Author Topic: Leaving files on the Desktop in OSX (Read 3605 times)

Gary S · « **on:** August 21, 2003, 09:24:22 AM »

Question,

I'm set up for multiple users in OS10.2.6 and I was just wondering something.

My son likes to leave files on his desktop, currently he has about 17MB of files laying around on it.

I like to keep my desktop clean, except for what I'm working on.

Does anyone know if there are any detrimental affects to having a large amount of files
left on the desktop in OS X?

pendragon · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2003, 09:42:49 AM »

it is my understanding that it makes no difference (as far as you computer is concerned), but it will take them what really knows to explain why this is (or isn't).

Harv

kelly · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2003, 10:26:48 AM »

I don't see how it could be a problem.

It's just another User's Folder.

Only problem I see is if they're created on the Desktop and left there.

If they're Documents for example.

They'd be better off in the Users > Documents Folder for Back Up and such.

Gary S · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2003, 11:09:00 AM »

Thanks,

I'm trying to get him more organized.

I think he thinks it's cool to have stuff on his Desktop.

giantmike · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2003, 11:40:18 AM »

I keep many files on my desktop all the time. Basically, if I am currnetly working on a project, trying out some new software, or something temporary, there is no better place for it than the desktop, IMHO.

Say I'm writing a paper for a class. It sits on the desktop until I'm done, so that I can quickly open it up. I don't have to dig through a bunch of folders for it.

Also, I'm currently trying out the program DVD Cache. It's sitting on my desktop, until I determine if I really need it. If I don't, in the trash it goes. If I do, I'll put it in my Applications folder.

There are software programs that can help you get organized, but I prefer running as few applications as possible. Maybe you son feels the same way

Bruce_F · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2003, 12:53:01 PM »

Mostly, I like a clean desktop. (can't say as much for my office or the rest of the house

)

I used to keep my computer desktop as cluttered as my office desktop. There's something about having a file sitting there in the open. I think it stands as a reminder that a project is unfinished and it's time to get to work!

A few months ago, I was reminded (a TS post, I believe) that keeping a backup is crutial to one's sanity.

I dusted off Retrospect Express and went to work on my backup plan. Retrospect has many options for backing up files but one method caught my eye... Back up Documents Folder

Now, that's where all those files that used to be on the desktop live. I moved all my important files to one place to make the backup process quick and easy.

I still let the most currently used files stay on the desktop. But each time I run a backup, those file are swepted up and moved/copied to the Documents folder.

So, Gary, ask your son how he would feel if his computer decided to go south. Would he be upset if he lost those files?

etaoin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2003, 02:10:51 PM »

I, too, am curious if the "rules" have changed from OS 8-9 to OSX -- concerning "desktop" files, that is.

Under OS 8 and 9, disk fragmentation was an enemy to well-behaved Macs. This could result from files being strewn willy-nilly on and off the "desktop" for a period of time. This discovery lead us to become strong believers in partitioning disk drives. Our B&W G3's at work are partitioned into four spaces -- SYSTEM (about 1Gb just for the System Folder), SCRATCH (1Gb for Photoshop, Illustrator and Virtual memory to use), APPS (2Gb for applications only), and USERFILES (the remainder of the drive where the user is supposed to store their stuff.)

Our preaching this gospel further said that if you absolutely MUST have files on the desktop, first store them in USERFILES and then make an alias to the desktop. That keeps transient file traffic off the SYSTEM partition and significantly decreases fragmentation, which the System Folder does not like.

This has worked well for several years and has reduced our tech support calls measurably. If there is a problem, 10 minutes running Disk First Aid, Disk Warrior and Plus Optimizer on the SYSTEM partition and the user is back in business and the errors have magically disappeared!

Now, back to OSX. Because this is UNIX based, are these "rules" obsolete now? Does the system suffer from disk fragmentation like OS9 did? Thanks.

tacit · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2003, 02:39:28 PM »

All hard drives of any computer system whatsoever can suffer from fragmentation. the disk format of an OS X system is HFS+, just like the disk format of OS 9; it makes absolutely no difference which operating system you use, as files are still stored in exactly the same way. Because the underlying filesystem is HFS+, a computer running OS X will behave just like a computer running OS 9 as far as fragmentation goes.

In OS X, the Desktop is actually just a folder in the Users folder. It is no different from any other folder, except that anything you put in it shows up on the Desktop.

In OS 9, the Desktop is a special folder at the root level of a disk. Every disk has its own Desktop. Doesn't matter what kind of disk it is--every hard drive, floppy disk, CD, Zip disk, even removeable volumes like USB Flash disks have their own Desktop.

When you put a file "on the Desktop," that does not necessarily mean it is on the boot volume in OS 9, because every volume has its own Desktop.

Gary S · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2003, 02:56:33 PM »

I noticed that what tacit says is true as far as OSX is concerned. If you go to your Home Folder and "get info" on the picture of the Desktop it shows it is a folder. Inside that folder is everything that is on the Desktop at any given moment.

If it causes any more fragmentation than usual...I'm not sure.

ljocampo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2003, 05:35:37 PM »

Each user in OS X has their own desktop, and it won't affect any other users because like it was said above, the desktop is really just a folder in the users home. I think this works the same in multiusers mode under OS 9, but I've never done it so I'm not 100% sure on that.

RHPConsult · « **Reply #10 on:** August 21, 2003, 05:47:30 PM »

Note to the TS Multitude(s)

QUOTE

I noticed that what tacit says is true . . .

This is an operating principle of TS!

Gary S:

If there is anything "detrimental" about having a crowded DT, my spouse would have been completely detrimentalized years ago!

Bill · « **Reply #11 on:** August 21, 2003, 06:19:45 PM »

By Kelly (above).

QUOTE

It's just another User's Folder.

bellbram · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2003, 11:28:04 AM »

Some while ago I was advised by a Mac guru only to keep aliases on the desktop. Does that have any validity?

kelly · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2003, 11:56:59 AM »

Never heard of that bellbram. I don't agree.

The only caution I've heard is not putting an Alias of the Hard Drive in the Apple Menu.

Could slow down your machine.

Might not even matter with faster machines.

ljocampo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2003, 05:38:31 PM »

Guys:

From the above discussion, it seems that there really isn't a desktop at all!! It's just an illusion because everything is in the desktop folder (for us geeks, that's DIR).

Kelly: I have put HD icons in my toolbar, they become alises automatically, and have never slow down my system or screwed it up.

News:

Author Topic: Leaving files on the Desktop in OSX (Read 3605 times)