unlocking multiple files

[wicky]

i've got an old fonts folder, that refuses to be deleted.

the problem is, that there are hundreds of files in the folder and for some reason, some of them are locked and others aren't. i've had a look at the info panel but can't unlock all of the files in one go, as the lock command is not active.

it will take hours to go through unlocking and deleting them one by one. so, is there a more intelligent way of getting 'round the problem?

cheers

[Giaguara]

open terminal (Applications folder, in there Utilities - unless you have moved it to another folder).

chmod 760 (then hit the space once) (and then drag the folder you want modified to terminal window).
that will modify the permissions (760 is an example, 766 could do as well, or 777, 740, 740 etc) so you can modify the files in it one by one without manually changing the prmissions file by file.
if you get an error message, try the same thing with 'sudo' in the beginning =
sudo chmod 760 (then hit the space once) (and then drag the folder you want modified to terminal window).
(then it asks your root pw)

if you want to remove ALL of that folder, just

sudo rm (then hit the space once) (and then drag the folder you want modified to terminal window).
(and then it asks again your root password).

[wicky]

cheers, but....

"chmod" doesn't seem to do anything, and "sudo rm" returns a message that it's a directory, but doesn't delete it.

i'm probably doing something really obviously wrong, but i'm new to the terminal way of things.

[bobw]

Open the terminal and type:

cd ~/.Trash
<hit return>

sudo rm -rf

put a space after the f and drag the item you want deleted to the terminal so that its path is automatically entered, then press return

give it your admin password and hit return

This is actually more typing than is strictly necessary, but Changing Directory to the trash helps make certain you won't ReMove anything that is outside of that directory. You could just type "rm -rf *" to remove everything inside of the directory, but again being specific helps avoid mistakes.

[wicky]

cheers. that worked a treat.

i like this command line stuff, it makes more sense than the gui.... straight to the heart of the matter. i don't suppose you can recommend any decent reading, on how i get to grips with the back end. i'm a designer not a programmer, but i'd like to get to get my head 'round the basic's

[bobw]

You can get a lot of info HERE

[wicky]

thanx.

ooooohhh.... looks like quite a lot of stuff to get my head 'round.