plugins/ folder write permissions question

[netboy]

The installation instructions state:
"The folder plugins must be writable if you want to use plugins and if you want to upload them using the http upload feature that is built into the plugin manager."

My question is, "Does only the 'plugins' folder need write permissions or does everything in the folder also need write permissions or some other combination of permissions?"

I'm trying to keep security as tight as possible.

Any guidance is appreciated.

[Joe Carver]

Plugins do not write back into their folders.