diff --git a/IPython/html/base/handlers.py b/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
index 10b9202..a237a20 100644
--- a/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
+++ b/IPython/html/base/handlers.py
@@ -88,33 +88,6 @@ if tornado.version_info <= (2,1,1):
     websocket.WebSocketHandler._execute = _execute
     del _execute
 
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Decorator for disabling read-only handlers
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-@decorator
-def not_if_readonly(f, self, *args, **kwargs):
-    if self.settings.get('read_only', False):
-        raise web.HTTPError(403, "Notebook server is read-only")
-    else:
-        return f(self, *args, **kwargs)
-
-@decorator
-def authenticate_unless_readonly(f, self, *args, **kwargs):
-    """authenticate this page *unless* readonly view is active.
-    
-    In read-only mode, the notebook list and print view should
-    be accessible without authentication.
-    """
-    
-    @web.authenticated
-    def auth_f(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        return f(self, *args, **kwargs)
-
-    if self.settings.get('read_only', False):
-        return f(self, *args, **kwargs)
-    else:
-        return auth_f(self, *args, **kwargs)
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Top-level handlers
@@ -141,7 +114,7 @@ class AuthenticatedHandler(RequestHandler):
         if user_id is None:
             # prevent extra Invalid cookie sig warnings:
             self.clear_login_cookie()
-            if not self.read_only and not self.login_available:
+            if not self.login_available:
                 user_id = 'anonymous'
         return user_id
 
@@ -175,13 +148,6 @@ class AuthenticatedHandler(RequestHandler):
         """
         return bool(self.settings.get('password', ''))
 
-    @property
-    def read_only(self):
-        """Is the notebook read-only?
-
-        """
-        return self.settings.get('read_only', False)
-
 
 class IPythonHandler(AuthenticatedHandler):
     """IPython-specific extensions to authenticated handling
@@ -269,7 +235,6 @@ class IPythonHandler(AuthenticatedHandler):
         return dict(
             base_project_url=self.base_project_url,
             base_kernel_url=self.base_kernel_url,
-            read_only=self.read_only,
             logged_in=self.logged_in,
             login_available=self.login_available,
             use_less=self.use_less,
@@ -278,7 +243,7 @@ class IPythonHandler(AuthenticatedHandler):
 class AuthenticatedFileHandler(IPythonHandler, web.StaticFileHandler):
     """static files should only be accessible when logged in"""
 
-    @authenticate_unless_readonly
+    @web.authenticated
     def get(self, path):
         return web.StaticFileHandler.get(self, path)
 
diff --git a/IPython/html/notebook/handlers.py b/IPython/html/notebook/handlers.py
index 4f8d360..7107a8f 100644
--- a/IPython/html/notebook/handlers.py
+++ b/IPython/html/notebook/handlers.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import os
 from tornado import web
 HTTPError = web.HTTPError
 
-from ..base.handlers import IPythonHandler, authenticate_unless_readonly
+from ..base.handlers import IPythonHandler
 from ..utils import url_path_join
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class NewHandler(IPythonHandler):
 
 class NamedNotebookHandler(IPythonHandler):
 
-    @authenticate_unless_readonly
+    @web.authenticated
     def get(self, notebook_id):
         nbm = self.notebook_manager
         if not nbm.notebook_exists(notebook_id):
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class NamedNotebookHandler(IPythonHandler):
 
 class NotebookRedirectHandler(IPythonHandler):
     
-    @authenticate_unless_readonly
+    @web.authenticated
     def get(self, notebook_name):
         # strip trailing .ipynb:
         notebook_name = os.path.splitext(notebook_name)[0]
diff --git a/IPython/html/notebookapp.py b/IPython/html/notebookapp.py
index 453cb89..bfac7bd 100644
--- a/IPython/html/notebookapp.py
+++ b/IPython/html/notebookapp.py
@@ -164,7 +164,6 @@ class NotebookWebApplication(web.Application):
             # authentication
             cookie_secret=ipython_app.cookie_secret,
             login_url=url_path_join(base_project_url,'/login'),
-            read_only=ipython_app.read_only,
             password=ipython_app.password,
             
             # managers
@@ -227,18 +226,6 @@ flags['no-mathjax']=(
     When disabled, equations etc. will appear as their untransformed TeX source.
     """
 )
-flags['read-only'] = (
-    {'NotebookApp' : {'read_only' : True}},
-    """Allow read-only access to notebooks.
-    
-    When using a password to protect the notebook server, this flag
-    allows unauthenticated clients to view the notebook list, and
-    individual notebooks, but not edit them, start kernels, or run
-    code.
-    
-    If no password is set, the server will be entirely read-only.
-    """
-)
 
 # Add notebook manager flags
 flags.update(boolean_flag('script', 'FileNotebookManager.save_script',
@@ -248,7 +235,7 @@ flags.update(boolean_flag('script', 'FileNotebookManager.save_script',
 # the flags that are specific to the frontend
 # these must be scrubbed before being passed to the kernel,
 # or it will raise an error on unrecognized flags
-notebook_flags = ['no-browser', 'no-mathjax', 'read-only', 'script', 'no-script']
+notebook_flags = ['no-browser', 'no-mathjax', 'script', 'no-script']
 
 aliases = dict(kernel_aliases)
 
@@ -369,10 +356,6 @@ class NotebookApp(BaseIPythonApplication):
                       BROWSER environment variable to override it.
                       """)
     
-    read_only = Bool(False, config=True,
-        help="Whether to prevent editing/execution of notebooks."
-    )
-
     use_less = Bool(False, config=True,
                        help="""Wether to use Browser Side less-css parsing
                        instead of compiled css version in templates that allows
@@ -554,7 +537,7 @@ class NotebookApp(BaseIPythonApplication):
             if ssl_options is None:
                 self.log.critical(warning + " and not using encryption. This "
                     "is not recommended.")
-            if not self.password and not self.read_only:
+            if not self.password:
                 self.log.critical(warning + " and not using authentication. "
                     "This is highly insecure and not recommended.")
         success = None
diff --git a/IPython/html/services/notebooks/handlers.py b/IPython/html/services/notebooks/handlers.py
index 3ddd11c..30d5cad 100644
--- a/IPython/html/services/notebooks/handlers.py
+++ b/IPython/html/services/notebooks/handlers.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from zmq.utils import jsonapi
 
 from IPython.utils.jsonutil import date_default
 
-from ...base.handlers import IPythonHandler, authenticate_unless_readonly
+from ...base.handlers import IPythonHandler
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Notebook web service handlers
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ from ...base.handlers import IPythonHandler, authenticate_unless_readonly
 
 class NotebookRootHandler(IPythonHandler):
 
-    @authenticate_unless_readonly
+    @web.authenticated
     def get(self):
         nbm = self.notebook_manager
         km = self.kernel_manager
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class NotebookHandler(IPythonHandler):
 
     SUPPORTED_METHODS = ('GET', 'PUT', 'DELETE')
 
-    @authenticate_unless_readonly
+    @web.authenticated
     def get(self, notebook_id):
         nbm = self.notebook_manager
         format = self.get_argument('format', default='json')
diff --git a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/codecell.js b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/codecell.js
index 38a0913..a106813 100644
--- a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/codecell.js
+++ b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/codecell.js
@@ -148,10 +148,6 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
      */
     CodeCell.prototype.handle_codemirror_keyevent = function (editor, event) {
 
-        if (this.read_only){
-            return false;
-        }
-
         var that = this;
         // whatever key is pressed, first, cancel the tooltip request before
         // they are sent, and remove tooltip if any, except for tab again
diff --git a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/main.js b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/main.js
index f1af02b..4f3b72b 100644
--- a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/main.js
+++ b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/main.js
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ function (marked) {
 
     IPython.mathjaxutils.init();
 
-    IPython.read_only = $('body').data('readOnly') === 'True';
     $('#ipython-main-app').addClass('border-box-sizing');
     $('div#notebook_panel').addClass('border-box-sizing');
 
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ function (marked) {
     IPython.pager = new IPython.Pager('div#pager', 'div#pager_splitter');
     IPython.quick_help = new IPython.QuickHelp();
     IPython.login_widget = new IPython.LoginWidget('span#login_widget',{baseProjectUrl:baseProjectUrl});
-    IPython.notebook = new IPython.Notebook('div#notebook',{baseProjectUrl:baseProjectUrl, read_only:IPython.read_only});
+    IPython.notebook = new IPython.Notebook('div#notebook',{baseProjectUrl:baseProjectUrl});
     IPython.save_widget = new IPython.SaveWidget('span#save_widget');
     IPython.menubar = new IPython.MenuBar('#menubar',{baseProjectUrl:baseProjectUrl})
     IPython.toolbar = new IPython.MainToolBar('#maintoolbar-container')
@@ -75,15 +74,6 @@ function (marked) {
     }
     $('#fonttest').remove();
 
-    if(IPython.read_only){
-        // hide various elements from read-only view
-        $('div#pager').remove();
-        $('div#pager_splitter').remove();
-
-        // set the notebook name field as not modifiable
-        $('#notebook_name').attr('disabled','disabled')
-    }
-
     IPython.page.show();
 
     IPython.layout_manager.do_resize();
diff --git a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/notebook.js b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/notebook.js
index 08981fb..9270cc1 100644
--- a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/notebook.js
+++ b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/notebook.js
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
     var Notebook = function (selector, options) {
         var options = options || {};
         this._baseProjectUrl = options.baseProjectUrl;
-        this.read_only = options.read_only || IPython.read_only;
 
         this.element = $(selector);
         this.element.scroll();
@@ -91,7 +90,6 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
         this.container = $("<div/>").addClass("container").attr("id", "notebook-container");
         var end_space = $('<div/>').addClass('end_space');
         end_space.dblclick(function (e) {
-            if (that.read_only) return;
             var ncells = that.ncells();
             that.insert_cell_below('code',ncells-1);
         });
@@ -138,8 +136,6 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
 
 
         $(document).keydown(function (event) {
-            // console.log(event);
-            if (that.read_only) return true;
 
             // Save (CTRL+S) or (AppleKey+S)
             //metaKey = applekey on mac
@@ -366,7 +362,7 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
             }
             // if we are autosaving, trigger an autosave on nav-away.
             // still warn, because if we don't the autosave may fail.
-            if (that.dirty && ! that.read_only) {
+            if (that.dirty) {
                 if ( that.autosave_interval ) {
                     that.save_notebook();
                     return "Autosave in progress, latest changes may be lost.";
@@ -1777,11 +1773,10 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
         
         // Create the kernel after the notebook is completely loaded to prevent
         // code execution upon loading, which is a security risk.
-        if (! this.read_only) {
-            this.start_kernel();
-            // load our checkpoint list
-            IPython.notebook.list_checkpoints();
-        }
+        this.start_kernel();
+        // load our checkpoint list
+        IPython.notebook.list_checkpoints();
+
         $([IPython.events]).trigger('notebook_loaded.Notebook');
     };
 
diff --git a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/textcell.js b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/textcell.js
index 699fc9e..c9dde1d 100644
--- a/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/textcell.js
+++ b/IPython/html/static/notebook/js/textcell.js
@@ -157,7 +157,6 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
      * @method edit
      */
     TextCell.prototype.edit = function () {
-        if ( this.read_only ) return;
         if (this.rendered === true) {
             var text_cell = this.element;
             var output = text_cell.find("div.text_cell_render");
diff --git a/IPython/html/static/tree/js/main.js b/IPython/html/static/tree/js/main.js
index 86ae68c..cbf14d3 100644
--- a/IPython/html/static/tree/js/main.js
+++ b/IPython/html/static/tree/js/main.js
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ $(document).ready(function () {
         window.open($('body').data('baseProjectUrl')+'new');
     });
     
-    IPython.read_only = $('body').data('readOnly') === 'True';
     IPython.notebook_list = new IPython.NotebookList('#notebook_list');
     IPython.cluster_list = new IPython.ClusterList('#cluster_list');
     IPython.login_widget = new IPython.LoginWidget('#login_widget');
diff --git a/IPython/html/static/tree/js/notebooklist.js b/IPython/html/static/tree/js/notebooklist.js
index 1844a7d..a0b8840 100644
--- a/IPython/html/static/tree/js/notebooklist.js
+++ b/IPython/html/static/tree/js/notebooklist.js
@@ -34,9 +34,6 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
 
 
     NotebookList.prototype.bind_events = function () {
-        if (IPython.read_only){
-            return;
-        }
         var that = this;
         $('#refresh_notebook_list').click(function () {
             that.load_list();
@@ -129,13 +126,11 @@ var IPython = (function (IPython) {
             var kernel = data[i].kernel_id;
             var item = this.new_notebook_item(i);
             this.add_link(notebook_id, nbname, item);
-            if (!IPython.read_only){
-                // hide delete buttons when readonly
-                if(kernel == null){
-                    this.add_delete_button(item);
-                } else {
-                    this.add_shutdown_button(item,kernel);
-                }
+            // hide delete buttons when readonly
+            if(kernel == null){
+                this.add_delete_button(item);
+            } else {
+                this.add_shutdown_button(item,kernel);
             }
         };
     };
diff --git a/IPython/html/templates/logout.html b/IPython/html/templates/logout.html
index 2d5eae9..5efbe8b 100644
--- a/IPython/html/templates/logout.html
+++ b/IPython/html/templates/logout.html
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
       {% endfor %}
     {% endif %}
 
-    {% if read_only or not login_available %}
+    {% if not login_available %}
     Proceed to the <a href="{{base_project_url}}">dashboard</a>.
     {% else %}
     Proceed to the <a href="{{base_project_url}}login">login page</a>.
diff --git a/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html b/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html
index 2789c2b..d3b1a4b 100644
--- a/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html
+++ b/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ window.mathjax_url = "{{mathjax_url}}";
 data-project={{project}}
 data-base-project-url={{base_project_url}}
 data-base-kernel-url={{base_kernel_url}}
-data-read-only={{read_only and not logged_in}}
 data-notebook-id={{notebook_id}}
 class="notebook_app"
 
diff --git a/IPython/html/templates/tree.html b/IPython/html/templates/tree.html
index 8c891a4..04cdfa8 100644
--- a/IPython/html/templates/tree.html
+++ b/IPython/html/templates/tree.html
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 data-project={{project}}
 data-base-project-url={{base_project_url}}
 data-base-kernel-url={{base_kernel_url}}
-data-read-only={{read_only}}
 
 {% endblock %}
 
@@ -30,7 +29,7 @@ data-read-only={{read_only}}
 
     <div class="tab-content">
     <div id="notebooks" class="tab-pane active">
-        {% if logged_in or not read_only %}
+        {% if logged_in %}
         <div id="notebook_toolbar">
             <form id='alternate_upload'  class='alternate_upload' >
                 <span id="drag_info" style="position:absolute" >
diff --git a/IPython/html/tree/handlers.py b/IPython/html/tree/handlers.py
index 26e471e..63e7b9c 100644
--- a/IPython/html/tree/handlers.py
+++ b/IPython/html/tree/handlers.py
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ Authors:
 # Imports
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-from ..base.handlers import IPythonHandler, authenticate_unless_readonly
+from tornado import web
+from ..base.handlers import IPythonHandler
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Handlers
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ from ..base.handlers import IPythonHandler, authenticate_unless_readonly
 
 class ProjectDashboardHandler(IPythonHandler):
 
-    @authenticate_unless_readonly
+    @web.authenticated
     def get(self):
         self.write(self.render_template('tree.html',
             project=self.project,