Re: allowing simpler passwords

[Daniel Barclay <daniel@dsb.smart.net>]

> From: Nathan E Norman <finn@midco.net>

> 
> On Thu, 2 Sep 1999, Marc Mongeon wrote:
> 
>  : How do I disable the password-checking feature of passwd?  I'm willing
>  : to accept moderately complex passwords that passwd wants to throw
>  : out.  `man passwd` gives me nothing, and I'm not certain where else to
>  : look-- is this the doings of PAM?
 


> RTFM passwd.c; 
             ^^
(The source code is not the FM.)


> passwd tries to prevent lusers from
> using crappy passwords.  This is generally accepted as a feature.

Features should be controllable by the system administrator.


>  : It is particularly annoying because it reminds me of the Windows design
>  : philosophy:  "I know better than you do what you're trying to do."
> 
> Windows lets you ignore passwords altogether and isn't really known as a
> secure OS ...

How does Windows' unsecurability diminish the undesirability of the
design philosophy mentioned above?


Daniel