Permissions

[Zirconium]

In order for me to open all files I need to logout then log back in with the user name "root", how do I make root the default login account or make it so you need to login before you can start using it?

[daark.child]

You do not need to be root in order to open all files but you need to have root privileges. Commands you can use to have root privileges as a noraml usert are su, su -, sudo and su -c. If you use kde, you can also use kdesu and for gnome gksu or gnomesu. Logging as root by default is often discouraged, because root is such a powerful user and any slight mistake can leave you with a system thats inoperable or with loss of important files and data.

[Zirconium]

OK I'll take that risk, how do I make it default? or if easier, how do I give my user root permissions? and I don't know what you mean by command, as whenever I read something to do with Linux I can't understand a word of it, so that is why I installed it, so I could learn, besides I can't learn anything unless I can see it

[bigtomrodney]

I can guarantee if you are logging in as root, that you will learn very quickly as this is the fastest way to break a Linux system.

Root should only be used for system changes. System processes run as root and you will have full privelage to stop/damage them and full access to system files that should be read only. A normal Unix/Linux user should not have write access outside of their own home and /tmp. When you need to make modification outside of your own user you can use su, sudo, gksu or kdesu to grant you temporary access.

I strongly recommend against logging in as root.

[Zirconium]

look I don't care, as I'm only using Linux so I can learn to make programs and how OS's work, not to make changes, make programs and find the info I need to make the programs work, NOT to edit the OS it's self, and in order for me to learn how it works I need to have root as the default, so please don't advise against it again, I know, as I have already had a few lucky breaks with the warranty and I don't want to void it, so I will be careful, now please just tell me how to make root as the default account


PS: sorry if I sounded rude

[daark.child]

I'd be surprised if anyone is willing to help you with that kind of attitude.

[Zirconium]

yeah like I said, sorry if I sounded rude, I don't mean to, I just want to get on the net with Linux and then work the rest out myself, and learn to make software, besides I want to start an enterprise someday, and the goal is to be honest, helpful, and open minded to peoples requests and ideas, oh and to make computer hardware as well

and I try to slow down, but it's so hard, besides, you only get one chance at life

[bigtomrodney]

If your GDM/KDM is logging in automatically you can adjust the settings in KDE Control Centre (for KDE/KDM) and for Gnome/GDM you can run (as root) gdmsetup and set the autologin to root. I'm not sure but it may well be blocked for root user.

I guess you think we're being unhelpful or stubborn but the truth is if you run as root you will introduce system instability and security problems. You said yourself you don't want to edit the system so ask yourself, why do you want to be root? If you do want to learn about Linux/Unix this should be the first lesson you take. It is the root vs. normal user approach that gives Linux its reputation for being secure and stable.

[Zirconium]

OK, I'm very sorry if I sound rude, I don't mean to, I'm just always in a rush to learn, I try to slow down but that only ever lasts about a week

I've decided to NOT, login as root, now while I trying to give my account the same permission as root, I added it to all groups, but that didn't help, so what are the default groups for the user account?

[oz]

I've decided to NOT, login as root, now while I trying to give my account the same permission as root, I added it to all groups, but that didn't help, so what are the default groups for the user account?

Good for you - logging in as root user would probably be the worst habit a new Linux user could get him/herself into. It's been more than 4 years since I last logged in as root and things are working fine here.

Regarding groups... on my box, I usually go with the video, audio, optical, floppy, and storage groups for a regular user. It might be different for you depending on what groups you have in place.