I wan't a "Single User Linux" is there such a thing?

I am the only one on my computer, no chance anyone will be on it, I bought it, it is mine.
it i get i'm not authorized to view the FREE file I put on MY computer message again, I will puke.
sorry,

and yes. If I am dumb enought to type something that causes my computer to blow up in my face.
Then I want it to blow up. not some freaking cant do it message.

sorry, mad as im writting, please excuse.

it seemes it would be much simpler for someone like me to have the multiuser part just taken out.

I hear about a linux for everyone, why not this then?

if you want to pretend that's a good idea, just use ubuntu.

Edit /etc/passwd (vipw) as root and change the first two numbers to 0 on your user name line.

Your security will drop as you have just removed the escalation of privilege step for a box takeover but you will be able to wander around your system with freedom but not impunity


Most get used to the idea of being a user and switching to root when administrating the system though.

su -
xhost +localhost

are two good commands to remember.

acid, I do use Ubuntu, How can it not be a good idea for a single user?

zention, I do still need security from the internet (firewall?), will doing what
you said hurt that?

and Thanks )

If security is of any concern to you, then you never run as root when introducing foreign activity on the system.

That is the benefit of multiuser systems, and it is also a good reason why there have been very few worms for unix systems. Worms aim for root this allows easier propagation of the malware by controlling all the host.

With security there is always a inverse relationship to access, so I would advise you just su - (though of course if you are on ubuntu they have that rather annoying sudo business, you can get round it though or just change distro).

Does a firewall protect you if root is compromised, say through an exploit through the browser, well the answer is no, it does not. If they can run code at root privileges all your defenses are vulnerable.

I personally am in the camp of trying to hinder the power of root as much as possible - but of course ultimately there will always be one form of top level control.

The reason why compromising a window's box has been so prolific is in major part due to the fact that windows allows easy access that is their/was/still is their computing paradigm.

Amusingly Stallman himself took freedom to mean easy access, I think he was leaving an open relay on his systems,.

Most in the unix world understand the need to have a separate account for everyday use and one for the hallowed root, it is not really about being anal but just a sane first layer for defense.

get used to the root / user idea
seriously.
You'll pull all your hair out much faster if you don't.

After some time you don't even notice, you automatically write sudo when you know you need it. Just my 2 cents. Of course you're free to blow yourself up and find out yourself :P

The same as Zention said, I recommend that you learn to use your system under a normal user, then switch to root only when required. Experience in the Windows world has shown me that it is NOT a good idea to run your system as administrator or root. One wrong, albeit unitentional, could destroy your system and all of your data.

However, if you really want to be all-powerful, I also believe Ubuntu allows this by default.

everyone always thinks that they're the first to quesion a multi user environment. in my experience they either give up with linux completely or soon agree it's a very good thing...

Just my two cents:

I believe that people who have been Windows users trying Linux for the first time get very frustrated when they see a lot of "permission denied" messages. They're too used to having full access to the entire system. They don't understand that, in Windows, they've been using Administrator rights all the time because that's the way the system was setup and they didn't know it. Then they try Linux as a user, try to copy a file or install a program and see "permission denied". Rather than change their way of thinking and have to learn a new system they stick with what they know. For them, comfort in the hands of a bulls-eye is better than the protection of freedom.

It's true!

BTW: Another single-user linux is Puppy.

if you use linux as root all the time it will not stop you doing anything totally stupid atall,

you can delete your entire system without any prompting or second chances, a normal user will not be able to do this.