01-22-2011, 08:25 AM

I am reorganizing my PPC G5 with 10.5.8.
I noticed when installing applications, some are placed directly on the hard drive and others into "Applications" on the same primary drive.
I now must make the choice of manually moving those on the hard drive into the "Applications" folder.
How does one know if it will work the same or properly?
When I put them into another folder, won't they have to be installed again and may create another location for installation (back on the hard drive instead of in applications)? The larger more sophisticated programs like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word seem to place the application directly on the hard drive for proper function.
Please advise!

01-22-2011, 10:46 AM

When the installed applications work, I would not start moving things around.

Besides, does it really matter where applications are stored .... I simply click on an icon and the application launches ..... don't really care what folder it sits in.

The only folder I keep ' organised ' is Documents.

Cheers ... McBie

01-22-2011, 02:36 PM

I also use 10.5.8
So, what method are you using to install these apps? Downloads, from a disc, what?

I've never heard of an app that has to be installed at the root level and wouldn't work in the Applications Folder. I've moved apps around, and no, they don't have to be installed again. But, I let most of them live in the Applications Folder, which is where most installers put them anyway. In fact, all installers that I've ever used do, including MS Office.

01-22-2011, 03:13 PM

My applications are always installed on the hard drive

01-22-2011, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by talkinglens

some are placed directly on the hard drive

Originally Posted by immdb

My applications are always installed on the hard drive

I take the former to mean at the "root" level, when you open the hard drive icon's window.

The latter... could be anywhere, just not on an external drive.