WHen I first got my mac I had an admin account, my account and my girlfriends account. A bunch of mac users at my job told me since I didn't share it with anyone that I could just use the admin account. So I deleted my separate one. Now I read a bunch of stuff saying it was a good idea in the first place. My questions are, do I need to set up a serparate account and if I do how do I get all of my Iphoto/Itunes stuff over to the new account. Thanks for any help!
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Do you NEED a separate admin account for safety?
- Thread starter Jazzandmetal?
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You don't need one, but I personally have one and think it makes good sense. If nothing else it can protect you from your own stupidity/mistakes as it makes it difficult to mess up the system without having to authenticate first.
If you want to add an admin account you don't need to move anything. Create your new admin account (ensuring it is an Administrator). You can then remove admin rights from your current account.
If you want to add an admin account you don't need to move anything. Create your new admin account (ensuring it is an Administrator). You can then remove admin rights from your current account.
Although remember if you take this method to change the ownership of the apps in your /Applications folder.
"Do you NEED a separate admin account for safety?"
Never did it, never will. Too big a pain in the ass when I'm the only one using the thing. Plus, now with Time Machine, if you screw something in the system up, you can go back an hour and restore.
Never did it, never will. Too big a pain in the ass when I'm the only one using the thing. Plus, now with Time Machine, if you screw something in the system up, you can go back an hour and restore.
What?
It takes about 90 seconds to create a new user account.
Whenever I set up a new machine for a client (or myself) I always make sure to add a second admin account.
By all means, keep your regular account at admin level (It is a real pain to install some apps using a standard account) but if your primary account gets messed up in some way, it is much easier to log in as another user and fix the problem - especially if you have a password problem.
Also, troubleshooting many issues becomes easier when you can see if they exist in a different account.
I highly recommend creating a second admin account even if you never plan to use it.
Memory
So, I created a second admin account. I do not plan on using it that much. How much space does it take up on my cpu?
So, I created a second admin account. I do not plan on using it that much. How much space does it take up on my cpu?
I assume you mean on your HD?
The space should be minimal <10 MB on Tiger, probably about that on Leopard as well.
Having multiple accounts running also has minimal impact on the computer unless the accounts in the background are doing something processor intensive for some reason.
Waste of time and space 
I've mucked around with OS X quite alot from 10.0 to 10.5 and its all been rock solid.
Having a separate Windows account is something I do... because on there its so very much worth it.
I've mucked around with OS X quite alot from 10.0 to 10.5 and its all been rock solid.
Having a separate Windows account is something I do... because on there its so very much worth it.
Waste of time and space
I've mucked around with OS X quite alot from 10.0 to 10.5 and its all been rock solid.
Having a separate Windows account is something I do... because on there its so very much worth it.
As a full-time Mac tech, I can assure you that Mac OS is not "rock solid". Like any other OS or any technology for that matter, problems can and very often do arise. Even if the problems are the result of user error or third party software, the ability to troubleshoot problems more easily is well worth the minute and a half and 10 megs of your time and space.
I'm glad that you have never had any kind of problem whatsoever on your Macs, but many other people have.
I did when I was first messing with 10.0, but since 10.2 I've seen no need, as it makes many things a pain. That being said, I alwasy have at least a guest account on my system, and often add another user for troubleshooting.
TEG
TEG
I hesitate to get involved in this discussion due to the apparently strong and differing opinions of which many are subjective, not objective. For example, my view of what "too long to set up" equates to in time appears to be different than some others. I find it hard to believe that anyone who has actually set up another user account would find it a time consuming experience (even if they suffer from ADD).
However, I did want to let Quint know that I support his position. For me, I would recommend that your "everyday" user account not be an admin account. This can help keep you from fragging up your system, and provide some additional security.
OK. That's my two cents. Do what you want.
The real question is for Jazzandmetal? - did you get the files moved that you needed?
However, I did want to let Quint know that I support his position. For me, I would recommend that your "everyday" user account not be an admin account. This can help keep you from fragging up your system, and provide some additional security.
OK. That's my two cents. Do what you want.
The real question is for Jazzandmetal? - did you get the files moved that you needed?
I just set up another account as the admin account. So my account is still "as is" with another admin account that will probably never get used. How will it help from fragging up my system? I am still new to mac.
You can revoke admin privileges from your current account by logging in as the new admin while logged completely out of your current account and editing your account in the account preferences pane.
The advantage to this is that if you screw up on your everyday account it will have less impact due to the account not having admin privileges. Additionally, having a second account means that if you install something that completely messes up your user (has been known to happen) you can just log in to the second account and fix things from there (such as delete corrupt files).
The advantage to this is that if you screw up on your everyday account it will have less impact due to the account not having admin privileges. Additionally, having a second account means that if you install something that completely messes up your user (has been known to happen) you can just log in to the second account and fix things from there (such as delete corrupt files).
I've always used the admin account as my main account. Easier that way. And I'm comfortable not screwing things up. Honestly, I can't think of what I could possibly do to the machine by accident, short of falling for a trojan or something. But I'm pretty cautious on that end.
There was the lovely case of the quickbooks installer that nuked your desktop folder if you want a good reason to keep your admin and everyday user accounts separate.
I think you need to learn to accept other forum member's opinions. Every time someone has said they don't use it, you have criticised their methodology.
If you use it, great. By all means point out the benefits, but there's no need to get so defensive about it.
I can see it from both sides. I don't think there is a particular need for it, but I can also see your point about it perhaps coming in useful if you seriously screw up your primary account.
Finally, I too agree that it won't consume any extra resources having another empty admin account which is not always logged in.
I have 2 admins, as my main user account developed an issue where Adobe CS3 Updater would no longer run under my personal admin account. I have to use the 2nd one to run Adobe updater. I contacted Adobe about this issue but they were no help, blaming Leopard. Reran Permissions, didn't help. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the whole suite, but it still didn't help. So I just stuck with using the 2nd admin account just to run update on Adobe CS3.
I guess...how do I tell if they are f***ed up? I don't really ever download anything. Just use the cpu for the internet (porn) and ipod stuff.
But the only stuff I downloaded was yahoo messenger and a widget from the apple site.
Just a by-the-by, you don't download stuff onto your CPU, you download stuff onto your hard drive.
As for the original topic. From a strict security sense it is always the best practice to use the lowest level of permissions that is convenient and only to use the highest levels of access when necessary. As others have stated this is to protect you from yourself. However, since this is just a personal computer it isn't a matter of great importance and you will probably be fine not using a separate account.
As for the original topic. From a strict security sense it is always the best practice to use the lowest level of permissions that is convenient and only to use the highest levels of access when necessary. As others have stated this is to protect you from yourself. However, since this is just a personal computer it isn't a matter of great importance and you will probably be fine not using a separate account.