Root user account
 

Good evening

Does anyone know how I can add the root user to the list of users in the login menu and the Start Up menu in Ubuntu 12.04. I have managed to add an input field to my start menu where I can login as root. I would prefer to have it in the User list. I have tried the 'gksu users-admin'. A website advised you can do this to enable the root account. Well it does not work. It displays the users menu but the freezes. I will appreciate any help on this.

With all due respect and no insult intended, I have read many posts in lots of forums and web pages on the evils of working as the root user. I really do not need to hear it again. You can do the same damage to yr system using gksu as you can with root.

Regards
Philip

Your post suggests that you might be thinking of working in the GUI as root. Even if you "don't need to hear it again"**, you'll be hearing it---DON'T!!

If the question is how to make Ubuntu act like a normal *nix system---with the root user having access in the terminal---there are a minimum of 3 answers:
1. Leave it alone and get used to it.
2. Get a different distro.
3. Enable the root user:
If you take option 3, you'll have to be prepared for gremlins since the entire Ubuntu architecture is built around the "alpha user" + sudo



**If you tell us what not to tell you, it increases the probably that we'll tell you nothing.

I took option #3 of pixellany's post, and I have not had any problems. But to be honest, I only rarely log on as root. I am about to take option #2 and move to OpenSUSE when the new version comes out in September. I am quite disappointed in Ubuntu for this very reason and for the general degree of baby sitting that the developers feel the need to do. One thing that sets Linux apart is that it gives us absolute control to make it into whatever we wish, but Ubuntu seems to want to take that away from us in order to make it idiot proof. I don't agree with that philosophy, and that's why I'm leaving. In the meantime, I have to live with it.

I know exactly what you mean about not being able to log in as root from the log in screen. I tried it once and indeed it does freeze the system. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you on that. If you can live with being able to gain root privileges but not log in from the login screen, then take option #3 of pixellany's post.

The "security model" under Ubuntu is rather interesting.

It is actually quite easy to boot into as root. Not with the gui but boot to recovery and you get to a root prompt without even needing to give a password. Just type "startx" and you are in your desktop as root.

To leave the root prompt in recovery and get to a user prompt requires a password. You can get to your user desktop then using the same command.

The concept of needing a password to get to the desktop with user permissions but not with root permissions is unique in Linux as far as I know. I certainly hope it is.

I have been accused of not understanding the "security model". I do not deny this. I don't think the folks at Ubuntu understand the concept of security.

Their "security model" seems based on the premiss that the only threat to a users computer is the user him/her self.

I belive in the Ubuntu security policy (sadly). I do believe most linux boxes are damaged or cracked wide open by the users themselves (rather than some external threas) - specially when they are logged in as root. Give GUI access to root makes the problem even worse.
As far as OP is concerned if he is so fed up with ubuntu I would suggest vector linux - 2 cds of pure fun and power, would beat the crap out of ubuntu.

Ubuntu has strong convictions about their security approach---and I think there are valid arguement why it is better (for some people). For example, there is an inherent safeguard in requiring any admin command to have "sudo"---i.e. the "alpha user" only has admin privileges one command at a time.

They are so adamant about this that (as the story goes) you can be banned from their forums if you show someone how to enable the root account.

Anyone who spent their formative years with the traditional Unix methods might be put off by Ubuntu---I've used it quite a bit, but I quickly loose patience and issue "sudo su" when I need to do a bunch of stuff as root.

will give you a persistent root terminal in Ubuntu.

For GUI applications, you'll want to use 'gksu'.

There's no reason to run firefox, evolution, rhythmbox, libreoffice, etc. as root (which is what would happen if hypothetically you were to enable full GUI root login).

That's not exactly true.

Here's the explanation for the policy:

Forum policy on log-in-as-root tutorials
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1486138

And here's the tutorial for how to log in as root. Referring people to this tutorial is not only permitted but encouraged:

RootSudo
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

This statement can be interpreted two ways. I intend no insult to the person who posted the statement. I want to comment on it for the benefit of others who are ignorant of how Linux works and stumble upon this thread.:cool::)

The first interpretation is that entering shell commands in a terminal with root privileges can damage the system. This is true. In fact, a system can be damaged beyond repair if one does not know what one is doing. That is why I believe in the philosophy, one should not try to use shell commands without knowing what one is doing. Learn first, then do. (The learning part is easy. At least the basics, which is all most people will ever need.)

The second interpretation is that entering shell commands in a terminal with root privileges is just as dangerous as logging into a GUI as root, and using applications like an internet browser while logged in as root. That is completely false. Believing so would indicate a fundamental ignorance of Linux in particular and computers/internet in general. In such cases, a little research is needed before progressing any further.

Again, no insult to philipgr intended.

I stand corrected

It is nothing to be ashamed about. You are not alone. Given Ubuntu's reputation, when I read such things, I do not bother to research and assume they are probably true. But perhaps I have a bad attitude.:D

The fact is that I have very mixed feelings about Ubuntu. The story is that they are trying to be like MSWindows in the sense of having things "just work"----ie relieve the user from having to think. What that does of course is to favor the evolution of species that CAN'T think.

We can still give accurate security/technical advice to Ubuntu users, setting aside our personal feelings about the distro's leadership, right? :)

Yes, of course. However, if personal negative opinions about the distro and its leadership are relevant to the security/technical issue in question, including those opinions with the advice is appropriate. It gives the person asking for advice more relevant information to come to a full understanding of the system he or she is using. For good or for ill.

Pixellany this is a very true statement. I didn't want to hi-jack this thread so I started another one: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...6/#post4734511

jlinkels