but maybe that's simply because the perl script claims the 'inactive' memory that these other programs had been using.

Indeed. It is that exact scenario that my brother experienced that brought this to my attention.

He'd just installed a new piece of software that used a substantial amount of memory, and he noticed that all his other regular programs seemed less responsive. He thought he'd acquired a virus :)

Once we worked out that it was just that those other programs were no longer benefiting from having much of their runtime state preserved in 'inactive memory' whilst the new program was running, he praised rather than cursed the feature and was happy.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

In reply to Re^4: Inactive memory and OSX by BrowserUk
in thread Inactive memory and OSX by mtmcc

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