is running root bad???
 

hey guys i need root to run vmworkstation and to install rpms, is there anyway i can transfer this power to my user? and also is running root really that bad?

Your sig notwithstanding, there's a zillion threads on stuff like this. su to install stuff rather than doing anything permanent. Running root isn't necessarily fatal and not running root isn't necessarily safe, but it's safer not to. You can do more damage as root than as user and crackers can screw you easier and more completely. That sort of thing. I personally can destroy my machine by spilling a drink in it whether I'm root or not, but forcing a recursive removal of files isn't as damaging.