Can overwrite read only files -Why?

When I click to open a file it is read only (a good thing) but I can make and
save changes without checking out the document or accessing through edit in
MS Word ( a bad thing). This makes no sense to me as it appears there is no
document protection in place. I understand I have to check out if I want to
reserve the document /save version comments. But being able to overwrite the
file seems to undermine the concept of document integrity. Can someone
explain this behavior?

Using SP 2.0, Office 2003, Windows XP Pro.

Nick
Fri Feb 25 10:43:14 CST 2005

I can't explain it but ours does exacly the same thing.

NY

nortonsh
Fri Feb 25 10:49:06 CST 2005

Is this a feature? Kind of defeats the purpose of document protection.

"Nick Yeoman" wrote:

> I can't explain it but ours does exacly the same thing.
>
> NY
>
>

Nick
Fri Feb 25 13:18:22 CST 2005

Here are my findings:
If someone has a document checked out or clicks (edit in word) - nobody
else can edit it.

If two(or more) people just click on the name to open the file - The
first person to save wins.