A "very" simple, and noob, question...

[Cuddles]

Being almost a toddler in the Linux World, these kinds of issues are not a concern in the Windows World...

When would you need to be a Root, and when can you "live" with just being a "user"?

For months now, not having the idea/theory of this down yet, I have ALWAYS logged out as my User account, and re-logged in as Root, to do apt-get updates, installs, and upgrades. From the jest, within this forum, I am starting to feel that this isn't the case. That only "certain" things require you to be "God", and most "everything" else, can just be done as a User.

Like I said, I haven't quite "caught on" to Linux yet, and I haven't really found a "clear-cut" answer to "when and where" this seperation is made.

Can someone "elaborately enlighten" me on this perplexion? ( I would be thankful in being able to isolate my further learning in this area )

Cuddles
PS -=- I am quite sure that "this" forum has had these issues before, considering the "newness" a lot of people have to some of the "unique" situations that come along with Linux, and its concepts - but, maybe someone was unsure how to post it ?

[rickenbacherus]

I have ALWAYS logged out as my User account, and re-logged in as Root, to do apt-get updates, installs, and upgrades.

Poor Cuddles has been corrupted by M$ but I think you've turned away from the darkside before it was too late. You never need to log in as root (well almost never ). You will usually be told when you need to get root. I execute most all commands that need to be done as root with sudo.

sudo xedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

You need to be part of the /etc/sudoers file. You can configure it to require a password or not. If you want to be root fine- just make sure you log in as user and get root when you need it. Don't use IRC or surf the web as root- even if you're using Knopix from cd and no hdd in the box. Why? Well, just try to get into #debian as root. You would also have to configure GDM to allow a root login (not sure about KDM) as it does not by default.

I have a dozen or more terminals open usually and in one or two i get root and go about my business there. If using virtual terminals and you wish to change from root to user or visa versa simply say

login

and you'll have a prompt at which to log into.

[Cuddles]

LOL

Yep - thats me, all over...

Too many years under M$ control - but Knoppix has parolled me

To get the idea here, instead of doing the "sudo", couldn't I also just do a "su", log in, and when I am done, "exit" from the Root login? - I have been trying more things that way...

By using my method above, that "Root" login IS not global is it? ( in other words, only "that" window is Root, and doesn't make all other "running" windows, etc... Root, right? )

If I understand you correctly: the following is what "I used to do" -=- followed by what "I could do"

Root User Login -=- User Login ( with a su shell open, and when done, closing it )
apt-get anything -=- apt-get anything

I guess your idea by using the sudo [something] - is a "one shot" command, whereas, my usage, can have multiple commands before closing the window down.

You know, their might just be hope for me yet [giggle]
Cuddles

[arkaine23]

I usually opt for the su in a terminal method... that way I have one term where I'm root and can do root things in there. It's more secure than allowing a regular user to sudo anything as long as you remember to close that terminal if you leave your computer.

[Markus]

Seems to be a matter of taste

I prefer adding a rootshell icon to the kicker and changing the schema line in /usr/share/apps/konsole/su.desktop to Schema=GreenOnBlack.schema
just so I know who I really am

[rickenbacherus]

LOL

Yep - thats me, all over...

Too many years under M$ control - but Knoppix has parolled me

To get the idea here, instead of doing the "sudo", couldn't I also just do a "su", log in, and when I am done, "exit" from the Root login? - I have been trying more things that way...

By using my method above, that "Root" login IS not global is it? ( in other words, only "that" window is Root, and doesn't make all other "running" windows, etc... Root, right? )

If I understand you correctly: the following is what "I used to do" -=- followed by what "I could do"

Root User Login -=- User Login ( with a su shell open, and when done, closing it )
apt-get anything -=- apt-get anything

I guess your idea by using the sudo [something] - is a "one shot" command, whereas, my usage, can have multiple commands before closing the window down.

You know, their might just be hope for me yet [giggle]
Cuddles

Yes sudo is a one shot and getting root in a term is good if you intend on executing multiple commands as root and don't wish to type 'sudo' everytime. Of course leaving a root shell open on an accessable pc is probably not a good idea. Like Markus said it is a matter of taste. Just don't feel that you have to log out and then back in- absolutely not necessary.

[Cuddles]

Hey rickenbacherus, you should be proud of me - I have stuck in my "user" account for more than five days now - done apt-get installs, removals, checked system configurations, and made changes to "root" only files - all from within my "user" account

Markus, I did your idea - I created a "root shell" on my taskbar, and then went through the konsole desktop file and changed the schema to what you suggested.

Now I have about three konsole shells running, most all the time, two for "user", and one as "root". I do my apt-get and system stuff through the "root" konsole, and the two "user" konsoles are used for starting apps, the second one is for xkill - since my ALSA is being a pain in the rump - still trying to get it working, but - I fire off XMMS and it locks everytime, so the second konsole "user" window is a fast way to run xkill, and get rid of the locked-up XMMS...

I'm learning here, and, I think I am growing, as well - maybe in a few years of working with this, I may be a "seasoned pro" at all of this

[giggle]
Cuddles

[Markus]

The thought just occurred to me that the "root shell" is the thingy under K-menu -> Knoppix -> Root Shell which doesn't work for me while I'm not in sudoers.
I added the K-menu -> System -> More Programs -> Konsole Super User Mode
That's also the reason for the change in schema, I really dislike the default BlackOnYellow

PS. Instead of launching xkill try: killall xmms

[rickenbacherus]

the second one is for xkill - since my ALSA is being a pain in the rump - still trying to get it working, but - I fire off XMMS and it locks everytime, so the second konsole "user" window is a fast way to run xkill, and get rid of the locked-up XMMS...

You could also just add a launcher to the taskbar for Xkill.