hiding directories from users - huh?

[stone]

(I know I've read some related posts rather recently, but I can't seem to find them when I search. Sorry if this duplicates something.)

I'm quite used to working with Linux and using xterms and friends. One of the REALLY nice things about os X is the possibility of actually getting under the GUI skin - as an administrator.
I can understand (but just barely) that most users might not want to see the / or the /var directories, for instance, ant that they should be protected. But I - as an administrator don't want that!

The only way of getting into these "hidden" directories, that I have found in Public Beta is to use the terminal.

I want to have a setting in Aqua which I can get to as an administrator, which effectively lets me see all directories from the "finder". It's frustrating as it is now! Perhaps this is already planned or even incorporated in more recent builds? Anybody know something?
(I felt a need to communicate this to Apple, but I discovered that they apparently removed the "Mac os X feedback" thingie on the macosx page.)

/stone

[monty]

besides logging in as root all those directories are hidden. Do you really want to see the /var, /bin, /etc, etc? As far as i'm concerned those folders (bin, sbin etc) are where CLI programs are kept so I have no problem using the Terminal to access them. All the GUI OSX apps are in the Applications folder which isn't hidden. I've only wanted to see those folders once and for that I logged on as root (yes i know It's a bad idea but I don't make a habit of it).

peter

[BenW]

They moved it, but it's still there. http://www.apple.com/macosx/beta/feedback.html

But I tend to agree that the sneaky details of Unix should only be accessible to those who are ready to deal with the sneaky details of Unix. On the other hand, if you're going to have to edit files in those hidden folders, I can see how it might be nicer to do it in TextEdit than vi or emacs.

[griffman]

Here's an easy terminal fix for the hidden file problem:

defaults write com.apple.finder ShowAllFiles True

Next time you login, you should see everything.

-rob.

[zpincus]

On the other hand, if you're going to have to edit files in those hidden folders, I can see how it might be nicer to do it in TextEdit than vi or emacs.

I'm still wary of TextEdit not getting the UNIX-style hard returns correct -- any word on this?
(Or for that matter, accidentally making an important file an RTF file! Bad news...) I use pico and emacs just to be sure what I see is what I save. But I'm not sure that TextEdit messes up -- I'm just paranoid.
Zach

[monty]

I use pico and emacs just to be sure what I see is what I save. But I'm not sure that TextEdit messes up -- I'm just paranoid.
Zach

me too. I don't think that TextEdit would really screw up the files (as long as you save as plain text) but i figure that if i'm editing the unix config files, I should use a unix text editor. I only learnt enough emacs to create new, open and edit files and quit with and without saving, which is all you really need.

peter

[rene]

stone,
there is also an app called tinkertool wich lets you see files, trash
and more in a very nice application
get it at:
http://www.bresink.de/osx/

hope this helps,
rene

[rene]

BTW
i have heard that in newer builds you dont get to make
a root account anymore..just an admin account.
How can one then login as root?
To login as root you need a root password wich you do
not have, coz you can not make this account.
This way i think we dont have total freedom on our own macs!
This would be too much, i want to mess up my own system
if i choose too (LOL)
any thoughts?

rene