LinuxQuestions.org
Review your favorite Linux distribution.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie
User Name
Password
Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question? If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 08-24-2003, 07:25 PM   #1
ThorsHammer1111
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Distribution: Mandrake 9.1 - Fluxbox
Posts: 9

Rep: Reputation: 0
Unhappy Need to be root to view system messages?


I'm trying to set up a Eterm window on my desktop to view system messages (written to /var/log/messages) and it appears that I need to be root to do this... However, I've seen screenshots where it appears that this can be done without being root...

Ideally, I'm trying to create a transparent, borderless window to display system messages, but I can figure out how to do this without being root???

Any ideas???

Thanks
 
Old 08-24-2003, 07:36 PM   #2
MasterC
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, UT - USA
Distribution: Gentoo ; LFS ; Kubuntu ; CentOS ; Raspbian
Posts: 12,613

Rep: Reputation: 69
You have a few options...

First off, a borderless terminal is a bit much for simply viewing messages, head over to www.freshmeat.net and search for root-tail or variations of that, it's likely going to be more along the lines of what you want.

Second: You will need to give your user read permissions on that file, OR add a special group that can read that file, then add your user to that group ( a bit more secure ). If you wish to be secure, reply back and I'll go a bit more in depth on how to accomplish that. Otherwise, use the chmod (man chmod) command to give READ permissions to everyone on that file:
chmod 744 /var/log/messages

HTH

Cool
 
Old 08-24-2003, 07:48 PM   #3
ThorsHammer1111
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Distribution: Mandrake 9.1 - Fluxbox
Posts: 9

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Thanks MasterC !!

I will investigate each of your suggestions. However, would you know if I'd still have to be root using the root-tail program you mentioned?

Thanks again
 
Old 08-24-2003, 07:50 PM   #4
MasterC
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, UT - USA
Distribution: Gentoo ; LFS ; Kubuntu ; CentOS ; Raspbian
Posts: 12,613

Rep: Reputation: 69
Well root-tail simply displays certain files, so you'll still need read permissions, one way or another, on whatever file you want to display.

Cool
 
Old 08-24-2003, 08:12 PM   #5
ThorsHammer1111
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Distribution: Mandrake 9.1 - Fluxbox
Posts: 9

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Thanks for the help. I'm using root-tail and it is exactly what I was looking for.
 
Old 08-24-2003, 09:51 PM   #6
MasterC
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, UT - USA
Distribution: Gentoo ; LFS ; Kubuntu ; CentOS ; Raspbian
Posts: 12,613

Rep: Reputation: 69
You're welcome, glad you got it all sussed out

Cool
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
what is the difference between real root system and normal root system zameer_india Linux - Newbie 17 07-04-2012 12:18 PM
View X windows as root suse 9.1 tsmith Linux - Software 6 07-15-2004 04:48 PM
Can root view other users' passwords? lasindi Linux - Security 4 06-27-2004 06:29 AM
How to view bootup messages? (screen scrolls too fast) davidas Debian 6 04-18-2004 10:37 AM
How can I view the threads where I have posted messages? Trying to Learn LQ Suggestions & Feedback 2 08-02-2003 11:29 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Newbie

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:20 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration