Different application folders

[Birdy1062]

Hi everybody,

Kind need of a hand here.

Want to buy a new Imac for the family; will have 4 different users.
Under SL is it possible that each user has its customized application folder?

I mean I made some tries on my Macbook, saw that each users has its own documents, pictures, music folder and it's fine.
Possibilities to share some folders and it's fine as well.
But what about application folder, in my experience the application folder is the same for every user.
I would like all users to have basic SL applications but also to put some applications inside the app folder without this having repercussion on other users folders.
So when I log in to my account I don't want to see all games used by the kids for instance and if I had some maintenance app in my folder that other users don't see them.

Any way to do this?

Tks guys

Birdy

 

[GGJstudios]

Create 4 user accounts, so each user can have their own Documents, Downloads, Desktop, etc. They will all share the same Applications folder and you shouldn't move applications to another folder, as it causes problems with some apps if you do. If you don't want the Applications folder on the Dock to show all apps, simply create a folder in the Documents folder for each user and name it something like "Apps" or "MyApps". Then select the Applications you want to see and create aliases for them. Drag the aliases to the "Apps" folder and then drag that "Apps" folder to the Dock. Use that in place of the Applications folder on the Dock.

 

[Mal]

Some apps can be installed just about anywhere and work properly, but many have to be in the Applications folder. Best advice? Don't worry about it, and if you really just want more convenient access to the ones you use, place them in the Dock or do as GGJ suggested with a folder of aliases.

jW

 

[Pomeroy]

You may already have an Applications folder for only your User name, some apps will ask you if you want to install for one user or all users, if you ever said yes to only one user you will find another Applications folder if you click on the little house under "Places" in Finders sidebar. If there is one there you are all set, if not make a New Folder there and name it Applications, Make sure you name it "Applications" the same as in the sidebar now and it will become an Application folder. You can tell if you did it right if an "A" shows on the folder and not just a blank folder. Now you can "Move" Apps from the old apps folder to the New Apps folder and they will be only available to that User.
With Games I do it a little different because I never know who might want to play them, but I don't want them scattered all over the "Applications" folder. I made a new Folder called Games in the Documents folder then dragged it to Finders sidebar and Moved all the games from Applications to the new Games folder. So far all the games I have work just fine but some for you may not work.

 

[robgendreau]

You should also look into alternative file launchers, things that work instead of the Dock, since they allow more customization. DragThing, for example.

 

[DewGuy1999]

It's been a few years since I set this up for a friend under OS X 10.3.x but if I remember correctly if you set up separate user accounts for each user (non-admin) and then use the Parental Controls (I think that's what it's called) to choose which applications are available to each user then only those applications with access will appear in the Applications folder for that user. If you included yourself in this scenario then the games, etc. wouldn't show up in the Applications folder when you're logged in under the "controlled" account.

 

[Birdy1062]

Tks all of you guys for your replies.
Sorry for not reacting earlier but busy at work....

I believe if I combine all 5 suggestions together I come up with a "livable" solution.

Create 5 accounts, 1 admin and 4 accounts (including one for me) parental controlled.
Create an Application folder in each Home. Make aliases of applications available for each users individually. Drag Applications folder to the dock.
Limit for each users (excluding myself) the applications they have access to via parental control.

That way each one will have its customized application folder on the dock, or each app on the dock and if a kid tries to open another app via the app folder on the sidebar of the finder, access will be denied without an admin name and password.



Tks again guys for this grouped answer!!!!

Birdy