10.6: Free up system resources using Automator
Jun 10, '11 07:30:00AM
Contributed by: kolouker
Given the popularity of utility programs that let you free up computer resources, it is worth noting that we can get the same effect free of charge using built-in system tools. The simple trick behind utilities that free up computer resources is the purge command. Instead of using any of these apps, it is enough to fire up Terminal.app, type in 'purge' (no quotes) and press Enter.
This may be of course a bit cumbersome if we repeat this task often. In order to speed up the process and limit the procedure to a single click, we can use Automator to make a small app or a service to execute the 'purge' command.
Do do so we have to:
- Open Automator and select 'Application' or 'Service' as our workflow.
- Drag the 'Run Shell Script' action to our workflow from the Utilities section of the Actions Library.
- Type in 'purge' (no quotes) in the text box.
- Save the workflow as an Application or a Service.
- Use the Application or Service to execute the command and free up some resources.
I have saved the workflow as an Application, and placed it in my Dropzone.app grid. This way, the purge command is just one click away, and is always accessible from the dock.
I have tested this on 10.6 and 10.7.
[crarko adds: I tested this (in 10.6.7), and it works as described. Obviously you'll begin consuming resources again after the purging when you run applications.]
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