How do I run Firefox as a different user?

GuruPrasad · 01-15-2007, 07:07 AM

Hello everyone,
In my previous installations of Mandriva 10.2 and Mandriva 2006, I was able to run Firefox, and a lot of other programs, as a different user (without the current user logging off) by doing

Code:

su <user name>

in the console (in KDE), and simply typing "firefox". The other user's bookmarks,history and preferences would promptly show up in the new Firefox window. However, in my recent Mandriva 2007 installation, when I try to do the same thing, I get

Code:

Xlib: connection to ":0.0" refused by server
Xlib: No protocol specified


(mozilla-firefox-bin:17976): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display:

I would really like to be able to run Firefox and other programs as a different user How do I do that? Maybe through sudo, perhaps?
Thanks in advance,
Guru

acid_kewpie · 01-15-2007, 07:11 AM

run "xhost +localhost" to allow other users to connect to the local X server.

nx5000 · 01-15-2007, 07:39 AM

Or if you only want user2 to access X server which has been started by user1, do this:

*
under <user1>:
$xauth list
Code:

<hostname>/unix:0 MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 03f3300ed7caa12e87ebcc0c2d51516c <-- take this security cookie

*
under <user2>:
Code:

$xauth add <hostname>/unix:0 MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 03f3300ed7caa12e87ebcc0c2d51516c <-- copy it to user2

Now you should be able to start any X applications with user2, connecting to X server started by user1

Other methods require sudo or sux

GuruPrasad · 01-15-2007, 08:38 AM

I tried the xhost +localhost, and it works!
Will try out the cookie trick at work.
Thanks a million!

Guru