The issue is that the directory has write permission, which allows files to be renamed.
So, GnuCash reads the read-only file, and then, when it goes to "save" the file, it renames the old file and creates a new one. It IS a little unusual to have a just-written file NOT have "write" permissions; I assume GnuCash just clones the existing permissions. If you want an archived version, I would copy the appropriate .gnucash file to some kind of archive directory... for example, if the path to your regular GnuCash files ends with ".../gnucash/", you could create a ".../gnucashARCHIVE/" to hold your archive files. The only problem is that if you make the directory read-only, you may not be able to open the files, as GnuCash couldn't create the log files. There may be an option in GnuCash to open a file as read-only (because I know that if the LCK file is present, one option is to open the file as read-only). On Thu, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:35 AM James Thorpe <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi All > > I'm using Version: 5.11, Build ID: Flathub 5.11-2 on Linux Mint 21 and I > recently noticed that even if I set the user permissions on my gnucash > file to read-only (eg. chmod a-w gc.gnucash) and then open the file with > GnuCash, I'm able to update the file from GnuCash and when I close it > again, I notice the permissions have changed back to rw. > > After my chmod command, it looks like this > > -r-xr-xr-x 1 james james 86022 Jun 9 14:17 gc.gnucash > > If I then open gnucash and this file and make changes, a bunch of logs > etc appear > > -rw-r--r-- 1 james james 359 Jun 12 08:26 gc.gnucash.20250612082607.log > -r-xr-xr-x 1 james james 86181 Jun 12 08:26 gc.gnucash > -rw-r--r-- 1 james james 679 Jun 12 08:26 gc.gnucash.20250612082600.log > -r-xr-xr-x 1 james james 86022 Jun 12 08:25 > gc.gnucash.20250612082607.gnucash > > but the original file gc.gnucash remains read-only. But the changes are > there and have been saved, even if I delete the logs and other files. > > Bottom line - I'm trying to save a read-only copy of a file that I'm > done with and just want for reporting/ reference purposes. How do I do > that? > > I'm guessing it's a flatpak thing because it doesn't seem to do this on > Windows version... even if I access the same file on a shared network > folder. > > thanks for any suggestions. > > James Thorpe > > On 2025/06/11 18:00, [email protected] wrote: > > Send gnucash-user mailing list submissions to > > [email protected] > > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > > [email protected] > > > > You can reach the person managing the list at > > [email protected] > > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > > than "Re: Contents of gnucash-user digest..." > > > > > > Today's Topics: > > > > 1. No longer able to access my accounting software (Mark Penner) > > 2. Re: Suggestion to Accept Bitcoin/Lightning/Monero Donations > > (David Carlson) > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > Message: 1 > > Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:46:30 -0500 (CDT) > > From: Mark Penner<[email protected]> > > To:[email protected] > > Subject: [GNC] No longer able to access my accounting software > > Message-ID:<[email protected]> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > > > Jun 11, 2025 05:01:46 Vik Sha via gnucash-user<[email protected] > >: > > > >> I keep getting the following messages every time I try to open it : > > If you're trying to send an image, you need to attach it, the mailing > list software strips inline images. > > > > If the message you're getting says something like "unable to obtain lock > for file", and you're SURE that the file is not open (e.g. in another > GnuCash instance), just click "Open Anyway" > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 2 > > Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:56:50 -0500 > > From: David Carlson<[email protected]> > > To: 83281<[email protected]> > > Cc:[email protected] > > Subject: Re: [GNC] Suggestion to Accept Bitcoin/Lightning/Monero > > Donations > > Message-ID: > > < > cadygsbm5fwek+1vpwti_xaffvz+mgfoays9cr8rmj4qbck5...@mail.gmail.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > > > I hope the developers can identify whether this is phishing or worse!!!!! > > > > On Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 5:02?AM 83281 via gnucash-user < > > [email protected]> wrote: > > > >> Hello, > >> > >> I hope this message finds you well. I am a supporter of your open-source > >> project GnuCash and would like to make a donation. However, I noticed > that > >> you currently do not accept Bitcoin, Lightning, or Monero. > >> > >> Privacy is very important to me, as it is to many other open-source > users > >> and advocates. Supporting privacy-respecting donation methods like > Bitcoin > >> and Monero would likely encourage more people to contribute. These > options > >> also operate independently of banks and intermediaries, which aligns > with > >> the values of a freer and more open world. > >> > >> Would you consider adding the option to donate via Bitcoin (on-chain and > >> maybe even Lightning) or Monero? If you need any assistance implementing > >> this, I would be happy to help. > >> > >> The easiest way to get started is by downloading Cake Wallet, which is > >> open-source, non-custodial, and supports both Bitcoin and Monero (as > well > >> as other cryptocurrencies). You could then simply display the wallet > >> address on your website for donations. > >> > >> Thank you for your work and for considering this suggestion. Please let > me > >> know if you have any questions or if I can assist in any way. > >> > >> Best regards! > >> _______________________________________________ > >> gnucash-user mailing list > >> [email protected] > >> To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: > >> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user > >> ----- > >> Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. > >> You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All. > >> > > > -- > -- > James Thorpe > 061 476 2775 > [email protected] > _______________________________________________ > gnucash-user mailing list > [email protected] > To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: > https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user > ----- > Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. > You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All. > -- _________________________________ Richard Losey [email protected] Micah 6:8 _______________________________________________ gnucash-user mailing list [email protected] To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user ----- Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All.
