Multiple User Permissions?

[brendaf]

I'm a new windows convert and stuck on sharing files.

There are many files that my husband and I share and both need to be able to make changes to (financial, pics, movies, etc.)
We are both administrators, but I've noticed even putting something in the shared or public folder, we only have access to read each others (and sometimes not even that) files not make changes to them.

Other than going to each file after it's created and manually changing the permissions to administrator, what are our options?

Mac help desk thought that just saving to the public folder would do it, but I still have to manually change permissions.

Can I do something to enable that everything that is saved in a specific folder is editable for all administrator accounts?


Thanks,
Brenda

[oldfogey]

There was a long thread (or several) on the Apple boards some time ago, and sadly the answer is no, unless something has changed in 10.2.

Unix provides the ability to allow files to be group-writable, as well as readable, but Apple in its wisdom (?) has not allowed this through to the GUI.

So all you can do, as you say, is change the permissions on each file after you create it. Stinks, doesn't it? :-(

[brendaf]

Oh man that is rough!
That seems like it would be such a basic thing.

I read the Quicken 2003 thread, so I know that my issues with this are just beginning!

Sure hope they make a change to that soon. It takes a little out of their "ease of use for the family" ad campaign.

Thanks for the answer though

[jeb1138]

A little bit easier than changing each file individually would be to use the "Apply to Enclosed Item" option on the Shared folder whenever you're having problems. It seems like someone should be able to make a pretty simple app that just sits in the dock and copies things to the Shared folder with world-writable permissions when you dragged a file to it... But maybe Apple will come up with a better, integrated solution someday soon.

[Fahrvergnuugen]

What is /Users/Shared for? I was assuming it was for doing things like this....

You could create a new folder in the Shared Directory that was rwxrwxr-x and then CREATE all of your new files [that you want to be shared] in that folder. If I'm not mistaken when a new file is made it inherits the properties of its folder.

[dUb]

To change your permissions there is a programm called Batchmod. It changes al permissions etc. etc. for entire folders Maybe this is a solution for now.

[RBeeman]

My wife and I just decided to use the same user account (ID and Password).

The problem is not so much with Apple, IMO, as with the fact that the UNIX security model is appropriate for business, but not for families.

For example, while it is legitimate for my boss to be able to see all of my files, it is NOT legitimate for him to be able to change them. Further, where I work, you can be fired for telling anyone, including your boss, what your password is. Again, a legitimate rule, IMO. If the boss needs to edit your files or create new ones, this should be as a result of an explicit, documented request to do so. Any other approach invites all kinds of misbehavior by both employee and boss.

As for families (at least husband/wife sort of relationships) this is not really appropriate. But under the "one flesh" theory, you could just pretend to be the same person, which is what we do.


-Bob.

[RBeeman]

I accidentally registered as a "Junior Member", and can't seem to get the administrator to change this.

At 57, am I the oldest "Junior Member". I would guess I am the oldest to be widowed and re-married, anyway.

-Bob.