Storing folders directly on hard disk (not in user folder)

[space-time]

my friend had a G4 with 3 disk partitions. His files were everywhere.

he got a new iMac, and moved over some files. Migration assistant would not work; so I enabled file sharing on the G4 and he copies the files over the network. Now he put a lot of the folders directly on Macintosh HD. I think this is a really bad idea, but I am not sure why... ever since moving to OS X, I always put my files in my home folder. makes migration to a new machine so much easier. But in OS 8/9, I also used to store files on Mac HD. There were no user folders. (I think you could enable it in OS 9?)

Anyway, if I visit again this weekend, what are my arguments to convince him to move his files in his home folder?

[Chakravartin]

Putting folders at the root level of a drive is messy and when others have access to the computer may expose those files to prying eyes.

Items in a user's Documents folder are generally inaccessible to people logged on under other user accounts, including the Guest account.

[Seacrest]

Chakravartin wrote:
Putting folders at the root level of a drive is messy and when others have access to the computer may expose those files to prying eyes.

Well, sort of.
Access permissions still apply.

Still bad practice, though, unless you know what you're doing.

[bazookaman]

what kind of dumbassery is this!??!?! Just punch this chump in the throat and tell him how things are done.

[space-time]

LOL, he's a nice guy.

[modelamac]

I would never hire him if I learned that info. It is not the sign of an organized person.

[space-time]

he's not applying for a job. he's got a tenure position already

[JEBB]

Isn't that the way it was done in OS9?

[space-time]

JEBB wrote:
Isn't that the way it was done in OS9?

Yes, I think this is where he got that habit from!

[Chakravartin]

space-time wrote:
[quote=JEBB]
Isn't that the way it was done in OS9?

Yes, I think this is where he got that habit from!
No. Whether or not to leave messy loads of cr@p at the root level of a drive has been up to the user since System 5.