does mac keep a log?

[LogicMan]

does mac keep a log of what i have installed in the last n days?

 

[symphonix]

Possibly, depending on how you installed it.
If you go to /Application/Utilities/ and pick Installer, there is a log of what has been installed through the installer package system. (File -> Show Log)
Apps that have their own installers might leave messages in the console.
Apps that you simply drag from a folder or disk image and into the apps directory prob don't get logged, though they will more than likely have preference files created in ~/Library/Preferences.

 

[aaike]

Some apps also leave a receipt behind... but I am not sure if all do. I guess it's only true for the programs that use the installer program from apple.

 

[symphonix]

Yes, that's right aaike. I had forgotten. These can be found in /Library/Reciepts.