ownership and sharing for pre-existing files and folders

First - a big thank you to all of you who are helping this idiot figure this out... i really appreciate your patient and understanding.

last night i tried creating a new "Media" share from scratch, and 'voila', files copied from users PC's are editable by other group members (thz StephenB) ... but i still have other issues such as getting my Windows Media Centre (and D-Link extender) to access that share.

InTheShires wrote:
This any use?

Thank you - i had read other entries in his blog, but missed this. i'll go over it tonight and see if i can wrap my head around this.

ihartley wrote:
There is an "inconsistency" with permission, such that the actual linux file permissions may be different (and I have observed conflicting) to the share permissions. Just remember to mount the nas with nas credentials (e.g. on windows nasname\username) - otherwise it might confuse PC credentials and nas credentials.

what does "actual linux file permissions" refer to? are these the permissions Linux assigns to my files - or is this the files and folders that Linux creates to show me share and folders on the NAS.
this 'mount' idea also confuses me. i understand that to be how Windows creates the 'illusion' of shares and folders from the collection of discs that are the 'volume'. (but maybe that's wrong?)

are you saying DO NOT use Raidar and it's Setup button to access the ReadyNAS while i configure shares?

when i try to use Windows Explorer address line (\\nasname\admin) the admin share shows up in the structure (that's new) but i don't get offered a window to sign in. if i double-click on the admin share i eventually got a window asking me to 'Select Certificate' - but neither of the 2 offered are related to the ReadyNAS. eventually a user/password box pops up, but entering admin and passwords seems to bring back the same 'Select Certificate' prompt.

using the same address bar (\\nasname\user) to access my own share takes me to it, or (\\nasname\other) any "other" i have rights to.

if i use the Windows Explorer "Network" section and double-click on the ReadyNas NV+ listed under "Storage" devices, i see the same (web browser) Dashboard frontpage as using Radiator Setup takes to me to (but without a prompt for a password - very scary! - although other users don't seem to have access).

is there a difference between using either mode of accessing the Dashboard?

either way, i don't see an "admin" user or group, or the admin share when i log into the Dashboard. nor does the Dashboard configuration show the any of the private user shares - although they have been created and are accessible to others users...

clearly, i'm struggling, but i'll do more reading tonight, and with all of your help i'm hoping i'll get this device to work for me...