Start program at boot as non-root
 

I would like to start a program at boot, however, the server needs to be started as non-root. Is there a way to add it to my rc.local and have it start as a different user?

Sure:

su <user> -c <command>

in rc.local causes <command> to run as <user>.

why is it that you dont need a password?
is it due to rc.local running as root? and therefore root doesn't need a pass to get into other people's accounts?

Exactly -- root can su to any other user without a password.

one last newb question =P

su _____ -c command1
command2

will command2 be run as root or _____?