debian, root & GUI logins
 

Folks,

I have been a linux user for over 10 years now. What I love about linux is that it is stable, works, and don't need to touch it once I get it working. I must admit, I do struggle in getting linux setup; but it is worth the pain. I understand the value of the accomplishing tasks through the command line, but it time to learn the commands and the format. Thus, using the gui ( as root ), tends to speed up the time it takes to get things done.

That pre-amble brings me to the reason for the post. I recently upgraded from Deb 5 to 6. The time it takes me set up an application, or set up a share ( Samba ), has increased tremendously. I strongly believe the root user was a valuable tool. Those who don't understand the power of the root user perhaps should be using windows. I don't need a babysitter on which files I can edit. I have seriously thought about going to a distribution which gives me this capability. I cannot imagine how a power user would feel having taken away this functionality.

The problem really is I don't know how to get super user status for a variety of tasks ( variety of apps and functions), for a short period of time.

I sincerely appreciate your help in increasing my knowledge so I can get Deb 6 to "dance".


PS: My linux box runs a DNS server, file server, and squid. For a SOHO, and family.

To start graphical applications as root just put a gksu in front of the applications name you wish to start. You can do this with the quick launcher or in the terminal.
But be aware of the risks and don't complain if something breaks.

By the way, I also would consider me a power user, and I have no problems with the concept of the root user. It is not so hard to spend a second or two to type su and a password when needed. But it may be that this is because I nearly do all administration tasks in a terminal an very seldom with GUI apps.

Edit: gksu is for Gnome, if you use KDE you can use kdesu, for any other DE/WM one can install sux.

Hi, welcome to LQ!

I took the liberty to split your post and one response out into a
separate thread, as the other thread was 6 years dead.


Cheers,
Tink

I took your advice, and I am using gksu, I will get used to it. Thank you

You can also su in a terminal and start graphical applications from the command line.

I enabled the root login (from the login screen, select Actions-->Configure the Login Manager-->Securty, then check "Enable local system administrator login"). That way, if I have a lot of root stuff to do, I can login as root, do root stuff, and get out.

Frankbell: thank you for your reply. However, the login screen ( in Debian 6 ) does not have the those menu's. Debian 6 uses gdm3, new improved version.

However, life is not that bad. I have become accustomed to using gksu. The most frequent use is for Nautilus.

It took me a full 3 hrs to change. Not bad for an old dog.

All I can say is that my Debian Squeeze does have those options. I can't tell you which version of GDM I have, but, when I first rebooted, it had the new improved splash screen, which I promptly changed back to something less loud.

I upgraded from Lenny yesterday and checked the login screen before I wrote my post.

Frankbell: I will check again. Thanks.

It's a shot in the dark, but I was wondering about this today and it occurred to me that, if you have enabled auto-login for your user, you might not be seeing what I am.

On the bottom of my login screen there are three items: Language, Session, and Actions. Actions is what I click to reboot the computer, but one of the choices in the Actions menu is to configure the login manager. I just reset the login graphic back to the "Space Fun" one that the upgrade set as default and the choices are still there.

Good luck. I'll be curious to know what you find out.

Gonna go look for it now.... Thank you

It's not there on my screen.

There are no menu's options on the bottom of the login screen. Once I select my login username 3 menu's appear at the bottom; language, keyboard, and I think another(gnome, TMW, and ...). No option for actions???. I sure wish I had it. Before I upgraded to Squeeze, I had that option I remember. Even though I have gotten used to gksu. I would love to login as root.


Don't know what I need to do get the actions menu item

I appreciate your help.

thank you

If you are using Gnome, try this.

From the Gnome menu go to System-->Login Window (When I did that, Gnome prompted me for the administrator (root) pword. Then go to the security tab. If it looks like mine (starting to seem like a big if, I know), it should give you the checkbox I mentioned earlier to enable the local administrator login.

Edit:

In Gnome Control Center, there is a Login Window link under the System heading.

Same for above, the Login Window menu item is not there.





I must be missing a Gnome package that contains those links. I have checked to ensure that menu items are displayed ( Control Center ).

I am in the process of removing gdm3 and installing gdm. Hope I don't screw it up.

I will post back let you know how I made out.

I looked in the menu settings and the application that the "Login Window" item calls is /usr/sbin/gdmsetup. In Ubuntu, it's /usr/bin/gdmsetup.

I find it puzzling that, with both of us upgrading from Lenny to Squeeze, why things should have ended up so differently.

I upgraded on line using apt-get.