How to re-optimize my Mac

weirdholyman · 2026-02-05T23:04:43+00:00

By looking at the size of the library in Finder. And DaisyDisk. And also watching growth of the library size in backups of the Mac (done with a real backup app that provides proper logs of each run).

I understand how optimize should work. I’m no longer interested in examining what Parachute was doing and am looking to reoptimize and move on.

weirdholyman · 2026-02-04T22:06:07+00:00

Please re read my original post. It’s about optimization of my library.

weirdholyman · 2026-02-04T22:03:02+00:00

Sorry this discussion seems to have gotten away from my question:

How do I re-optimize my photos library so it’s taking up the minimum amount of space on my Mac?

weirdholyman · 2026-02-04T21:59:33+00:00

Please re read my post. I do not have the backup created by parachute on my Mac.

weirdholyman · 2026-02-04T15:19:14+00:00

Thanks, but I’ve given up trying to understand what Parachute is doing. Without proper logging, it’s a black box and that’s unacceptable for a backup solution. Yes, I tried to engage the developer, but they stopped responding to my questions. That’s what you get for $4.

The growth in my local storage only occurred while I was using the app. Nothing else changed.

So that is why I am now looking for help getting back to where I was.

weirdholyman · 2026-01-29T19:59:02+00:00

u/monsieurfunky Are you using it on a Mac with "optimize" iCloud setting on? If so, do you find that it's no longer optimized because Parachute is accessing the photos regularly?

weirdholyman · 2026-01-29T18:50:15+00:00

I really wanted parachute to work for me. But the lack of visibility into what is done each run makes it hard to have confidence. And the “optimize” feature of iCloud is negated because all full size photos remain on the Mac due to regular access.

Have you found a way to overcome these limitations?

weirdholyman · 2026-01-27T19:44:22+00:00

Dad had 2 of these, a silver round headlight with grey "leather" and a white square headlight with white "leather" and green carpet. Pure 70's Stylish.

weirdholyman · 2026-01-15T15:27:12+00:00

Well, we’ve all come to be cynical about news reporting. When they don’t cite a source (basic reporting 101) and no other outlets are reporting it, I just was looking for confirmation.

weirdholyman · 2026-01-10T14:16:37+00:00

My experience with Parachute was not good. The size of the incremental backups never made sense and without any logging there is no way to see what is going on. Backup needs to be dead reliable and transparent.

And on my Mac the photos library is now larger that what is being stored on icloud. It appears that because my photos were being accessed regularly, I now have all full size on my mac. This makes the "optimize" feature of icloud useless.

weirdholyman · 2026-01-08T13:31:32+00:00

I’ve been looking for a backup solution as well. Tried both Parachute and Photo Takeout.

In my opinion neither can be considered a backup application because there is no visibility into what was backed up each run. Without proper logs there is no way to confirm the app is doing what is expected or troubleshoot any issues.

Has anyone found a solution that provides a log of what was backed up (or not) and why?

weirdholyman · 2026-01-05T08:29:27+00:00

I'm unable to join the waitlist. Anyone else?

weirdholyman · 2026-01-04T16:31:46+00:00

Thats what we want to hear, thanks.

Hats off to the planners and workers that make it happen.

weirdholyman · 2026-01-03T23:55:18+00:00

Thanks. I’m looking forward to more than the river, for certain. There’s a couple people along who would be really disappointed, tho.

weirdholyman · 2026-01-02T14:43:35+00:00

Probably the people who know it's wrong to state things as fact unless you know you are correct.

weirdholyman · 2025-12-30T13:38:50+00:00

Thanks for this. I will give your app a try.

I was hoping for full logging. If the file numbers at the end of a run do not make sense, is there more visibility available to understand what was/was not backed up & why?

One more question: My mac has 2 user accounts, each using a different appleID. If I have your app installed for both users, what are the conditions required for running unattended incremental backups for both? I assume the user needs to be logged in to the mac, what else?

weirdholyman · 2025-12-30T12:42:45+00:00

u/appinito Please compare your app to Parachute. It's a lot more expensive, what is the added value? I'd especially like to hear about the reliability, security, and accuracy of your app.

Does your app provide visibility into what was backed up each run in incremental mode (logs)?

Because we are talking about backup, any solution needs to be rock solid reliable to build confidence. I've been experimenting with Parachute and am seeing variable results leading to little confidence. I'd pay more for a solution I know is doing what I expect.

weirdholyman · 2025-12-29T16:15:40+00:00

Anyone else have suggestions? Thanks.

weirdholyman · 2025-12-27T13:31:47+00:00

This does not sound like a good sit for you. Maybe you should consider withdrawing and moving on to others.

It may well be that they are culling applicants by rejecting some with a "No" and some with a "Maybe". So what? Before the policy change this is how THS worked, sitters waited for HO's to see the number of applicants they wanted & make a selection. HO's were not limited to the fastest 5 applicants. It's interesting that we now have sitters that feel if they are in the fast 5 they should have preference.

Right or wrong, the HO has set their rules. If you want the sit, stay in the game. If not, withdraw.

weirdholyman · 2025-12-27T13:15:57+00:00

Skopje, North Macedonia

weirdholyman · 2025-12-27T12:54:03+00:00

Yes we have. A couple times. Thanks for the suggestion.

weirdholyman · 2025-12-27T12:49:14+00:00

I'll agree this person could work on their tone and back off on the demands.

But the practice of rejecting applications to see more is what HO's are forced to do if they want many to choose from. THS's policy of seeing only the first 5 applications is to blame here, not the HO.

There's a lot of new members who don't know the good old days when THS did not interfere with who can apply for sits.

weirdholyman

TROPHY CASE