Appearance for MU

I have a network of G4s all running OS 9.0.4 with multiple users enabled. They can change all the desktop settings. I have just got a new cube and this has had a fresh install of 9.0.4 this has the problems you are describing. If I create new users on the G4s that have had updates (various) they are "stuck" as well, the user accounts created originally still function correctly!

Correct - However it is MM 1.3 and the Mulitple Users bits that cause the problems mentioned here. I have got around the problems by downgrading my cube to version 1.1 of the Multiple Users control panel, Multiple Users Startup extension and the Login program.

Having read the 1.3 readme their are no documented fixes relevant to my installations that seem worthy. I wonder if there are many undocumented fixes?

.......and here is yet another (Imac, 9.0.4) who is frustrated with multiple users not saving the prefs for the desktop patterns (disappointed daughters included). I've trashed individual users desktop picture prefs many times...nothing works. Furthermore I've even had Netscape reverting to the owner side configuration and all of this ALTHOUGH I have installed Macintosh Manager 1.3. In fact I think it worked better before. Where can I get Macintosh Manager 1.1 again?

I recently persuaded my wife that Apple was the way to go telling her that Micro soft was for leeks and that with an Mac you could do "cool" things like log on to your own screen preferences. Wrong! Like everyone else, our screens revert to the owners preferences, I have had several other problems such as the screen freezing when the dialogue box for remote access is not closed after disconnection and the system logs the user out after a period of on-use. To put the tin hat on it, I discovered today that you cannot highlight text on the Mac version of Interned Explorer and select "print selection" like you can on Windows, Seems we have to print off whole articles with headers and footer.

With the IMAC using system 9.0 with multiple users function the volume and appearance settings are not holding. I have gone in as the admin user first and set them first. Then I have gone in to the other multiple users and set them each time restarting the station. Some software that I am running requires the appearance smooth font option to be unchecked. If it is checked I have text overlap. I have unchecked the smooth font setting in the control panel appearance and it keeps going back to being checked. The soundvolume also keeps going back to the default. Any suggestions here? The stations sometimes have to be reset as many as 3 times a day. Some stations hold the settings but I cannot see a difference in the computers. This is happening with about 30 stations in 3 different labs. What file in preferences would hold this information and would this have anything to do with multiple users??

Damon,

Like many others, I have similar problems. I tried installing MM 1.3 when it was first released, and the problem got WORSE. I have since removed it and am running with 1.1.

Specifically, if one of my users allows the mac to fall asleep it seems to copy the user's appearance prefs to the Owner account - weird, no?

I have 3 accounts set up - owner, and 2 users. I only use the owner account to install software, etc. and manage the computer. The rest of the time, even I use a user account (with "manage other users" priveleges).

Oddly, my account doesn't seem to clobber the owner - it's the other user account.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Kevin

Damon, I have the same problem. The desktop pattern of a user
is reverted to the owner's desktop pattern at the end of a
session. The only exception is user Ashley, which was created
before I allowed Software Update' to download the latest version
of Multiple Users (is it called Macintosh Manager?). Curiously,
Ashley's desktop pattern has been "frozen". On one hand this
has the advantage that it is not changed to the owner's desktop
pattern, as it is the case with other users, but on the other hand
Ashley is now unable to change it's desktop pattern even if she
wants; i.e. the desktop pattern is reverted to the old one at the
start of a new session.

Antonio.

My daughter's desktop suddenly started showing the desktop picture, text, icons, everything in much larger scale than before. On my MU desktop everything is ok. For the life of me I have been unable to correct her desktop. (Yesterday I added 128 megs of ram, but can not believe it is related to this problem.) Anyone know how to solve this problem?

Apple is aware of reports that Mac OS 9's Multiple Users feature, when used with certain versions of Multiple Users/Macintosh Manager client software, may lead to a cosmetic issue where some Appearance control panel settings (such as the desktop picture or pattern) may inadvertently be replaced by a different user's preferred settings. Apple realizes that this cosmetic issue may not promote the feeling of a truly independent user environment.

Apple is investigating this issue. A solution is not currently available.



Damon

Apple Support Discussions

Damon, you may think this is a "purely cosmetic issue" and thus unimportant but I assure you there are more things reverting to other users settings than appearances, and many of us do NOT feel that even appearance alone reverting is unimportant!
Virginia S. Moe

Yes, I agree completely. It's not just kids who want different desktops, it's the whole thing. Apple really flogged this feature in the promo's for OS9 and IT DOESN'T WORK GUYS!

We are not saying that this issue is unimportant. As we've stated, this issue is being investigated. As soon as a solution is available, we will note it here. That is all the information I have to offer.

Concerns which have been posted here have also been escalated.



Damon

Apple Support Discussions

I am in the same boat as every message I just read! I just purchased a new G4 Cube and the multiple users feature does not completely work! I can set up multiple users but I can not have differnt appearances for each user. You can change the appearance while you are logged in as that user but when you log out and go back into that user, the appearance defaults to the main users appearance settings. This must be a bug with Apple's 9.0.4 software! I say this because I just switched from an Imac running 9.0 and multiple users worked just fine. Apple needs to fix this problem ASAP! Apple if you read this please let us know what the problem is and when we can expect a fix!!!!

A disgusted customer!

Damon,

This issue is far from cosmetic. It is about sharing your computer with other users. This has major security implications! It is one of the main reasons I have continued to stay with the macintosh operating system. I expect a fix from Apple soon! We should not have to wait for a major upgrade.

Mike from Illinois

If you care to do a search, you'll find this has already been addressed.

regards, Dennis