Can I arrange my desktop icons on the left side of the screen?

I don't think this has anything to do with PCs vs. Mac, it has to do with usability, preferences, logic and tradition. In western culture, we read LEFT TO RIGHT! Something ordered alphabetically from right to left (if you sort by name on the desktop) is counterintuitive to the majority of users.

When you open finder, does it ever sort from right to left? No. Are the icons stuck to the right side of the window? No. So why does the desktop behave that way, without giving you the option to change it? Bad usability design. Of all the complaints I have heard about PCs no one has ever said, "I wish the desktop would sort from the right." Maybe it does have to with Macs vs. PCs only in this case Macs are trying to be different just for the sake of it. Sounds like some 15-year-olds I know...

And no, there is absolutely no way to sort the desktop from the left by default. Unless you open your desktop in Finder.

I'm almost positive that he means *by default* ...

Sure - just drag them where you want them

LN

Yes I can drag them, but if I save anything to my desktop they automatically save on the right.

There's got to be a way to change this but I can't figure it out.

Select the desktop, then click "Show View Options" in the "View" menu. Set "Arrange by" to "None"

Malcolm Rayfield wrote:

Yes I can drag them, but if I save anything to my desktop they automatically save on the right.

There's got to be a way to change this but I can't figure it out.

Select the desktop, then click "Show View Options" in the "View" menu. Set "Arrange by" to "None"

That won't help. Desktop items usually stay where you put them no matter what option you choose, but the OP is referring to new items, which, it seems to me, do always land on the right side of the desktop.

I have the same need.

I want use "Arrange by" tool to reorganize desktop icons on the left side of the screen.

AFAIK, the default is to put new things onto the right-hand side and I know of no way to change that.

New to Macs? See

Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
MacFixIt Tutorials,
MacTips, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition.

Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:

Quick Assist.
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Note that your new Mac isn't a PC.

Were you ever able to find an answer to this? This is the ONLY thing that I loathe about OSX. It's superior in every way. There has to be a way to address this that I just can't find.

Did you read the replies? AFAICT, there isn't anyway to do that.

Hi arturhenke;

I seriously doubt that it will. AFAIK very few Mac user are complaining about this.

If you truly what Apple to even thing about this issue you should send it as feedback directly to Apple instead of posting it here.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

Allan

And send bug reports and enhancement requests via its Bug Reporter system. To do the latter, join the Apple Developer Connection (ADC)—it's free and available for all Mac users and gets you a look at some development software. Since you already have an Apple username/ID, use that. Once a member, go to Apple BugReporter and file your bug report/enhancement request. The nice thing with this procedure over submitting feedback is that you get a response and a follow-up number; thus, starting a dialog with engineering.

phatlad wrote:
Were you ever able to find an answer to this? This is the ONLY thing that I loathe about OSX. It's superior in every way. There has to be a way to address this that I just can't find.

My Leopard desktops, like my Winders desktops have nothing on them. There is nothing to arrange/rearrange. Loathing is such a strong emotion. There are many things about Leopard that I find in need of improvement, but it's not an emotional thing with me.
A computer is a tool, like a knife. It has its good features and its bad features.