Category: Mac

Fonts for the Mac usually come in .otf and .ttf files, which are OpenType and TrueType files, respectively. After you download a new font, make sure you have at least one of these two files.

Next, you should decide who will get to use the new font, particularly if you have more than one user on the computer. The answer to that question will determine whether you should copy the .otf/.ttf files to one or the other of the two folder locations below. Wether you have system administrator access also plays a role.

• /Users/[username]/Library/Fonts/
• /Library/Fonts/

If you only want one particular user to have access to the new font, or if you only have access to install fonts for yourself, place the font files in the first folder. If you have administrator access and would like to install his font for everyone who uses the computer, put the files in the second folder.

This set of instructions is written for Mac OSX version 10.5.2.

First, run this command in terminal to back up your default photo, just in case you ever need it again.

sudo mv /System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktop.jpg /System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktopBackup.jpg

Then, run the following terminal command to copy the new background to the system library. In this example below, we assume newBackground.jpg is the photo of your choosing.

sudo cp newBackground.jpg /System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktop.jpg

The next time you login, you will see your new photo replacing the default Mac one.

If you decide you wish to revert this change, just run the following terminal command to copy the default image back.

sudo cp /System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktopBackup.jpg /System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktop.jpg