[OS X TeX] Error: I can't write on file '(name)'

[Jonathan Kew]

On 22 Mar 2007, at 10:59 am, Peter Dyballa wrote:

>
> Am 22.03.2007 um 05:41 schrieb Alain Schremmer:
>
>> I am seriously considering throwing the portable away.
>
> I think I'll have some use for it! (I can take transport costs. Or  
> I'll come on my recumbent bike to fetch it.)
>
>
> You have two choices: either de-install TeX Live and install gwTeX  
> or change the disk layout in a way that TeX never needs to write to  
> a file higher in the file hierarchy.

Or modify texmf.cnf to reduce its paranoia.

To do this, you first need to locate this file; try

     kpsewhich texmf.cnf

in Terminal. Then edit the file with a text editor of your choice; if  
you have installed TextWrangler, with its command-line helper tools,  
you can simply enter

     edit `kpsewhich texmf.cnf`

in the terminal to have it open for editing.

Find the line

     openout_any = p

in there; change to

     openout_any = r

and I think you'll be OK. ("a" would be even more permissive than  
"r", but I don't think you need that.)

Depending on permissions, you might have to authenticate in order to  
edit/save the modified file. An editor such as TextWrangler can  
prompt for this if necessary.

JK


------------------------- Helpful Info -------------------------
Mac-TeX Website: http://www.esm.psu.edu/mac-tex/
TeX FAQ: http://www.tex.ac.uk/faq
List Archive: http://tug.org/pipermail/macostex-archives/
List Reminders & Etiquette: http://www.esm.psu.edu/mac-tex/list/