Randy,

Two different issues actually.

Randy Rathbun [randy@rrr.2y.net] wrote:
--snip--
> I have something like this:
> 
> rwxr-xr-x randy users /www/quitequitefantastic/
> rwxr-xr-x randy users /www/quitequitefantastic/index.html
> 
> Now, when I go to update the index.html file, it turns into this:
> 
> rwx------ randy users /www/quitequitefantastic/index.html

First, the editor you are using appears to be removing the file 
and re-creating it when you write it out...

> Uh, no! That is not what I want! So, I have to go back in and 
> change the permissions back to what they need to be. This also 
> happens if I create a new subdir or new files.
> 
> So, my question is this: What am I doing wrong? I was under 
> the impression that any files/dirs created in a directory are 
> supposed to pick up the permissions of it's parent... or am I 
> mistaken?

Second.

man umask

Basically any bits that are set in the umask are cleared when 
a file is created.  I would guess that your umask is set to 
"066".  That would clear the corresponding bits in new files/
directories as they are created.  If you do "umask 000", then 
those bits will be set instead.  You can set this in your 
profile or equivalent.

> Randy Rathbun

Hal Duston
hald@sound.net
If Al Gore invented the internet, why is it named after George W. Bush?