[markw10]

I have a special needs son and for this reason I have to limit what he has access to on his iMac.
With the Mac App Store coming I had made the choice to simply not install/download the Mac App Store. I realized that this morning that is not an option, it is installed as part of the 10.6.6 update.
I removed it from the dock but still I realize it is installed on the Mac and for example it's an option on the Apple pulldown menu and I know there is an option of when a file cannot be opened there is an option to open the app store to find an app.
I looked at Parental controls but unless I am wrong could not find an option to completely disable the app store. I don't mind enabling it when I want to install certain apps on his mac that he will need. This may be convenient but simply don't want him to be able to get into the app store to install apps.
Thank you for your help.

[turtle777]

How is the link to the iTunes Account handled ?

Isn't there an option that requires the password to be entered for all purchases ?

-t

[OreoCookie]

I had to enter my password for each purchase.

[FireWire]

Isn't it possible to disable apps on a case by case basis?

[OreoCookie]

Sure, you can take away read privileges from your son's user.

[mr.scott]

I'm currently running day-to-day in a non-admin account. The app store requires a) an admin password to install apps, and b) an iTunes store password to purchase apps. If your son is running as a non-admin user, you're good to go.

If you also don't want him searching the store (possibly to avoid the I-want syndrome) you could probably remove the App Store from the Applications folder. Perhaps put in in your Admin account's Applications folder instead. Downside would be that it would probably break when updated.

Whoops, I just looked again. System Prefs ->Parental Controls ->Apps tab ->Other Apps ->App Store. Uncheck it.
--
Scott

[frdmfghtr]

You can remove the App Store icon from the Dock and delete it from the Applications folder...just drag it to the trash can and you're done. I'd suggest a reboot afterwards, but I don't think it's necessary.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by frdmfghtr 

You can remove the App Store icon from the Dock and delete it from the Applications folder...just drag it to the trash can and you're done. I'd suggest a reboot afterwards, but I don't think it's necessary.

I wouldn't delete the App Store application. There are already several applications for which the App Store is the only way to purchase those applications.

One can use Parental Controls to control whether the App Store application can be launched or not. That is a better solution.

[zelegolas]

Originally Posted by markw10 

I have a special needs son and for this reason I have to limit what he has access to on his iMac.
With the Mac App Store coming I had made the choice to simply not install/download the Mac App Store. I realized that this morning that is not an option, it is installed as part of the 10.6.6 update.
I removed it from the dock but still I realize it is installed on the Mac and for example it's an option on the Apple pulldown menu and I know there is an option of when a file cannot be opened there is an option to open the app store to find an app.
I looked at Parental controls but unless I am wrong could not find an option to completely disable the app store. I don't mind enabling it when I want to install certain apps on his mac that he will need. This may be convenient but simply don't want him to be able to get into the app store to install apps.
Thank you for your help.

To remove Mac App Store you can run this script:

Code:
#!/bin/bash

if [[ -d /Applications/App\ Store.app ]]
then
  sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.store_helper.plist
  sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.storeagent.plist
  mkdir BackupMacAppStore
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.store_helper.plist BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.storeagent.plist BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CommerceKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/store_helper.app BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CommerceKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/storeagent BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /Applications/App\ Store.app BackupMacAppStore/
  tar jcvf BackupMacAppStore.tar.bz2 BackupMacAppStore
  rm -rf BackupMacAppStore/
fi

[AKcrab]

That looks to be a very, very permanent solution.

I would guess the only "fix" for that would be running the 10.6.6 combo update on the machine.

If you run that, you run that at your own risk.

[osiris]

I'd just archive it - control click it, compress it, delete the original, then put the zipped archive someplace safe.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by zelegolas 

To remove Mac App Store you can run this script:

Code:
#!/bin/bash

if [[ -d /Applications/App\ Store.app ]]
then
  sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.store_helper.plist
  sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.storeagent.plist
  mkdir BackupMacAppStore
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.store_helper.plist BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.storeagent.plist BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CommerceKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/store_helper.app BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CommerceKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/storeagent BackupMacAppStore/
  sudo mv -v /Applications/App\ Store.app BackupMacAppStore/
  tar jcvf BackupMacAppStore.tar.bz2 BackupMacAppStore
  rm -rf BackupMacAppStore/
fi

Very, very, very, very BAD idea.

Especially since Apple might start using that framework in iTunes or other programs. Not to mention breaking future software updates.

Honestly, I don't see what people's problem is with just leaving the store alone and never launching the app. Or at most delete the icon from the Dock and put the app into its own folder. If you never run the app, you don't see the store, and no information is exchanged with Apple about anything you might own that is also sold in the store.

For the original poster, if his son is not an admin user, he won't be able to buy apps, because installing them requires an Admin password. If he wants to keep his son from even launching the App Store, then turning on Parental Controls and adding the App Store application to the "do not allow access" list.

No need to go deleting things installed as part of the operating system.

[Thorzdad]

Originally Posted by mr.scott 

Whoops, I just looked again. System Prefs ->Parental Controls ->Apps tab ->Other Apps ->App Store. Uncheck it.

This would seem to be the best answer. Simply don't allow its use via the built-in control provided for exactly this purpose.

[cgc]

Originally Posted by mr.scott 

The app store requires ... an iTunes store password to purchase apps. ...

The AppStore needs your AppleID & password which is used as your iTunes login as well as the Apple.com Store login...

[Salty]

Unless you give your special needs son your credit card I don't see the worry.

[voodoo]

Best way to disable the app store: don't "upgrade" to 10.6.6 (and I use the word 'upgrade' very loosely here)