GUI + permissions question
 

Is there a way to elevate privileges in GUI?

For example, when trying to open a file that requires root to view, unlike Windows, where I would be presented with a prompt asking for admin username/password, Linux would just say that I need to be root to open.

I don't know what X11 display manager you are using but you can always open a shell and change the file permissions. Do you know how to do this?

Please don't just change permissions of files, the better option is to either start your file-manager as root or use a file-manager that let's you open files as root, for example Thunar (with the appropriate Custom Action).

Why don't you recommend changing file permissions. It's dead simple to do.

However, there are multiple ways to achieve this task.

Of course it is, but it can have dangerous consequences. For example, if you want to edit the /etc/sudoers file using a GUI text editor (not that this is in any way recommended) on a distribution that uses sudo for providing root privileges to the user and you change permissions on that file you have effectively locked yourself out of the system with that, since sudo refuses to use an /etc/sudoers file with permissions not set in a specific way. You would have to repair this from a Live-session before you could use the system again properly.

Bruce - I have GNOME. I can change the permissions in CLI, but that defeats the purpose, which is to open the file in GUI, without using CLI.

I guess Thunar would do the trick.

Man, coming from Windows, I can tell you guys that using Linux as a desktop is real PITA :) Much respect for all of you using it as an everyday client machine!

Believe me, this is only because you have been forced by Windows into bad (and sometimes weird) habits. I have used Windows in the past and now am using Linux exclusively and I am horrified when I have tro work with a Windows machine.

Using gksu is the right way to open GUI applications a root I guess

I don't know, the other day it took me literally hours to install Skype, now I am dreading having to install anything, lol. It's like - can you just give me an .exe to double-click and be done with it? :)

Nah, I'll learn it, but will be posting on this forum A LOT! :)

That's what we here for, to help people with their Linux problems. I know that the transition can be hard, but most of the people here have been through the same and won't miss Windows a tiny bit.