Script to add passwords

[Cameron Laird]

In article <385BE5B1.80A48C80 at rubic.com>, Jeff Bauer  <jbauer at rubic.com> wrote:
>Bruno,
>
>You may consider using Paul Sheer's python Expect 
>module to perform this kind of task.  His example
>even includes a script demonstrating how to set
>a Unix password.
>
>ftp.obsidian.co.za/pub/expect
			.
			.
			.
>> Does someone knows of a script that could allow 
>> me to add user in a Unix machine (to the /etc/passwd
>> and /etc/shadow) without using interactive mode.
>

Expect is wonderful, Python's wonderful, CGI keeps
rolling on.  I use 'em all, of course.

I'm tempted to give different advice to this ques-
tioner, though.  He explains his motivation as a
need to automate an IMAP server (automation is also
wonderful, while I'm in a judgmental mode).  What
I'm doing nowadays for most clients with e-mail needs
is setting up Unix servers where IMAP and brothers
(SMTP, POP) work from some authentication method
*other* than account validation.  I like having
10,000 e-mail accounts, but only eleven valid logins.
I don't hang out with other SysAds enough to judge
how widespread/accepted/successful/... this is.
It works for me, though, and I'm curious how others
see it.
-- 

Cameron Laird <claird at NeoSoft.com>
Business:  http://www.Phaseit.net
Personal:  http://starbase.neosoft.com/~claird/home.html