unfortunately, this is >> like going into OS 9's system folder and throwing away your >> preferences >> and control panels folder. > > Again I guess I need total control, (controlling freak?); as I said all > this extra garbage I can't always abide by... my point is that it's not garbage. it's essential software that the OS needs in order to work. >> beyond that.... my greatest advice is that If It Ain' Broke, Don't Fix >> It -- and this includes throwing away ANYTHING. i merrily throw out >> files all the time... even important system files. i also know the >> exact ramifications of trashing the exact files i'm trashing... and if >> i want to trash a file that i'm not sure of the ramifications of >> trashing, i look around on the web, in chat rooms, on mailing lists, >> and ask some co-workers. if i don't know exactly what it does, it >> doesn't get trashed. period. > > Well aside from this list, very few people I know (maybe three) use > macs. > Those that do, have no love for OS X and do everything in 9.2 or 8.6. > granted these same people all use Quark; I don't. Quark has done more for the adoption of their competitor's software than Adobe ever could have. But that said... check out <http://www.apple.com/usergroups/> and find a User Group in your area. Subscribe not only to this list, but several others that may seem interesting to you on Low End Mac. Check out not just mailing lists and forums, but also chat rooms. But above all else, don't throw away anything that you don't know what it is. -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
