Imported Debian patch 0.84-2debian/0.84-2

1 files changed, 49 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/xsane.ROOT b/xsane.ROOT
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+If you run xsane as root xsane comes up with a warning message at startup.
+Some people asked me to remove this warning, e.g:
+
+Q: "... But there is something I very disagree with: This horrible message when
+   I launch XSane, saying me that I mustn't run XSane as root.
+   If I run as root it's MY problem! Running as root has inconvenience, but
+   has also lots of advantages. Like I am the only user of my conputer I
+   run as root"
+
+A: 1) It does not matter if you are the only user on your system. There still
+      is a big security problem also in this case. When you run XSane as root
+      then XSane has pemission to remove or change any file on your system.
+      XSane is a really complex program and for sure there are still bugs
+      that may cause an unexpected behaviour like removing or writing into
+      files. Imagine what happens when XSane removes your home directory or
+      any important system files. Another issue is that you can accidently
+      remove or change all files on the system using XSane.
+
+   2) early versions of XSane did not print this message and a lot of people
+      did run XSane as root. This caused a lot of problems and I got a lot of
+      problem reports and please-help-me mails. This took a lot of my time.
+      So it also is my problem when several people run XSane as root.
+
+
+   Please think about your decision to do all you work as root. This really
+   is dangerous. I do not know any professional system adminstrator who works
+   all the time as root. All system administrators work as a normal user
+   and if there is something that has to be done as root, then the admin
+   gets root permission only for this command.
+
+   Please beleve me that these people do know a lot of their machines and that
+   is the reason why they know it is dangerous to work all the time as root.
+
+   Doing a "rm -f *" in the wrong directory can kill your complete system when
+   you run as root. As normal user nothing will happen with a bit luck.
+
+   The decision if you work as root all the time has nothing to do if you are
+   the only user on the system.
+
+
+Q: "But I am using a parallel port scanner and need to be root to access the scanner"
+
+A: It is not necessary that the frontend (xsane) runs as root. The backend (driver) that
+   does access your scanner may need root access. If possible you sould compile your
+   backend with a parallel port library that allows acces as non privileged user.
+   If your backend does not support such a library then you can set up network scanning
+   on your system. Configure saned to run as root. To connect to the scanner connect
+   via the network protocol to localhost, e.g.: xsane net:localhost:epson
+