Clarification on Pather's FileVault?

[starcrossed]

I was wondering if someone who has access to the Developer builds could explain Panther's file vault feature, since the Apple website really doesn't say much. The part that i need clarification is on it encryption feature. I have been looking for a nice software that could encrypt and password-protect files and folders and in my searches I came across Security Services. Its a nice program, with nice features, but I am debating whether to pay the $15 shareware fee, or wait for Panther to come out. So any clarification on this upcoming feature that would help me make my decision, would be greatly appreciated.

[sparkleytone]

this is the best i could come up with...in panther's help docs. the 'tell me more' is just a link to a search on filevault...which is how i found this to begin with.

[jimthorn]

I have to wonder if having FileVault active is going to cause problems with some apps.

[peterjhill]

I don't think so... They implement it using an encrypted .dmg (disk image). When you log in, your password unencrypts and mounts the disk image and your home directory lives inside the image. It is a journalled sparse image, so it can grow, but only takes up as much space as it needs to. I am not sure if it can shrink in size, so if you loaded 5 gigs of stuff into it, and then deleted it, I am not sure if it would shrink.