[X4U] privacy and user accounts

[Neil Laubenthal]

At 04:48 -0500  on 2/25/06, Mitchell Senft wrote:


>I'm interested in setting up the machine so certain folders are safe 
>from my child -- stuff in them I don't want her able to access. 
>Can't tell whether having multiple users would accomplish that. If 
>setting up a separate account for the child is the way, how do I do 
>it so that folders are off limits? (I know I can limit the apps she 
>can run.) And if multiple users is not the solution, what is?

She won't be able to access any folders inside your home directory . 
. .so if you move the folders you want to keep her out of inside 
there then they will be off limits.

If they aren't inside . . .simply modify the permissions after using 
Get Info on the folder and change the permissions. This will allow 
you to prevent access . . although not with as fine grained a control 
. . .you won't (for instance) be able to let 2 daughters in while 
allowing your wife and older son in using just the standard 
permissions.

If you fall into this latter case . . .get and install a copy of the 
SharePoints preference pane. Ignore all the sharing parts . . .but 
there is a Users and Groups panel in the pane that will allow you to 
create a group containing the two daughters,  another group 
containing wife and son, and a third group containing all four of 
them . . .as well as any other combinations you need. Once you've 
done this . . .you can assign the various groups permissions using 
the Get Info technique above. Since you're not sharing to another 
machine . . .just define the groups here then go back to the Get Info 
to assign permissions.

You can also do the above using NetInfo Manager . . .but using 
SharePoints is a lot less intimidating for the casual user and 
doesn't run the risks of accidentally doing something you shouldn't 
really do.


-- 
===================================================================
Neil
There are only three kinds of stress . . .  your basic nuclear 
stress, cooking stress, and A$$hole stress. All of the three are 
related . . . the key is Jello.