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DESCRIPTION
ChangeShortName is an easy-to-use utility that does the dirty work involved in changing the short name of a user's account in Mac OS X (versions 10.4.x and 10.3.x). It can also repair some problems that occur when a user has attempted to change their short username manually and done so incorrectly. For safety, it backs up the NetInfo database beforehand.
Changing your short username is a serious procedure, but ChangeShortName makes doing so easier and safer.
ChangeShortName is "donationware" by James Bucanek and Dan Frakes. Be sure to read the included documentation before using it.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 1.3:
- Complete rewrite of the ChangeShortName Helper application, which has been renamed ChangeShortName (i.e., without the "Helper"). The new version is a Cocoa application with a new interface that's easier to use and provides more—and more useful—information and feedback. The downside of this rewrite is that the ChangeShortName application is no longer compatible with Mac OS X 10.2.x; users of Jaguar will need to use the standalone changeshortname.command script.
- ChangeShortName's underlying shell script—which does all the dirty work—has been renamed changeshortname.command to differentiate it from the main ChangeShortName application and is now embedded within the application package. (The raw script is still provided separately, but you no longer need to keep it with the application for the application to work properly.)
- The application no longer launches Terminal to run the underlying script, which should make ChangeShortName less intimidating for non-Terminal-savvy users; shell output is now displayed directly in the application window.
- Added a Restart option to both the ChangeShortName script (-r) and the graphical interface (via a checkbox); this option is recommended if you're changing the short username of a user that's currently logged in.
- Changed the underlying script to work with an existing short username that contains a hyphen (-). Because Apple warns against including a hyphen in a short username, previous versions of ChangeShortName would not attempt to change such a name, but we had enough requests for this capability that we added it.
- Edited the NetInfo-recovery process in this ReadMe to work around a >console bug in Mac OS X.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or earlier. (Can be used with Mac OS X 10.2 using the included Terminal script.) NOTE: The current version, 1.3, is NOT compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard); an update will be released.
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SCREENSHOT
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| ChangeShortName User Reviews (14 posts) | Write A Review |
 | May 8 2008 |
JOHN SAWYER CJS Dan Frakes wrote an article on how to change the shortname under OS 10.5, which mainly describes the same Control-click or right-click on the user's account in the Accounts prefpane, but he includes some recommended extra steps: http://www.macworld.com/article/132693/2008/03/changeshortusername.html
(Version 1.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Dec 23 2007 |
JOHN SAWYER CJS The developer (Dan Frakes) says ChangeShortName 1.3 isn't compatible with Leopard, which makes sense given how many changes were made in Leopard. His web site doesn't say what would happen if you tried it, but I wouldn't try it just to find out.
(Version 1.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Nov 24 2007 |
SSNICKERER This feature is built into Leopard, so the developer should not bother releasing a newer version. Go to System Preferences, Accounts. Unlock the padlock. Right click the account in question and select "Advanced Options...". Change the short name, click OK, and restart.
(Version 1.3) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Apr 9 2008 |
MACSPECTRUM when using Leopard's built in short name change option, don't forget that; for some 3rd party mice, the "right click" won't work, so use "control-click" instead
(Version 1.3) | |
 | Nov 18 2007 |
JOHN MUSBACH This program is great, it makes changing short names a snap in Mac OS X Tiger. It can't get much simpler then this, simply select the short name you want to change, specify the new short name (and new non short name if you wish), and click the change button. Within a matter of seconds the changes are made and you're done. Absolutely great piece of software, a real asset to the mac community. Thanks!
(Version 1.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| May 30 2007 |
SWGS1 Accounts Enhancer was a great solution for this back in 10.3, but it has been unreliable and seems to have been left dead in the water by its developer since the release of 10.4 Tiger. Thanks for releasing ChangeShortName to the public and as donation-ware.
(Version 1.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Apr 18 2006 |
SLEEPYHEAD Wife bought new MacBook Pro, so I took full ownership of our beautiful 20" iMac (Intel CoreDuo) ... Problem: main account settings (SHORT NAME) under her name. Thought I could ignore it. But it finally got to me. Why can't the bloody thing just show MY name in the account short list? Tried establishing a new account (under MY short name) and switching over our iPhoto, our iTunes, documents, settings, applications, etc. etc. -- I spent 45 minutes and barely made a dent. Downloaded and installed ChangeShortName, and ran it under the Admin account, using the OS X GUI (I'm much too chicken to enter Terminal.) Much nail biting: it felt like I was performing brain surgery on my iMac. After logging out of the Admin account, OS X wouldn't let me log into my wife's OLD re-named account. Intense fear. What's going on? A few moments went by where I thought: MY GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE!??? Re-start the system. Log into my NEW SHORT NAME ACCOUNT (formerly my wife's). Everything's peachy! Smiles all around. Had to direct iPhoto to the photo library on the hard drive, but that was the only hiccup. iTunes, MS Office, iPhoto, etc. etc. -- everything works 100%!!! Main advice: follow the instructions in the .pdf file VERY CAREFULLY. If you use this utility properly, chances are you'll be OK.
(Version 1.1.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Mar 10 2006 |
MONOCLAST Fantastic, must-have utility! I've used this utility to change short user names on multiple Macs with Mac OS X 10.4.x. I've even used it via the command line through an ssh session connected to a remote Mac I maintain for a family member. The utility has worked as advertised on every system I have used it on. While there are instructions for what to do if a rename goes awray, I have yet to need them. It's proven to be very reliable. The only potential gotcha is one that is readily mentioned in the documentation: after a rename, you may need to tell certain applications (iPhoto in my case) where the new library is. Luckily, doing this is fairly straight-forward! Overall, this utility is *THE* way to change your short user name in current versions of Mac OS X. Highly recommended!
(Version 1.1.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Oct 15 2005 |
ANONYMOUS The download URL doesn't seem to work :-(
(Version 1.1.3) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Mar 10 2006 |
MONOCLAST The download link appears to be an FTP link to an FTP server. It's possible your web browser is not able (for whatever reason) to download stuff through the FTP protocol. http://www.twilightandbarking.com/FTP/Public/Software/ChangeShortName/ChangeShortName-1.1.3.dmg Or try using an FTP client to download it from the FTP URL.
(Version 1.1.3) | |
| Sep 7 2005 |
ANONYMOUS According to the documentation v1.1.3 supports OSX 10.2 (Jaguar) and OSX 10.3 (panther) explicitly. What about OSX 10.4 (Tiger)? Is it safe to run on Tiger?
(Version 1.1.3) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Mar 10 2006 |
MONOCLAST I have sucessfully used this on the current version of Tiger, 10.4.5.
(Version 1.1.3) | |
| Jul 29 2005 |
KEN B The software delivers what it promises! I have been annoyed for a long time that Mac OS X combined my first and last names into a so-called short name. I tried everything to alter the short name but was unsuccessful. I found ChangeShortName 1.1.3 on the internet and downloaded it while in my usual log-in role. I then logged-out and logged back in as system administrator. I could not locate where the download had gone, so I downloaded again. After I read the documentation, I launched the software, according to the documentation and followed the easy prompts. The software operated smoothly and the short name was changed very easily. After logging out as system administrator and logging back in as my usual account, the deed was done. My home page now has my preferred short name. Thanks.
(Version 1.1.3) | |
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