Using Boxes or Compact display option in Messages

Question

Is there a way to return to the Boxes display option in Messages under Mavericks? I was never a fan of the Balloons, which appears to be the only display option now.

Answer 1

HI,
Open a Finder window.
Go to the View Menu and chose View Options
In here chose to display the Modified column.
Now use the Go Menu and hold down the ALT key and select the Library that appears.
Now navigate to the Preferences folder
Find the com.apple.ichat.plist item and highlight it.
In a view that display the columns such as Cover Flow check the date (and possibly time) that the files was last Modified.
Now open Messages.
If the setting in Mesaages > Preferences > Viewing have Changed again remake them to what you want.
Does the Modified column show the current time  that you do this ?
If it does not then you may not own the file or have Permission to write to it.
with the file still highlighted use the CMD and i keys together (Get Info)
In the panel that opens scroll to the bottom.
Your shortname should be lists with Read and Write permissions.
Also if you highlight your name and then use the cogwheel type icon it should have, in greyed out text as if already done, "Make yourShortname (me) the Owner"
If you have Read and Write Permissions and the "Make" item is greyed out then you Own the file and have the correct permissions.
9:08 pm      Monday; November 11, 2013
  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad