I don't care if you run your system in GUI as root,
however if the system gets compromised when running as root, and is connected to the internet,
it becomes a problem for other people.

Kind regards

Please start thinking before posting. Compromising a system that is run as root can be done by every script kiddie out there, as soon as the user forgets he is root and starts to browse the web. We don't want our mail accounts to be spammed from your insecure system, and that is only annoying, a compromised system can do things where even you can be held accountable for (explain to the police that it is not your illegal content the machine is hosting).

Useless, on Debian the runlevels 2-5 are all the same.

Again, useless. Are you just throwing that up to make it look more 1337 h4x0r?

This is not the Debian way to do that. The appropriate way would be to stop the displaymanager, on a default Debian install GDM.[code}/etc/init.d/gdm stop[/code]

Actually it are the YEH-SAYERS who run Windows. No point in adapting Linux to your old Windows behavior.

But obviously not a veteran in Debian system administration and security.

Only the incompetent require root access for day to day operation.

The sheer arrogance of this poster is astounding!

1 members found this post helpful.

This is really bad idea, but i think you've noticed

Now if you boot into kdm (which is the default behavior for KDE Debian) you should be able to login as root.

Hurray a 'real' old style forum poster.

Warns that the information may be dangerous but still answers the question - without asking why the info is required and without preaching.

Well done Sir!

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you for resurrecting a year-and-half-old thread to, I presume, advocate the practice of logging into a GUI as root?

I would like to hear valid points why one should login to root on a GUI. What can you do with a complete GUI that runs as root that you can not do with a GUI that runs as unprivileged user? Why should it ever be necessary to run the complete GUI as root? Why is someone that voices his opinion on that topic (and a opinion that is parted with security experts) arrogant?

I believe there are certain roles in Linux (and other UNIX) systems administration where logging into a GUI as root has its advantages.

Not something I would recommend on a production machine unless you are very experienced and super careful.

However on a test machine then I see no real problem provided you understand the consequences and can handle the risks.

Was there any need to resurrect a 4 year old thread for more 'I love loging in as root' posts ncmoody?

As far as I'm concerned rkelsen is correct. I cant see any good reason to login to the GUI/DE as root......and I havent seen you post a reason either. Maybe there isnt a reason apart from a dislike of being limited (even if the limits make sense and are there for a reason) and 'exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities'. :P

In my vast, but to you no doubt irrelevant experience, there are certain development jobs where a GUI running as root is an advantage.

I have no intention of giving reasons or making any other justification other than 'I find it useful'

I have found a very disconcerting trend growing on various Fora that people demand to know why someone wants a piece of information and then pontificate on the validity of the reason. Usually with other Trolls saying that there is another way or you should not want to be doing this in the first place.

I grew up in a time when you asked for a piece of info and if someone had it they replied otherwise they kept their council to themselves. I have walked away from a number of Fora for this very reason, lets hope I do not have to add this one to the ever growing list.

You may have noticed I have not asked any questions on this forum, and I doubt if I ever will.

Advising someone is not being a troll. It is being helpful. It is up to the person being advised to decide whether or not to accept the advice. There are usually valid reasons for wanting to know why someone wants to do something. And equally good reasons for advising against it. For example; people new to Debian asking how to add Ubuntu PPAs to their sources.list. If told to go ahead and given instructions on how to do it, those people will soon be asking for help to fix their broken systems.

Advice for or against something is meaningless without reasons. In this case, if you believe logging in as root is good, or not bad, supplying reasons may convince others. Simply stating, "That is what I believe." will not convince anyone of the validity of your argument.

Not really reading past here so sorry if redundant:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdkaye If you're using kde then look in the menus carefully. You'll find things like "File Manager - Super User Mode" which lets you run konqueror as root. Look some more and you will find other items for apps running in super user mode. ...

Not anymore you won't like giving the keys of 600HP to the kids but it's not my "car" (and it helps some times but do backup regularly) so in Dolphin > Settings > Configure Dolphin > Services > Download New Services... > Root Actions Servicemenu it's as bad as being logged in root!

Okay, here you go. When you have a machine used by several users it is sometimes necessary to put simple things to order. Mislaid Files, downloads, you name it. Then I like to use dolphin as root, because in some instances graphical work is faster than terminal. There are other programs as well.

Not Kdesu or something, but root so I know any changes I make will be done, no matter what. That's why I do not like sudo or kdesu, it's much too easy to get addled with other running programs which program is root and which is not.

Oh, and my machine has no net access for root.

The early SuSE had a nice splash-screen for root-GUI: bombs with lightened fuses on a red background .

Nothing wrong with that.

Using kdesu (or similar programs) is the same as running as root.
Change the KDE theme for root to something different, for example with a red background or red borders, so you can't mix up the different windows.