Re: [Jack-Devel] jack - audio group - package install

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DateThu, 26 Jan 2012 12:40:24 +0100
From Kaj Ailomaa <[hidden] at gmail dot com>
To[hidden] at lists dot jackaudio dot org
In-Reply-ToJörn Nettingsmeier Re: [Jack-Devel] jack - audio group - package install
Follow-UpJörn Nettingsmeier Re: [Jack-Devel] jack - audio group - package install
On 2012-01-25 14:15, Jörn Nettingsmeier wrote:
> On 01/24/2012 03:45 PM, Kaj Ailomaa wrote:
>> Why I brought up this subject is to try find a good solution to a
>> practical problem. Namely, how to get realtime privilege simply by
>> installing jackd.
>>
>> Solutions:
>>
>> 1. There is a group dedicated to that from the start (on
>> Debian/Ubuntu/Mint), which is a default group for all desktop users.
>>
>> 2. The installation of jack administers group membership for users.
>
> that is something a windows wizard would do, and it's broken because it
> has implications that the user is unaware of. there are a few simple
> golden rules that distinguish a sane and intelligent operating system
> from a toy:
>
> * never second-guess the user. there are way too many "user-friendly"
> automatisms on linux systems already.
>
> * installing a package should *never* *ever* re-configure existing users
> by default. it can check for the existence of a group and add it if it's
> not there, but a package that screws with my user database is just
> broken. the assumption might work for you, but it's just wrong in
> principle, which is easy to see for anyone who has ever administrated a
> moderately complex multi-user system.
>
> * a user who wants to achieve something as advanced as real-time audio
> has no right to remain ignorant about basic system privileges. on the
> contrary, intelligent users appreciate being educated about important
> aspects of their system.
>
> the correct solution to this problem is to add a post-install script
> that pops up a little information screen for the user telling her that
> there's this group called "audio" or "realtime" or whatever, that
> everybody who wants to use jack must be in, and would she like to start
> the distro's user and group administration tool now? then afterwards
> tell the user to log out and back in, and everybody is happy. no extra
> $FOOkit, no quirky realtime demon, all is well.
>
>

I agree on that administrating users database is wrong, so I've changed 
my mind about that.
I don't agree that users need to know how group administration works.

I agree that the right way to do it is exactly how you propose.
But, even better would be a solution that would require no group at all. 
I'm not the one to make that happen, so I close my case on this subject.
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