Editing restricted files
 

How do you edit restricted files (e.g. files that require root privileges)?

I'm trying to configure my optical mouse to use the wheel and side buttons. This requires modifying a text file in /etc/X11, which requires root access.

Thanks.

you become root using "su" then edit as you wish

or setup sudo
or edit the permissions of the files... ;)

this is assuming you're not a h4x0r of course... if you are...

1 decide that being a h4x0r is morally wrong
2 obtain qualifications specific to system administration
3 become an employee of the company you once tried to fiddle with
4 edit the files in confidence that you are allowed to do it.

:D

I understand how to move to root via "su," but then how do you edit? In other words, if I'm using Kate, Advanced Editor, or VIM, how do I open the file, make changes, and then have permission to save?

you need to open a console / terminal and type it in at the prompt.

Open a terminal, type su, then root password. After this run your editor using your_editor_name &, for example vim &. Then edit the file as usual.