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Modern computer use never integrated multiple accounts well. For example, you can't share an itunes library between multiple users. I don't know of any modern O

Modern computer use never integrated multiple accounts well. For example, you can't share an itunes library between multiple users. I don't know of any modern OS that even has a standard "public shared folder for all users" location. If I turn on itunes sharing on one account, I need to leave itunes open and "switch users" rather than logging out. That is, I must log in as that user every time I turn on the computer. The problem isn't separation of powers. It's maintaining modern usage patterns with separation of powers.

616c 13y ago
Really? I have been an on-and-off sysadmin since college. The "public folder" for sharing data on the Windows operating system is accessible via the %ALLUSERSPROFILE% environment variable [0], and has been so since Windows XP. That means at least 15+ years now. On OS X, there is /Users/Shared, but I am not sure how old this convention is old enough for me to presume it started with the earliest versions of OS X. Unix has been way ahead of the game, but in different variations, and if you include/exclude Linux as standardized, you can read the FHS standard regarding where files ought to go. Having said that, this does not mean these folder arrangements detract from your argument. Windows was not originally designed to be a multi-user/multi-tenant system, and evolved from a one-user turd to a multi-user turd (albeit a shinier, polished, more refined one). OS X roots in Unix dictate it should be better but it is not. Outside of Windows, it is largely software developers obvious intentions or programmatic error. In the case of Windows, there later turn around was not honored by developers, some long gone (out of business or not interested), who refused or continue to refuse convention regarding standard, like the All Users Profile. Windows has a lot of indirection APIs that layer over the OS so people can write to the same registry and file locations they should have not been using for 10+ years, that are in system-file only resource areas or require admin privileges to run and access system features they most certainly do not need. iTunes, as a different kind of example, regardless of OS, is a trend of a-hole software companies dictating how and where you use data you own. You can move a iTunes library, but it is annoying and DRM means the benefits are useless anyway. It is not like you need an exclusive lockfile to play a MP3, you need to buy into their exclusive ecosystem of garbage and put a lockfile on all of your computing choices. But that is another topic. Point being, only Unix was designed for multi-user tenancy. I am not saying well, but it was made for by large corportations and research groups to share data. The others were modified later to do so, and at a cost, as developers out of the game or too disinterested to pivot ignored/ignore these changes. The end user does not care, so why follow the rules? I get your point, but I think it is wise to assume this issue is far more socio-political then technical. We are humans, we no likey sharey. [0] http://ss64.com/nt/syntax-variables.html http://ss64.com/nt/syntax-variables.html
rangibaby 13y ago
You can share an iTunes library between accounts by pointing a preference at the same directory for each account. /Users/Shared is a nice one because it alrwady has friendly permissions.

616c 13y ago

Really? I have been an on-and-off sysadmin since college. The "public folder" for sharing data on the Windows operating system is accessible via the %ALLUSERSPROFILE% environment variable [0], and has been so since Windows XP. That means at least 15+ years now. On OS X, there is /Users/Shared, but I am not sure how old this convention is old enough for me to presume it started with the earliest versions of OS X. Unix has been way ahead of the game, but in different variations, and if you include/exclude Linux as standardized, you can read the FHS standard regarding where files ought to go. Having said that, this does not mean these folder arrangements detract from your argument. Windows was not originally designed to be a multi-user/multi-tenant system, and evolved from a one-user turd to a multi-user turd (albeit a shinier, polished, more refined one). OS X roots in Unix dictate it should be better but it is not. Outside of Windows, it is largely software developers obvious intentions or programmatic error. In the case of Windows, there later turn around was not honored by developers, some long gone (out of business or not interested), who refused or continue to refuse convention regarding standard, like the All Users Profile. Windows has a lot of indirection APIs that layer over the OS so people can write to the same registry and file locations they should have not been using for 10+ years, that are in system-file only resource areas or require admin privileges to run and access system features they most certainly do not need. iTunes, as a different kind of example, regardless of OS, is a trend of a-hole software companies dictating how and where you use data you own. You can move a iTunes library, but it is annoying and DRM means the benefits are useless anyway. It is not like you need an exclusive lockfile to play a MP3, you need to buy into their exclusive ecosystem of garbage and put a lockfile on all of your computing choices. But that is another topic. Point being, only Unix was designed for multi-user tenancy. I am not saying well, but it was made for by large corportations and research groups to share data. The others were modified later to do so, and at a cost, as developers out of the game or too disinterested to pivot ignored/ignore these changes. The end user does not care, so why follow the rules? I get your point, but I think it is wise to assume this issue is far more socio-political then technical. We are humans, we no likey sharey. [0] http://ss64.com/nt/syntax-variables.html http://ss64.com/nt/syntax-variables.html

rangibaby 13y ago

You can share an iTunes library between accounts by pointing a preference at the same directory for each account. /Users/Shared is a nice one because it alrwady has friendly permissions.