I need to edit /etc/hosts on this machine.

I do this on Ubuntu by

sudo gedit

then open /etc/hosts

On this computer with Fedora,


that does not work. I have an editor called Pluma. When I try to call it, I get:

How can I open hosts to edit in this Fedora 25? I don't know how to use vi. It is too cryptic for me.

If you have sudo, you should never launch a graphical program with it directly. Among other things, there can be left over files, including the editor's own local configurations, that end up being owned by root. Instead, the best, and safest, way is to use sudoedit. For example:

That will launch the editor of your choice, be it graphical or normal, and edit a copy of the file as an unprivileged user. When you quit+save, it will then replace the original file with the edited copy. Less can go wrong that way.

About editors that are easier than vi, does Fedora have nano available?

In the long run, it will pay to learn at least a little about vi, because vi is required on all systems and thus ubiquitous. Though its commands are terse, it is very powerful and works very, very well with configuration files. I prefer other editors for other tasks but for shell scripts and configuration files, I find I've become a big vi fan because it lets me do the most with the least work for both types. My favorite, 'cw', allows me to replace a whole word at once.

Thanks, that's something new I've learnt!

The Fedora machine is at work. Here I have Ubuntu. When I entered the command:

sudoedit /etc/hosts

it came up with nano. When I get back to the office I'll try it there, see what Fedora does. Thanks a lot and thanks for the link to vi tutorials, I will try to get the hang of it!

You might have leafpad or mousepad installed in F25, either of which can edit your hosts file easily. Or use the command line editors like vi, vim, nano, etc.

I don't believe Fedora configures sudo out of the box. The sudo fetish is a *buntu thing. Non-*buntu distros do not share it.

Try su - to become root (you will need root's password to do this), then use nano or vim to edit /etc/hosts. If you want to use nano, you may find that you need to install it.

I haven't had time to learn vi yet. I installed nano. Please tell me Mr Bell, as it was you that gave me the tip to block sites via hosts, how to call it with sudoedit! Thanks, and sorry I am so useless at computer things!

Hi! #1, make a 'backup' copy of hosts FIRST!
(there's a HIGH chance of 'breaking' this *critical* system file, using a NEW-to-you editor!)
This has to be done as root/su/sudo/UID=0/superuser/whateverYOUcallIT!
I'd recommend first (so you don't have to keep typing /etc/...): cd /etc
cp -p hosts hosts.prior

BUT... I'd suggest a test/'dry'/trial-run, *as you* (not root/su...), in your home directory:
pwd;id #(just to see where&who 'you are')
cp /etc/hosts mytry
edit mytry
...experiment with nano: make the change(s) you want (this won't affect /etc/hosts!)
cat mytry
...did it work ok? IF not, just start over: rm mytry

I'm not sure how to run nano on Fedora: maybe nano (instead of edit)
There are commands like: apropos/man -k/whatis edit (or nano)
There also may be an 'env' variable: echo $EDITOR
http://www.tecmint.com/linux-command-line-editors
(you mightprobably even need to -install- nano! sudo yum install nano
or maybe use an editor listed here, even GUI!)

Best wishes! (take it slow&careful!) p.s hope you enjoy learning: I do!