Applications folder

[themoffster]

Can someone tell me the difference between the 'Applications' favourite and the applications folder in /Users/<user>/Applications/?

When i install an app, sometimes it goes in the former and sometimes it goes in the latter.
When the latter happens i just drag it to the 'Applications' folder.

What is the difference in them? All my apps run fine regardless of where they are installed.

 

[Mal]

Most applications will automatically install in the /Applications folder. The ~/Applications folder isn't even on the system by default, it was created by some application you installed as some point. I would keep everything in the /Applications folder as you said, and even delete the one in your user folder, which should eliminate the problem unless another poorly written installer creates it again.

jW

 

[talmy]

The ~/Applications folder is for applications installed so that only you can use them. Unless you are using a system which has multiple user accounts it makes no difference which location applications are installed.

 

[themoffster]

Ah ok.
I've got multiple users (me and the wife).

I did think that'd be it.
I might just keep my games in that folder then to keep the /Applications folder tidy as i don't think the wife would be interested in Counterstrike or Civ 5!

thanks