Access is Denied?
 

I'm trying to copy some files from my desktop to other folders on my comp but always get an 'access denied' error message. I am taking them from a windows box, onto a flash card reader then from there to my desktop as thats the only place that it will let me copy them to. From there I want to install them but not in /home/Desktop/ particularly.

Any ideas why?

Also what is the default location to install programs to? Is there a good page i can read that shows what all the paths are in *nix, thanks :)

Aside from your /home/~ directory there really isn't any location that a user account would have permissions to write to - I would suggest you 'su' and do your copying to other locations or make your user the owner of the location that you're trying to copy to.

As for a default location - I do all of my installs to /usr/local as it seems to be the place that I've seen recommended.

Assuming I got what you mean -

Windows executable files like word.exe will not run under linux.

/usr/bin usr/bin/local are the places where most software is installed -
some special software, network stuff may go elsewhere. Some commercial compilers are installed in the /opt directory tree. Oracle and Sybase have their own trees, for an example of regular commercial high end software.

Hi this is just an "ownership" problem/feature

Linux does only allow users to creat (copy) files in a directory they own or have "write permissions" usualy their home directory (/home/username.

In order to install program you usualy need to become root. (root is similar to the windows administrator.)

The best way to install programs varies per distribution, they all have a graphical interface and I reccomend you use that. (If you get more familiar with the command line you can use tools like yum, apt, emerge.)

Hope this helps

I'm actually trying to install my modem drivers (see post a few posts down, still unanswered ;)) and the PengAOL dialler, don't ask why AOL, it's a long story. So I have to do it at command prompt apparently but dont want to do it from my desktop, will check out these ownerships issues when i get home, thanks :)

ok thanks guys but how do i log in as root? when i logout there is no option to log back in as root
i want my user account to be able to put files anywhere.

ah its ok, ive found if you go to login manager you can unhide root from the login manager.

You may also want to look into 'su' as that will save you some time.