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The user's Applications folder. Gone. Why?

I needed to set up multiple users on a system today with a specific version of an app and thought it would be the perfect use of the user specific Applications folder.

You know. The applications folder that is inside your specific user directory.

But It's GONE.

Gone in Lion. Gone in Mountain Lion.

WHY? How? What's the alteranative?

It's changes like this that break long standing functionality that we have come to expect that make many of the changes in Lion and Mountain Lion simply enraging since we now need to spend more time to find another way to get a task done now that this functionalty is removed.

Mac OS 10.7.x

Posted on Nov 2, 2012 12:29 PM

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Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Posted on Nov 2, 2012 12:35 PM

Create a new folder, rename it Applications, put it in the appropriate Home folder. Voila!!

The Home folder has never had an Applications folder unless one was created for just the purpose you want. There isn't really a need for it. If you install the application with the right privileges, then you can provide each user limited access to it via a managed account. Any user preferences and applications support files will be saved in each user's separate account. This eliminates the need to have multiple iterations of the same application.

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22 replies

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Nov 2, 2012 7:18 PM in response to Alex Zavatone

Fan Control is a system utility to control the hardware, so I'm surprised that the option to install for the current user even exists. That's certainly poor packaging. Fan Control requires admin privileges to run. It should always be installed for the admin user only. It would only make logical sense if the system administrator use two accounts: an admin account to manage the computer; and, a standard account for normal usage. This is a typical configuration for systems that are potential targets for hackers.

Some of Rogue Amoeba's products are utiities that could easily be used by each user differently, hence, it would make sense to allow it to be installed separately in each user's folder. But for the most part those utilities don't install in any applications folder. They usually install as a preference pane.

Nov 2, 2012 7:22 PM in response to Kappy

If memory serves, I seem to remember this with certain System Preference panels, in addition to some apps.

But yes, your point on Rogue Amoeba's products is my point. Any application that is installed by an installer or not, can be considered as an app that might need access on a per user basis.

I think we are getting off on a tangent though. The main question is "Is this a supported yet optional standard, even though it's not listed in the docs we've read" and "which installers/tools create this folder in the first place.

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Nov 2, 2012 7:28 PM in response to Alex Zavatone

Based on Apple's information I think it's safe to assume it is not a standard. Is it something the user might do for a specific convenience or that a system admin might set up for subordinate user accounts, then, yes, it is an option. It violates no particular rules since the user can have whatever folders he/she wants in their Home folder.

I've used Apple's installer tools and such an option was not present to the best of my recollection.

Nov 2, 2012 7:30 PM in response to Kappy

Looking in my ~/Applications folder on the MBP, I see several aliases to Steam apps and Flux. If Valve thinks it's OK, then well, why would they do that if it wasn't?

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Nov 2, 2012 7:39 PM in response to Alex Zavatone

It's certainly OK. Perhaps Steam has a particular reason for putting aliases into that folder. Likely the aliases are for the real thing sitting in your Applications folder.

As I said there isn't anything wrong with it, but it's not SOP for applications to be installed outside of the Applications folder. And, don't forget, Valve might be wrong.🙂 It isn't uncommon for developers to violate the programming rules if they find it's in their best interest to do so. Apple cannot prevent developers from using unauthorized programming tricks.

Nov 2, 2012 11:09 PM in response to Kappy

Nope. They aren't aliases to items in the main apps folder. That would defeat the purpose of putting them there. The aliases are Steam apps in the ~/Library/Application Support folder and Flux is the app itself.

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Nov 3, 2012 9:52 AM in response to Alex Zavatone

Same idea, just a different location. I think that would be because Flux requires components that Steam stores in the Applications Support folder. Flux looks for them in the "current folder" from which it is run, so then the aliases point to the true location. Sort of what you would do if you wanted to boot from an SSD but store your Home folder on an HDD.

The user's Applications folder. Gone. Why?