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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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 Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject: Get rid of Unsanity's Application Enhancer |
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I'm reporting this issue in detail as to how it affected my Mac Pro so others might be able to identify similar problems. If you have an Intel Mac and have ever tried or use apps from Usanity, such as FruitMenu, you should unistall ApplicationEnhancer.framework in Frameworks folder in the top level Library folder. Simply trashing Unsanity apps will leave the files behind that cause the problems.
You can use Unsanity's Application Enhancer 2.0.3 installer to remove these files. You will have to manually delete the preference file(s) com.unsanity.plist, which may be in both the top level Library/Preferences and any User's Library/Preferences.
Here's the link for Application Enhancer 2.0.3 (uninstaller) . . .
http://www.unsanity.net/ape-203.dmg
After removing the files restart your computer and repair permissions. You may have to try using MainMenu or Cocktail or some other system maintenance software to cleanup other hidden issues. I found that a good house cleaning was necessary to completely eradicate the affects of this software. I also did a computer wide search for ApplicationEnhancer to make sure there were no other copies installed.
I had a growing problem with mouse and keyboard behaviour on my Mac Pro. The mouse would suddenly jump about 6" away from it's last position. In the past week it was getting worse, the mouse would feel hard to control and then start acting like it was stuck in control key mode, no matter where I clicked a contextual menu would pop up. After that I couldn't use the keyboard to issue any commands and would have to use the power button on the Mac Pro to force a reboot. Everything would be good for about 20 minutes or so and the problems would start again. These problems were showing up in all applications but they seemed to affect PowrerCADD more.
I use a Logitech MediaPlay mouse and USB Overdive. The Application Enhancer was corrupting USB Overdive's preferences and literally driving the app nuts. I tried new mice (4 of the same) and SteerMouse (similar to USB Overdrive). None of these worked better. SteerMouse also went nuts. I beleive these are what some are calling Kernel panics.
This issue was getting so bad that I almost bought a used G5 to go back to the better days. Since removing the Application Enhancer 3 days ago there hasn't been a single blip. PowerCADD 6 and 7 are running smooth, no problems there or anywhere else.
Unsanity claims there is nothing wrong with their Application Enhancer, but there are many like me that have found it is a big problem.
If you'd like to read more about this, here are some links . . .
A couple posts in the PowerCADD Forum.
http://powercadd.designcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?p=3256813&highlight=unsanity#3256813
http://powercadd.designcommunity.com/viewtopic.php?p=3244287&highlight=unsanity#3244287
A note about controversy in Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_Enhancer
How to remove Application Enhancer manually.
http://softwaretrenches.com/2006/08/removing_unsanitys_application.html
There are many more, if you really want to know.
How did Application Enhancer get on my Mac? I took FruitMenu for a spin on Feb. 15, 2007. That's the date the files were installed, and they were transferred to every system install/update since then, including the Mac Pro. I had no problems like this on the PowerMac G5, so I assume this is only showing up on Intels. I still wouldn't trust it on any Mac flavour.
I hope this is useful.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat |
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GaryV
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 282
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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I have it on my machine as I use Windowshade X (I love it) and it has not caused any issues but I am not yet on an Intel Mac.
I am having a major problem writing to Windows servers on the network at work and have always had the issue that brings my Mac to a stop...I have tried everything without luck including buying DAVE and working with their tech folks. Wonder if this might be the culprit? Quite different than USB or mouse issues but it may be worth the try.
Gary |
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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Hi GaryV;
I would try removing it to see if the problem stops.
Application Enhancer (APE) affects more than USB. I saw mention of it causing problems with other apps. From what I read it sounds like this software interferes with system level calls that other apps need to make. I haven't tried to fully understand the details but it makes sense from what I've seen. It was affecting almost every app I use.
The worst were in apps running in Rosetta, I had more trouble with AppleWorks and PowerCADD than Intel native apps, such as Mail and Safari. There is a Rosetta component in APE.
The developer is upset that there is a proliferation of complaints about APE, but the evidence is clear, removing it stops the problems.
Again today I had zero problems.
I should add that there is one more item that should be removed, even though it may appear to be empty, APE installs a folder called Application Enhancers in the top level Library folder.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat |
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Derek
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 598
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:08 am Post subject: |
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BUMPing this thread.
Take note of David's advice if you plan upgrading to Leopard. There are many reports circulating that Unsanity's software is causing problems with Leopard.
Apple are certainly pointing their finger at the culprit: Apple article
Good pick-up David! 
_________________
Tool Palette Guide
PowerCADD Preference Utility |
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GaryV
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 282
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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Right wrong or otherwise, here is an email I received from them the other day. Perhaps the users ignored the recommendations they made.
-Gary
| Quote: | We wanted to send out some information to our mailing list subscribers about Mac OS X 10.5 and Unsanity's Application Enhancer.
First and formost. *Before* you install Mac OS X 10.5, make sure you have Application Enhancer (APE) 2.0.3 or later installed. You can download it from http://www.unsanity.net/ape-203.dmg (the webpage is at http://unsanity.com/haxies/ape ).
Make *sure* you have APE 2.0.3 or later installed *before* you install Mac OS X 10.5. If you have an earlier version of APE installed before you install 10.5, you may exhibit one of the following symptoms upon booting into Mac OS X 10.5:
- Your goldfish may die.
- A strange dog might bite you on the street.
- A friend may punch you.
- Your computer may catch fire.
- Your loved one may leave you.
All of these things are really bad. So we urge everyone to make sure they have APE 2.0.3 or later installed. If you aren't sure, install APE 2.0.3 or later from the link above. APE 2.0.3 was released on March 14th, 2007. And please, always keep your software up to date.
A note about 10.5 and haxies:
As long as you have APE 2.0.3, nothing bad will happen in 10.5. Well, nothing we can control. However, none of your APE Modules will work either.
Developers in Apple's Mac OS X developer program (ADC) got the final 10.5 GM yesterday. We are still downloading the huge 6.66GB image and as soon as the downloads finish for our developers, we will be hard at work on making our software work on 10.5.
You can keep up to date with the status of haxies and 10.5 by viewing http://unsanity.com/products/compatibility/ and we will post more information as we have it on our blog at http://unsanity.org/ . Mac OS X 10.5 compatibility is currently our number one priority.
"If APE doesn't work in 10.5, shouldn't I just uninstall it?"
No, you should not. Just make sure you have APE 2.0.3 or later. A lot of third party (and Unsanity made) utilities depend on the APE framework itself being there. As it has some extremely useful functions. Removing it may cause these Applications and/or preference panes to stop launching.
For more information on Unsanity haxies, please visit:
http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/
Unsanity LLC is the creator of other popular haxies such as WindowShade X, ShapeShifter, FontCard, Mighty Mouse, Menu Master, FruitMenu, Xounds, Dock Detox, and Silk. Unsanity is dedicated to providing quality software for the Macintosh community.
-Rosyna of the Unsanity Team
Always needs a hug
If you've had enough of these occasional announcements, follow this link:
REMOVED
Also, do not reply to this email. We do not monitor replies to it and they will be ignored by our server.
Please use one of our other contact methods on:
http://www.unsanity.com/contact
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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:39 am Post subject: |
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Hey GaryV . . .
I have a golden rule that I try to stick to, avoid system enhancements from 3rd party developers. Most of these things are not worth the trouble when you have to reinstall a system or upgrade. Besides that you can't trust that they will be around years from now.
APE did cause serious problems with my Mac Pro 2x Duo-Core that gave me grief for quite awhile. It cost my a lot of time, money and frustration. I had the latest version and when I removed it the problems stopped.
Anything that interferes with other apps is crossing a line that should never be crossed. If Apple says that the developer is doing something that isn't intended then they have broken the protocol of following Apple's developer guidelines.
I've read the developers rebuttals before and my reaction is they are trying to save face. They should just admit they are wrong for going where they shouldn't have and kill APE.
It's really not an issue worth arguing, it's bad and should be avoided.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat |
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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:55 am Post subject: |
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For All . . .
If you want a Finder enhancer, a better Dock, I recommend DragThing. I've looked at it many times in the past and finally decided I needed something better than Apple's Dock. I have DragThing set up as a dock that pops out from the right side of my screen when I move the mouse near the dock's tab group. The whole dock is hidden otherwise. I have it working in Leopard, an upgrade is available and recommended.
I've been using it for several months now and it's great. The only issue that I have seen is when I run an AppleScript and try to enter the DragThing dock at the same it can cause the script to hang.
The developer is a former Apple engineer who worked on the beginnings of the Mac OS X Finder. It's safe assume that he knows what he's doing.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat |
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Rong
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 155
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:35 am Post subject: |
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| After reading your post I have found Application Enhancer in my Library/Frameworks folder with many subfolders from it. Is this what you are talking about. I had already removed it from my system preferences. If this is what you recommend deleting, is there any other locations it may be hiding stuff? |
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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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If your not sure what you are looking for download the installer from Unsanity, it has an un-installer. See my first post above for more about it.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat
Last edited by dwm on Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Rong
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 155
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Done, done & done. Thanks! |
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GaryV
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 282
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Arguing? I am just quoting an email I got from them. I am also stating that I have not had issues. I like Windowshade, which brings back features of past OS's that I missed. If I have any issues I will suspect this as a possible culprit. It is one of the few 3rd party utilities I use...maybe the only one. |
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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Hey GaryV . . .
Don't you just love the way it's so easy to have something taken wrong.
I meant in the general sense of this issue, not suggesting you were. I was referring to all the posts about this issue and the developer arguing he's done no wrong. I'd like to send him an invoice for my time wasted on this issue. I almost went and bought a G5 because it was slowing my business to a grinding halt.
Sorry if I didn't make that clear.
The reason you're not having issues is because you aren't running apps that APE affects. The problem is it does affect some apps and it's a nightmare to pin point if you don't know about APE.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat |
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GaryV
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 282
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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No worries on the misinterpretation of the tone...it is tough sometimes.
| Quote: | | The reason you're not having issues is because you aren't running apps that APE affects. |
What apps does it affect?
Gary |
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dwm
Joined: 20 Apr 2004
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Hi GaryV
I mentioned the ones it affected on my system in my original post. I didn't pay to much attention to what other people ran into. I did read where several tech support people removed it.
_________________
David Mousley
Developer of copyCat for PowerCADD
It's Intel Native and it's Universal Software
PowerCADD 6 thru 8 compatible
Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard compatible
copyCat |
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