possible? using a linux filesystem on the net from any platform
 

sometimes, even while browsing, one has to run some commands that on bash requires superuser privileges, but i wonder how safe I would be if i have to log onto my terminal with root when I know nothing about security and the like.
is it possible to have access to an online linux-based filesystem where even while surfing the net and checking out forum posts on bash (e.g bashscripts.org) one can easily run some bash commands from your browser connected to an online linux-based filesystem without the risk of logging onto your terminal at all, even with/out root?
thanks a lot

sure, just run su - (or sudo su - for ubuntu) in a terminal, only that session would have root privileges.

If I'm understanding you correctly you want a system on which it is safe to run commands to see what they do without damaging your running system?
If so you could look at running a virtual machine in VirtualBox or other VM solution. If your processor is fairly modern and you have lots of RAM you can run a full graphical desktop instance of another operating system in it, if your processor is older or you've not much RAM you could install linux without a desktop environment in the virtual machine just fo rchecking out command-line tasks.

I am thinking you want a web based linux?

http://jpc.sourceforge.net/home_home.html

There are holes in any use but I think running scripts here would be secure.

I don't have any idea exactly what you are doing too. Sudo is the normal way to allow a common user root privileges.

re: thanks
 

thanks. i will have to consider vmware and then the jpc site. thanks
david

gone through both sites. what i need is telnet access and wikpedia says secure shell is more secure than telnet.
Can anyone recommend a free secure shell host on the world wide web? Will be most grateful.
thanks