What is GROWL?

Lately I have getting a message on the top right hand side of my screen telling me that an update is available for GROWL. What is Growl? I don't remember ever installing such a thing? Should I keep it or get rid of it? If I should get rid of it, HOW? I am trying to keep this Mac as clean as possible after years of bloated junk on my PC.
Kevin

GROWL is a software update notifier used by many applications to tell you when there is an upgrade. It would have been installed by any number of applications, since many apps use it.

It does a useful job, is trusted software so let it update.

Growl does a bit more than software updates, but yeah, it won't hurt and you might like it.
Growl

I somehow let it in with another install. Wasn't happy about it but what louishen said.

I for one do not like Growl. Causes software complications seemingly interfering with preferences.

http://www.cocoaforge.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20781

Been using Growl for years and never had any problems with it. However, I don't use Growl mail, which is the problem your link is referring to. This is a separate plugin and is not installed by default.

It's essentially a messenger boy. It notifies you about certain things like new IM messages.

Yes, it's a notifier system that's compatible with many (but not all) apps. Handy for some things. Mostly harmless.

I'm another that does not like growl on my system. A lot of folks do though, and I can see some uses for it, just none that I'm interested in.

I do consider it as safe software and would suggest you check it out to see if you have a use for it. If you decide you have no use for it, it's also safe to uninstall.

One thing to note about OS X, it is not like Windows where it gets slower and slower the more apps you have on the machine as most apps load nothing into the system files.