XPost: comp.os.linux.advocacy   
   From: brock.mcnuggets@gmail.com   
      
   On Jan 23, 2026 at 8:10:07 AM MST, "candycanearter07" wrote   
   :   
      
   > Brock McNuggets  wrote at 01:37 this Friday (GMT):   
   >> On Jan 22, 2026 at 1:10:02 PM MST, "candycanearter07" wrote   
   >>    
      
   ...   
      
   >>>> I know I have looked at SOME of those over the years but always have to   
   look   
   >>>> up where they all are. Not a weakness of Linux, just an artifact of my not   
   >>>> using it as much as I use macOS, and some level of macOS being more   
   consistent   
   >>>> in that are. Preference files (.plist) are either in:   
   >>>>   
   >>>> ~/Library/Preferences/   
   >>>>   
   >>>> or   
   >>>>   
   >>>> /Library/Preferences/   
   >>>>   
   >>>> While rarely something I have worked with, they can also be:   
   >>>>   
   >>>> /Library/Managed Preferences/   
   >>>>   
   >>>> In more modern macOS versions the .plist files can be cached, which might   
   make   
   >>>> things faster but also can complicate troubleshooting.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> Thanks for your info.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> Side note: Unlikely, but do you have a relative name Dale? If so you might   
   >>>> want to contact me offline... I am getting calls about him (maybe he had   
   my   
   >>>> number sometime in the past?). Will not discuss publicly.   
   >>>   
   >>>   
   >>> I imagine its more consistent on Mac because of XCode, and file access   
   >>> permissions.   
   >>   
   >> I am NOT a developer, but from what I understand Xcode doesn’t really   
   drive   
   >> that —- it’s more Apple (largely) enforcing preference APIs and   
   directory   
   >> conventions at the OS level. Linux has conventions too, but they're optional   
   >> rather than mandatory. Again, take all that with a grain of salt... outside   
   of   
   >> my area of expertise.   
   >   
   > Fair, I have not touched Apple development ever. With how locked down   
   > Apple stuff is, I wouldn't be suprised if directory conventions were   
   > enforced with the OS.   
      
   I know some apps do break the conventions, but they are rare. Mostly apps   
   ported over from Linux or Windows. But I think I have had apps saved their   
   preferences at the top level of the home folder.   
      
   > I imagine the program would have limited write   
   > access outside of their designated directories.   
      
   You have to give them permission, at least in the newer versions. So maybe the   
   top level stuff no longer happens (and if that is the case it is fine by me,   
   no benefit to that).   
      
      
   --   
   It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with   
   you.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)