[mdlug] A big opportunity for Linux?

[Robert Adkins]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mdlug-bounces at mdlug.org 
> [mailto:mdlug-bounces at mdlug.org] On Behalf Of Robert Adkins
> Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 5:06 PM
> To: 'MDLUG's Main discussion list'; adamtaunowilliams at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [mdlug] A big opportunity for Linux?
> 
> 
> > > 
> > 
> > 	Konqueror supports that as well and it certainly is an 
> End-User app.
> > 
> > 	Under the properties of a file, there's a tab marked 
> Permissions, on 
> > that tab is a button marked "Advanced Permissions", which allows to 
> > use ACLs. Konqueror is designed with the Power User in 
> mind, for the 
> > most part only power users or admins would think/consider 
> the use of 
> > such ACLs.
> > 
> > 	Nautilus, in fact all of GNOME, (unless something has changed
> > recently) has always been aimed at the "Average User", 
> which are those 
> > people who are just above thinking that a mouse is similar 
> to a foot 
> > pedal for a sewing machine all the way up to those who 
> THINK they are 
> > "power users" but really are nowhere near that 
> ability/understanding.
> > 
> > 	Now, I haven't used Nautilus in a little while, so I 
> could be wrong, 
> > it may actually support advanced permissions now as well. 
> I'll load it 
> > up on my test machine and see if that's the case and report later.
> > 
> > 	I only used Webmin earlier because the test machine is 
> in another 
> > area that I hadn't felt like walking to.
> > 
> > 	-Rob
> > 
> 
> 	I forgot to include that I honestly wouldn't be 
> surprised if adding Advanced Permission support simply isn't 
> part of the GNOME development team's agenda.
> 
> 	-Rob
> 

	I checked on one of my home systems last night. The most recent
release of GNOME certainly does lack the ability to utilize ACLs. 

	I hardly see that as an issue, considering the fact that GNOME has
always been geared toward the novice who is likely to have virtually no
knowledge of even simple filesystem permissions, let alone the additional
complexities that ACLs can add to the mix.

	On GNOME's webpage, here's the first sentence describing the
project: "GNOME offers an easy to understand desktop for your GNU/Linux or
UNIX computer."

	ACLs (Heck even basic permissions) are hardly within the realm of
"easy to understand". (Unless, of course, you are an advanced user/admin.) I
run a Domain Controller using Samba for the office and even though I have
explained permissions time and time again, as well as set individualized
permissions on particular files specifically to allow most users ONLY read
access and a few users RW access to a single file in an otherwise "full
access" directory, I regularly field questions about who has access to what,
why and sometimes how that works. (From the same people, over and over.)

	If you are a Power User or Admin and you need direct access to ACLs,
use a Desktop geared for that type of work, like KDE or use a File Manager
that supports ACLs while you are running the GNOME desktop.

	-Rob