kmosx: Making Finder window views persistent

In a Finder window showing any directory, icons can be freely arranged, and we can choose any of three "views" with attendant "View Options." This is a very flexible and powerful feature of the OS X Finder. All information on the selected "View," the arrangement of icons, any selected "View Options," even the position on the monitor to which a window will open, is stored on a per-window basis in the invisible ".DS_Store" file contained in each directory.

However, we only "own" limited directories on the startup disk, mainly those contained within our HOME folder(s). Since the ".DS_Store" file for any directory can only be modified by the user that owns the directory, any settings we make for how
b we
want to view these windows will never "stick."

This is further exacerbated by the fact that the first window many of us open is the window showing the contents of our startup disk, and this directory is owned by the "root" user, also known as "system." Although there are exceptions for many of us (see note below), in general, only "root" can make permanent changes to directories outside of a HOME folder. These directories �usually include:

*The contents of our startup disk
*The "Users" folder
*The "Applications" folder
*The "Documents" folder

Note: In fact, the first user to open a given directory in the Finder will end up owning the .DS_Store file contained in that directory, and will therefore be the only user able to modify Finder settings for that window. For most of us, .DS_Store files
i ouside of
any HOME folders will either be owned by the main admin user or "root."

The solution to this problem is quite simple- Since only "root" can make lasting changes and settings in these directories, we must become root. Follow this simple procedure:

1) First, determine which directories you, as an admin user, cannot effectively change, and make notes.

2) Enable the root account .

3) Log in as root. Open a Finder window for your startup disk. Arrange the icons how you would like them to appear, then choose your favorite "View" and any "View Options." Finally, Size the window according to your tastes and place it in a logical location on your monitor; it will always appear at this size and in this location.

4) Repeat step 3 for any other directories that are owned by root, or that you noted in step 1 ("Applications," "Users," etc.)

Note : Do not at any time use the "Apply to All Windows" option in "View Options," and make sure this button is disabled.

4) Log out of and disable the root account.

The above procedure will allow you to make semi-permanent changes to all of the settings for those "stubborn" directories. Please be aware that any changes you make will apply to how these windows appear in every account, so choose wisely.

Additional information on logging in as root: Some users may not see the "Other" user show up in a login list when the root account is enabled. As far as we can tell, this is normal behavior, and it doesn't indicate that there is a problem with your System. If this happens to you, and you do not see an "other" user, simply use one of these two options:

- Open
b System Preferences>Accounts
from an admin account, click on "Login Options," and select the "name and password" option, or:

- If you have a "Login List" enabled, but no "Other" user shows up, press and hold
b Option-Tab,
then click on your username. This will give you a "name and password" dialogue in which you can enter "root" and your root password.