Removal of 'Open as Root' option in PCmanFM

[Phill Whiteside]

Personally?

I'd have them read this section[1] before even being allowed to use sudo!
It is a wasp / hornet's nest for a newcomer as wrongly done it can not only
destroy your system, but install malware.

When writing stuff that uses sudo / root access, the author MUST follow the
guidance of explaining the dangers of sudo / root access [2]. This can be a
simple link, but IMHO, newcommers really should be made fully aware of just
what using sudo / root access involves.

Reading the thread mentioned in [2] does give some insight into just what
newcommers will do!

Regards,

Phill.
1. http://ubuntuforums.org/announcement.php?f=326
2. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

On 29 October 2012 20:55, Mr Wislr <contact at unleashpc.com> wrote:

> I say no, simply because mistakes and available options helps people
> learn... when options aren't readily available neither are ideas or
> understanding.
>
> how frustrated with the "new user" be when they are reading something
> and trying to implement it but can't figure out how to edit as root?
>
> We apparently aren't worried about their ability to do stuff but we are
> worried about whether they will mess it up or not.. thats silly...
> thats were learning happens...
>
> did you get all your math problems right the first time you ever tried?
> Doubtful, it was mistakes and repetition that allowed you to learn.
>
> Same here, leave the option there so people do discover it, wonder
> about it, use it and understand it.
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:45:04 +0100
> UH <uhtlmk at googlemail.com> wrote:
>
> > That seems an excellent idea to me!
> >
> > 2012/10/29 Alexander Andjelkovic <andjelkovic at gmail.com>:
> > > I agree that it's a security issue, but here's my proposal:
> > >
> > > *) Disable it by default.
> > > *) Make it a viable option in preferences & warn users when enabling
> > > the feature (confirmation dialog).
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Alexander Andjelkovic
> > >
> > > On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 1:24 PM, Yorvyk
> > > <yorvik.ubunto at googlemail.com> wrote:
> > >> Over on the LXDE list Andriy has opened a discussion on the
> > >> removal of the 'Open as Root' option.
> > >>
> > >>>     Hello!
> > >>>
> > >>>     I would like to duscuss a function in subject. Starting a lot
> > >>> of GUI applications (including MS Windows .exe files, browsers,
> > >>> etc.) under root makes linux vulnerable to troyans, backdoors,
> > >>> not mention the cost of a failure of the buggy GUI application
> > >>> when it operates with unlimited privileges is very high. And
> > >>> 'Open folder as a root' starts all of this. Since such kind of
> > >>> escalated privileges (which is much worse than some 'sudo -s'
> > >>> which is unwelcomed and often denied by administrator) is such
> > >>> dangerous no other file managers have such functionality
> > >>> available for a regular user. And no regular user would ever need
> > >>> such functionality but only administrator of multi-user system
> > >>> probably. If regular user wants open folder as root it usually
> > >>> means something was done badly before (for example, missing a
> > >>> group for user) and that should be fixed at that place instead of
> > >>> opening as root. So I think this should be available only in
> > >>> 'advanced' mode, the same way as SUID and SGID changes are
> > >>> available only in 'advanced' mode currently. What do you think?
> > >>>
> > >>>     With best regards.
> > >>>     Andriy.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> If anybody has any thoughts on this and isn't a member of that
> > >> list they can answer this thread and I will pass them on.
> > >> For  me, it can go, as it has with a lot of other file browsers.
> > >> If you wish to browse as root then PCmanFM can be opened with
> > >> 'gksu'. It will make it that little bit harder for casual users to
> > >> fiddle where they shouldn’t.
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Steve
> > >>
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