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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Administrator Privileges
charles1 - Aug 23, 2005 - 4:22 pm
I'm the only user - never will be another user on this system. I keep on getting installation errors with programs I'm trying to install because i apparently don't have privileges. How can i permanently abolish this silly qualifying on these installation programs? its very irrirating and for a newbie, very frustrating. i thought osx was supposed to be user friendly? Why don't they simply ask you where you want to install the software to? disk images - drag to hard drive (who knows where it goes - maybe Applications where its dumped in a whole slew of programs I'll never use. Ridiculous. If I'm the only user - why have a user at all? Unnecessary layers of confusion. i want to setup my finder so i can locate things fast and simply. Ideally programs should be grouped together -
Internet = Browsers, Email, Newsreaders, FTP, P2P, Chat, etc
Maintenance = Utilities and such
Graphics = photo editing stuff
Players = all media players (WMP, Quicktime, VLC,etc)
Office = word processor, database, presentation, calendar, etc
That way you can find stuff, delete stuff, upgrade stuff because its organized. And I dont want to wade through endless columns of Username, User, desktop .....what stupidity.
1st column = Hard drives
2nd column = folders of programs and common files
3rd column = everything else.
Most Mac users must be so slow at navigating around their machine if they put up with such inept organizing. Windows is the same. They both lose many people by not mapping out the commonly used files better.
That way when you open the Finder everything you commonly use is RIGHT THERE. Not in some Dock....i hate that thing...only shows a few programs anyways with no folders....useless..Sorry about the rant - but in using OSX I find this the most frustrating thing of all. Hardware issues are a very close second but I wont' get into that now of course.
Internet = Browsers, Email, Newsreaders, FTP, P2P, Chat, etc
Maintenance = Utilities and such
Graphics = photo editing stuff
Players = all media players (WMP, Quicktime, VLC,etc)
Office = word processor, database, presentation, calendar, etc
That way you can find stuff, delete stuff, upgrade stuff because its organized. And I dont want to wade through endless columns of Username, User, desktop .....what stupidity.
1st column = Hard drives
2nd column = folders of programs and common files
3rd column = everything else.
Most Mac users must be so slow at navigating around their machine if they put up with such inept organizing. Windows is the same. They both lose many people by not mapping out the commonly used files better.
That way when you open the Finder everything you commonly use is RIGHT THERE. Not in some Dock....i hate that thing...only shows a few programs anyways with no folders....useless..Sorry about the rant - but in using OSX I find this the most frustrating thing of all. Hardware issues are a very close second but I wont' get into that now of course.
Khama - Aug 23, 2005 - 4:56 pm
Lets see if I can help you with this ......
"How can i permanently abolish this silly qualifying on these installation programs?"
You cant. Anything you install that requires administrator rights, will have to authenticate before installation. This is to prevent malware, spyware, viruses, and ignorant users from installing software on your machine.
"i thought osx was supposed to be user friendly? Why don't they simply ask you where you want to install the software to?"
If it has an Installation program, most will allow you to chose a specific folder for installation. If its the drag and drop kind, then where ever you drop it, is where its going to install. If you drag the icon to the HD, it will open a finder window to the HD. Hover the drag over another folder, say the Application folder, it will then open that folder, and so on and so on, until you let go of the click and then it will drop it in the folder you have navigated to.
"If I'm the only user - why have a user at all?"
OS X is UNIX based, and therefore allows multiple users. No need to set up additional users if you dont need them. In the System Preferences - Accounts - you can set the Mac up to automaticlly boot up into your user. This way you can bypass the Login Screen.
As far as your organization goes. That is completely up to you. If you want to create additional folders in your HD/Application folder, by all means do so. It is OK to create those folders you want ( Internet, Graphics, etc ) and then move those items into the folders.
As far as the Dock only showing a few things, and no folders, that is incorrect.
You can drag items into the dock to create shortcuts. You can even click and drag the items in the dock to rearaange them in the order you want, or drag them out of the dock to remove the shortcut. Also, see the small line next to the trashcan in the dock, and your last application shortcut? You can drag whole folders into that area near the trash can side ( Not into or on top of the trashcan itself, but next to it ) and create Dock shortcuts to folders.
Also you can drag file or folders into the finder window bar ( On the left side of the finder, where you see the "Desktop" "User" "Documents" "Applications" shortcuts. ) and get your commonly used items how you want them and easilly accessable.
The initial organization is a bit basic. I'll give you that. But Mac OS X allows for so much customization, its not even funny.
I hope this helps. Let me know if this works for you or if you need additional assistance.
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
"How can i permanently abolish this silly qualifying on these installation programs?"
You cant. Anything you install that requires administrator rights, will have to authenticate before installation. This is to prevent malware, spyware, viruses, and ignorant users from installing software on your machine.
"i thought osx was supposed to be user friendly? Why don't they simply ask you where you want to install the software to?"
If it has an Installation program, most will allow you to chose a specific folder for installation. If its the drag and drop kind, then where ever you drop it, is where its going to install. If you drag the icon to the HD, it will open a finder window to the HD. Hover the drag over another folder, say the Application folder, it will then open that folder, and so on and so on, until you let go of the click and then it will drop it in the folder you have navigated to.
"If I'm the only user - why have a user at all?"
OS X is UNIX based, and therefore allows multiple users. No need to set up additional users if you dont need them. In the System Preferences - Accounts - you can set the Mac up to automaticlly boot up into your user. This way you can bypass the Login Screen.
As far as your organization goes. That is completely up to you. If you want to create additional folders in your HD/Application folder, by all means do so. It is OK to create those folders you want ( Internet, Graphics, etc ) and then move those items into the folders.
As far as the Dock only showing a few things, and no folders, that is incorrect.
You can drag items into the dock to create shortcuts. You can even click and drag the items in the dock to rearaange them in the order you want, or drag them out of the dock to remove the shortcut. Also, see the small line next to the trashcan in the dock, and your last application shortcut? You can drag whole folders into that area near the trash can side ( Not into or on top of the trashcan itself, but next to it ) and create Dock shortcuts to folders.
Also you can drag file or folders into the finder window bar ( On the left side of the finder, where you see the "Desktop" "User" "Documents" "Applications" shortcuts. ) and get your commonly used items how you want them and easilly accessable.
The initial organization is a bit basic. I'll give you that. But Mac OS X allows for so much customization, its not even funny.
I hope this helps. Let me know if this works for you or if you need additional assistance.
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
charles1 - Aug 23, 2005 - 10:19 pm
You certainly are calm. That's good.
Regarding Finder layout under Applications. I've got Safari - but it looks like just the shortcut. Where are all the files. preference files, etc?
And why can't the Finder in OS X disply the size of Safari? I have to click Get Info to find out its a 20 mb file. When I understand the workings of Finder I'll be a happier camper. The other stuff - duly noted or i've already done it.
Regarding Finder layout under Applications. I've got Safari - but it looks like just the shortcut. Where are all the files. preference files, etc?
And why can't the Finder in OS X disply the size of Safari? I have to click Get Info to find out its a 20 mb file. When I understand the workings of Finder I'll be a happier camper. The other stuff - duly noted or i've already done it.
Khama - Aug 23, 2005 - 10:49 pm
Well, let me see if I can explain this .....
Safari is located in HD\Applications\Safari
The icon you see there is actually a "package" .... most users dont care about the "package", just about running the application. If you Control+Click ( Or right click if using a 2+ button mouse ) on it you should see the option of "View Package Contents" - then you can see the actual files. In order to run properly though, you need to keep the "Package" intact.
Preferences are usually located inside subfolders of the HD\Users\NAME\Library\ folder. Some preferences are stored for system wide things in the HD\Library\
For folder sizes, choosing Info or pressing Apple+I on a highlighted folder/file are what I use to get file/folder sizes on the fly.
For a global check, try the following programs
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21149
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/27238
I hope this helps, let me know if I can be of further assistance.
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
Safari is located in HD\Applications\Safari
The icon you see there is actually a "package" .... most users dont care about the "package", just about running the application. If you Control+Click ( Or right click if using a 2+ button mouse ) on it you should see the option of "View Package Contents" - then you can see the actual files. In order to run properly though, you need to keep the "Package" intact.
Preferences are usually located inside subfolders of the HD\Users\NAME\Library\ folder. Some preferences are stored for system wide things in the HD\Library\
For folder sizes, choosing Info or pressing Apple+I on a highlighted folder/file are what I use to get file/folder sizes on the fly.
For a global check, try the following programs
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21149
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/27238
I hope this helps, let me know if I can be of further assistance.
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
charles1 - Aug 23, 2005 - 11:25 pm
Package - this seems strange. Shouldn't the package be a folder? its a neat idea - so we dont' have to bother with the folder unless we need to open it. Actually its a tremendous idea. Watch Bill steal it. Now how come when I download something and place it in Applications its a folder. i'd love to place it as an .app with its contents underneath hidden. Brilliant idea on Apple's part.
Preferences: can I change the location? its so complicated - so many layers. How about HD\Preferences? Or if I have to put the blasted user in...HD\Use\Preferences.
Now the fonts in HD\Preferences can be controlled? I find the fonts on my monitor insanely small. 1/16" is silly. Using a 17" LCD with a fixed resolution of 1280 x 1024. (don't mention Universal Access please - if I want to look at something like that I'll get a big lens and smear it with vaseline!) So if I could edit the preferences for system wide display maybe I could remedy this vexing problem.
Preferences: can I change the location? its so complicated - so many layers. How about HD\Preferences? Or if I have to put the blasted user in...HD\Use\Preferences.
Now the fonts in HD\Preferences can be controlled? I find the fonts on my monitor insanely small. 1/16" is silly. Using a 17" LCD with a fixed resolution of 1280 x 1024. (don't mention Universal Access please - if I want to look at something like that I'll get a big lens and smear it with vaseline!) So if I could edit the preferences for system wide display maybe I could remedy this vexing problem.
Khama - Aug 24, 2005 - 1:05 am
"Shouldn't the package be a folder?"
Packages are compiled binaries. Some applications are not, or some need their own folder
Now how come when I download something and place it in Applications its a folder.
Some applications are not compiled binaries, or some need their own folder
Preferences: can I change the location?
NO, and furthermore NO!
its so complicated - so many layers. How about HD\Preferences? Or if I have to put the blasted user in...HD\Use\Preferences.
Do not move files out of the Library folders or move the folders themselfs unless you want them not to load or work. The Darwin BSD UNIX underpinnings of OS X rely on the locations of these folders and what resides in them.
Now the fonts in HD\Preferences can be controlled?
You can add new fonts to the system using either the Font Book app that comes with OS X or by adding them to either of these two folders:
HD\Library\Fonts <-- System/user wide
HD\Users\NAME\Library\Fonts <--- User specific
I find the fonts on my monitor insanely small. 1/16" is silly. Using a 17" LCD with a fixed resolution of 1280 x 1024. (don't mention Universal Access please - if I want to look at something like that I'll get a big lens and smear it with vaseline!) So if I could edit the preferences for system wide display maybe I could remedy this vexing problem.
Try this, in finder, click the "View" menu ... choose "Show View Options"
Here you should be able to adjust the text and icon size of your desktop items and finder windows.
Another tip for you, sorry I forgot it.
Open a new finder window, Choose to view your finder windows in list view, then in the view options, you can check the Size check box on viewing options, and "Calculate Size" on the bottom. You can adjust the column width by placing the mouse in between columns, at the bottom of the column, and adjusting it with a click drag.
I hope this helps, please let me know if you need further assistance.
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
Packages are compiled binaries. Some applications are not, or some need their own folder
Now how come when I download something and place it in Applications its a folder.
Some applications are not compiled binaries, or some need their own folder
Preferences: can I change the location?
NO, and furthermore NO!
its so complicated - so many layers. How about HD\Preferences? Or if I have to put the blasted user in...HD\Use\Preferences.
Do not move files out of the Library folders or move the folders themselfs unless you want them not to load or work. The Darwin BSD UNIX underpinnings of OS X rely on the locations of these folders and what resides in them.
Now the fonts in HD\Preferences can be controlled?
You can add new fonts to the system using either the Font Book app that comes with OS X or by adding them to either of these two folders:
HD\Library\Fonts <-- System/user wide
HD\Users\NAME\Library\Fonts <--- User specific
I find the fonts on my monitor insanely small. 1/16" is silly. Using a 17" LCD with a fixed resolution of 1280 x 1024. (don't mention Universal Access please - if I want to look at something like that I'll get a big lens and smear it with vaseline!) So if I could edit the preferences for system wide display maybe I could remedy this vexing problem.
Try this, in finder, click the "View" menu ... choose "Show View Options"
Here you should be able to adjust the text and icon size of your desktop items and finder windows.
Another tip for you, sorry I forgot it.
Open a new finder window, Choose to view your finder windows in list view, then in the view options, you can check the Size check box on viewing options, and "Calculate Size" on the bottom. You can adjust the column width by placing the mouse in between columns, at the bottom of the column, and adjusting it with a click drag.
I hope this helps, please let me know if you need further assistance.
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
Khama - Aug 24, 2005 - 1:10 am
Also, when you download something, and its a folder .... why not tuck it away inside another folder somewhere, and leave a shortcut in the "Applications" folder, dock, finder window, or organized folder of your choice?
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
--------
*The service is free, so please let us know what is happening even if you get going some other way, we need to know when to close out questions Thanks
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