Quoting Rowel Atienza ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Removing alias entirely is equivalent to removing the safety net of not
> accidentally overwriting/deleting impt files.

This notion of a safety net, in the context of Unix file deletion, is,
in my view, a dangerous illusion.  Not only do any number of slightly
different tools (from "cat > foo" onwards -- you name it) have an
inherent ability to delete/overwrite files, but so do cp/rm/mv the
moment you suddenly are in a situation where your aliases aren't there,
but you're still in the habit of relying on them.

The only truly meaningful safety nets are (1) understanding
ownership/permissions, (2) understanding your tools (including "chattr -i"
and "chattr -u"), and (3) backup.

I'm sorry, but I honestly think[1], after much, much discussion and
contemplation of the matter over the years, that the aliases are an
actively bad idea.  But your mileage may differ<tm>.

[1] My opinion; yours for a small fee and waiver of reverse-engineering
rights.  ;->

-- 
Cheers,                                      "My file system's got no nodes!"
Rick Moen                                    "How does it shell?"
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