how to clone/copy system preferences to another account ?

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Level 1

6 points

how to clone/copy system preferences to another account ?

Hi.
Is it possible to clone/copy/transfer system preferences from one account to another - on the same machine?
I set up an admin-account and would like to use a standard-account while connected to the internet. So i created a user account, switched on parental control and would now like to have a quasi-similar account without manually changing all the preferences (again). E.g. regarding desktop, dock, touchpad,... and if possible application settings for firefox, entourage, matlab, spss...
Can it be done? I do not have a mobile me account, not planning on paying for one, but i'm not afraid of using the cli ;-]
Thanks for your time.
Regards
spr0cket

MacBook Pro 13", Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 26, 2009 8:54 AM

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Answer 1

V.K.

Level 9

56,192 points

Sep 26, 2009 9:43 AM in response to spr0cket

spr0cket wrote:
fantastic :-}
can i do this with all preferences located in ~/library/preferences/ ?

pretty much, although it may create some conflicts if you simply copy the whole thing. i would only copy what you need.

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Answer 2

V.K.

Level 9

56,192 points

Sep 26, 2009 9:00 AM in response to spr0cket

you'd have to transfer a LOT of stuff by hand from one account into the other. see this link on where a lot of stuff is stored in your home directory
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=6185507
for 3rd party apps like firefox, entourage etc you'll have to find out where exactly their data is located. I know that firefox is in ~/library/application support/firefox.

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Answer 3

spr0cket Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 26, 2009 9:12 AM in response to V.K.

hi v.k.
Thanks! that helps a lot :-] -actually solves most of the apps-part.
Will i have to change permissions/owner on the copied files?
Is there a similar way for account settings regarding desktop, dock etc.
(i owned a mac years ago, but os x is new to me)
regards
spr0cket

Message was edited by: spr0cket

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Answer 4

V.K.

Level 9

56,192 points

Sep 26, 2009 9:18 AM in response to spr0cket

spr0cket wrote:
hi v.k.
Thanks! that helps a lot :-] -actually solves most of the apps-part.
Will i have to change permissions/owner on the copied files?

yes, you'll have to deal with permissions issue. i would suggest you do not try to modify any permissions on the original items in your home directory. copy them first to some place that both accounts have access to like the Shared folder or an external drive. then log into the new account and copy them back where you want.