No I don't think it's an XY problem although looks kinda weird with '?' in file permissions, user and group. It seems that OP is unable to perform even cat operation on that.
No. Not since I'm using linux (3 years I guess). OP says that they aren't able to perform any operation. They can't even copy that file. I'm voting question as unclear.
@Zanna Oh I see. I interpreted that wrongly because of '?'. But if parent directory has no execute permission then I think you can't even cd into that directory. (I'm not very good in command line)
I should try to actually use subject pronouns, since English doesn't have enough grammar for things to make sense without them
@Kulfy yep, I'd expect that
the reason I think it's an XY problem is that I think their goal in editing that file is the real issue. There may be a better way to do it, or they should just being doing whatever it is from Windows
but I'm sure we already have questions explaining those question marks...
@Zanna Actually as I've said I'm not very good in command line. I'll try to dig up more and create a well explained answer. I've already voted as unclear. But you can vote it as duplicate of this question
It could be a dupe of that question as written, but I prefer them to say what their goal is
also, that question is pretty generic and like you say we don't know if there are mount issues here
sorry @Kulfy. I am giving everything less attention than it deserves. I should either give 0 attention or full attention, because half-assed attention just causes problems.
oh I would link to the help center page Can I answer my own question? rather than a blog. But I think two links is enough when I'm hassling them to do two things already
Help center page looks fine. AFAIK there must exist a question dealing with Ralink driver. I think OP should post his answer there. I'll try to find that question and leave the link in comment section.
@pomsky I meant the same behaviour by this user more that once even after being asked not to do so, not that this particular question is reposted by them many times
IMO it should remain protected. AFAIK very few people bother to post such kinda solutions to relatively older posts. Also, if answer didn't work they can always ask a new question. This case was different, I think.
@Zanna If you are free can you please look to the answer that I posted on meta some days back. I thought you were busy in grading the answers of your students so I should ask you later but I somehow forgot.
@Kulfy well the views on the question and the new post today suggest the issue is still relevant. Protection is useful when the question has been comprehensively answered and there is very little chance of anything new being added. Here I'm not sure that applies
@Kulfy I actually saw your answer yesterday or the day before when I read all the new meta questions and I had a little trouble following your answer and I am still having trouble now. But I think this is my fault and not the answer's fault
I am unsure about what is actually being asked. Are they asking whether old questions should be closed against new ones?
It seems that is what is being asked
I am going to comment on the question, because I do not think the title describes this