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Chapter 10 Managing Preferences 157
A user whose account has defined preferences is referred to as a managed user. An
individual computer, or a computer that is a member of a computer group with
defined preferences, is called a managed computer. A group with defined preferences is
called a workgroup.
Energy Saver, Time Machine, and Login preferences can be defined only for computers
and computer groups, but other preferences can be defined for users, workgroups,
computers, and computer groups.
There are three types of managed-preference interactions:
 Printing, Login, Applications, System Preferences, and some Dock preferences
(involving items that appear in the Dock) are considered combined.
For example, if you define Printing preferences for users and computers, a user’s
printer list includes printers set up for both the user and the computer used.
 Other preferences defined at more than one level can be overridden at login.
The illustration below shows how managed-preferences that override interact when
the same preferences are set at multiple levels:
When preferences that override conflict, user preferences override computer,
computer group, and group preferences. Computer preferences override computer
group and group preferences. Computer group preferences override group
preferences.
For example, let’s say you have different managed Dock preferences for users,
workgroups, computers, and computer groups. The Dock preferences for the user
take precedence, overriding and nullifying Dock preferences set for computers,
computer groups, or workgroups. If you do not manage Dock preferences for the
user, the computer and computer group Dock preferences override and nullify group
Dock preferences.
An example of when preferences that override might be useful is in a school
environment where you want to prevent students from using recording devices
attached to a school computer, except for students who serve as lab assistants.
Group Preferences
Computer Group Preferences
Computer Preferences
User Preferences