Finally got tired of Windoze crap, so I am switching. Problem is that I am still trying to figure out the 'permissions' thing and I am also use to the task monitor in windows. That said, I am trying to figure out how to change the server settings and redirect the 127.0.0.1 loopback to a specific directory. I am too comfortable with GUI OS controls, so please, if there is a way to do it that way let me know, but anything is useful.

Here is what I tried:

1. Can't find the correct .conf files, and the ones I do find can't be editted with ease (have to use the 'su' and command line gedit) it seems to be running Apache but I can't tell, it won't let me start Xampp for Linux replying that a server is already running, but I can't tell what server or where to find it (I checked the services tool and the monitor but nothing says anything about apache).

2. Isn't there a way to set the permissions so a developer can just access everything without having to type in a password EACH and every time? It's annoying, one of the flaws of Windoze XP I found a work around to disable, and I want to do it in Ubuntu.

I love the system and OS as a user, but as a developer it is becoming a pain. Aren't there any developer OS's left like old MS DOS and Windoze 98 or earlier? Anyhow, I really need to get rid of that permissions blocking garbage and have a better way to track what's running and where, any clues?

To some users this will smack of (Windoze) heresy. What the hell, I feel where you're hurting.

1) don't use "su" - prefix all your commands needing authorization with "sudo". Needs your password.
You can adjust sudo to not require password at all - or set a decent time-out till it asks again; say 2-4 hours. Open a terminal, then "man sudoers" (man is the help system).
This is *BIG* - read it all. Several times probably.

Use "sudo visudo" to update sudo authorizations.

2) "sudo gedit <filename>" works fine to launch an auth'd GUI editor.
Nuther option is to right-click on the desktop and select "create launcher". Think of a name, and in the command field enter "gksudo nautilus" (no quotes). Will give you an auth'd file manager - you'll get asked for a password at startup by default. Double click a (text) file to edit it.

The apache stuff I'll leave to some-one else.

Thanks, actually found all the apache stuff and a way to edit the config files, will figure out how to restart the apache server without rebooting eventually but it's not a pressing matter. As for what you answered, that's the only thing I couldn't figure out yet, thanks. It will take time for me to get use to the linux stuff, but since I am the only user on this computer and not hooked up to a network except when I am online security isn't much of an issue (I know how to detect and find hackers as well as any virus' before they become a problem).

About to completely wipe out Windoze from my harddrive, since I am developing Java and found all Ubuntu/Linux stuff to replace everything I used, don't need it taking up space anymore.