#8181·etherpad

Please improve read-only usage

Author: zossima1Created Aug 31, 2026Updated Sep 17, 2026
LabelsFeature RequestUX

I have used [pad.riseup.net] which uses an etherpad base, extensively for 1-2 years now and still I am not clear about how to make something Read-Only for my students while being able to edit the document myself.

I do understand and I have used successfully, the feature or switch to make a pad read only. Several questions arise from that:

-after doing so, does the URL change, and if so how to I keep it read-only for students while editable for myself

-I access any given “pad” document from several devices from day to day, for example my home computer, and 3-4 different desktop computers on my university campus while teaching. So again I’d appreciate any tips about how this work regarding when and how a “read-only” document can be edited. It seems like when a pad document is made read only, that is permanent, is that true? if so, what does the switch begin able to be turned off and on mean, in practice?

  • I understand the token key code that is advised to be saved to avoid losing the pad when it’s created, how does that relate to this read-only vs. editable by all issue?

Thank you for considering this issue. In summary, I need one document to be viewable by all, but editable by me.