> On Mon, 5 Jan 1998, Stephen Williams wrote:
> > It *only* works if you don't touch it:-) I have spent way too many days
> > restoring a solaris system from media after a driver fart (or power glitch)
> > at an inconvenient moment. The Linux kernel should not EVER require external
> > files or programs to execute a shell.
>
> I agree completely, which is why I was saying that there should be
> REASONABLE defaults coded in for permissions and ownership. Just so when
> nothing else is run the system is usable. After that, use a USER SPACE
> program to tell the kernel to change stuff... I do not want the kernel
> messing with physical files either... That is a Bad Thing(tm).
>
> Pat
No one has advocated having the KERNEL update config files.. Thats upto a
userspace util..
A reasonable default is root.root mode 700... Although the most
conserviatve of all possible modes, it would still allow a root shell to
work just fine.