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USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 08:31 PM

Two things:

1) In Panther, I was able to happily change the label of the "USNA91's Computer" icon to whatever I wanted. Now I can't. It is defaulted as "USNA91's PowerBook G4 15"". I guess I should be thankful it didn't list the flippin serial number.

2) In Panther, I was happily able to rename my Library folder. Now when I do it, I end up with an entiely different screen, dock, etc., upon reboot.

What, if anything, an I doing wrong, and how can I fix it?

Thanks.

andretan · May 2, 2005, 08:33 PM

Just curious, why would you want to rename your Library folder?

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by andretan

Just curious, why would you want to rename your Library folder?

Because I don't like what it's called on screen. I'd like to simply name it "System Folder", but instead it reads my name as one word in all lower-case letters.

Granted, this is an annoyance, but I'm exceedingly picky about how my computer is set up. I was able to do it in a snap in Panther, but all hell breaks loose when I do it in Tiger.

chabig · May 2, 2005, 08:39 PM

1. The name of your computer can be changed in the Sharing Preference Pane.
2. Never change the name of your Library folder. Some parts of the system need to keep their names unchanged.

Chris (USAFA83)

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by chabig

1. The name of your computer can be changed in the Sharing Preference Pane.
2. Never change the name of your Library folder. Some parts of the system need to keep their names unchanged.

Chris (USAFA83)

Thanks for #1.................. ZOOMIE!

I'm still confused by #2, though. If I was able to do it easily and without issues in Panther, then why should it be different now?

ETA: You live in Centennial?

I hate you!

OptimusG4 · May 2, 2005, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by USNA91

Thanks for #1.................. ZOOMIE!

I'm still confused by #2, though. If I was able to do it easily and without issues in Panther, then why should it be different now?

ETA: You live in Centennial?

I hate you!

More than likely it was a glitch.

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by OptimusG4

More than likely it was a glitch.

Leave it to me to find a glitch to be a good thing!

Mithras · May 2, 2005, 09:18 PM

You can do this:
1. Install DevTools if you haven't already.
2. Copy the file
/System/Library/CoreServices/SystemFolderLocalizations/en.lproj/SystemFolderLocalizations.strings onto your desktop.
3. Select the file, Command-D to make a second copy, and keep it for backup.
4. Double-click the file to open it in XCode.
5. In the section "Folders in user homes" (and/or top-level, if that's what you want), add a line
"Library" = "USNA91's House O'Fun"
or whatever.
6. Save.
7. Copy back and overwrite.
8. Quit & relaunch the Finder, or log out & in.
9. Enjoy.

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mithras

You can do this:
1. Install DevTools if you haven't already.

DevTools?

Nevahoidavit.....

It occurs to me that maybe I'm describing the wrong folder. I'm talking about the one named after the current user. The one with the little house next to it in the sidebar.

My apologies if I wasn't clear....

Mithras · May 2, 2005, 09:25 PM

in the folder "Xcode Tools" on your install DVD. But actually, I realize now you can use any text editor. So TextEdit will be fine.

I forgot, you might also have to do
touch ~/Library/.localized
in the Terminal to enable this.

Mithras · May 2, 2005, 09:26 PM

Dear god, you want to rename your home folder? You are sick.

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mithras

Dear god, you want to rename your home folder? You are sick.

SI!

So how do I do it?

ApeInTheShell · May 2, 2005, 09:45 PM

The reason you are getting a new Dock, screen, and so on is because the action is creating a new user. This is a bug in Panther and it appears Apple fixed it in Tiger.

You can customize your user name using tools like XCode that came in the Panther/Tiger box as described above. Or use the User preference in System Preferences. It is probably better you cannot unless it is absolutely necessary.

Another possible reason is that the developers realized people might try to rename it to System, System Folder..etc which did not make sense. Consider the names:

System/Library/
Username/Library

if they were
System/Library
System Folder/Library or System/Library

this would make it difficult for Applications or the Operating system to determine where to install preferences and one of them, albeit your user folder would be deleted or renamed.

MartiNZ · May 2, 2005, 09:57 PM

Not sure about all this, but at least you can now have the home folder, i.e. short user name, start with a Capital! Not sure what had to change to make that possible but it is nice for those of us who like their names capitalised.

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by MartiNZ

Not sure about all this, but at least you can now have the home folder, i.e. short user name, start with a Capital! Not sure what had to change to make that possible but it is nice for those of us who like their names capitalised.

That's part of my annoyance. Mine is my full name, no spaces, all lower-case. If I could make it my name, with a space, and properly capitalized, I'd be happy.

Is there any way to change the short name for the account?

chabig · May 2, 2005, 10:10 PM

Hey squid, do you live in Centennial too?

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by chabig

Hey squid, do you live in Centennial too?

Regrettably, no. I'm in NC.

I had some business dealings with a company that is based in Centennial, and visited on two occaisions. I was in the process of applying for a job there when the entire company got restructured and almost everyone either left of their own accord or by force. The whole place is new now.

Bummer. I'd commit mass murder to live out that way...

Someday!

chabig · May 2, 2005, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by USNA91

Bummer. I'd commit mass murder to live out that way...

Someday!

Ahhh. That explains the

Chris

USNA91 · May 2, 2005, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by chabig

Ahhh. That explains the

Chris

Indeed it does!

kcmac · May 2, 2005, 10:49 PM

Gawd. This reminds me of when I first started using 10.0. I tried renaming the System Folder. Don't ask why and I don't remember anyway...I think it had something to do with having 9 and 10 on the same drive and wanting to make sure I really new which was which. (That was also when the entire screen went dark and words just started flying acrossed it like there was no tomorrow. People would tell you to write down what you were seeing. Ya gotz to be kidding! KP's I heard are much friendlier now...)

Anyway, I got a kernal panic. First time ever. Couldn't boot back in to the system. At that time, not many people were even using 10 and help was minimal. Got a lot of power users telling me to go into the terminal. I'm just your average joe. Scary ****.

Anyway. That was my first and only kernal panic. I have learned that you don't mess with certain folders and how they are named. It doesn't matter why even if you can find a way. Eventually it will cause you grief. I'd just move along and find other things to do with your time.

Mithras · May 3, 2005, 06:33 AM

Anyway, you can indeed change your home folder -- just log in as a different user, then use NetInfo Manager to change the "home directory" attribute of your user to whatever freaky name it is that you want. Then rename the folder, and you should be able to log in without incident.

USNA91 · May 3, 2005, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mithras

Anyway, you can indeed change your home folder -- just log in as a different user, then use NetInfo Manager to change the "home directory" attribute of your user to whatever freaky name it is that you want. Then rename the folder, and you should be able to log in without incident.

Thanks. I'll try that if the existing name just P's me O too badly one day.

leperkuhn · May 3, 2005, 11:32 PM

on a side note, renaming your home folder should be discouraged by the OS. as well as Library, Applications, etc..

turtle777 · May 3, 2005, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by USNA91

Because I don't like what it's called on screen. I'd like to simply name it "System Folder", but instead it reads my name as one word in all lower-case letters.

Renaming the Library folder is probably one of the dumbest ideas I have heard in a while.
OS X is based on Unix, and Library is a standard Unix folder needed for EVERYTHING that keeps your system running. Why the hell do you want that stinkin OS 9 "System Folder" name back ?

But, if you have to much time, go ahaed and fsck up your system.
And I agree, that it was possible in Panther was definitely a glitch or bug, NOT a feature !

-t