It doesn't happen all the time, but every so often, after I load files (midi or audio) onto a USB stick from my Mac at home - inside the folder shows all these temp-type files of 0kb. They usually start with a "._" and then the file name like:
._At Last

Anyone ever see this? You can erase them one by one, but I haven't found a good system yet.

don't use a Mac .........

macs are dirty and leave trash everywhere they go!

I love all things Apple.

It NEVER crashes.
NEVER gets sick.
It's awesome. This is a small thing, and It's more than likely user error.

its not user error..they leave temporary files and 'trash' folders on every device you connect them too...its annoying. I am fortunate enough to own a Powerbook that I need for a couple of specialists programs, its nice computer, but I have always preferred ThinkPad T Series as my everyday machines due to the feel of the keyboard and better software support from a stable windows environment. But I do get the attraction to apple equipment and its nice to have a choice.

... I never even liked a 'Big Mac' ... prefer REAL burgers myself...

NO HIJACK !!!

You sure you are ejecting the stick from the Mac properly..? Remember, unlike a PC, you can't just pull the thing out willy-nilly. You have to unmount it first (and wait a few seconds until any LED flashing stops) before you pull it out of the Mac.

Next time you see those files, try to remember what you just did. That's always step one of troubleshooting. As it doesn't happen every time, something unusual is going on.

Most of the usual 'invisible' files (that less sophisticated PC based systems are not clever enough to not display) you see are .plist files and things like that. What you are describing is not part of the usual files on a stick or HD...

Invisible and System files are NOT visible on a PC (And haven't been for donkeys years) unless you specifically set it up that way.

Bill

Trouble comes from when one's file system is displayed on the other...

It's as easy to say that PC's are the same, because when their file systems get displayed on a Mac, THEIR housekeeping invisible files get displayed, too.

Neither is at fault, basically, as long as you stick to one system or the other. The problem comes when you take something out of one, and put it into hardware based around the file system of the other (as the OP has).