\begin{Jeff Waugh}
> Time for Debian nuts to defend a policy decision that I simply don't
> get. Why on earth is the default umask defined in /etc/profile == 022?
the g+r and "each user has a group of their own", is so that when you
are working on group-owned files, and your umask is set to 002 (as
mine is), then you don't inadvertantly make your own files writable by
the "all users" group (or something). g+w matches what most people
want most easily on a system where groups are actually used.
the o+w is just because thats the way its normally done. just about
all programs that produce sensitive data (email programs, in
particular) set a umask of 077 themselves, so confidential stuff is
usually fairly well kept by default.
so whether to leave the other files readable by default (o+w) is a
personal choice. i much prefer having them so, because its much easier
to cooperate once you decide you're public property, and ends up being
much less work for you if people can just get at files they are
interested in without having to ask you first. not being able to
easily look at someone else's .emacs, .muttrc or something makes for a
sucky, unproductive environment.
--
- Gus
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