[RufusRyker]

I have 10.4 intalled on my powerbook, updated from 10.3. I have one "library" folder directly in my hard drive, and one "library" folder within a "system" folder within my hard drive. Why are there two library folders? They both appear to have files that were recently updated. The one inside the system folder is much smaller in size -- 1.4 megs compared to 4.4 Megs. I suppose the smaller one could be the old stuff from when the system was updated from 10.3 to 10.4? If that is the case should I back it up on CD and trash it?

[OreoCookie]

No, it's exactly what was supposed to happen.

[OreoCookie]

BTW, don't touch the folders inside the /System folder. Unless you know what you're doing.

[RufusRyker]

Thanks, Oreo. The smaller library is not inside the "system folder" though, rather it is inside a folder called simply "system".

[OreoCookie]

Yes, I know. The folder "System" located in the root directory contains the most essential system files (e. g. fonts you must not delete). I wrote /System folder to indicate I was talking about the folder named "System" located in the root directory "/".

[RufusRyker]

Ok, I think I understand now. I certainly won't be trashing that libary then! Thanks for your help.

[rickey939]

You have (4) different Library's within the OS X file structure. Here's a summary of the different Library folders, and their implications:

~/Library:
The User Library, found inside each user's home folder. This contains resources and settings that apply/are available to only that one user, and nobody else.

/Library:
The Local Library, found at the top level of the boot volume (or partition). This contains resources and settings that are shared between all users of this particular computer, but not any other computers.

/Network/Library:
The Network Library, found inside the Network pseudo volume you see when you view your computer in a finder window. This (usually) contains resources and settings shared by all users on this computer and other computers in the same LDAP or Netinfo domain. Note that if your computer is not part of a domain, this Library folder will (again, usually) be empty (or just plain nonexistent).

/System/Library:
The System Library, found inside the System folder at the top level of the boot volume. This contains resources supplied by Apple as part of OS X, and is thus (at least in theory) shared by all OS X users worldwide.

[Thinine]

/System/Library should never be touched for any reason.

[Big Mac]

Originally Posted by Thinine

/System/Library should never be touched for any reason.

... unless you know what you're doing.

[msuper69]

Originally Posted by Thinine

/System/Library should never be touched for any reason.

That's going to make OS upgrades damn difficult!