Read only

[stonerno351]

i need to change the file .profile to include a path to use GWT.

The file is read only and says only the owner can change the properties of the file and there is only one user on this computer...

This may be the most newbie thread going but it's in the newbie section. I know nothing about linux, I'm just becoming acquainted with it so step by step would be awesome.

Cheers guys.

[hazel]

You've touched on one of the main differences between Linux and Windows. In Linux, everything is owned by some user. All the system files belong to a user called root. This is a security feature; it stops worms and viruses from altering these files. You are usually not root (you log in in your own name) but you can become root (or get root access) when you need to.

First check the properties of the file to find out who owns it. You can use your graphical file manager to do that - there should be a tab marked properties. If the file belongs to root, you must edit it as root.

You don't say what distribution you are using. If it is one of the *buntu family, type "gksu" before the edit command and give your password when asked. Otherwise, you should have been asked at installation to choose a root password; open a terminal and type "su", then give the root password and you will become root and will be able to edit the file.

[stonerno351]

Hey bro when i use su and then type my root password it does something but still doesnt let me change the file. this is really doing my nut.

[hazel]

OK, let's deal with this systematically. What directory/folder is this file in, who owns it and what are its permissions? Let me know and we can work out how to edit it. The quick way to find out ownership and permissions is to go to the parent directory and type "ls -l .profile" (that's a lower-case L meaning "long listing" or "full details". Post the output here.

When things go wrong in Linux, it is usually easy to work out where the problem lies. You just need a logical mind. When things go wrong in Windows, you reinstall the whole system!