Folder auto arrange and system clean-up questions

View -> Show View Options -> Arrange by -> None/Snap to Grid

No. The utilities that come with your Mac are there to fix problems when they occur, not to perform preventative maintenance. It takes care of all of that itself.

 

Your saying that it fixes file permissions and cleans out caches, temp files all it's own?

 

BlueRevolution is right - you don't need to do preventative maintenance, but since you're new to macs and used to windows you'll need some time to realize it. In the meantime use this http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/system_disk_utilities/onyx.html

 

I agree with all of that except the first word. There are in fact applications that will Optimize your hard drive. I use TechTool Pro for that, but most of the time when I check it, it's being pretty well maintained on its own. I'll still optimize when I'm in the mood, and there's enough fragmentation to warrant doing so. It's by far much less than in OS9.