Working under root
 

Hi, I'm a nub. :) But I'm starting off with the right distribution, so I hear. Quick question: Lately, I have always been using my root account. In addition, that's actually the only account I have on my linux machine right now. I have always been logged under root doing my normal thing, surfing web, listen to music, working, isntalling drivers, etc. I think I read somewhere that you shouldnt use root like I have been? I've been using it as my main and only account on this computer of mine. Should I not do this? I thought I glanced over some statement about not doing this.... Hm...?

myc

Yes don't do it. You do not need root access to do most of the stuff.
If your application runs as root then either yourself or a cracker could take control of the application and do nasty thing, root has unlimited access to your computer.

But like in a lot of fields, people wait to be in front of the problem before changing bad habits.

An example:
cd /tmp
rm -rf .*

This under root has not the same consequence as running this as a user.

No you shouldn't do it. It can be dangerous not only for your software but to your hardware to. It is good to create a normal user account and use it to your daily work.

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too late moders you can delete my post

you can add a new user account to your system with 'adduser'. then when you need root access (to view/modify restricted files) try the 'su' command. Some configuration utilities will not work under 'su' (i.e. xorgsetup) but for that then I just exit X and do CLI.

welcome to Slack, i am learning too this is a great distro.

Thank you for two for your quick response. I'll start looking into how to create accounts and give priviledges. Would it be be bad if I created an account with the power of root? I would think so. What kind of limits should be placed or how much power should I give this new account of mine?

Start by typing in adduser. Just answer the questions, and pick most of the defaults (just hit enter). That'll get you started. Most things that you do now can be done with default settings. File permissions and stuff isn't something I've touched on too much, but you'd use the chmod command for that.

rambling. :) Start with defaults for adduser, and go from there.

I use Kuser in kde......