linux meant u dont have permissions on the /etc/group file.
he said that because only root have permissions on this one.
in ubuntu you need to add the sudo command before the vi command so ubuntu will give u a root permissions
then u will have a write permissions on the file.

I believe that I have been successful in changing the file because when I open it after saving the change, it shows:

" odyssey:x:1000dyssey,officeuse "

So does this look like the change was successful?

Yet when I run " id -a " , it returns:

uid=1001(officeuse) gid=1000(odyssey) groups=1000(odyssey),21(fax),24(cdrom),29(audio),30(dip),44(video),46(plugdev),107(lpadmin),108(scan ner)

which does not seem to indicate that officeuse is in my group?

Why am I finding this so difficult? TIA

When I open System/Administration/Shared Folders, it says:

"Sharing services are not installed. You need to install at least either Samba or NFS in order to share your folders. The tool will close now."

Does this help point toward a solution?

what u did was not right.
the /etc/group show u the list of groups in the left and in the right side the list of users int the group. u adding a users to the group.
i guss u tought u see the user on the left side and u put the groups in the right, adding group to the user. its just wrong. thats why he gave the result u saw when u typed id.
what u did was adding the user officeuse to the group odyssey.

listen just tell me exactly what u need and ill write a script for u.

That would be great.

Right now when I sign in there is a folder containing work files that is visible on my desktop. When user2 signs in, the desktop is blank and therefore the folder can't be accessed by user2

user2 and I need to be able to share common interest work files. All the files that I have created on this computer (which are in this folder) need to be accessible by user2 when they sign in.

When user2 makes files, I need to be able to access them.

Hope this is clear, but if not please ask for any clarification you need. Many thanks.

plz supply me the users name, the directorys names(full path) and copy of the id result of both users.

doronunu, as soon as I get to the office, will do. thanks.

i dont need the id results of both users. i just need the users names and the directorys name(full path).

By the way : do u have icq? it will be easier for us my icq number is 230360312.

doronunu, here is:

users are: odyssey and officeuse

uid=1000(odyssey) gid=1000(odyssey) groups=1000(odyssey),4(adm),20(dialout),21(fax),24(cdrom),25(floppy),26(tape),29(audio),30(dip),44(v ideo),46(plugdev),107(lpadmin),108(scanner),109(admin)

uid=1001(officeuse) gid=1000(odyssey) groups=1000(odyssey),21(fax),24(cdrom),29(audio),30(dip),44(video),46(plugdev),107(lpadmin),108(scan ner)

path is " /home/odyssey/Desktop/AFRV " (where AFRV is the folder that has all the files that I want the other user to be able to share)

Many thanks.

never i done it with out them. i did it interactive.

I'm sorry I don't understand you most recent post. BTW, forgot to reply that I do not have ICQ.

sry i ment that nevermind (about the user and directory name). i made the script interactive so he ask u for the users and the directory.

Sounds good. When might I see it? Thanks.

almost finished ill finished it tonight my zone time (GMT+3)