I am new to Linux, so I apologize ahead of time for this question. I have just installed Fedora 11 to host our companies website. Given that I am new, I am trying to learn where things are and the various commands. To hopefully reduce my learning curve, I have enabled root to be able log in under gnome (which I will disable once I have a handle on things), but to my surprise, when I log in, there is no menu or task bar. All I have is a computer, root and trash can icons. I have searched and found I can manually launch the gnome-control-center and see menus are configured, but just can't figure out why the menus aren't showing.

Tim

It's likely that the menu and stuff wasn't enabled because it's extremely dangerous to log in to xwindows as root. However, you may be able to enable the menu and stuff with the application gconf-editor. Just run this, either by pressing Alt-F2 (to bring up the run command dialogue), and entering "gconf-editor" (without quotes), or opening a terminal and entering this command. From here, you should be able to adjust the various settings (warning, even though it's a gui application, it'll still be a bit confusing).

My advice would be not to screw around here. Instead, use your regular user, and, when you need to run something as root, well, in general, the system will prompt you for the password. In instances when it doesn't, you can still open an application as root with the program gksu.

If you're trying to set up a webserver, have a look at the program webmin. It makes setting up a web server nice and easy.

Now, my disclaimer: I don't, and have never used fedora. So, those who have used this system may be better equipped to assist.

Thanks Mark. I will give your suggestions a try.

I had to run the yum install to get the gconf-editor which runs under my user account versus root. I have searched through the options and I have yet to find a way to enable the menus. Anyone have any idea on the location or name of the setting?

It's not really a good idea to log in graphically under the root user. However, if you're determined, then log in as root to xwindows (aka graphically logging in as root user), and then, using your keyboard, hold down the Alt key, and then press F2. A box where you can enter commands will come up. Enter the command "gconf-editor". The program should open up, and you'll be able to activate your menus and stuff.

Mark, I took your advice and abandoned the attempts to do any GUI stuff as root. I am logging in as a standard user and still have the problem of not having either the top menu panel or bottom window list panel. I just get the desktop with computer, home and trash. I have run the gconf-editor but have not found the setting(s) to turn these menus on.

Given that even your regular user is without the basic panels and menus of the gnome desktop, I figure you must need to install some packages. Search for a package like "gnome-desktop-environment" or "gnome-desktop-data" or "desktop-base", or something along these lines, and then install that.

After spinning my wheels, I decided to reinstall from scratch and things appear to be correct now. No idea what I did differently, but I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

vondie
This is NOT A GOOD IDEA running a company website ( a money $$$$$ maker ) on Fedora .every 6 months to every 13 months you WILL BE REINSTALLING from scratch
-- a fresh install every year ---
after i3 months the SUPPORT for Fedora ? ends . There will NEVER be a security update to that version after that time .

Also updates DO AND WILL kill things .

on a production server i would install CentOS,RHEL , Debain, or SUSE .
they have a 5 to 7 year life span compared to fedora's 13 month.

Thanks for the input John. Being new to Linux, all "best practices" and lessons learned are welcome.

Of the enterprise choices you listed, what would be your choice? Would it be fair to assume CentOS?

CentOS or the - for $$$- RHEL 5.3 are good for a server ,BUT and this is a BIG but . The code in RHEL 5.3 is a bit on the OLD side .Yes it is VERY,VERY stable but a bit old .

Debain and SUSE have enterprise versions that are a bit newer and stable

the NYSE is ran on a Debain cluster ( 90% positive on this -- will need to look it up )
and nyse has not had 1 crash yet .


every distro has a target market and user .Fedora's target IS NOT THE PRODUCTION SERVER . except for testing - only - .

Thanks again John. At the risk of sounding stupid, is the only issue with Fedora over another distribution like CentOS the "shelf life" or is there a kernel or feature difference as well?

there are no stupid questions . Just answers you do not know yet .

are you familiar with the terms -- alpha, beta, and stable release --
alpha = most of it works on MY machine but it might not work on yours , and there are a bunch of bugs and it DOSE crash .

beta = most things 98%+ work and ? most ? bugs are fixed , should work on most systems and is mostly stable .But still needs work

Stable = ready for the REAL world

fedora is ALWAYS a Beta release . It is in a state of constant CHANGE . With each new version ( every 6 months ) NEW things are added , and not always working right . do to the NEW versions of code not all OLDER ( 1 to 2 years old ) programs will work on the new versions of fedora .

Also do to the major changes from one to the next a FRESH install is recommended
updating dose not always work well .

this makes it a poor choice for a production server . It is doable BUT will need a LOT of work and TIME and A lot of DOWNTIME on the server .

and your time IS MONEY and your bosses $$$$$$ too .

Understood. I will put a bullet in Fedora and move on with CentOS or Suse. Glad you redirected me before I was too far into the project.