Delete folders that are *almost* empty

If you're doing some cleaning up on your computer, one of the things you might be looking to do is deleting empty folders. For this task, I have always used the method outlined in this PC Magazine article, using nothing more than built in windows batch-file technology. I get a little tickle every time I can do something useful with one of those little batchies. Unfortunately sometimes a folder can be one or two leftover files from some application that didn't fully uninstall, or files there for some other reason.


In my case, the culprits have been hidden protected operating system files like Thumbs.db and Folder.jpg from music albums that have since been relocated. I have hundreds of folders that should be empty, but because of these files, these folders end up being around 0.05MB in size.

Here is where the solutions for deleting completely empty folders choke on their own leetness, and nobody calls for help.
So now, a solution that does work. A little known application called Advanced File Manager. The specific feature that is important to us is "Search folders by size".

You might be saying "Can't the built in Windows search do that?", but to that I tell you "No". Does it claim to be able to? Yes. But I have never once in any edition of Windows been able to actually make it work. It will always search *files* even if you explicitly tell it to search for a "Folder". Hurrrrumph....

Advanced File Manager's Advanced Find feature has the exact functionality we want: the ability to search for folders below a specified file size. In fact, that's pretty much the only functionality it has, but thats all we need for this.


My search brings up all of the folders from albums I have since moved. AFM displays the folder sizes next to each folder so that I can make sure not to delete something I didn't want to (The Bruce McColloch folder actually contains a song; I noticed it was bigger that the other folders and gave it a look).

Advanced File Manager is available as a free 30 day trial, so you should have time to kill plenty of *almost* empty folders!

31 Jan 05 | +Permalink+ | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

A better way to buy digital music, part II: eMusic

(continued from AllOfMP3 Music Store: A better way to buy digital music)

I'll admit that AllOfMP3 seems a tad shady. Thats not going to stop me from using it, but lets look at a similar option that is completely clean.

eMusic. The OTHER digital music store that offers its music as DRMless MP3s. High quality too- everything I've gotten from them has been encoded at high end VBR. The store has a lot going for it. One thing you won't find, however, is mainstream music; it's 100% independent. The majors aren't yet ready to go for DRMless digital music (even though they can sell you CDs that have little to no rights management.. bah). You should recognize at least SOME things on eMusic if you're not a 13 year old girl whose only source of new music is TRL.

Plus you get 50 free MP3s that you can download during your "trial period" of two weeks. As in, the time after you give them your credit card but before you pay. You could theoretically make it out with your 50 free legal MP3s and not pay a cent, and you can run back to AllOfMP3. But you might just get hooked.

12 Jan 05 | +Permalink+ | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Small is the Key: MacWorld Expo Keynote coverage

1:00pm CST - Apple.com new product sites launch, and are brought to their knees within seconds.
Here is a little peek:

12:50pm CST - New iPod, iPod Shuffle shown at Keynote.
- 512MB($99) and 1GB($149)

12:30pm CST - Mac mini shown at Keynote.

- 1.25 Ghz G4($499), another model at 1.4 Ghz($599)
- Available January 22nd.

11:30am CST - Keynote:
- Up to the minute updates on MacRumors.com.
- Up to the second updates on IRC at irc://irc.tecknohost.com #macrumors. Also check out #macrumorschat for people from the conference chatting, as well as other insane fans speculating and commenting, all flying at you at 100mph.
- Gizmodo has Keynote notes.
11:00am CST - Steve Jobs' keynote begins. Apple Store is temporarily taken down, displaying a post-it note "We'll be back soon." As of yet, no press releases about new products have been posted, and aren't expected until the keynote ends at 1:00pm CST.

10:00am CST - Site still down. So far nothing from the expo has trickled in on other sites. Steve Jobs' keynote speech will begin in one hour (12:00pm EST).
9:00am CST - The Macworld Expo site is down from all of us eager fans trying to get the scoop! According to Netcraft, their site had been running on Windows Server 2003 up until now. As far as I know that doesn't run on Xserves.

Dudsednik.

11 Jan 05 | +Permalink+ | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Stuff from The Postal Service that you probably haven't heard yet

(Links point to iTunes Music Store)

In case you missed it, The Postal Service released two EPs to go along with their debut album, Give Up.

Such Great Heights EP
1. Such Great Heights
2. There's Never Enough Time (fresh new B-side!!!!!)
3. We Will Become Silhouettes covered by The Shins
4. Such Great Heights covered by Iron & Wine that you may have heard on the Garden State soundtrack

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight EP
1. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
2. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (DJ Downfall Persistent Beat Mix)
3. Such Great Heights (Remix by John Tejada)
4. Suddenly Everything Has Changed (Flaming Lips cover)

In addition, they released a cover of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds"

The Postal Service - Against All Odds

Enjoy.

3 Jan 05 | +Permalink+ | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)