New group for local users (WILL BREAK UPGRADES without manual intervention!)

[Fabio Massimo Di Nitto]

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004, Martin Pitt wrote:

> Hi Ubuntu Sounders!
>
> I just uploaded a new version of base-config that creates an
> additional group 'plugdev' and puts the initially created user into
> it. This group's purpose is to control access to removeable devices like
> USB sticks and digital cameras.
>
> I will upload a new version of libgphoto2-2 soon which will allow
> access to USB digital cameras to plugdev members without any further
> configuration. More importantly, I will upload new versions of
> mount/umount and pmount/pumount which can _only_ be executed by
> plugdev members.
>
> If you install new Ubuntu versions from scratch, you will not have to
> do anything. However, if you are upgrading from an older Warty, then
> the already existing user(s) will not be put into plugdev
> automatically, so you have to do this by hand:
>
> # addgroup --system plugdev
> # adduser <yourusername> plugdev

Can't we check if the group is there and take appropriate actions? This
will break all upgrades from Debian to us. The admin should also be
informed of these changes (only on upgrades) and perhaps (really a
wishlist here) ask for the default user to add to that group.

Thanks
Fabio

-- 
<user> fajita: step one
<fajita> Whatever the problem, step one is always to look in the error log.
<user> fajita: step two
<fajita> When in danger or in doubt, step two is to scream and shout.