Xubuntu and the Keyring Manager

Whenever I have to use Xubuntu, it's usually because I'm refurbishing an old computer for someone to do basic web, e-mail, and maybe some word processing. Given that, I always set Xubuntu to login automatically. However, the NetworkManager app always gives fits about authenticating against the Keyring Manager when connecting to networks (especially wireless). So it might be an automatic login, but then you're immediately prompted for the SAME password when NetworkManager attempts to connect to a network.

I've Googled a lot trying to find good fixes for it, and there are plenty (some that involve installing a PAM module, which is a good plan, but convoluted). I've got my own, and it's super easy.

Assuming you've already set Xubuntu to auto login and you've rebooted your computer and are logged in, go to the Places menu and go to your Home folder. Go to View and check "Show Hidden Files." Look for a folder called .gnome2, open it, and then open a folder called keyrings. Open this and delete anything in it. Reboot. Once the computer reboots, you'll be asked for your wireless password. After you enter it, it's going to ask for a keyring/encryption password. Just leave it BLANK and choose "save." You'll get a warning that this stores your password in plaintext on your computer. Just say OK.

The ramifications of this are that wireless passwords (WEP, WPA, etc) are stored, but are easily viewable. It means that NetworkManager will work without a fuss, but someone could get on your computer and look at your wireless keys. If this isn't a problem, then this is a fix for the keyring manager problem.