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

[Alain Schremmer]

On Mar 9, 2012, at 6:58 PM, Herbert Schulz wrote:

>
> On Mar 9, 2012, at 5:45 PM, Alain Schremmer wrote:
>
>>
>> On Mar 9, 2012, at 5:34 PM, Herbert Schulz wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> On Mar 9, 2012, at 4:17 PM, Alain Schremmer wrote:
>>>
>>>> ...
>>>> So, my question, my gripe, is why, out of the box and without  
>>>> warning, does openout in "/usr/local/texlive/2010/texmf/web2c/ 
>>>> texmf.cnf" have to be "paranoid" rather than merely "restricted"?  
>>>> In other words, why "disallow going to parent directories ..."?
>>>> ...
>>>
>>> Howdy,
>>>
>>> Because that's the way TeX Live ships
>>
>> Fair enough. So, let me rephrase my question:
>>
>> Why does TeXLive ship, out of the box and without warning, a  
>> version where openout in "/usr/local/texlive/2010/texmf/web2c/ 
>> texmf.cnf" have to be "paranoid" rather than merely "restricted"?  
>> In other words, why "disallow going to parent directories ..."?
>>
>
> Howdy,
>
> There are many systems where there is a high need for security. Even  
> many Macs are in situations where security is needed. So TeX Live is  
> set, out of the box, to allow for that.
>
>>> and MacTeX supplies a default TeX Live with the only changes being  
>>> where the personal tree and personal texlive tree are placed in ~/ 
>>> Library.
>>
>> Are you saying that I should move the modified "texmf.cnf" to a  
>> place that TeX can find but that TeXLive is not going to overwrite  
>> next time I upgrade?
>>
>> Regards
>> --schremmer
>
> Howdy,
>
> The problem is that when you update the texmf.cnf files in the  
> distribution could change under you.

Since I have corrected earlier versions, I am sure that that is the  
case.

> I'm not sure, but you MAY be able to put a texmf.cnf file which  
> contains only that one change in  /usr/local/texlive/texmf-local/ 
> web2c and make sure you run
>
> sudo mktexlsr
>
> so that TeX ``knows'' it's there. Can't guarantee that works though.

Then, I won't even try.

In any case, I wrote down the routine for changing p into r so I  
should be good for the next upgrade. (Not anytime soon.)

Best regards
--schremmer