Some basic OSX questions regarding Musiccollector
Posted by: BigH47 on 16 March 2010
I have tried to update my MuC from 3.3.Build 2 to 3.4 Build 1 and get following error message:-
"The operation cannot be completed because you don"t have
permission to access some of the items."
I mailed MuC and they replied with:-
Open the applications folder in your finder
- Delete the existing Music Collector.app
- Download the latest version here:
-
http://www.collectorz.com/music/download.php- Open the .dmg and drag and drop the Music Collector icon into the applications folder to install the new version
Your collection will not be affected as it is stored in a different folder. If you have any further questions or trouble, please let me know.
2 things, I look in Finder - applications and see a MuC logo with date and "application" in the Kind column, is this the .app referred to above?
Also the preferences for the MuC says the auto save location is in ~/Application support/Music Collector/Backup but I can't see this on my hard drive, unless the tilde is saying something?
Is this location of the "stored in another folder" referred to in the reply from MuC.
I don't want to do anything until I can be confident of not losing my music database.
E-Mail addy in profile if it's more appropriate.
Thanks
H
Posted on: 16 March 2010 by SC
First things first, do a complete system back-up...Are you using Time Machine by any chance ? - if so, this makes it easy to roll back should anything really go wrong with the install and you want to easily get back to where you were....
I'm not familiar with MusicCollector, but shouldn't make much difference for what you are asking:
1st Question: Yes, this is the application file. Trash it, empty the trash and if you happen to have the icon in your dock try clicking on it and it should now not open (you normally get a question mark or line through the icon once this is tried)...
2nd question: Application Support folder, by default, normally resides in the Library folder of the Home location - this seems to be missing from the address line you quote - have you tried looking there ? You could also try a spotlight search for the words 'Music Collector Backup' - that should track it down...
Hope this helps,
Steve.
Posted on: 16 March 2010 by Derek Wright
Just done the install
I compressed the previous music collector app and renamed it to add in 32 to the name so that I could recognize it, then deleted the previous version of of MuC then dragged the new version into the Application directory.
Then started the app and it converted the data base.
It will be worthwhile checking that all the functions work they had permission issues with previous versions.
Posted on: 16 March 2010 by Derek Wright
Just checked on the MuC forum and they have several buglets with this build so do not get too impatient
See
Muc ForumPosted on: 16 March 2010 by BigH47
Thanks guys. I think a little wait is called for.
I try and digest your suggestions first. I wasn't particularly savvy with MS products but could see the layout of files etc, it's taking a bit longer with OSX, mainly due to not having to do anything with I think.
Posted on: 16 March 2010 by Guido Fawkes
Open a terminal window and type
cd /Applicatons <cr>
ls -l 'Music Collector.app' <cr>
will show you the file is there
ls -lR 'Music Collector.app' <cr>
will list all the MC program files
rm -r 'Music Collector.app' <cr>
is a dangerous command, but it should remove the Music Collector application.
if it doesn't work then the very dangerous
sudo rm -r 'Music Collector.app' <cr>
will so do after prompting for your password
reinstalling Music Collector should then be fine.
if you are not sure then best not do this - there is no unremove command.
The single quotes are essential BTW.
The rather tedious
rm -ri 'Music Collector.app' <cr>
is safer as it'll ask you if you want remove each file one at a time.
Posted on: 16 March 2010 by Derek Wright
Why use terminal when you can delete the ap from the Applications Directory by using Finder.
Posted on: 17 March 2010 by SC
Why guide a relative novice, by his own admission, towards Terminal (which, even after 9 years of X, still gives me sweaty fingers on the best of days!) would be my question...! Strange....
Posted on: 17 March 2010 by BigH47
What I am having trouble with is the structure of the file system. (Amongst other things).
.app is the programme in this case MuC yes?
This gives the layout and function and operates on a bunch of data?
What I can't see is where this data is.
Is this the backup file?
I am nervous of this because I lost a large chunk of a previous data base, it is now twice the size so I really don't want to enter even part of it again.
Posted on: 17 March 2010 by Derek Wright
Short answer
the .app file extension indicates that item is an application, the item is called a package and can be opened up by doing a right click on the mouse and you can then see a directory structure of all the components that make the application work.
Typically the user created data is in the (username) /Library/Application Support/Music Collector (in this case) where you can see supporting user data eg Art work.
My CD Collection.muc which is the actual database is in the Document directory.
So to sum up - deleting the .app item will not delete your user data.
There are several books out that deal with transferring from Windows to the Mac one is by David Pogue in the Missing Manuals series which is often recommended
see
Switching to the Mac Also check out to see if there is a local Mac User Group in your neighbourhood they can be very useful meeting points for swapping experience
See
http://www.macusersuk.org/Posted on: 17 March 2010 by BigH47
Thanks Derek, I have "The Missing Manual", but am not too good learning out of books. User group sounds like an idea I'll follow up.
Posted on: 17 March 2010 by AS332
I don't know if this is relevant but I have just helped a relative swap from PC to Mac .
I used iChat in order to control their screen whilst I was explaining how some of the programs worked .
The benefit is that they could see what I was trying to achieve on their own screen rather than me trying to go through it on the phone . Turned out to be very useful .
Ed
Posted on: 18 March 2010 by BigH47
A slightly off post question, should one trash all programmes old .dmg files when the the contents are working.
That's assuming I've understood the workings or have made it clear to who ever reads this.
Posted on: 18 March 2010 by SC
Yes you can, no problem....You could always keep copies for any particular applications for archival purposes on an external HD or burn to CD if you wanted - makes it easier should you have to do a OS reinstall or install across multiple computers if everything is to hand - but there is no real need to have the disc image files on the computer once the application is installed....
Steve.
Posted on: 18 March 2010 by BigH47
OK thanks for that SC.
Posted on: 18 March 2010 by Huwge
If upgrading software it makes sense to hang on to the .dmg of a prior, functioning version. This allows a downgrade back to the stable version if the new version proves too buggy.
I will only trash an old version's .dmg when I know the new version is stable, which often means keeping several generations
