Is there any way to disable password masking in Linux - specifically Linux Mint 9?

Ideally I'd like to be able to choose whether to mask or unmask password fields on-the-fly, as is possible when entering passphrases in TrueCrypt.

Sometimes masking is useful (say, on a laptop in public), but often it's totally unnecessary - there's no-one looking at the screen but me, so there's no point to it.

Hi -

Just look at the source for "passwd" and modify as needed

"Where's the source?", you might ask. Just try Google Source (aka "CodeSearch"):

http://www.google.com/codesearch

Just type in "passwd", and that should take you here (just one of several options, all pretty clean and easy-to-follow).

Enjoy .. PSM

So that's a 'no' then? For people not interested in programming, I mean.

I think it can be implemented, maybe the password thread just receive input and print * instead of echo back, so the change maybe is small. I guess.

What's the problem with not seeing it? The length of the password on the machine that I'm typing this from is 26 characters and I hardly ever mistype it.

;D



Cheers,
Tink

There is no generic "the password entry field for Linux" to
begin with, it's all application dependent.


Cheers,
Tink

Good for you.

I ask 'How can I do what I want?' and you say 'You shouldn't want that.'

That doesn't help me.

Damn. That sounds like a definite 'no' then. In fact, it sounds like a 'NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!'

Sh.t, I have to change it. Will use 26 backspace characters (alt something) on this windows box; you will never guess that one

I'm just curious why you want that. It does not help if you have multiple passwords for different accounts, because you might take the wrong one anyway. If you (think that) made a typo mistake, just wipe the whole thing and start typing again.
So just curious.

It's a "no", I guess, for people not interested in a *solution*.

If you just want somebody to peel your grapes, chew your food, and wipe your behind ... good luck . But if you're interested in how it works (which is essential for figuring out how to change it), I encourage you to at least LOOK at the code. Even for a non-programmer, most of it should be pretty self-explanatory.

If in doubt, post questions. That's what we're here for

IMHO .. PSM

I was hoping there would be a simple system configuration option to disable password masking, or an addon available. Apparently not, but I don't think it was an unreasonable question.

As to the code, I have neither the time nor the inclination to delve into it. If you like doing that, fine, go for it, enjoy. But to suggest that people who don't do so are basically lazy is, I think, unrealistic and overly critical.

I want an operating system to use, to get things done, not to tinker with. To suggest that that is somehow wrong does not help those who want to promote linux as a desktop operating system for average users.

The key is Tinkster's post #7; every service/app can (and often does) do its own passwd 'masking' ....