user as root

**oOarthurOo** · January 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by rwltrz4

I just installed ubuntu 8.04 and was wandering if for 1 person is it ok to set up just 1 user or should i set up 1 for admin and the other for day to day use for better security or in linux is there already a root user?

Just setup one user. The user you setup will be prompted for a password anytime you are about to do something that can affect the entire system. Think Vista's UAC, but not annoying or crippling to the usability of your computer.

Setting up one daily user and one admin user when really you are just one user adds nothing to the security. It only adds a layer of inconvenience to you.

**iaculallad** · January 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by tuxxy

Yes I do and Yes Ubuntu will allow you to create a root account as I said

Ubuntu does not allow you to create the ROOT account on installation. As I mentioned earlier, ROOT account is disabled by default. And can be activated once you had created your first user, which is not recommended though.

**theozzlives** · January 9th, 2009

When you perform administrative tasks, it asks for a password. The user logged on has to have admin rights, you use that users password. The first user is such a user.

**rwltrz4** · January 9th, 2009

OK !! Thanks guys for all the fast replies.

**bodhi.zazen** · January 9th, 2009

See

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

**handydan918** · January 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by oldos2er

"Ubu will NOT let you set up a root account."

Actually it will, you just have to know what you're doing.

Well, of course. It IS still Linux, even "sudo-neutered"!

**oldos2er** · January 9th, 2009

"Well, of course. It IS still Linux, even "sudo-neutered"!"

Shouldn't that be pseudo-neutered...?! Or pseudo-sudo-neutered....

**handydan918** · January 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by tuxxy

Yes I do and Yes Ubuntu will allow you to create a root account as I said

Tell ya what. Do an install and post a screenie of the point where you are prompted for a "root password" as well as a "user password".

Then I'll concede your point.

**tuxxy** · January 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by handydan918

Tell ya what. Do an install and post a screenie of the point where you are prompted for a "root password" as well as a "user password".

Then I'll concede your point.

It doesn't sorry, I already said in another post that it must be done from terminal and I gave the command but post got removed as we only use sudo.

**bodhi.zazen** · January 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by tuxxy

It doesn't sorry, I already said in another post that it must be done from terminal and I gave the command but post got removed as we only use sudo.

That is a point of confusion.

You may enable the root account if you wish, we do not mind.

What we ask is that you teach new users how to use their system and how to use sudo. This includes such things as permissions and what not.

Too often people throw out something like "gksu nautilus" as a "solution" (for example) to a new users question, but never take the time to explain permissions.

In addition setting a root password can cause problems.

So we would appreciate if you, as an experienced user, would take the time to educate new users.

There are, however, times when you do need to set a root password. In that event we support doing so, but again would prefer if you also explained how to lock the root account again and also the "risks" or setting a root password.

So please just slow down a little and take the time to educate, I think that is what gets missed in many of these root password discussions.

Keep in mind the old saying when in Rome ...

If you started posting how to install sudo, recompile / install the patches, lock the root account, and use sudo rather then su on the Fedora Froums how would you be treated ? (yes, I know you can use sudo in Fedora or Debian or any distro, that is not my point).