ssh private key password

[Horst H. von Brand]

nodata <lsof at nodata.co.uk> wrote:
> When I run ssh-add, a gnome dialog pops up asking me for the password to
> my private ssh key.

That is the idea... it keeps the password for you, so you don't need to
enter it each time you connect to a site.

> I find this a little odd, since I am not running ssh to connect
> anywhere.

Then why using ssh-add(1)?!

> I also find this a little disconcerting: I don't like giving my private
> key's to programs that ask for it.

Neither do I, but this one is _meant_ to do so.

> Is anyone else experiencing this?

Everyday here.
-- 
Dr. Horst H. von Brand                   User #22616 counter.li.org
Departamento de Informatica                    Fono: +56 32 2654431
Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria             +56 32 2654239
Casilla 110-V, Valparaiso, Chile 2340000       Fax:  +56 32 2797513