Vulnerability Development: Re: [Fwd: FW: XP Screen Saver password uses Old password until logout or New one is used.]

["Zow" Terry Brugger <zow () llnl gov>]

>       Don't be confused though, this is only a MS feature.  It is
> listed to "improve performance".  I, however, am confused as UNIX so far
> out performs MS yet is not plagued with the whole needing to logoff
> thing. 
I was reading an article about five years ago (hence I can't recall the 
source, but I think it was the tech section of Computer Shopper) that stated 
that Microsoft has deliberately put many layers of abstraction between the 
hardware and the UI (like on the order of 30!) based on the premise that 
Moore's Law will allow the average PC hardware to catch up in a few months and 
that it allows each successive level of programmer to be more productive as 
they don't have to worry about the details below them. Unix style systems tend 
to keep much closer to the hardware, especially where file operations are 
concerned.

Also, keep in mind that Unix isn't a fully mediated system either. When a user 
opens a file, they get a file handle. As long as they keep that file handle 
open, they can do anything to that file that they were allowed to as of the 
time they obtained the file handle. That's rather easy to demonstrate by 
making a file rw and start to edit it in one terminal. From another terminal, 
change the permissions on the file to read only. Back on the first terminal, 
you should still be able to save your changes (unless your editor is being too 
smart and rechecking the file permissions before the save).

> I guess we should just be thankful.......at least windows
> doesn't require a reboot.
I've found that most problems in Windows, especially in the NT/2k line, can be 
fixed by logging out and logging back in. It's interesting how deeply most 
people have the notion of "reboot to fix problems" embedded, considering that 
it really came from systems that people rarely use anymore.

Terry

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