I cannot provide an Administrator password to install program So?

jailbait · 07-31-2016, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrurga

What have you got against a subset of Linux distros deciding to do things in a way that keeps things simple while forcing/encouraging users to not run as root normally?

I can't imagine why you've picked on this one. It suits people, it enforces security, it's harmless.

So, why?

I have always installed user and root accounts in my Linux systems. Then a few years ago various distributions decided to block me from installing root accounts. This makes installation of these distributions more difficult as I have to go through the system files and find and undo the various blocks to a functioning root account. I consider having an installer block root accounts a completely unnecessary nuisance.

--------------------
Steve Stites

Emerson · 07-31-2016, 05:46 PM

I wonder what you call functioning root account, never had any difficulties gaining root access with sudo -i, it works even with "disabled" root account.

frankbell · 07-31-2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

I have always installed user and root accounts in my Linux systems. Then a few years ago various distributions decided to block me from installing root accounts. This makes installation of these distributions more difficult as I have to go through the system files and find and undo the various blocks to a functioning root account.

Code:

sudo su
passwd

Bingo! Root account enabled.

Can you say, "Silly and stupid"? (Not that I have strong feelings on this matter.)

JeremyBoden · 08-01-2016, 09:24 AM

It would be quite hard to delete the root account (and still have a fully functioning system).

jailbait · 08-01-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerson

I wonder what you call functioning root account

A functioning root account has the following characteristics:

It appears on the kdm or gdm login screen along with all of the user accounts.

You can login to root just as easily as you can login to a user account with each account having a different password.

The root account has a desktop like gnome, kde, xfce, or cinnamon with just as many function abilities as a user desktop. Especially root must have a split screen file manager available.

There is nothing wrong with the user sudo setup that you are advocating. But to then deny people the ability to also have a functioning root account is silly and stupid.

---------------------
Steve Stites

hazel · 08-01-2016, 10:52 AM

I was always taught that root shouldn't use the graphical desktop for security reasons. And display managers are usually configured by default not to allow root logins (though of course that can always be modified). I would regard a distro as having a functioning root account if root has a password and a home directory and can can log in at a console.

jefro · 08-01-2016, 03:29 PM

Best practices are a collection of tools, techniques, settings and practices that are believed to offer the user with protection and stability. The more you learn and use the more likely that your system will be safe and secure.

I have argued against the root user for a very long time to be used as a normal user. It is always a cat and mouse deal between a distro and it's target users. Do you force them to be secure or do you let them do less than secure tasks by default?

jailbait · 08-01-2016, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro

Do you force them to be secure or do you let them do less than secure tasks by default?

Why would you want to force a user to do anything your way instead of their way? Frank Sinatra would be annoyed.

------------------
Steve Stites