This article describes how to set up an environment where a single copy of an application that generates preferences can be used by multiple accounts simultaneously.

Setting up an application this way lets you reduce the amount of server RAM and disk space required for the application. It also lets you minimize set up and configuration time.

Here are the steps to set up an application for multiple users:

Step 1

As "root", create a directory called Applications in the /usr/apple directory. Place all the applications that users will have access to in this directory. Be sure to instruct users NOT to copy these applications to their home directory, since this would use more disk space and defeat the purpose for doing this.

Step 2

Add the -appledir option to the user's MAE startup script, to point to /usr/apple/Applications.

Step 3

Add the following line to the /usr/apple/lib/AliasList file:

persistent|desk|/usr/apple/Applications 

This ensures that an alias of the Applications directory is on the user's MAE desktop.

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