loggin in as superuser?

BajaNick · 08-04-2003, 07:05 PM

I found this on a website, is this true, and if so how the heck do you do system stuff then? I
ve been loggin in as root and superuser all the time cuz i have to do stuff.
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You're not logged in as root are you?

Don't operate the computer as the superuser. You should only become the superuser when absolutely necessary. Doing otherwise is dangerous, stupid, and in poor taste. Create a user account for yourself now!
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RH9, gnome, Opera

fancypiper · 08-04-2003, 07:27 PM

It's true.

To use to the root account, open an x terminal and use these commands from your user account. Note the change in the prompt.

Code:

[fancy@tinwhistle fancy]$ su -
Password: 
[root@tinwhistle root]#

# Red Hat links
Red Hat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
Red Hat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Red Hat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Red Hat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network
Manage software:
redhat-config-packages

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

BajaNick · 08-05-2003, 07:43 PM

Yea i do that all the time. How else should i do system stuff that is safer?

cIx · 08-06-2003, 04:06 AM

You should use root only for system administration etc., you should never work and stay logged as root.

BajaNick · 08-06-2003, 09:43 PM

Yea thats what i do, I log out and login as root sometimes but only for what i need to do then switch back, and other times i just open a console or hit ctrl-alt-f1 and switch back to the user. Thanks

DrOzz · 08-06-2003, 09:56 PM

the statement is not saying never ever ever everrrr log in as root....it is more or less saying do not log in as root and run your computer logged in as root at all times...of course when you are installing stuff or editing some files on your machine (i.e. configuring sound, setting up a network, or whatever it may be) then of course you have to log in as root, but once your done doing what your doing, go back to your normal user.