Changing preferences

[John W. Moore III]

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Robert J. Hansen wrote:

> Remove the option.
> 
> Seriously.  I think key preferences ought to be considered analogous to
> "--cipher-algo": you can tweak them if you want, but it's not
> recommended and should be hidden from the user by default.  If a user
> uses the --expert flag while --edit-keying, then present it.  Otherwise,
> make an executive decision on a reasonable preference set and be done
> with it.

This "solution" sounds awfully 'Nanny State' like in its approach.  I am
opposed, in Principle, with _any_ attempt to "protect people from
themselves" in any context.  When You deny Someone the ability to make
mistakes You rob them of an opportunity to improve themselves.

This ongoing thread is ample evidence that this is an area of common
confusion to a fairly substantial sub-set of GnuPG Users; Education
should _always_ take precedence over Elimination as a solution.  "Stick
with the Defaults until You RTFM" may appear harsh on the surface but is
far preferable, IMO, than saying "You'll *never* be able to grasp this
so We'll remove it for Your Own good."

Now that You, Robert, have spilled the beans regarding the 'expert'
flag; I anticipate another thread surrounding its purpose, use &
function.  :-D  I once heard this described as 'unconscious competence'
and think this is an apt description of what happens in most educational
threads surrounding complex Applications.

JOHN ;)
Timestamp: Monday 22 Sep 2008, 04:56  --400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
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