Playing Well with Other Users

As Mac OS X is a secure multi-user environment, the elements of each user account are only available to that user account. When logged in as Frank, you can get at Frank’s files, but you cannot get access to Tammy’s files. To get at Tammy’s files, you’d need to prove to the Mac that you were Tammy by logging out of Frank’s account and then entering Tammy’s password at the login screen. However, as Frank, it is possible to give files to Tammy, and for her to give files to you. You can’t take files from each other, but you can give them to each other. To share work with other users on your computer, you will need to use the pre-made Drop Boxes. Within each user’s Home, there is a Public folder. This folder is- as the name implies, a Public area- that is accessible by other accounts. Within the Public folder is a folder called Drop Box. This folder allows users to place files for sharing. Place a file for Tammy into her Drop Box, and Tammy can then get at the file the next time she logs in. Placing files into drop boxes is a blind event though. The Mac OS will warn you that you cannot see the results of placing the file. It’s similar to dropping mail into one of those big blue mailboxes in the street. You just have to trust that the Postman will pick up and then deliver the letter. Please note that dropping a file into a Drop Box does not move the file, but rather copies it there. Your original file remains in its original location.