Can't login in as root on any GUI

[burntfuse]

This has probably been said before, but since you don't seem to get it by now, I'll say it again. You shouldn't even *need* to use the command line for anything unless you've got an uncooperative piece of hardware or something strange, and in that case someone here can walk you through it. If you've got any kind of semi-decent desktop environment, you can log in as a normal user and when you need to change some system settings (System->Administration menu in GNOME, for example) it'll prompt you for the root password. You can't do anything from the GUI logged in as root that you couldn't do that way.

Besides, the terminal is supposed to be for so-called "advanced users". It's there for the people (like me) who like it, but you don't have to use it if you don't want to, so don't criticize it and suggest taking it out because it's something you have to actually learn. If you don't want to use it, just don't! It doesn't get much simpler than that.

[smolloy]

I didn't start this thread to argue.

No, you started this thread to ask how to do something that most people here think is unwise. You, of course, don't have to follow anyone's advice, but I happen to think that it's a good thing that the debate about using the GUI as root occurred in the same thread as the instructions to enable it. This is because I think it will make other new users think twice about doing the same as you.

And the argument really is getting silly when you give as an example, opening a file in a text editor as root. Why is it so difficult to open the file on the command line using pico (or one of the many other text editors out there) and edit it that way? The instructions for using pico are continuously on the bottom of the screen when you are using it, so you don't need to do any reading in advance. Simply "su -" to become root "pico filename", edit the file, and save it! No logging in and out, just two commands to type, and navigating around the file is exactly the same as in notepad.exe. How is that more difficult than the process you suggested?

If you prefer your nice graphical text editor, then you can open it with root permissions by typing "kdesu texteditorname", and opening your configuration file there. That would give you all the permissions you need, without compromising your security. Again, this sounds much easier than logging out, then back in as root, then out again, and back in as a regular user.

You could have used this thread as a means to learn very simple techniques like that, and to learn why experienced linux users think you are wrong. Instead you used it to tell experienced linux users why they are wrong, and why we should all listen to you (self-admittedly inexpert with linux). Please feel free to do as you please with your own computer, but please don't feel free to tell those with more experience that what they know is wrong.

[deanlinkous]

.... because this is turning from discussion to argument. I didn't start this thread to argue.

No to discuss something is to argue - that is to weight the pros and cons as well as to discuss the for and against points of a issue. The problem arises when YOU no longer want to discuss/argue but instead make it personal and also to change your argument as you go along.

You want to say "I want it this way because it is easier" yet when others show you it isn't easier you want to ignore that and say "well, if you dont like it then fine" and you keep saying that "I am keepig this root GUI" which makes no sense since every distro allows you that and as has been shown loggin in and out of root to do something simple is pointless and the hard way NOT the easy way.

You yourself said "created a messy apt system" which in other words is saying you didn't like it so they did nothing to improve it. I can't begin to tell you what's wrong with that statement.

No it is pretty much a fact! Instead of one, two or even a dozen repos they have a list of like 50 or more. That is a mess. Now "mess" could be taken as vague but I do not think anyone would argue that 50 repos is anything BUT a mess or shall I say a overly complicated system.

I'm not posting anymore

I would love for you to post more - in a constructive and open minded way.

The point we have been trying to get across is running as a user is no harder/easier than running as root but it at least does provide a bit more security or risk-aversion if you will.

As I said I dislike *spire but you seem to be confusing a various number of issues and anytime I say anything you chalk it up to me not liking them. Can I ask what running as root has to do with *spire besides the fact that it is the OS you are running?

I gave you an example of exactly how it was possible to do the exact same thing as a user that you do as root - yet you totally ignore it. That tells me that you want to pointlessly argue and not actually discuss/argue something fairly.

I also told you I am not a command line person. Yes, I know it fairly well and COULD use it but I rarely do because linux has advanced to where the GUI has enough tools for most everything IF you listen to others and figure out how.

Once again, why don't you start a (constructive) thread that asks how to run as a user and still do everything in a GUI without needing to log into root and back out.

I'm not posting anymore because this is turning from discussion to argument

No it is pointless discussion because you keep changing the direction and the subject.

Seriously, calm down a little. If you want to use freespire then nobody is debating your choice but at least take a bit of truth along when it is given.

[blueskip]

OK this is sucking up WAY too much of my time so this will have to be my last post.

smolloy, I started this thread to ask how to do something. I don't give a crap whether people here think is wise or not to be honest. I do like the fact they give me advice. I don't particularly like having it shoved up my butt.

This is because I think it will make other new users think twice about doing the same as you.

Well one thing is for sure. They now know better than to ask how to do something here that's not popular else they get told they are stupid because they don't like they way things are done here.

deanlinkous,

The point we have been trying to get across is running as a user is no harder/easier than running as root but it at least does provide a bit more security or risk-aversion if you will.

I don't see you preaching that in the Freespire forums that you're also a member of. You'll get your head lopped off and you darned well know it. You don't make a single valid point except to argue. Dude you need to get a grip. I gave you an example and you chose to ignore me as well. I don't find it to be an overly complicated system at all since this is one of the first and ONLY fully functional linux operating systems I've ever used. (other than the scanner support bug) So your OPINION is just that. And if I'm now flaming so be it. I won't be posting again. So please by all means jump on the guy not here to comment.

I'm outta here.

[smolloy]

smolloy, I started this thread to ask how to do something. I don't give a crap whether people here think is wise or not to be honest. I do like the fact they give me advice. I don't particularly like having it shoved up my butt.

Settle down and stop taking this so seriously. If you don't want advice don't ask for it.

Re-read my post -- especially the part where I said it's obvious you should do what you want with your computer. You're just too highly strung to be told that someone disagrees with you.

Well one thing is for sure. They now know better than to ask how to do something here that's not popular else they get told they are stupid because they don't like they way things are done here.

This is considered to be one of the friendliest, most welcoming, forums out there. I certainly found that when I joined a year or so ago. Also, please feel free to check any of my previous postings to see if I could ever be accused of flaming or pestering people.

I'm afraid you're the one at fault for misunderstanding our criticism, and taking things way too personally.

Please feel free to post again here. Or not. The forum won't exactly lose too much with the loss of someone who is overly sensitive and argumentative.

[deanlinkous]

I don't see you preaching that in the Freespire forums that you're also a member of. You'll get your head lopped off and you darned well know it. You don't make a single valid point except to argue. Dude you need to get a grip. I gave you an example and you chose to ignore me as well. I don't find it to be an overly complicated system at all since this is one of the first and ONLY fully functional linux operating systems I've ever used. (other than the scanner support bug) So your OPINION is just that. And if I'm now flaming so be it. I won't be posting again. So please by all means jump on the guy not here to comment.

I'm outta here.

You need to look closer at some of the threads because that is EXACTLY what I said over there also. The focus needs to be on running as a user and making it easy to do everything as a user.

ONLY fully functional linux operating systems I've ever used

I believe that, I just question what you have used...

You gave a example, I gave you the SAME example but as a user without using the command line and without having to log out and log in. What other example did I miss?

Apt, I said APT was overly complicated. Ask them on the forums about the apt system that got implemented - it isn't a secret. Here take a look yourself
http://wiki.freespire.org/index.php/Sources_list

Your argument from the first page is that being root is easier than being a user because being a user means you have to do things from the command line.
There is no more usage of the command line as a user than it is as root so your argument is flawed. I also do not see how logging out and back in is somehow easier, it certaily is no more convenient.

Strange you like freespire so much since disabling root is one of the changes they made.

Once again, you can log into the GUI as root in EVERY linux distro that I know of. You seem to miss this point.

Why did you come back here after so long anyway?

You keep saying that logging in as root is easier. Can you give us these "easier" examples then. Prove your point or at least offer some evidence to support it.

I use the command line in linux about as often as I do in windows, actually I probably use it in windows more.

Please start with a point, backup that point, stick to that point. When it is shown that the point you make is not valid please dont just say "well if you dont like it then fine" and say it again two posts later.

[Redman]

It seems that 6 pages didn't solve the problems and/or questions related to this discussion.

And it looks like it won't come to a satisfying conclusion soon.
Therefor, this topic is closed now.