Pretty good app that basically re-defines how much data something takes. I'm not sure if this is correct, and I can't remember where I found this info, but according to [source] the Mac OS defines data storage larger than it actually is. I believed it was said to be as 1,256kb for 1mb instead of 1,000kb for 1mb. (and so forth.) This person made a terminal command that re-programs that definition, and offered it freely. (If I find that source againI will reply here.)

Now, this app isn't worth it for people who regularly keep 100G+ of free space on their HD. (assuming it is 250G). It is very useful, works on Lion (10.7.3), but is selective in how much data it saves you. (based on the file type.) For a better idea if you really need this, look this up on youtube. you may have to search "squeeze" (which is what it used to be called apparently.)

This app certainly seems like it wasn't easy to make, but overall it should offer better features for the price they charge.

Now, this DOES take plenty of CPU power (about 1-30%). (you can monitor with the free "istat" menu for dashboard.) You can tell it what folders you want it to compress and which ones not to. Or you can add an entire directory ("desktop" for example).

For an idea of how much data you can save, it depends on how much data of certain files you have. The most it will save on is apps, docs, txt, rtf, etc. The Least you will save on is videos and picture files.

I'm a BIG fan of Xslimmer by the same company. Xslimmer has saved a lot of disk space on my drives, but I have continuing problems with Clusters slowing my machine down to a crawl, even after it finishes its compression. I won't give it a star rating since I'm not sure the problem isn't inherent to my machine, but I've had to remove every version shortly after installing it. Hope they can get this fixed.

I am looking at this s/w, but it hasn't had an update for a year. I am a little insecure about purchasing it. Is there an update forthcoming and what is the update policy? Are updates free or do we pay again?

Okay, more serious comments (and assuming that cereals and software don't compete in the same market):

1. just doing what needs be done – trying to apply the new 'external drive' ability to a spare time machine volume. I'll get back with results later.

3. A minor annoyance: by now, I've got three different versions of the same preference file.

3. By the way, if you download Clusters rather than using the inbuilt updater, you'll end up with both preference panes. Starting Clusters a second time got rid of Squeezer.

@MACTECHHEAD: I think you misperceive the purpose and method of Squeeze. It is not a general purpose compression application. There are a number of those already available that create compressed files in various forms and formats. These are useful for storing and archiving files. Squeeze uses a compression scheme built into OS X 10.6.x which saves some space and yet allows files to be accessed and operate as if they were not compressed. This compression is routinely applied to most system files. Squeeze enables you to expand the use of this method to other files of your choice, which you can, in fact, drag and drop onto Squeeze.

I used Squeeze for awhile when some of my hard drives were filling up. Ultimately, though, to relieve my space concerns I replaced those drives with larger ones. Not everyone will have this option available to them, however, and for them Squeeze may extend the usefulness of their computers for some time.