Relocating folders continued..

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

That would kill me!

So many fixes (including things like path changes, as in another thread
in these parts), require or can use Registry changes.

I do concede that for things common to lots of software (such as the
location of the Documents folder), it has its advantages. But having
_everything_ in one place makes no sense to me - certainly not things
specific to one application.

The Registry is great! Everything is in one place!

Well, the above might be true if the Registry were well documented and
kept relatively simple. Have you ever tried to trace the
interconnections among a set of keys with names and values similar to
"{098f2e70-bae0-112d-b579-08000930efab}"?

If you haven't, I suggest you don't try it. I have tried it, but I don't
think I ever got to the bottom of even one set. Vertigo intervened

Ditto. I suspect those started off as a combination of antipiracy
measures and autogenerated names, and lazy programming means they're now
more or less universal.

BTW, in the Macintosh world, the method is similar to our legacy .ini
method, and uninstalling an app is as simple as just deleting the folder
that the app and all its ini (actually pref, IIRC) files lie in. Except
when it's not that easy.

Interesting - so they've not gone the registry way?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I do concede that for things common to lots of software (such as the
location of the Documents folder), it has its advantages. But having
_everything_ in one place makes no sense to me - certainly not things
specific to one application.

Having everything in one place is nice: you can destroy your system with
one slip of the keyboard or mouse.

BTW, I use a paid program called Registry Workshop. It is much
friendlier than the native registry editor.

I have another remark or two on your post, but I'll post it (or them)
separately.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Interesting - so they've not gone the registry way?

I haven't used a Mac for maybe four years, so I can't be sure.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Ditto. I suspect those started off as a combination of antipiracy
measures and autogenerated names, and lazy programming means they're now
more or less universal.

These names (GUID = Globally Unique Identifiers) actually have a
purpose, to avoid name collisions. The tangled use of them in threads of
association may be as you suggest (interesting idea!), but I sure wish
they hadn't done that...

Here's an article that helped me understand them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globally_unique_identifier

It's been a while since I read it, so I need to refresh my
understanding!

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

These names (GUID = Globally Unique Identifiers) actually have a
purpose, to avoid name collisions. The tangled use of them in threads of
association may be as you suggest (interesting idea!), but I sure wish
they hadn't done that...

Here's an article that helped me understand them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globally_unique_identifier

It's been a while since I read it, so I need to refresh my
understanding!

OK, I read it. To be honest, it seems to have refreshed my *lack of*
understanding. It is more than a bit complicated, and it has a few
variants, plus the article doesn't give me any insight into the
day-to-day use of these things.

But I'm going to be lazy and not track down any other info on the
subject - my vague understanding is OK for now.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I haven't used a Mac for maybe four years, so I can't be sure.

I did a few seconds of research. I found out that the preferences tend
to be in files called plists (as in .plist). There may also be .pref
files, but anyway, they all tend to be in the application's directory.

The questions about OS X using the registry all are answered "no", but I
haven't seen a new post yet. Update: I went back to Google and found an
entry dated September 2012:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12478075/using-registry-with-java-in-mac-os

There's more. E.g., CCleaner has a Mac version which doesn't include a
Registry cleaner because it isn't "relevant to Macs anyway", according
to Softonic.com. But it's time to stop rambling

 

[Ken Springer]

On 4/8/13 3:55 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:

BTW, in the Macintosh world, the method is similar to our legacy .ini
method, and uninstalling an app is as simple as just deleting the folder
that the app and all its ini (actually pref, IIRC) files lie in. Except
when it's not that easy.

It's actually easier than that, if you don't mind some extras simply
taking up space on the hard drive. Simply find the program file, and
drag it to the trash. Done.

Depending on the program, there are pref files and ini files, and I
don't what else. Including plist files. They can stay behind, and OS X
doesn't even have a "uninstall" routine. But there are apps that will
search for all the left over pieces and delete them for you. I use a
free one called App Cleaner, which has never failed me until this last
week. l've been testing a program, and App Cleaner couldn't find it to
remove it. At least, not the version I have installed.


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.3
Firefox 19.0.2
Thunderbird 17.0.5
LibreOffice 4.0.1.2

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

On 4/8/13 3:55 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:



It's actually easier than that, if you don't mind some extras simply
taking up space on the hard drive. Simply find the program file, and
drag it to the trash. Done.

Although if you found the program file, you are probably in the app
folder...

Depending on the program, there are pref files and ini files, and I
don't what else. Including plist files. They can stay behind, and OS X
doesn't even have a "uninstall" routine. But there are apps that will
search for all the left over pieces and delete them for you. I use a
free one called App Cleaner, which has never failed me until this last
week. l've been testing a program, and App Cleaner couldn't find it to
remove it. At least, not the version I have installed.

I am not using the Mac currently, but I'll try to remember that if I
ever switch to the dark side.

 

[Ken Springer]

Although if you found the program file, you are probably in the app
folder...

I'm trying to avoid using just "app", sounds too much like phone and
tablet talk! ::grin::

I am not using the Mac currently, but I'll try to remember that if I
ever switch to the dark side.

I've sent an inquiry to the developer of the software I'm testing, to
make sure it got installed in the correct folder before contacting the
App Cleaner folks.

Unless needed for a job, I don't see myself going back to Windows other
than to dabble and learn. Just fewer things to worry about and screw
up. LOL


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.3
Firefox 19.0.2
Thunderbird 17.0.5
LibreOffice 4.0.1.2

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

These names (GUID = Globally Unique Identifiers) actually have a
purpose, to avoid name collisions. The tangled use of them in threads of

Yes, but if they'd used meaningful names - even if only including the
name of the software they go with (or its company) to reduce the chance
of collisions, they could get round that.

association may be as you suggest (interesting idea!), but I sure wish
they hadn't done that...

Yup!
[]

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Yes, but if they'd used meaningful names - even if only including the
name of the software they go with (or its company) to reduce the chance
of collisions, they could get round that.

Obviously, they don't agree with you.

Nor do I. Using the name of the software when such a thing is needed for
a second time would be a ... collision.

Yup!

If clarification is needed (come to think of it, even if it's not!): By
"that" I mean the long tangled threads of interconnection, not the use
of the GUIDs themselves.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I'm trying to avoid using just "app", sounds too much like phone and
tablet talk! ::grin::

Yeah, I often avoid it too, and when I don't (as above), I *do* feel a
small twinge of guilt.

I've sent an inquiry to the developer of the software I'm testing, to
make sure it got installed in the correct folder before contacting the
App Cleaner folks.

Unless needed for a job, I don't see myself going back to Windows other
than to dabble and learn. Just fewer things to worry about and screw
up. LOL

So - you are a trespasser here...

....I'm just having a chuckle at your expense

 

[Ken Springer]

On Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:04:59 -0600, Ken Springer wrote:


So - you are a trespasser here...

...I'm just having a chuckle at your expense

You are an evil person, Gene! LOL!

This Mac is the first one I've actually purchased to be my computer.
Before this one, I had XP, and had started with 98. But, at work,
started with DOS just before Win for Workgroups.

For me, probably the most fun on the computer is comparing different OS
systems, finding what's the same, what's different, what can be
duplicated even if doing it "outside the box". Then, I try to find ways
of getting my preferred system to do what I want it to do, not what
Apple, MS, or anyone else thinks I should want it to do.

It's like my earlier thread on libraries. The MS way isn't what I want,
but I found a workaround in Win7. If I can find some way to have a
threaded/tree view in OS X's sidebar, the same workaround I figured out
in Win7 will work.

FWIW, to my right is a dual boot XP/Vista machine. To my left will be a
dual boot Win7/Win8 (and maybe a Linux distro) as soon as the DOA
motherboard gets replaced.

For the benefit of those reading this thread, the help and ideas in this
newsgroup is always better than when I post the same question in the
social answers forum from MS.


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.3
Firefox 19.0.2
Thunderbird 17.0.5
LibreOffice 4.0.1.2

 

[Mike Barnes]

Obviously, they don't agree with you.

Nor do I. Using the name of the software when such a thing is needed for
a second time would be a ... collision.

I agree with him, if he means what I think he means, which is to use a
human-readable name as part of the GUID in addition to the guaranteed-
unique gobbledygook. At least then you'd have some idea of what the ID
was an ID of.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I agree with him, if he means what I think he means, which is to use a
human-readable name as part of the GUID in addition to the guaranteed-
unique gobbledygook. At least then you'd have some idea of what the ID
was an ID of.

Could be, although most program names aren't made up only of hexadecimal
digits.

But one example of that are the GUIDs that Java uses: one of their
folder names used to contain the hexadecimal number CAFEEFAC. It was in
the folder

\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\

but I can't find it now (maybe they changed it or maybe I killed it).

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

You are an evil person, Gene! LOL!

This Mac is the first one I've actually purchased to be my computer.
Before this one, I had XP, and had started with 98. But, at work,
started with DOS just before Win for Workgroups.

For me, probably the most fun on the computer is comparing different OS
systems, finding what's the same, what's different, what can be
duplicated even if doing it "outside the box". Then, I try to find ways
of getting my preferred system to do what I want it to do, not what
Apple, MS, or anyone else thinks I should want it to do.

It's like my earlier thread on libraries. The MS way isn't what I want,
but I found a workaround in Win7. If I can find some way to have a
threaded/tree view in OS X's sidebar, the same workaround I figured out
in Win7 will work.

FWIW, to my right is a dual boot XP/Vista machine. To my left will be a
dual boot Win7/Win8 (and maybe a Linux distro) as soon as the DOA
motherboard gets replaced.

For the benefit of those reading this thread, the help and ideas in this
newsgroup is always better than when I post the same question in the
social answers forum from MS.

With attitudes like yours - I mean that you enjoy experimenting and
finding solutions - one can't argue with your choices

You make computers and OSes into a true hobby.

 

[Ken Springer]

With attitudes like yours - I mean that you enjoy experimenting and
finding solutions - one can't argue with your choices

Thanks.

You make computers and OSes into a true hobby.

My other hobby? Steam locomotives! LOL This will give you a good
view of my behind.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.3
Firefox 19.0.2
Thunderbird 17.0.5
LibreOffice 4.0.1.2

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Thanks.


My other hobby? Steam locomotives! LOL This will give you a good
view of my behind.

Nice behind

I'd say that the average laptop computer is more portable than that
locomotive.

But a heck of a lot less attractive than the train and the surroundings
shown in that clip.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Unless you're trying to install two copies of the same piece of
software, what is going to collide with what?

I agree with him, if he means what I think he means, which is to use a
human-readable name as part of the GUID in addition to the guaranteed-
unique gobbledygook. At least then you'd have some idea of what the ID
was an ID of.

(Thanks for your support.) I don't see the need for the
guaranteed-unique gobbledegook _at all_.

 

[Mike Barnes]

Unless you're trying to install two copies of the same piece of
software, what is going to collide with what?

Two software products with the same name?

And GUIDs are used for purposes other than identifying software
products. A guaranteed unique name isn't always easy to come up with.