server vs. desktop

[doughyi8u]

I'm switching over to Ubuntu from Slackware and was just reading up on the differences between desktop and server. My main question is if I can still setup an x-server on the server box. If I can what do I need to do to make it as easy as possible.

[oz]

My main question is if I can still setup an x-server on the server box. If I can what do I need to do to make it as easy as possible.

Yes, you can add a GUI to your server, but it is considered more risky, security-wise.

You'd need to install xorg, along with the desktop environment, or the window manager of your choice. These can be installed with the apt, or aptitude package tools.

This server guide might be of some help to you:

https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/serverguide/C/index.html

[doughyi8u]

thanks a bunch. one more question. I completed the install but when I rebooted and tried to log into root. I realized there was no prompt during the installation for root password (this is an old version of Ubuntu -- 9.10). Now I can't log in as root. Help?

[Segfault]

Log in as user and use sudo. That's the Ubuntu way, a good way actually.

[devils casper]

root login is disabled in Ubuntu and you can gain root privileges using sudo. By default, User created during installation can gain root privileges only and for other users, if there are any, you have to add those in sudoers file.

Check this sticky on sudo usage.