How many "Libraries" on a Mac if one user account only.

Question

Level 1

118 points

How many "Libraries" on a Mac if one user account only.

This is probably a dumb question but I have attempted searches through “help” and through this forum to no avail.

How many “Library Folders” are there to be on one’s computer? - assuming one user account, only.

I have 3 as follows. Two I understand. The third? it doesn’t even show its location when “information” is sought.

1. User Library: about 650 MB. Where: /User/Mayhem - says so in information. (I know each User will have its own Library, etc.)

2. Hard Drive/System: about 4GB. Where: System - says so in information.

3. Hard Drive Library: about 5GB. Where ? dunno. Shows nothing in information. Why is this? In information imbedded folders just say /library.

So what is up with # 3 and what is it for? and/or what is the difference between #2 and #3 and why the discrepancy in size?

Just curious; can’t help it.

Cheers,
mhikl

MacBook 2.16 + 2.5 RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.3), Fixed Molar AIO266 (Jaguar); iMac 800 Tiger

Posted on Jun 17, 2008 4:14 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Jun 17, 2008 4:29 PM in response to mhikl

There are three main Library folders:

/System/Library/ - limited access to the root user or system administrator.
/Library/ - system-wide access by all admin users.
/Users/username/Library/ (also referred to as /Home/Library/ or ~/Library/) - access only to username and limited access by the admin users.

There are also folders within each Library folder that are also replicated. This all derives from the ownership hierarchy that exists on a multi-user operating system. It also represents differing levels of security and access. For example, that your /Home/Library/ folder is only accessible by you prevents other users from accessing your personal data. Not even an admin user can access your personal data even though an admin user can access the /Home/Library/ folder.

If you purchase a good book on Unix you can learn more about this.

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Answer 2

AxL

Level 6

11,441 points

Jun 17, 2008 4:36 PM in response to mhikl

One library for the Mac,
one library for the OS,
and one library for each User.

Now if your curiosity plays it risky and tinkerish, you can explore yourself, open folders and files, see what kinds of treasures you can find, use Textedit or even better, Property List Editor to read contents of many files, etc.
Just do not modify/delete anything.

🙂

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Answer 3

mhikl Author

Level 1

118 points

Jun 17, 2008 5:00 PM in response to mhikl

Kappy’s the Dude. Succinct, yet comlete. Thanks for help. Shall check out the library, public that is.

AxL’s metrical explanation keeps me grounded. 16 words (15 without “and”). Thanks for Textedit et al. suggestion. Have tried before but forgot about it. Will venture forth but with care.

Cheers,
mhikl

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