Mediafon

### Let's start with some grumbling ### I hate usb flash disks as much as I hate ipods. Imagine running about with a chain of 5 1/4 " floppies around your neck. Not so sexy, eh? ### The problem ### Anyway, this being the new millennimum I wanted my test installation of [Fedora core 4][fc] to do what any sensible computer should do: pop up the contents of my flash disk when I insert it, goddammit! Editing `/etc/fstab` is soo 1980s! [fc]: http://fedora.redhat.com/ ### See, I'm highly incompetent ### I've spent 4 hours trying to fix it. `SELinux`, `gnome-volume-manager` and `rawhide`; I cursed them all because at one time they seemed like the culprit. And in the end, it was mr. `haldaemon` that was being an ass about it. Sorry guys! ### The solution ### The Fedora guys are acutely aware of the limitation, but [this is by design, not a mistake][fcbug]. As much as I can understand the reasoning in said bug report (_automatically mounting all scsi devices is not smart_), I am deeply disappointed that they made me go through all this. It is, after all, the new millennimmum, and flash disks are like locusts. But there is a way... [fcbug]: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=138269#c4 ## Cheat sheet ## Here's what you do: 1. Stuff this into `/etc/hal/fdi/policy/dont-make-me-go-there.fdi`: true 2. Tell `haldaemon` that you have new instructions for him: /sbin/service haldaemon restart 3. Go play in the sun with the girl next door (but don't bring your flash disks, you dork!)