3 ms·

This is how OSX is by default now. I'm relatively new to Macs but I was pretty surprised when I had to go into my preferences to enable the ability to run soft

by Simucal 13y ago

This is how OSX is by default now. I'm relatively new to Macs but I was pretty surprised when I had to go into my preferences to enable the ability to run software downloaded from the internet (not from the Mac App Store).

jmhain 13y ago
As long as they provide the option to enable it, I actually don't see what's wrong with this. If someone can't figure out how to change that preference, then they are exactly the type of person who shouldn't be running random executables off the Internet.
lloeki 13y ago
> I had to go into my preferences to enable the ability to run software downloaded from the internet Wrong, the default Gatekeeper setting is set so that: - you don't have to if the software is recent and signed by the developer. - you don't have to either for unsigned code: as explained in the dialog that pops up, you can right click instead and choose open, which will pop up a similar dialog alllowing you to whitelist this app only. Threfore, don't ever turn off Gatekeeper in Preferences.
- Simucal 13y ago
  Thanks for the clarification. I hadn't noticed the right-click to whitelist option before. I'll have to go change the preference back. I don't know if the software I was using was just old or if signing isn't common place yet, but I felt like I got prompted while trying to use some fairly popular software.
gizmo686 13y ago
It's been a while since I've touched windows, but I think it has a similar system (although the option to run was presented as soon as you tried). Linux is actually the worst in terms of easily running software downloaded from the internet. If you try running an executable with out the executable bit set, it will fail. Nautilus (a major file browser) gives the standard error for when you try opening a file-type that does not have a program associated with it. And, unlike your description of OSX, you can only enable execution on a per-file basis.

by Simucal 13y ago

jmhain 13y ago

As long as they provide the option to enable it, I actually don't see what's wrong with this. If someone can't figure out how to change that preference, then they are exactly the type of person who shouldn't be running random executables off the Internet.

lloeki 13y ago

> I had to go into my preferences to enable the ability to run software downloaded from the internet Wrong, the default Gatekeeper setting is set so that: - you don't have to if the software is recent and signed by the developer. - you don't have to either for unsigned code: as explained in the dialog that pops up, you can right click instead and choose open, which will pop up a similar dialog alllowing you to whitelist this app only. Threfore, don't ever turn off Gatekeeper in Preferences.

Simucal 13y ago
Thanks for the clarification. I hadn't noticed the right-click to whitelist option before. I'll have to go change the preference back. I don't know if the software I was using was just old or if signing isn't common place yet, but I felt like I got prompted while trying to use some fairly popular software.

gizmo686 13y ago

It's been a while since I've touched windows, but I think it has a similar system (although the option to run was presented as soon as you tried). Linux is actually the worst in terms of easily running software downloaded from the internet. If you try running an executable with out the executable bit set, it will fail. Nautilus (a major file browser) gives the standard error for when you try opening a file-type that does not have a program associated with it. And, unlike your description of OSX, you can only enable execution on a per-file basis.