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.
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