Re: Request for support

[Richard L. Hamilton]

I've seen web pages mention the use of wget to back up websites, and mention 
using either MacPorts or Homebrew to install wget (which doesn't come with 
macOS).

They also seem to suggest that rsync over ssh might be better (no credentials 
in the clear, unlike wget using ftp). MacOS does include rsync, but one might 
want a newer version for some reason.

Both being command line and capable of other uses, one still needs to know how 
to use them. :-)

If the website includes a database, one may also need ssh access to run a 
database dumping tool (since a database can be a moving target, you may not 
want to simply copy the underlying files).

Not something I've done, just the result of a couple of minutes of googling. 
Me, if there were no databases, I'd set up ssh access and use tar or cpio or 
rsync to do the copying. Rsync is likely more efficient in terms of bandwidth, 
but I have seen it choke on synchronizing REALLY large directory trees.

> On Mar 12, 2023, at 20:49, Craig Treleaven  wrote:
> 
>> On Mar 12, 2023, at 5:35 PM, Sarah Zinsmeister > > wrote:
>> 
>> I actually thought this was a program to back up websites
> 
> As others have said, you can leave Macports installed without any risk.  Or 
> uninstall it if you don’t intend to use it.
> 
> However, perhaps we can help you achieve the goal of backing up websites.  If 
> you found this idea on the web, could you post a link so that we can help you 
> work through what may be required?
> 
> Craig
> 

Re: Request for support

[Craig Treleaven]

> On Mar 12, 2023, at 5:35 PM, Sarah Zinsmeister  
> wrote:
> 
> I actually thought this was a program to back up websites

As others have said, you can leave Macports installed without any risk.  Or 
uninstall it if you don’t intend to use it.

However, perhaps we can help you achieve the goal of backing up websites.  If 
you found this idea on the web, could you post a link so that we can help you 
work through what may be required?

Craig

Re: Request for support

[raf via macports-users]

On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 10:35:48PM +0100, Sarah Zinsmeister 
 wrote:

> Dear Macports-User,
> 
> I am unfortunately as other than an IT expert, so because I
> actually thought this was a program to back up websites, I
> installed Macports. If I have understood that rudimentary somehow,
> Macports would just now allow me to install e.g. non-Mac-compatible
> software. Well, I did not want or I also have no idea what negative
> effects this could now have on my macbook. I'm also trying to get
> support from IT friends, but maybe someone can answer my very simple
> question: How can I uninstall macports again and does it also pose
> risks to me if I did nothing with the program? (I write you because in
> the FAQs it says: It’s a drastic step.)
> 
> Thank you so much in advance! And sorry for this absolutely beginner
> action / question.
> 
> 
> Kind regards,
> 
> Sarah

Hi,

Macports itself doesn't backup websites. It just lets
you install other software, presumably including
software that does back up websites.

This page has instructions for removing macports:

  https://guide.macports.org/#installing.macports.uninstalling

If you haven't used macports yet to install any
software, or haven't started using or relying on such
software, there I don't think there's any risk in
removing macports. Leaving it there is also harmless,
except that it occupies some disk space, but that's
all.

The only reason that removal would be drastic is
because the procedure uninstalls all the sotware that
you have installed with macports. But if you don't want
or have any such software, it's not drastic.

cheers,
raf

Re: Request for support

[David Strubbe]

Dear Sarah,

The info at https://guide.macports.org/#installing.macports.uninstalling
only says that uninstalling is a drastic step in the context of trying to
solve some issue with macports (i.e. it could probably solved without
uninstalling). But there is no problem with uninstalling macports
otherwise. You can just follow the steps at that link.

Best,
David

On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 2:36 PM Sarah Zinsmeister 
wrote:

> Dear Macports-User,
>
>
>
> I am unfortunately as other than an IT expert, so because I actually
> thought this was a program to back up websites, I installed Macports. If I
> have understood that rudimentary somehow, Macports would just now allow me
> to install e.g. non-Mac-compatible software. Well, I did not want or I also
> have no idea what negative effects this could now have on my macbook. I'm
> also trying to get support from IT friends, but maybe someone can answer my
> very simple question: How can I uninstall macports again and does it also
> pose risks to me if I did nothing with the program? (I write you because in
> the FAQs it says: It’s a drastic step.)
>
> Thank you so much in advance! And sorry for this absolutely beginner
> action / question.
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
> Sarah
>
>
>

Request for support

[Sarah Zinsmeister]

Dear Macports-User,

 

I am unfortunately as other than an IT expert, so because I actually thought 
this was a program to back up websites, I installed Macports. If I have 
understood that rudimentary somehow, Macports would just now allow me to 
install e.g. non-Mac-compatible software. Well, I did not want or I also have 
no idea what negative effects this could now have on my macbook. I'm also 
trying to get support from IT friends, but maybe someone can answer my very 
simple question: How can I uninstall macports again and does it also pose risks 
to me if I did nothing with the program? (I write you because in the FAQs it 
says: It’s a drastic step.)

Thank you so much in advance! And sorry for this absolutely beginner action / 
question.


Kind regards,


Sarah