1) I've a file that MUST exist in the repository in its "default"
version
Then forget svn:ignore - it doesn't apply to versioned files.
You could lock the file in each branch where it occurs, or set the
svn:lock property, to make it more difficult for others to tamper with
it. But in my experience, with TortoiseSVN, people will simply click all
the dialog boxes to steal/grab locks they get. The better resolution is
to stop the temptation to edit such files: offer an alternative or
unversion it.
--
Stein