Changing "main" user ID

David Shaw dshaw@jabberwocky.com
Fri Sep 13 19:55:01 2002


On Fri, Sep 13, 2002 at 06:38:49PM +0200, Mark Kirchner wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> On Friday, September 13, 2002, 6:11:46 PM, David wrote:
> > On Fri, Sep 13, 2002 at 05:54:41PM +0200, Johan Almqvist wrote:
> >> [changing main id]
> >
> > In GnuPG 1.0.7 there is a "primary" command in the --edit menu.  Just
> > select the user ID that you want to be primary.
> 
> I don't know about the original poster, but sometimes I would like to
> change the "main id" of keys that I don't own. (I know, no real need
> to do that; call it aesthetical reasons :-) The "primary" command
> responds with "Need the secret key to do this" when I try that.
> (v1.1.92)
> 
> I assume that the "main id" has no particular relevance (for the key /
> encryption / security) so that changing it would just be a cosmetical
> thing. Am I missing something?

It is just a cosmetic change, but you are not permitted to make the
change for keys you do not own.  Only the key owner can decide how
their key is displayed.

David

-- 
   David Shaw  |  dshaw@jabberwocky.com  |  WWW http://www.jabberwocky.com/
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