Even a lean and simple High Sierra system has many xattrs of many types, and plenty of files still have ‘resource forks’. Plus details of some important xattrs used by Apple’s system files.
metadata
They’re almost invisible, but surprisingly widely used. xattrs come in very many different types, and contain valuable information. Here are results from analysing most of a Sierra startup volume.
This tool now has an overhauled interface, making it much easier to use. Currently the only way of viewing and editing xattrs without using the command line.
Explains how Time Machine knows what to back up, why it performs deep event scans, and how that system is different from HFS+ journaling.
A free tool to force full Gatekeeper checks without having to download an app, inspect, add, and remove xattrs from files and folders.
A simple and concise example of a page from the documentation which we, as a community, could readily produce for macOS. Fancy giving us a hand?
They’re responsible for determining Gatekeeper’s checks, contain Finder information, and much more. With a new free tool too.
Time Machine backups are but one of 70-80 background services which are run by macOS dispatching systems. Here’s a list of some of the others.
Even the most disorganised adult has some system of discriminating what things are most important – but not computers.
My external drive hosting Time Machine backups cannot be ejected, so I switch it off or pull the cable. How can I stop Spotlight from indexing it?
The Eclectic Light Company 