Feedback on entering password in the terminal?

[aysiu]

Many times I've heard users complain that Ubuntu isn't accepting their password in the terminal. This is because Ubuntu's terminal doesn't give any visual feedback.

Is that a terminal thing fundamental to Linux/Unix/etc.? Or is that something that could be changed in Ubuntu?

It can't be a policy thing, right, seeing as you do get black dots for the passwords you type in the graphical user interface?

Any thoughts? Should I file a bug report on this?

Edit (12 July, 2006): I've added two images to show the difference. The terminal shows you nothing when you type your password. The GUI shows you black dots or asterisks.

Here's an example of a confused user

Edit (14 April, 2007):
And some more examples of confused users:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=569316
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=408924
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=405602
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=404770
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=402968
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=396549
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=362619
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=333799
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=146781
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=96768
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=410219

It is a real problem, folks. I know the developers have already rejected my wishlist item to change this, but please don't imagine it's not still a real problem.

One thing I did do to help alleviate the problem is create a page for it on Psychocats explaining with screenshots the difference between password in the GUI and password in the terminal:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/passwordinterminal

Edit: Now there's a Brainstorm idea about this: Idea #11118: Display *** for password in the terminal

Unfortunately, even if it gets voted up, it'll still be rejected by the developers.

[BuffaloX]

It's not a big issue to me, but it has happened, that my password was not accepted. Which is of course 100% my own fault, for failing to activate the window, or mistyping.

[aysiu]

Just to be clear on what the issue is--it's not the terminal not accepting your password.

It's the perception of some new users--based on the fact that there's no visual feedback--that the terminal isn't accepting the password.

For example, look at this thread.

[Brunellus]

there should be asterisks for newbies, I guess. It never bugged me, but it freaks the newbies out.

[jayemef]

I vote on no feedback on anything.

The way I see it, not displaying any feedback prevents others from looking over your shoulder or what-have-you and seeing how long of a password you have. Yes, that information doesn't necessarily help them in determining what your password is, but why provide that information if you don't have to?


Useful tip: Ctrl+U clears any characters you typed at a password prompt. So if you know you made a mistake, but you don't know how many characters to erase, you can use Ctrl+U to clear the whole thing and start again.

[aysiu]

I don't know if I agree with you there, jayemef. Anyone looking over my shoulder would be able to see what keys I'm typing--far more useful to the password-stealer than looking at asterisks.

Thanks for the tip about Control-U, though!

[bruce89]

It did worry me the first time I saw the no feedback thing, but I am used to it now. Indeed passwords aren't safe if somebody is looking over your back, feedback(!) or not.

There must be a reason for there not being any feedback.

[aysiu]

The only thing I can think of is it possibly being defined by the Linux kernel and not necessarily something Ubuntu-related. As I said before, it can't be policy; otherwise, they wouldn't include asterisks in the gksudo and kdesu GUI dialogues...

[bruce89]

Originally Posted by aysiu The only thing I can think of is it possibly being defined by the Linux kernel and not necessarily something Ubuntu-related. As I said before, it can't be policy; otherwise, they wouldn't include asterisks in the gksudo and kdesu GUI dialogues...

Does anyone know why they use bullet points for passwords instead of *'s?

[BuffaloX]

Actually if things should be in line with the Ubuntu policy.
That is Linux for humans, Linux should be easy(er)
there should be some sort of feedback.
If it helps some people.

I guess beginners are humans too.
I hope so, because I'm a beginner at Linux.