i just installed RHEL 5, when iam trying to create a directory or file
it is not creating ...can anyone please help me
thank you

Create the directory as root, or as the user with enough permissions.

Can you post the exact command and errors you get? Where are you trying to create them? Are you trying to create them as root or a normal user?

and if you want access by the user change the permissions to allow while root.

You can use sudo command (if your current user account is on the sudoers list). To add your account to the sudoers list switch to the root user (if you don't have the root password your system admin will need to do this for you, or give you the password).

Adding your account to the soders list

$> su
Password: [enter root password]

(where username is your user account name)

#> echo 'username ALL=(ALL) ALL' >> /etc/sudoers
#> exit (don't forget to exit root account)


Now that your account is in the sudoers list you can create a
directory or file using sudo
$> sudo mkdir <dir name> (make a directory)
$> sudo touch <file name> (make a file)

for ex.-- change ownership recursively to everything in /usr/local

Ctrl-Alt-F2 (NOTE: Ctrl-Alt_F7 to get back)
(or, if no root passwd deignated yet, , then, afterward, either su or sudo)
-- You are now root, if all went well --
-- Go to directory/file just before where permissions are to be changed, like /usr/local --
-- the command <chmod> changes permissions, while <chown> changes ownwership--
(returns /usr)
(where "name" is user name desired to own all within /usr/local; "group" likewise)
-- Check it out by --

http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/cli.html should help, too

"you can lead a horse to water . . . "

I don't think it's a good idea to change the ownership from /usr/local

This was just an example Why is it not a good example, then?