Re: [Usability] remove vs delete

[Shaun McCance <shaunm gnome org>]

On Wed, 2006-07-19 at 16:41 -0400, Mr. Shawn H. Corey wrote:
> Shaun McCance wrote:
> > This is, perhaps, not a clear-cut case.  You can certainly add
> > your account back by entering all the information anew.  Then
> > again, you can add back a file by entering all its contents
> > from memory.  I would tend to use "delete" only when actual
> > user data is being lost, not just some configuration stuff.
> > 
> > In the case of removing/deleting an account, I'd be worried
> > that "delete" would carry the implication that the downloaded
> > mail would disappear.  With POP, that doesn't happen.  With
> > IMAP, the mail will disappear, but it's not really deleted.
> > It's still on a server somewhere.
> 
> This is not a good example since user accounts are always removed, never
> deleted. Think about it for a moment, it a user is deleted, his/her UID
> will get reused. That means any files left on the system become assigned
> to the new user; the new user can read files (or mail) left over from
> before. This would be a security breach.
> 
> Adding your account back in after it has been removed means you get a
> new UID, which means a new account; you can't read the old files or
> mail. If you want your old account, it will have to be restored, not
> "entered anew."

But that simply is not the case with this dialog, which is exactly
why I recommend "remove".  Removing your account from Evolution does
not cancel, delete, or otherwise have any effect on your account on
your mail server.  You are simply removing Evolution's ability to
access that account.

--
Shaun