In Reply To:
they said they'd change the ownership this time but that in the future, I'd have to have the install script do that.
That's rediculous - unless the install script can run as root (which is a bad idea, and no web hosts would allow that), the script
cannot change ownership - it is simply impossible. Some servers offer suexec (or similar) support, which runs your CGI's as the user who owns them. I really don't see a reason
not to turn this on on a web server, as it doesn't pose a security risk (in fact, it reduces security risks), and makes everyone's life easier.
Just get grumpy at them, and tell them that a
real host would enable suexec.
Seriously, I'd recommend what Paul suggested - installing through ssh. The installation procedure is the same, except that you type the paths and URL's at the prompt instead of into text fields in your browser. Alternatively, you can use Fileman (Admin -> Tools -> Fileman) to work with "nobody"-owned files; Fileman will run as nobody.
Jason Rhinelander
Gossamer Threads jason@gossamer-threads.com