User-Specific Application Folders

[Aidoneus]

I want to separate the application folders of both myself and my girlfriend using the same Mac. She doesn't need to see my system tweaking tools and DVD conversion software, and likewise, I don't need to see her BlackBerry Desktop software and Facebook album tools.

Currently, all apps reside in HD/Applications, as is default. My question is: is it safe to simply copy all applications into HD/User/USERNAME/Applications, or is this going to cause problems will existing file structures?

 

[chrismacguy]

In theory that should work, however wouldnt it just be easier to stick the apps for each of you in a sub directory in applications and dump that as a stack to each of your docks??

 

[Mal]

It depends on the applications. Many applications are fine to be placed anywhere, but a number of applications do require that they be in /Applications. Generally, if you dragged it to the Applications folder to install it, you probably can move it elsewhere, but if you used an installer, I wouldn't recommend it.

You could consider just making folders full of aliases to the apps you each use, then you can just reference those.

jW