Jucato
June 7th, 2006, 02:25 AM
... even if the password is just "ubuntu".
Probably not many users are aware of the fact that the Desktop CD has normal user with no password. The user name is "ubuntu", while the password is blank. This fact only becomes known/visible if you log out or end the current session, without shutting down or restarting. Whenever you do something that requires root privileges, you are automatically accepted as root, because the password is blank. While this is very convenient, I think it should not be the case.
My suggestion stems from three things:
1. The Desktop CD is a sort of preview or glimpse of Ubuntu and Linux in general. As such, it should contain the spirit and features of Ubuntu. And one of those is the advocacy of the use of sudo. We've heard countless debates about root/su vs. sudo, yet Ubuntu has not wavered on it's stand. So why should the Desktop CD act differently? Also, the Desktop CD give new/potential users the chance to get know how Ubuntu does things, like no built-in MP3 support. Similarly, new users should be informed of the fact that Ubuntu does things the sudo way and how to do it. This might also make their transition into Ubuntu a lot easier. As the Desktop CD gets more popular and the Ubiquity installer (hopefully) gets more refined, more new users will be using it to try out Ubuntu, rather than directly installing it using the Alternate Install CD. A simple note on the download site, or on the login background telling the user what the user name and password and that this is the Administrator password should be enough. Then once logged in, they can go and investigate this matter further.
2. It is just as easy to commit fatal errors using the Desktop CD as it is on an intalled system, especially when it comes to disk drives. Asking for the user password (which is the same as the Administrator password) could give a visual clue/reminder that what they will be doing will have a permanent impact on the system. We can't assume that everyone using the Live CD will absolutely know what they are doing. In fact, the Live CD is meant to be used by new users, who might also be new to Linux. Not mounting all drives/partitions by default (unlike in KNOPPIX) might be a good safety measure, but that isn't enough.
3. This is probably the least important factor: it gives users a chance to actually see the login/KDM/GDM screens. I just can't imagine why we have beautiful login screens, but don't normally see them on the Desktop CD. Unless of course you log out. But how many people would do that?
I might be the only one to feel this way, but I still think that the Desktop CD should really capture the Ubuntu spirit and way of doing things. I wonder, though, if this thing is important enough to actually file for a sort of "wish list" report.
Probably not many users are aware of the fact that the Desktop CD has normal user with no password. The user name is "ubuntu", while the password is blank. This fact only becomes known/visible if you log out or end the current session, without shutting down or restarting. Whenever you do something that requires root privileges, you are automatically accepted as root, because the password is blank. While this is very convenient, I think it should not be the case.
My suggestion stems from three things:
1. The Desktop CD is a sort of preview or glimpse of Ubuntu and Linux in general. As such, it should contain the spirit and features of Ubuntu. And one of those is the advocacy of the use of sudo. We've heard countless debates about root/su vs. sudo, yet Ubuntu has not wavered on it's stand. So why should the Desktop CD act differently? Also, the Desktop CD give new/potential users the chance to get know how Ubuntu does things, like no built-in MP3 support. Similarly, new users should be informed of the fact that Ubuntu does things the sudo way and how to do it. This might also make their transition into Ubuntu a lot easier. As the Desktop CD gets more popular and the Ubiquity installer (hopefully) gets more refined, more new users will be using it to try out Ubuntu, rather than directly installing it using the Alternate Install CD. A simple note on the download site, or on the login background telling the user what the user name and password and that this is the Administrator password should be enough. Then once logged in, they can go and investigate this matter further.
2. It is just as easy to commit fatal errors using the Desktop CD as it is on an intalled system, especially when it comes to disk drives. Asking for the user password (which is the same as the Administrator password) could give a visual clue/reminder that what they will be doing will have a permanent impact on the system. We can't assume that everyone using the Live CD will absolutely know what they are doing. In fact, the Live CD is meant to be used by new users, who might also be new to Linux. Not mounting all drives/partitions by default (unlike in KNOPPIX) might be a good safety measure, but that isn't enough.
3. This is probably the least important factor: it gives users a chance to actually see the login/KDM/GDM screens. I just can't imagine why we have beautiful login screens, but don't normally see them on the Desktop CD. Unless of course you log out. But how many people would do that?
I might be the only one to feel this way, but I still think that the Desktop CD should really capture the Ubuntu spirit and way of doing things. I wonder, though, if this thing is important enough to actually file for a sort of "wish list" report.