According to "How-To: How to use a different index method than 'index_html'", one should create a DTML *Method* containing only <dtml-var whatsits> reading in the whatsits that is the 'default' you want to use. (Doesn't say whether 'whatsits' should be a DTML Document or DTML Method). Did that, my index_html *method* in '/' now reads in a different object. The problem is that Anonymous users seems not to be able to use index_html... Asking specifically for something works, like 'spam.org/quiche.html'. 'spam.org/' or 'spam.org' does not, you get asked for a username/password... I haven't changed the permissions on anything in '/' from the default, just added some more roles. If the index_html is a DTML *Document*, Anonymous readers get to see it, however then subfolders start to act strangely. Going to '/sub/', aquiring index_html from higher up, prints out the whatsits at '/' and not the local version. Having an index_html as a *method* in each and every subfolder, and index_html as a *document* in '/' seem to work but this is such an inelegant kludge... t.