Debian newbie requests help

[unclesirbobby]

I have beasically started using debian to run php. I want to test out my own files. I have been given some help but will not be getting further help until next wednesday.

So far I have installed linux, apache server, php all from the basic install discs.

All I had to do was to find out where local host files are stored. I have found that. However, the person helping me installed KDE. So I cannot copy or save any files in the root folders. I cannot log on as root in KDE. How do I install some new system which allows me to log on as root.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

You can gain root permissions under KDE by using su from the command line, or by using kdesu in Konsole. Just enter your root password when it's requested.

[unclesirbobby]

Ok thats very helpful. But remember I am a total beginner. I know from one previous dabbling with linux about the command line... I believe its called the terminal. But what exactly do I type in.

[IsaacKuo]

You can press ctrl-alt-f1 or ctrl-alt-f2 ... or ctrl-alt-f6 to get to a text console login. You can press ctrl-alt-f7 to get back to the graphical display, if you want.

If your original intention was to have no graphical interface--most servers don't--then you can try your hand at using the text console and remove KDE later on after you're comfortable.

If your intention is to use the graphical interface, then you should log in to KDE as a regular user, rather than root. You can do as ozar suggests in "Konsole", which is KDE's graphical terminal. Compared to a plain text console interface, Konsole lets you use cut-and-paste, as well as scroll history. You can start Konsole with the main K menu with K->System->Konsole/Terminal.

[oz]

If you want to use the GUI, go to a Konsole as regular user, and type kdesu and the command you want, like this:

kdesu kwrite /path/to/file

...or

kdesu konqueror

Doing the first one will open up any file you want to edit in kwrite. Doing the second one will open the file manager and you can manipulate files as root. Be very careful what you do as root user so that you don't render your system unbootable.

Have fun with Linux.

[unclesirbobby]

OK thanks, I am sure that will work. I will try in when I get home.

I was really annoyed that I managed to get the sytem running except this one little glitch. I just had to create a single file and write one line of php and I was going. Yet i could not create a file in root.

Thanks

[Jonathan183]

If you are after the commands to use to copy files, change properties etc then this and this will help.

[oz]

If you should decide you want to do most of your work from command line, check out LinuxCommand.org:

LinuxCommand.org: Learn the Linux command line. Write shell scripts.

It offers some tutorials and the man pages listed there will offer up lots of good info.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Edit: looks like Jonathan and I are on the same mental track today.

[coopstah13]

when you say root folders do you mean the folder /root or do you mean the document root folders of your apache installation? you shouldn't have to be root to create files in those folders

[unclesirbobby]

Hi

I lookie again at the login system. I could reconfigure the login to allow administrator login. Thats ok for me because I will really be the only person using the sytem.