php4 safe mode, another question

Hello Is it possible to use all features of safe mode, but without the restriction of not beeing able to access files belonging to another user? This restriction prevents any PHP script from writing to any file which is a major restriction IMHO. The protection of all files outside the user's home directory can be made by using the 'open_basedir' variable. What is btw the reason, why safe mode restricts access to files belonging to the same owner as the calling script itself? Thanks for any reply. bye Sam Jordan