Growl - What is it and do I need to update it?

Hi,

Growl is a notification system, which enables applications to send notices that 'something has happended' to other applications which then can perform specified tasks when receiving such notices.

It's a third-party system and not something that Apple provides.

Most likely it was installed with another application that you installed.

If you don't use it, then you don't need to update it.

Regards

Stefan

Growl is third party software, not from Apple. If you got the notification that an update is available, you have it installed. You don't "need" it.

Here is an excerpt of what it does from their website:

+Here are just a few examples:+

+* Safari has finished downloading a file (GrowlSafari)+
+* You've received new email (GrowlMail or Thunderbird)+
+* You've received an instant message (Adium, or iChat with Chax)+
+* iTunes has started playing a song (GrowlTunes)+
+* Your laptop battery is low, or has finished charging (HardwareGrowler)+

If you decide you don't want it, either go to their website to view their video of how to uninstall (requires using their uninstaller) or do it manually as outlined (again, from their website):

+Manual Uninstallation+

+To manually remove Growl:+

+1) Go into the Growl preferences in system preferences+

+2) Uncheck "Display Growl Status in the menu bar"+

+3) Uncheck "Start at Login"+

+4) Stop Growl+

+5) Click on Show All at the top of system preferences+

+6) Control+click the Growl preferences, then click to remove Growl+

+One note, if you are uninstalling Growl for a reason that the developers might want to know about, please contact us through one of the methods on the contact page, and we can look into fixing those problems.+

Funny you should mention this . . .
In my time trying to help out here, I've seen many problems with Growl.
I didn't know exactly what it did, but decided it was never going to be on MY Mac.
So, last night, I downloaded Dropbox, an app recommended to help share files between Macs.
So I did, and lo and behold!!!!!
Growl came with it!
I was very upset and deleted it.
So you never know. Not fair!

Well, I deleted Growl right away, loaded stuff into my Dropbox, and
transferred files with no problems. So apparently Growl is not crucial
and I'm still PO'd that it came with DB with no warning.

Have tons of fun playing with your Nano.
All this technology is just mind boggling sometimes.

~Bee wrote:
In my time trying to help out here, I've seen many problems with Growl.

FWIW, most (maybe all?) the problems I've seen with Growl come from not updating it to the latest version as soon as it is released. (To be fair, there can be a lag when a new OS version like Snow Leopard is released before a compatible version of Growl is available. The current version seems to work fine with Snow Leopard.)

You certainly don't need it but it can be very handy in many workflows, especially with 'Growl helpers' that extend its functionality.

Well, here's the deal in my humble opinion:

You did not intentionally download it.
You didn't know what it did, or how to use it.
So what do you need it for, exactly?

Just a thought.

I've never had any problems I could attribute to Growl. I've had it installed off & on on both Leopard & Snow Leopard systems for use with various projects. Its notifications are handy when running processes that take a long time to complete or when results depend on outside factors like mail or remote system responses.

~Bee wrote:
You didn't know what it did, or how to use it.

Typically, when it is included with some other application, it is preconfigured & pretty much seamlessly integrated into the app. For instance, some application process completes in the background & the user sees a Growl notification pop up about that. The default form is very Mac-like, for instance a translucent black window much like for the volume or brightness change notifier built into the OS.

R C - R
I'm glad you like it and find it helpful for you.
Apparently you intended to install it.

I did not.
And my time spent in the Safari forums helping people get over Growl problems,
has led me to avoiding it at all cost. I do realize that people coming here for help
are in a kind of "emergency ward," but I will still avoid it.

If you will look at my earlier post, it includes uninstall instructions from their website. Good luck!

Very good, jshetley --
Do reread Barbara Daniels advice in this thread on how to get rid of Growl.
It's not hard.

Restart your Mac afterward, and let us know how you make out.
All the best . . .

jshetley .. you've heard from from some of the best in the forums so I hesitate to add my two cents ... but, for what it may be worth to have another view ...

I downloaded Growl because it sounded neat when I was acquiring Dropbox which is a great app .. I use it between my Macbook downstairs and my iMac upstairs as being easier than even sharing on Airport Extreme. Growl reminds me that there is something in the Dropbox.

I use Time Machine to a HD on my desktop but after losing both my computer and the BU (and House) to Hurricane Ivan I now also use Mozy.

So, it also tells me that Mozy started it's BU, how many files and again when it completes. Sort of comforting, I guess.

There are lots of things that Growl will do including making sounds. I only use it for the two things above and NO sound.

I have 1.2 for 10.6x and the website offers a 1.2.1 called Growl|Mail but I don't need or want notifications of mail 😉

Good luck to all and to all a good night,

Ed