[GNC] GnuCash 5.11 FlatPak on Linux Mint 21: Software doesn't respect read-only gnucash file

[James Thorpe]

Hi All

I'm using Version: 5.11, Build ID: Flathub 5.11-2 on Linux Mint 21 and I 
recently noticed that even if I set the user permissions on my gnucash 
file to read-only (eg. chmod a-w gc.gnucash) and then open the file with 
GnuCash, I'm able to update the file from GnuCash and when I close it 
again, I notice the permissions have changed back to rw.

After my chmod command, it looks like this

-r-xr-xr-x  1 james james  86022 Jun  9 14:17 gc.gnucash

If I then open gnucash and this file and make changes, a bunch of logs 
etc appear

-rw-r--r--  1 james james    359 Jun 12 08:26 gc.gnucash.20250612082607.log
-r-xr-xr-x  1 james james  86181 Jun 12 08:26 gc.gnucash
-rw-r--r--  1 james james    679 Jun 12 08:26 gc.gnucash.20250612082600.log
-r-xr-xr-x  1 james james  86022 Jun 12 08:25 
gc.gnucash.20250612082607.gnucash

but the original file gc.gnucash remains read-only. But the changes are 
there and have been saved, even if I delete the logs and other files.

Bottom line - I'm trying to save a read-only copy of a file that I'm 
done with and just want for reporting/ reference purposes. How do I do that?

I'm guessing it's a flatpak thing because it doesn't seem to do this on 
Windows version... even if I access the same file on a shared network 
folder.

thanks for any suggestions.

James Thorpe

On 2025/06/11 18:00, gnucash-user-request at gnucash.org wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
>     1.  No longer able to access my accounting software (Mark Penner)
>     2. Re:  Suggestion to Accept Bitcoin/Lightning/Monero Donations
>        (David Carlson)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:46:30 -0500 (CDT)
> From: Mark Penner<mrp at markpenner.space>
> To:gnucash-user at gnucash.org
> Subject: [GNC] No longer able to access my accounting software
> Message-ID:<c803383e-3ca8-4752-b5ef-516573f9f783 at markpenner.space>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Jun 11, 2025 05:01:46 Vik Sha via gnucash-user<gnucash-user at gnucash.org>:
>
>> I keep getting the following messages every time I try to open it :
> If you're trying to send an image, you need to attach it, the mailing list software strips inline images.
>
> If the message you're getting says something like "unable to obtain lock for file", and you're SURE that the file is not open (e.g. in another GnuCash instance), just click "Open Anyway"
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:56:50 -0500
> From: David Carlson<david.carlson.417 at gmail.com>
> To: 83281<83281 at protonmail.com>
> Cc:gnucash-user at gnucash.org
> Subject: Re: [GNC] Suggestion to Accept Bitcoin/Lightning/Monero
> 	Donations
> Message-ID:
> 	<CADYgSbm5FWEK+1vpWTi_XaFfvZ+mGfOAYS9cr8RMj4qBCk5hjQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> I hope the developers can identify whether this is phishing or worse!!!!!
>
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 5:02?AM 83281 via gnucash-user <
> gnucash-user at gnucash.org> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I hope this message finds you well. I am a supporter of your open-source
>> project GnuCash and would like to make a donation. However, I noticed that
>> you currently do not accept Bitcoin, Lightning, or Monero.
>>
>> Privacy is very important to me, as it is to many other open-source users
>> and advocates. Supporting privacy-respecting donation methods like Bitcoin
>> and Monero would likely encourage more people to contribute. These options
>> also operate independently of banks and intermediaries, which aligns with
>> the values of a freer and more open world.
>>
>> Would you consider adding the option to donate via Bitcoin (on-chain and
>> maybe even Lightning) or Monero? If you need any assistance implementing
>> this, I would be happy to help.
>>
>> The easiest way to get started is by downloading Cake Wallet, which is
>> open-source, non-custodial, and supports both Bitcoin and Monero (as well
>> as other cryptocurrencies). You could then simply display the wallet
>> address on your website for donations.
>>
>> Thank you for your work and for considering this suggestion. Please let me
>> know if you have any questions or if I can assist in any way.
>>
>> Best regards!
>> _______________________________________________
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-- 
--
James Thorpe
061 476 2775
James at fusionsystems.co.za