[Omer]

This is probably very basic, but can you put applications in folders other than the "Applications" folder (just like you could in OS 9)?
If there are "consequences" for this, what are they?
(I hate being forced to a certain organizational system by the OS...)

[MPMoriarty]

Yes you can.

The problems that arise are when you move Apple applications. Software Restore only keeps track of Apple's applications located in Applications folder. If you move them, it will think you don't have them installed.

Am I wrong about this? Anybody.

Mike

[Anubis IV]

Sounds right to me. Just leave iTunes, iMovie, Address Book, and things like that in the Applications folder. Anything that you've installed can go anywhere else that you'd like.

[Developer]

You can, but I wouldn't.

Consequences are that Apple's Installers will not find the apps any more (no matter what CharlesS says) and stupidly install garbage at the default place, and that Services the applications offer won't work any more (if the apps are outside of (~)/Applications or (~)/Library/Services)

[cpac]

Yep. You can move, them, but it's best not to.

If you liked to organize your apps into sub-folders in OS 9 (as I did), you're best off doing the same thing with aliases (and using that in your dock, e.g.) in OS X

[Millennium]

You can. Moving certain apps (all of them made by Apple) can cause problems with Apple's Software Update, but this will not cause any harm except that you won't be able to update those apps in the usual manner.

This said, it is generally a good idea to keep all your apps in your Applications folder, or in subfolders of it, unless there is a very good reason to move them elsewhere.

[MindFad]

As everyone said, you can. I don't keep all my apps bunched together in Applications, either. I have a bunch of sub-categories within the Applications folder. Whenever an update comes out for a piece of Apple software, I just plop it in Applications and udate, then move it back to where I had it. Software Update seems to find everything OK, though.

[Graymalkin]

I just make aliases to applications and stick them in ~/Library/Favorites and have that in my Dock. Click + Hold or Ctrl + Click (right click) and I've got a quick list of all my applications. There's no need for me to move anything around or catagorize any actual applications. All I have to do is keep my aliases organized and I'm good to go. Also building a list of aliases and their icons tends to be a lot faster than using the actual Applications folder.

In general I wouldn't mess with the folder layout of your system. If you want to store files keep them in /Users either in your home directory or the Shared directory. Applications go in /Applications and everything else you leave well enough alone. The directory structure is such that is behaves well in a multi-user environment - OSX is a Unix system afterall. It also lends to making it easier for the OS to keep track of applications to provide services, file and URL handlers, and document icons.

[Big Mac]

I'm not sure, but I think the OP may be asking if he can install third party applications outside the /Applications folder. You certainly can, but the one thing to remember is if you don't have it in /Applications it may not be accessible to other users. You can, for example, create an Applications folder in your home directory (~/Applications), but only you will have access to those applications.

As for me, I organize my applications by the type of third party apps they are. I keep Apple applications inside the root Applications folder or root Utilities folder. And then I have Third Party Applications, Third Party Games, Third Party Utilities, etc. I used to attempt to move Apple programs to subfolders, but that just doesn't work out well.

[Turnpike]

I have ALL of my applications in sub-folders of /Applications

I do NOT have problems doing this. With one minor exception (see below) doing this has been functionally identical to having everything in /Applications, except without that excess clutter. If you want a fast way to get to things (like a folder in the dock) I'd suggest Quicksilver, Butler, or LaunchBar.

The only problem I've had is with Software Update. It has no problems discerning what I do and don't have on my computer. However, new installs go to /Applications. This means I have to replace /Applications/Games/Chess.app with /Applications/Chess.app... just drag and drop the new one to where you want it, say "replace"

In short, I've had no grief from it whatsoever. At best, there is a minor technicality. If you are severely drag and drop handicapped, there might be a problem... but you wouldn't be making new folders anyway.


Outside of /Applications and its subfolders, I have little experience. No problems, but I've never tried SU or anything. I like to keep things organized and where you'd expect to find them. That means applications can be found in /Applications... or something like Safari can be found in /Applications/Internet/Browsers.

[tuqqer]

Since the days of OS 7, I've been a big fan of never going into the Applications folder itself. I always rely in a folder called APPS (stored in the Applications folder) where I place all my most used applications. I customize its icon, so it really sticks out. I then drag that into the Dock. As Graymalkin noted, ones computer compiles a folder of aliases a lot faster than a folder of full applications. Yes, even on my "but it's the world's fastest computer, man" G5 2 Ghz.

I like Turnpike's idea of creating subfolder categories in the Applications folder, and its tempting, given the massive number of Applications that end up there. Still, I usually end up even emptying Utitilities (the one subfolder created by Apple) into the Applications folder. The distinction never worked for me.

[Krusty]

I do the "subfolders within /Applications" thing and it works great. I have /Browsers, /Media Players, /File Sharing, /Read n' Write, as subfolders for 3rd party apps. Works well .. and keeps me from having to scroll when I click on my Applications Folder shortcut in the Dock. I also have a specific /Non Apple subfolder in my Utilities folder to help me keep "official" tools straight from the hacks I've downloaded.