Why is it necessary to make a link to an external unit like a USB stick or a floopy drive?

I just want to know the reason.

What is the advantage of doing this?

You could simply use the command 'cp -r ' to copy and store on a USB stick.

You can simply install it on a server or a single desk computer.

Why do we make a link using the 'ln' command?


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Tinkster is a moderator. So it is his prerogative ask us not to write French.

However, I wouldn't write 'take the French of the board'.

It may be 'take the French off the board'.

Well spotted Gins. If you had half the wits you have
with languages with computers you might actually be
getting somewhere.

And edit your post and remove the French ;D ... here,
a little reminder
Specifically:

Cheers,
Tink

It is not necessary, simply a good practice example.

You keep the keys with your removable media instead of leaving it on a computer that might be compromised.
That is the other way around. The link allows the computer to temporarily see files located on the stick as if they were local.
Because "ln" is the proper command to create a link.
Indeed. By the way, your French sentence was somewhat incorrect: something like "I'm aware the little Frenchman"

No, this part isn't correct. The ln command doesn't copy the files. Move the directory to the pendrive first. Then create the symbolic link.

Also, it isn't necessary to do this a root. You should have the pendrive mounted so that it is readable and writable by you. You didn't state which filesystem is on the pendrive. If it is fat32, then you can change the ownership when you mount the pendrive with the "uid=" option. (see mount manpage) If it is a native Linux file system, then use the "chown" command as root.

Jlliagre

I must confess that I am very bad at French and Russian. I have a smattering of French and Russian. I am trying to improve them all the time. I love to write French and Russian. So native speakers like you will find flaws in my writing. I want you to find flaws. I would like to write a couple of sentences in French. As Tinkster is against writing French, I don't want to write any French.

You wrote the following:
You keep the keys with your removable media instead of leaving it on a computer that might be compromised.

I will install it on a desktop computer which is directly connected to the Internet. So all the keys are on the computer though you make link to a USB stick. Someone or hacker will be able to get my private key too.

If you remove everything from the hard drive, nobody can get them.

When I want to use the gpg keys I just insert the USB stick.

The original link I made is still is on the USB stick.

Do you think this will work?

I don't want other people to get my private key.

Though you have the best firewall on earth, people can penetrate into your computer.


Jschiwal
I always use the Linux file system. You have written the so-called 'ln' command will move the files to the USB stick. So everything will be there. It is similar to copying.

That's fine. You'll need to find a French language forum or newsgroup tough as LQ isn't the right place for that ...
It is not Tinkster or whoever. There are rules here and one of them is English being mandatory. Moderators are here to make sure these rules are understood and enforced. I understand you might find excessive in that case as your sentences are harmless and just friendly socialization. However, you need to understand moderators cannot master every language and we do not want to have double standards.
The point is that hacker would be able to do it only during the presumably short period of time when your stick is connected and not indefinitely if you let them on the disk.
Yes, the original link still point to the directory on the USB stick.
Sure, that was the whole purpose of the instructions your posted in your first posting.
Jschiwal didn't wrote that. Read again his postings as you definitely misunderstood them.

jlliagre

Oh! Great!

I will create keys as planned.

1. I insert the USB and make the necessary folder.

2. I will create the link.

3. I will create the keys. I know how to do this.

4. At the end I will use the 'cp-r' command too to copy
everything to another USB stick.

5. So I have everything on another USB.

6. I will use the command 'rmdir' and remove everything from the
hard drive. By default it will create '~/.gnupg '. When I
remove it, there won't be a trace of '~/.gnupg' on the hard
drive.

Please tell me if the above procedure has a flaw.


I have a firewall like the other people. I have noticed some dirty bastards have broken it and collected information. My mobile phone number and the landline are classified. Some people have got it. Now I decided to go ahead with gpg and encrypt files and folders. After the successful completion of gpg keys, I will get a new mobile phone number and a landline. They will charge about 100 dollars for the new numbers. I must go ahead with the gpg keys.
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I know very well the fact that the moderators can't speak all the languages. I don't expect them to understand other languages.

Our friend 'theYinYeti's post prompted me to write French. This is not a forum for me to improve or practice my French. You suggested finding a French forum.

I participate in a French forum and a Russian forum. I am very bad at both languages.

Not sure if it has one or not, but the steps you describe are confusing.
Why no sticking with the whole procedure you originally quoted (partially) in your first posting ?

It seems you find it is difficult to grasp everything I have written.

You want me to follow the original procedure.

I will go ahead with it.

I had only one point which needed some clarification from you.

1. I will create the keys after making the link to the USB stick. So I will create the keys on the hard drive and make the link too. Afterwords, I will insert a new USB stick and copy everything on to it using the command 'cp -r '.

[ I hope the above sentences are clear to you.]


2. Finally I will remove everything related to keys on the hard
drive. Using the command 'rmdir' , I will remove the
'~/.gnupg' folder on my hard drive.

[ I hope the above sentences are clear to you.]

3. I thought when I remove the '~/.gnupg ' which has the private key, public key, revocation certificate, etc it disables the everything.

The link which is on the USB stick is not enough to work with gpg. I had some suspicion as to the function of the link on the USB stick.

[ The above was the point I was not sure.]

You are telling me the link on the USB stick is good enough to work with gpg.

Your thoughts are welcome again.

Now two mods have asked you to edit the post with
a reference to the rules. Go ahead, do it.


Cheers,
Tink

I can't fathom Tinkster's comment.

I am waiting for comments from jlliagre.

I have removed the lines in French from the posts.

The sentences are clear but the steps are incorrect. I'm afraid you are still missing what was explained on the original page where you find the procedure. You definitely need to learn and understand what a symbolic link is and how to use it before going further.

Thank you jlliagre

I admit that I am not an expert in open source though I have been working with them for about 10 years.

I think I know about links. It may be there are things which I don't know.

I will read more and come back to you again when necessary.

I will try tomorrow or day after tomorrow. to make keys.

I beg you to keep a good watch on my thread.

All of your threads, mate, all of your threads....


;D



Cheers,
Tink