[tex-live] TEXMFHOME when using install-tl on a Mac

[Alan Munn]

Most of us who use Macs install the fantastic MacTeX version of TL, but every so often the odd Mac user (pun intended) installs TL using install-tl.  Sometimes this is in fact necessary, since MacTeX requires admin access to install, so a user without admin rights can't use MacTeX, I think.

So here's the question: what does install-tl assume is the value to TEXMFHOME when it runs on a Mac?

This Stack Exchange question, which describes such a case <http://tex.stackexchange.com/q/30494/2693>, seems to show that it defaults to /home/<user>/texmf

If true, this is an unfortunate decision, since 99% of all advice about local additions for Mac users will point people to /Users/<user>/Library/texmf.

If this isn't the case, then how might this user have arrived at that value?

On a related note, it might be helpful to have some very strongly worded messages in install-tl recommending MacTeX over install-tl for Mac unless (i) the person really knows what they are doing and/or (ii) it's absolutely necessary.

Alan

-- 
Alan Munn
amunn at gmx.com