I am trying to edit my sources list and I can't figure out how to change to root. I am a single user on a desktop computer and I can't change my login to have root privilege for administration changes. Been on ubuntu for several years and am use to sudo. I have read several forums explaining how to edit the sources lists but they do not include how to gain root privilege to do so. I changed one entry in sources using synaptic "add entry" and it allowed me ONE entry then locked me out of that feature, couldn't add or edit the sources list after that. please point me to some documentation or any information to help. I purchased two Debian books and neither of them even mentioned root or system administration. Debian systems, Martin Krafft and Debian GNU/Linux 3.1, Benjamin Mako Hill. I am trying to add some multmedia sources to get my audio working {realtek alc888}.

in a terminal type , then enter the root password when prompted, and your terminal now has root permissions. Then just open your sources list from terminal.

To change to root you can either use su on the commandline or programs like gksu or kdesu to start graphical programs.
For example, to edit sources.list you just doThen enter the root-password, then do

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Thanks Cultist and tobisgd. Palm to forehead. How easy. And fast responses. I'm impressed. Now I need to figure out how to mark this solved.