Re: Why the Apple II was on the right track...

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Jeff Blakeney <jefbla@bconnex.net> wrote:

> On Mon, 03 Mar 1997 23:18:52 -0500, sheldon@atlcom.net (Sheldon Simms)
> wrote:
> 
> >The one thing that *always* gets left behind on Macs is preference files/
> >folders. All Mac users should dig through the preference folder every
> >now and then to clear out dead wood.
> 
> This is why I am against the idea of a */SYSTEM/PREFERENCES folder as
> well as the */SYSTEM/HELP that Seven Hills started with their new help
> NDA.  Preferences for a program and any related help files should be
> stored with the program.  Either in the same directory as the program
> or in its resource fork.

I agree in the case of help, but preferences certainly shouldn't go in
the application resource fork, and there are good reasons for not
storing them in the same directory as the application either.

1. [Resource fork.] The application will be modified, making it
difficult to determine whether two separate copies of the program are in
fact the same version.  In addition, reinstallation will cause the
preferences to be lost.

2. The application might be on a read-only volume.  (The system folder
should never be, except with a rather small floppy system.)

3. The application might be on a file server and be shared between
multiple users.  Each user should have their own preferences.

4. Storing data files (such as preferences) along with an application
makes backup/restore a harder operation.  On my Mac, I don't need to
keep regular backups of my application folders, only my data and system
folders.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand