Date: Mon, 2 Jun 1997 04:41:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Mike A. Harris" <mharris AT blackwidow DOT saultc DOT on DOT ca>
To: yeep <yeep AT xs4all DOT nl>
cc: Steven Ehrbar <ehrbar AT oeonline DOT com>, opendos AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: cAsE sensitivity
In-Reply-To: <199706012140.XAA20510@magigimmix.xs4all.nl>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.95.970602043520.15240a-100000@capslock.com>
Organization: Total disorganization.
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On Sat, 31 May 1997, yeep wrote:

> > If you throw a confirm into it, you could still accidentally hit
> > enter and toast something, only then realizing and being unable
> > to stop it.  Also, what happens in a batch file?  For example:
> > 
> > @ECHO OFF
> > DELTREE \ASDF
> 
> Echo off doesn't prevent deltree from asking for confirmation.
> Nor does ik prevent any other "dangerous" command from asking for
> confirmation.
> At least in M$-DOS/. 

Ahh, but you're forgetting about my alias:

ALIAS DELTREE=`*DELTREE /Y`

Besides, I could just as easily put the /Y in the batch file.  My
*POINT* remains the same.
  
> > In this case, the batch file may need to be ran unattended, such
> > as on a BBS, or something.  A batchfile that hangs expecting user
> > input could bring down the BBS, or cause countless other
> > problems.
> 
> Okay, Mike..
> Go to C:\ and type "echo y | deltree *.*"
> And just sit back and relax :-))

Due to my OS time percentages I think that would be:

# rm -rf /dosdrive/C/

My point stands.

> > > And people who edit a config.sys file without knowing what they're
> doing
> > > deserve trouble, while people who do know there might be filename
> conflicts
> > > when they switch from sensitive to an insensitive option and will be
> > > prepared to deal with it.
> > 
> > My proposed IQ test would circumvent someone from choosing
> > options that could cause problems.  :o)
> 
> I don't think the test is such a good idea..
> I failed it :-(, at least I knew the last question :-)) 
> We should keep asking for confirmation, endlessly, so the only way to get
> past the confirmation screen is a special keycombo which is supplied in the
> textfile: "technical.doc", which should start with the asm-source of dir or
> something, so it scares off lusers.

No, just put it in README.1ST.  Then don't even SHOW the ADVANCED
OPTIONS screen at ALL.  The readme file would tell you about the
advanced options and tell you to run "INSTALL /ADVANCED" to be
able to use the stuff.  That would eliminate about 50-90% of the
dumb user problems.  Then have the advanced options screen only
as an extra item on certain menus in setup with ample warnings,
help files, etc...  If a user goes this far (not many would),
then they deserve any trouble they get.


Mike A. Harris        |             http://blackwidow.saultc.on.ca/~mharris
Computer Consultant   |                  Coming soon: dynamic-IP-freedom...
My dynamic address: http://blackwidow.saultc.on.ca/~mharris/ip-address.html
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OpenDOS: Download it now!  http://www.caldera.com/dos/dos.htm