> Why does everyone hate the salting so much?
Nobody is objecting to the security benefits of salted directories.
(At least I'm not.) People are simply objecting to the inability of
the user to turn OFF this features through a preference if desired.
Personally, I don't want some random directory tacked onto my
profile directory path that messes up scripts I like to port from one
computer to another. In the past, the script would run on any
computer I went to - now, if I didn't just copy my directory tree to
retain the old unsalted structure as I currently do, I'd have to
modify the script on each computer I used to refer to the unique,
random, directory. (The script in question being a simple backup
routine, as well as an operating system method of "switching"
profiles, by backing up / restoring different sets of data for
different testing purposes - I'd rather this method than work with
multiple profiles.)
Also, the simply fact that it offends my aesthetic sensibilities.
I don't LIKE having this ugly directory with a ".slt" extension stuck
on it sitting on my hard drive. It's like having a slew of
directories off of c:\ rather than neatly tucked away under
"c:\program files" (in the Win32 world). I'm a very neat, organized
person and I frequently rearrange default installations to make
programs go where I want. The salted directory simply looks bad (it's
not what I'd name it - hell, even if I could pick my OWN name for this
directory it would be preferable, then I'd do away with the damned
".slt" extension on the end - directory names shouldn't have
extensions). Plus, the fact that I'm given NO CHOICE in what it will
be called, or in the behaviour itself, is simply, to me, offensive.
By all means, leave it in as default behaviour, but don't be so
arrogant as to assume that it's what everybody wants / needs. There
should ALSO be some method of disabling so that those who are aware of
the consequences, and are familiar with computers and editing pref
files, etc., are able to do so.
Otherwise, this is EXACTLY like somebody stepping in and taking
away all of a person's cigarettes because they're bad for them, or
insisting that they eat multigrain bread and no desserts because it's
good for them, etc. The intent is good but taking away a person's
choice about something so personal is simply wrong. (BTW: I don't
smoke but I do enjoy multigrain bread - just making a point. And,
yes, to me directory structure and naming on my own hard drive is
personal. Call me strange.)
Sorry for the rant. You asked for it. <grin>
Jason.
