“Unlike the Mac, Windows lets applications install files all over the system and program folders,” Karl Johnson writes for T-GAAP. “The result of Windows allowing apps to install files or DLLS in many locations is it can wreck havoc with operating system stability. Apple has a better approach.”
“OS X confines application files to the application, system’s library, and user’s library folders. Some application preferences are system wide and others are specific to a certain user (which is why there are two library folders), but hints in OS X Lion suggest things are about to change,” Johnson writes. “Under the hood 10.7 Lion, Apple is hiding the user library folder and adding a new user folder called applications. If Apple does not want users to modify the library folder, why not hide all the system folders to protect the user from themselves? ”
Johnson asks, “Why hide the Library folder and add a application folder but not make any changes to applications? The only solution is that Apple is waiting for something. The only thing coming in the near future that will directly effect Mac OS Lion is iCloud, which would be a great place to backup preferences.”
Read more in the full article here.
Looks like Lion aint for me.
tD
Why?
Because it shuts down hacking?
Please explain? I read nothing in the article that is fact and if it does turn out to be, whats the fear?
> chflags nohidden ~/Library
There you go; now Lion is for you, too.
Thanks _Bill_
That command in terminal works like a dream.
Rossco.
… enough to use anything in the Library, you are smart enough to get around this. This is a rather simple “trick” designed to keep folks NOT smart enough to understand what’s going on in there, OUT of there. Or, do you find that implication “insulting”? ;-p
Maybe they’re hiding the Library folder because of dumb users who delete important files to “free up space”?
no – they are tired of people messing with the Library folder – people who should not be messing with it – in Lion is is HIDDEN – not missing – you can UNhide it if you like – but you should know what you are doing – Apple is just protecting the vast majority of users from themselves. Period. Nothing to do with the cloud, iCloud, etc.
Author of this article has no clue. And by the way, applications on Lion can install files anywhere they choose. The biggest problem with Windows is a “system” and “win32” jumble of files and a massive “registry” that has little protection and which was designed by an idiot. For real.
Nicely put. I think a lot of us will agree with you. Being a Mac tech I know you are right.
“…. Apple is just protecting the vast majority of users from themselves.”
If true, then what does it say about what Apple thinks of their users (customers).
It’s the arrogance and condescension typically exhibited by politicians (of any kind) who seek to enact laws that “protect people from themselves.”
In both cases, the inherent presumption (on their part) is that you’re stupid.
Protecting people from themselves and “stupid” are two different subjects altogether. I think “ignorant” is the more precise way of seeing it. My mother wouldn’t know the first thing about a Library folder and could very well accidentally move it to trash. She’s not stupid. She’s very, very ignorant, though, of computers in general even though most of her day is spent on one. She’s tried and tried to learn more but she can only get to a certain point before it doesn’t make sense to her. And she’s indicative of a lot of my consulting clients. Apple isn’t condescending. It’s making a real world judgement call based, I believe, on accurate assumptions. You may not like the fact that people don’t share your knowledge or confidence with a computer, but it doesn’t change the fact that most people are a danger to themselves on a computer.
your comment makes me wish for an upvoting feature.
The fact of the matter is that most computer users ARE ignorant about the way their computers work. 95% of users have no need to ever manually interact with the library directories. The 5% that do will know how to “unhide” them.
I have 7 GB of mail data in my library. Can’t imagine a constant backup of that. It would be like the perpetual thrashing of the old RAM-deficient mainframes.
I wonder if some ommenters actually read the article? His point was that if Apple was trying to prevent user interaction with the “wheels and cogs” then why just stop at the User Library folder? There are still many ways to muck up the system with the wrong hands. If they were trying to defend against dumb users, there are actually more important folders than the User Library. The first one that comes to mind is the System Library. The User Library folder does, however, have a number of files worth backing up. I don’t think his idea is that asinine.
@ploogman – No, apps cannot install files wherever they choose; that’s not how OS X works. You are the one misinformed. And the author specifically uses the word “hidden.” Again, you are the one misinformed. Reading before commenting will enhance your experience. Perhaps if you had, you would see that hs premise isn’t so outlandish. Considering how poorly you read or your lack of attention to details, I wonder if you might among those who you suggest Apple is protecting from themselves.
Sometimes certain commenters on MDN just immediately appear to assume an article is negative and begin attacking.
Thanks Nesta.
Wish I had read his whole comment. The first part is spot on though
@ nesta – yeah, sounds like you are a real expert there buddy. I am a Mac programmer and have been for several years with many years of DOS and Windows programming before that (and TRS-80 before that). I can whip up a new Mac application for you that will store files ANYWHERE on your Mac, though some locations will prompt you for your password. The CONVENTION is for applications to use certain locations, but they do not have to. For non-GUI applications and services, those CONVENTIONs are typically ignored.
YOU are misinformed, not me. Learn to program in Objective-C and make an application with X-Code and then get back to us. And by the way, why are you so hostile?? And yes, I read the ENTIRE article and it was asinine and sounded like a potentially pro-Microsoft author who totally misses the point of hiding certain folders from users for their own good. YOU are the one attacking, not me. Just state YOUR opinion instead of trying to call ME out, genius Nesta.
Microsoft introduced a new feature in Windows 7: libraries, where you stash your files. Unfortunately that’s the same name as a folder in OS X where you are NOT supposed to stash your files. Did Microsoft use this terminology to boobytrap switchers? Hm.
Apple hid the Library folder. Good idea.
All libraries are in win7 is a collection of multiple folders with a singular view.
I doubt the naming had anything to do woth os x.
I think Apple knows why should be in the cloud and what should not .
Oops bad auto correct instead of why it should be what ..
@ Zulkifli good point!
Karl Johnson observed that at the Library folders are invisible. That’s the only fact in his write-up. The rest is wild speculation that cannot possibly be true because the Library folder stores settings and Apple has already said they aren’t syncing settings.
MDN readers know how to get into the Library, even if it is invisible, and we know what we’re doing when we get there. So what difference does it make?
yes, I agree totally, wild speculation for sure
Or perhaps Apple is moving the user Library file to iCloud so that the user can log on to any machine and have the same environment available, assuming all the apps are available as well.
Sounds like “the net is the computer” from Sun Microsystems. “Thick client” type setup. I can see storing documents but not environment and app settings so much on the cloud – at least not yet with current internet tech.
Funny thing is that this is how early computing was. You used a terminal to connect to a mainframe and wherever you connected from, your environment was the same. Basic Unix multi-user premise.
I don’t want to speak out of turn for Karl, but as my college, I have a pretty clear idea what he’s saying here.
If you buy a Mac right now, how do you transfer your apps, files, passwords, etc… to the new machine? USB or FW cable via migration assistant. But still, pieces are missing. Passwords need to be re-entred, and none of your prefs transfer over, and some apps don’t recognize you’ve bought their software. It’s a pain, and it’s no yet a seamless transition.
If various OS directories are tucked away nicely in iCloud (within the application itself) and over time, all your apps are purchased via the App Store, then once you buy a new system, you just login and presto, iCloud downloads all the apps you own, drops in all your personal prefs onto the new system and it’s done.
If you want to add an new Mac to your fleet, how difficult is it with various licensing agreements, etc.. to install all the software, and bring that machine up to speed? It’s a pain. But the App Store licensing agreements which Devs must now agree to make adding a new machine a snap, without needing to buy those apps all over again.
iCloud storage of these Directories will make the entire flow work seamlessly, and it’s miles ahead of the competition. Reinstalling the OS, replacing a Mac or adding a new one to your fleet, it’s all going to be a cake walk.
~Mark
Apple will not move files or folders necessary for the device to run to the cloud. Not everyone will be connected every time they want to use their Mac. They will not cripple you for not being connected.
You can un-hide the Library folder anytime by holding down the Option-key while clicking on the Go menu in the Finder.
The App Store guidelines let you store files in the Music, Pictures and Application Support folders only, so the article may be spot on for a future transition or syncing.
The purpose of hiding ~/Library:
– users should access their photos, music, mail, etc. though well defined interfaces, i.e., apps. instead of the filesystem
– hide all the crap that users don’t need to know about, preference storage, caches, temp files, application support files, etc.
I call BS on this idea. This joker does NOT know what he is talking about.
Mac apps can be anywhere you want. They don’t have to be in the System level Applications folder. As a matter of fact, you can create an Applications folder in your home directory and OS X will automatically put the Applications folder icon on it.
There are two Library folders. One is on the System level and is for all users of that Mac, the other is in each user’s Home directory and is relevant for for only that user. Which will be kept in the clouds?
A standard debugging technique is to go into the Library folders and delete the files there for the misbehaving app. Start in the User Library, and if that doesn’t help, the System Library. Hiding these directories will make trouble shooting more difficult.
Like I said, I call BS on this idea.
Note to Apple:
Please stop dumbing down the Mac OS. I do not wish my desktop OS to be turned into iOS with a keyboard.
Note to Apple & Tech in General:
With data caps and greedy ISPs the cloud is bullshit and I do not want my files on anyone’s cloud.
Dumbed down??
What are you talking about? Lion is a huge advance over 10.6 in security (sandboxing, ASLR), recovery, flexibility, workflow, search and preview, versioning, screen and resource sharing, multimedia, networking, and on and on.
If you choose to run an unCloudWorthy island, go ahead–that’s what System Preferences is all about–but you are a fool if you think this OS is truly “dumbed down” just because things are easier.
Hiding folders is not making things easier.
I have Lion installed, have turned off most of the new features and have hacked iCal back to a normal ( non- leather ) interface, restored scrolling to the proper orientation, turned off disappearing scrollbars, etc.
I’m all for the security improvements, but have no appreciation for mucking up the UI or the FUGLY fake leather on iCal & Address Book.
As to performance, with a Mac Pro with 8GB RAM, I am less than impressed. The list of broken apps is much longer than the benefits of the new “features”. Still no decent replacement for Front Row- the 3rd Party stuff is bullshit and using the Apple iOS remote app is a joke as it disconnects when not in continuous use.
Hiding folders is certainly making things easier for a typical computer user.
Since when is the user “Applications” folder a new addition?
It’s not ‘wreck havoc’ it’s ‘wreak havoc’. Probably means the rest of it is ignorant too.
Personally, I think the whole blog has started reeking of havoc.