Ubuntu – File permissions changed when using Copy (file syncing software)

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I just started using Copy, and it seems great, though I am having one difficulty. I'm running two Xubuntu Linux computers, one at work and one at home. The one at work is 64 bit and the one at home is 32 bit (I don't know if this is a problem or not, though presumably it shouldn't be). The problem is that when I drop a file into the /Copy folder from either end it'll show up on the other computer but with its permissions changed.

Specifically, if I write a test ASCII file in emacs and save it, it'll have the permissions:

-rw-rw-r-- 1

However, it'll show up on the other end with permissions:

-rwx------ 1

This can be particularly annoying, especially since executable files are colored green by the shell. Is there any fix around this?

Best Answer

You can use rsync to copy your files. The -p option will preserve permissions and so many options:

-p          --> Preserve permissions 
-E          --> Preserve Executability
-o          --> Preserve OwenrShip
-g          --> Preserve Groups
-t          --> Preserve modifition time

for further redings use this link

DONT DO THIS!

You have written that you have done sudo chown 777 -R ${USER}:${USER} ${HOME}

1. Problem

Your are using sudo to do an operation which should normally change resources you're controlling with your current user. This is extremely unsafe.

2. Problem

You are using sudo and environment variables. This may lead you in to an error situation. For illustration try the following.

sudo echo $USER --> e.g. shivam
sudo echo '$USER' --> root

3. Problem

chown will change the ownership of a file. Luckily you have add a failure. The parameter 777 would be identified as user name that is not existing and the file ${USER}:${USER} is not found.

The command chmod is responsible for changing file or directory permissions.

Fixing the permissions of all folders below a distinct directory.

Use the following to change the folder permissions below a distinct directory:

find BASEDIR -type d -exec chmod u+rwx \{\} \;

In your case replace BASEDIR with ~. For the bash ~ will be replaced with the home directory of the current user.

This will process only directories (not files) and set the read, write and enter (aka execute) permissions for the owner of the directory.

For more informations please read man chmod

Notes:

Be careful with the recursive option -R because it will process all directories and files below the given directory.
Use the symbolic permission notation like u+rwx, because it is easier to understand.
Don't use sudo if you`re not realy need it.

Check that your filesystem is mounted correctly

Ensure that the partition containing the problematic home directory is mounted read-write.

  grep /home /proc/mounts

This should give an similar output:

/dev/mapper/system-home /home ext4 rw,relatime,discard,commit=600,data=ordered 0 0

If the rw option is not shown, then the partition is mounted for some reasons (e.g. inconsistency) read only. If this is the case invoke a file system check. This is normally also invoked during the boot of your computer.

Ubuntu – How to install Copy (file syncing software)

Note: Copy was discontinued in 2016 and the PPA received no updates after April 2015, so the below answer should be considered obsolete.

Copy for Ubuntu is available in Paolo Rotolo's PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:paolorotolo/copy 
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install copy

For those who don't insist on working only through a console...