Allow apps from anywhere

No Terminal commands needed,

after it has downloaded then control click (right click) on the app >open dialog will present itself.

ref: Install an app from an unidentified developer

Safely open apps on your Mac - Apple Support

I think this has what you are looking for:

https://www.howtogeek.com/205393/gatekeeper-101-why-your-mac-only-allows-apple-approved-software-by-default/

Note: If you are always loading stuff just from the web, I would suggest running MalwareBytes manually after each install. You do not need to run it between installs, just after is sufficient.

romad wrote:

Yes, I know that cumbersome one-at-a-time work around, but I want to have a GLOBAL setting just like in El Capitan and earlier. I'm sure there is a Terminal (Unix) command that will let those of us who don't need their hands held restore the anywhere option. I abhor the MAS and try to purchase from non-MAS sources.

Then I would fall back to El Capitain if you want to bypass the security features built in—

How to use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

There's no need to apply any special tricks. If the OS at first refuses to launch an unsigned app, all you have to do is right click on the app and choose Open. You only need to do this once for each such app.

romad wrote:

I abhor the MAS and try to purchase from non-MAS sources.

By going directly to the source, I get updates, bug fixes, upgrades way faster than by going via the MAS.

I do the same direct from Developers— however to each their own...

I would never advise to turn off GateKeeper universally— in reality downloading and updating direct from developers is not going to hobble any updates, bug fixes, upgrades with the GateKeeper enabled. You still get notifications and simply holding the control key to continue does not seem like it would threaten anyones workflow—maybe I am wrong.

Gatekeeper mechanism is central to security services, which tries to ensure that any code loaded is ‘safe’.

Code signatures are only part of this. Shutting down the Gatekeeper seems short sighted, since the macOS uses these to combat malware:

XProtect checks the security and integrity of files, including in broader ways too, vulnerable document types, such as JPEG images, are also screened to ensure that they’re not malicious.

Apple’s Malware Removal Tool (MRT) an app which often complements XProtect’s signature-based screening, and can automatically remove all traces of many different species of malware.

System Integrity Protection (SIP) which ensures that nothing can tamper with key system files, or even Apple’s bundled apps.

Apple uses its Software Update service as a mechanism for installing “background and critical” updates that are installed silently in the background with no notifications to the user.

romad wrote:

Actually, the MAS delays updates, bug fixes, etc. for several days while Apple does its thing. In addition, MAS sourced applications are sometimes hobbled feature-wise compared to the same application direct from the vendor.

No one is questioning your decision to bypass MAS.

In addition, the vendor doesn't have to pay the extortionist "Apple Tax" on my purchase!

Then again, the vendor has to either contract with a billing service, or build and maintain their own payment system.

The vendor has to pay for their own download bandwidth, or depend on a download site that might put a wrapper installer around their app which does side-loads.

I'm not saying it is cheaper to use the App Store, but it is not like they get nothing for the cut Apple takes. Depending on the vendor, the app, the volume of sales, etc..., the App Store may be worth it to some developers, and for others, going their own route works for them. Keep in mind that there are some users that will not buy from anyplace beside the App Store. That can limit sales.

I also remember that days of Palm app developers using a server to distribute their apps. The services often took up to 70% of the cost of the app, and they were NOT $0.99 cent apps. You often paid $20-$50 for an app. Or the catalogs that sold apps. The vendors basically had to buy adds in the catalogs. The more they paid the better placement they go in the catalogs (this is the pre-Internet days). So Apple's cut is a whole lot cheaper than the good old days.

PS. I do obtain apps from all 3 sources. App Store, Trusted developers, and unsigned apps. And I'm perfectly happy using the Right-Click open trick. It is not like I'm downloading new unsigned apps all that often. While today the only adware/malware that can get onto the Mac is with the user being tricked to do the install, that could change tomorrow, and I like that macOS is going to at least complain if it is an unsigned app, and for App Store or Trusted developers, Apple can revoke the signed certificate should they prove to be "un-trust worthy".

Thanks Bob. :)