Re: File manager tree.

["James M. Cape" <jcape jcinteractive com>]

Adam Moyes wrote:
> 
> "James M. Cape" wrote:
> >
> > bob@kehs.ksd.org wrote:
> > >
> > > On Mon, 31 May 1999, Guillermo S. Romero / unnamed / Familia Romero wrote:
> > >
> > > > >a) TURN THAT DAMN 'RUNNING AS ROOT' ERROR MESSAGE OFF
> > > >
> > (SNIP)
> >
> > Warn people if they are root. If possible, provide a
> > constant status reminder that "Yes, Virginia, you really are
> > root" -- similar in concept to the Netscape "Yes, you are at
> > a secure site" indicators. Draw a red box around the actual
> > file list or something similar.
> >
> > And to top it all off, the idea of a "Root button" on the
> > Gmc toolbar. Clicking it prompts for the root password, and
> > then runs all commands entered while the root button remains
> > clicked as root (moves, copies, deletes, etc.). This is
> > possible, and even benificial. This way, the entire program
> > does not need to be run as root, but an ordinary user login
> > can access root permissions with the right password.
> >
> I like the idea of an active warning that can be turned off (so it
> only happens once) and a passive warning, like the program running
> as root (gmc for example) has a different coloured border I would
> DEFINATELY apreciate a non intrusive indication that a shell or
> gmc window was running commands as root. Very much like the '#'
> prompt for root at the shell, just a little reminder.
> 
> This reminder does not have to be perfect, if you choose not to
> use the feature, you don't get it. For example clicking on the
> ``run-as-root'' button on gmc might enable the non intrusive
> indicator, but running gmc as root might not (mind you, there's
> no reason why you couldn't).
> 
> Adam.

Well, IMO, the only two reasons people are running Gmc as root are:

1. They run everything as root, because they either don't know any
better or can't get things to work as a normal user.
  -- in this case, the user needs to be warned, because they need to
know better or fix whatever the problem is.
2. They need to do some system-level file management/poking around,
and don't like to use the keyboard :-)
  -- in this case, prompting for the root password will warn them
sufficiently, IMO.

By having a root button, the second reason becomes moot, since there
is no need to run Gmc as root to accomplish the desired task.

And besides, Netscape still has that really annoying "You are about to
enter a secure area" dialog (which can also be turned off at any
time).:-)

    Jim Cape
    http://www.jcinteractive.com

    "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them
     pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened."
        -- Winston Churchill