Linux Superuser

the_nominator · Post by **the_nominator** » 31 Jul 2004, 18:42

In mandrake 10 how do I log in as the admin, during the installation i'm sure I said I must have all rights and I am the only user I specified but it still won't let me see stuff like the root directory.
And this sucks cause some programs u have to be the 'superuser' to configure it.
Do I have to login using text mode?

the_nominator · Post by **the_nominator** » 31 Jul 2004, 18:53

Oh figured it out

User name: root
Password: ****************

vv3bcr3atur3 · Post by **vv3bcr3atur3** » 31 Jul 2004, 19:55

Word of advise: learn early on not to run as root user. Run as normal user and use the su command to get root access or simply type in the root password for GUI based programs when prompted for it. (same apply for win nt kernal OSs: don't run as admin if you don't have to!)

v1c · Post by **v1c** » 31 Jul 2004, 20:02

I disagree, as long as your not in a situation where important stuff could be lost or damaged you might as well go in as root, it's the best way to learn. You learn a lot more from the occasional screw up than from following the rules.

the_nominator · Post by **the_nominator** » 31 Jul 2004, 20:04

Well I needed root access to configure a program so it couldn't be done through text-mode so I had too.

vv3bcr3atur3 · Post by **vv3bcr3atur3** » 31 Jul 2004, 21:30

Through the terminal type:

Code: Select all

su
*password*
*programname/command* &

And now you know how: do it this way and you'll learn alot more and thank me one day.

the_nominator · Post by **the_nominator** » 31 Jul 2004, 21:34

Yes I know how to do that but what I'm sayin is its not possible to confugure that without the GUI and I have to be loged-in as root

vv3bcr3atur3 · Post by **vv3bcr3atur3** » 31 Jul 2004, 21:38

The above commands will bring up the GUI as well. All settings I can think of that cannot be configured this way (or at least not that simple) is root's desktop and screensaver settings. But I'm glad you figured the login thing out.

bb_matt · Post by **bb_matt** » 01 Aug 2004, 11:27

I think your doing it the right way.
When you login, always login as your username and when you need to configure something, go into su mode.
So long as you don't login as root from boot or do basic tasks that don't need root access, you'll be fine.