Passwords and Winplot

For the last few years, many users have asked for versions of Winplot that have limited menu options, thus allowing them to control what their students can see and do with the program. Nothing has come of these requests because I am reluctant to produce special versions of the program that have been debilitated in any way.

Recently a couple of users have suggesed adding password protection to files, however, and this seems like a useful option. It is also readily ignored by those who have no interest in passwords.

As of 19 April 2003, File menus contain two new entries, “Password” and “Author”. This is how they are supposed to work:

“Password” allows you to add a password to a file you are going to save, and to choose what that password is meant to protect:
(1) you can prevent users of your file from saving a modified version of it;
(2) you can prevent users of your file from viewing its Inventory.
(3) you can prevent users of your file from viewing its Notebook. (added 14 June 2003)

A protected file can carry optional information about the author. This information is accessible to anyone who clicks “Author”.

Unless you open a protected file and try to save it or see its Inventory, you will notice no change in the operation of the program. Once you have provided the password for that file, you will not be prompted for it again. Closing a protected file will clear the password constraint. Anyone who knows the password for a file can remove the protection.

When the filename for a protected file is displayed as the window title, a “+” is appended.