another noob question here

moxie · #1 10th October 2006, 01:51 AM

Hey guys,

I am still learning linux, while it's been going slow, it has been fun. Here is something that I do find quite frustrating and was wondering what I could do abou it.

Is there a way to (besides logging in as root) to have root access graphically.

Basically, I know I can do things through the command line with a sudo command, but let's say I want to use the search built in with gnome, or copy folders to some folder that root owns... like, for instance, copying eclipse plugins I download to /usr/lib/eclipse. I can't do it graphically, or at least I don't know how without actually having to log into my machine as root. i tried to fiddle around with the user properties, but still couldn't manage to make it work

is this even possible?

thanks for the help guys

Brian1 · #2 10th October 2006, 02:08 AM

When you change to root in a terminal with su you can then open the nautilus manager by just running the command ' nautilus '. I think this is what it is called under Gnome. Under KDE is konquorer.

If you run into an issue with display0:0 then as the user before changing to su run the command ' xhost + '. Then su to root and run nautilus. May have to based on a few things that I am not 100percent sure on. Try it without first. Note this is not the securiest thing to do if the machine is direcrtly connected to the Internet without a router/firewall before it.

The better option if you run into display0 issue is install gksu. Then as a user you can run the command ' gksu nautilus '.

Brian

Loki1950 · #3 10th October 2006, 02:08 AM

the simplest way open a termonal and su or su - for root access

Enjoy the Choice

moxie · #4 10th October 2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian1

When you change to root in a terminal with su you can then open the nautilus manager by just running the command ' nautilus '. I think this is what it is called under Gnome. Under KDE is konquorer.

If you run into an issue with display0:0 then as the user before changing to su run the command ' xhost + '. Then su to root and run nautilus. May have to based on a few things that I am not 100percent sure on. Try it without first. Note this is not the securiest thing to do if the machine is direcrtly connected to the Internet without a router/firewall before it.

The better option if you run into display0 issue is install gksu. Then as a user you can run the command ' gksu nautilus '.

Brian

thanks.... that should do it.

sometimes I wish the simple things were easier in linux. for a typical home user, I wish I wasn't always promted to switch to root to do certain tasks. it would be nice if I could just set it up to always think I am root. maybe i'll just start logging onto my machine as root and be done with it.

but, thanks for your reply, that sounds like it should do the trick!

wdgiles · #5 10th October 2006, 02:07 PM

Peter Parker says "With great power comes great responsibility"....
Some here will question the wisdom of using root graphically for anything. As long as it's not a production system with multiple users, you probably won't do any harm. I recommend against it, but hey, it's your system and reinstalling is sometimes the only way to learn.

bg

stevea · #6 10th October 2006, 03:35 PM

Try this command: gdmflexiserver -n
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised !!

Detonate · #7 10th October 2006, 09:19 PM

If you are using KDE, you can simply click on "System", then "File manager in Super User Mode". It will ask for the root password, then open the Konquerer File Manage with su privileges.

moxie · #8 10th October 2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detonate

If you are using KDE, you can simply click on "System", then "File manager in Super User Mode". It will ask for the root password, then open the Konquerer File Manage with su privileges.

i am not, I use gnome... does gnome have a feature like this? this sounds exactly like what I am looking for

Brian1 · #9 10th October 2006, 10:57 PM

Not a big gnome user myself but I would assume that there is a similiar command like in KDE. In KDE one can use ' kdesu name_of_program '. Now when you edit the Kmenu in KDE you can add a new command to the menu and use the command above to start up the app and it ask for root's pasword to start. Or you can set the user that can run the app as well from the menu properties for the quick link in the kmenu. I would think gnome would have something similiar.

It is not the best way to run linux as root. Even though there are few viruses out there if you are running as root and browsing the net it is possible to be hit by one of these malicious code.

Brian

wdgiles · #10 11th October 2006, 01:54 AM

for a gnome super user file manager, use the terminal and type:

Code:

sudo nautilus

I haven't worked out yet how to add it as a menu item or icon launcher unless I add the "Run interminal" option. which opens a terminal window, prompts for root's password, then opens the root file browser.

Jongi · #11 11th October 2006, 08:26 AM

I don't use gnome much but I think this has also worked for me in the past (saves you from opening a terminal and logging in as root):

Press, Alt-F2 together
and in the box that appears type: gksu nautilus

I assume you could probably even create an icon on your desktop which launches: gksu nautilus.

Harryc · #12 21st November 2006, 03:24 AM

How do you install gksu?

deanlinkous · #13 21st November 2006, 04:14 AM

I use gNewSense and I have a panel launcher with the command gksudo nautilus

I also have a panel launcher with the command gksudo "gnome-open %u" that as a user I can drag and drop a file onto it and it will open with root privys.

gksuexec is another good tool for root privys

Harryc · #14 21st November 2006, 04:17 AM

I ended up using consolehelper. This is an older howto, but it works well in FC6.

http://fedoranews.org/contributors/m...nsen/nautilus/

When you get to this part in the howto:

Code:

Change the relevant variables in the file to the following and save:

Name=Home Folder (Super User)
Comment=View all files on the system with a Super User Nautilus.
Exec=nautilus-super
Categories=Gnome;Application;System;Utility;X-Red-Hat-Base

Make the command look like;

Exec=nautilus-super --no-desktop --browser

and Nautilus will open up as a root browser(no spacial view)

galatei · #15 21st November 2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdgiles

for a gnome super user file manager, use the terminal and type:

Code:

sudo nautilus

I haven't worked out yet how to add it as a menu item or icon launcher unless I add the "Run interminal" option. which opens a terminal window, prompts for root's password, then opens the root file browser.

You can simply disable password prompt, by adding "NOPASSWD: ALL" parameter to your account line definition in /etc/sudoers file.

Regards