Login as root [Solved]

[batvink]

also, when starting the system., on the login screen click on "menu"
There should be a menu entry to login at a terminal.
login as root, enter the root passwd, click on "menu", select "login on terminal"
Then the system drops you on a root-terminal.
typing "exit" brings you back to the login screen...

or install Sabayon CoreCD / CoreCDX

[jk121960]

Hey thanks to all and I appreciate your help and comments. One question to batvink "security risk to who?", if it's my box I am the only one taking the risk, I have never made an error logged in as root that has caused any kind of problem. I also keep a current backup of my complete system and data is stored on separate partitions, whether a person follows the standard recommendation should be their choice. We are all adults and as such we should take responsibility for the choices we make. I would never blame someone else for something stupid I may have done. The purposeful blocking of that ability is another example of some people who feel that we need to be saved from ourselves and we do not have the intelligence to make decisions and be responsible for them. That aside I do appreciate all the help that was given I understand your concern and am grateful for it.


thanks --jerry

[batvink]

One question to batvink "security risk to who?"

security risk to the ones that are just beginning to understand Linux,
it not happens daily, but if someone hacks you while logged in at KDE with root account, they can have full root access.
as an example.

[jk121960]

That much I agree with but beginners are not going to go into config files and enable root login, I dont mind if it is disabled by default, I expect to do some configuring when I set up a box anyway. But to make it too difficult for a avid user to disable is unnecessary, and makes the system prohibitive to some users. Even as su in a terminal I have had a problem starting apps on this box, it complains about some dbus issue. If I want to edit a file I have start it from a command line, jack with vi or nano, if I have to start all GUI apps from a command line what is the point of a GUI anyway? I might as well be working straight in shells and dump the interface, take us back to the 70's. Maybe in a lot of cases this is not a big issue but I am constantly logging in and it gets old, I have better things to do then typing my password over and over again. I concede to disabled by default, but we must have a method for someone who is not a beginner.

thanks again for your thoughts

--jerry

[batvink]

i was a beginner once, and i liked to test everything out.
many, many times i screwed up the system, and had to install it again,
because i wanted to learn Linux, so even as a beginner, i was sniffing around in config files, change things.
but lucky, i learn fast of my mistakes. those were the days of redhat 5 and suse 7.
CTRL-ALT-F2, login as root, and then startx :1 gives you a minimal, openbox-like Gui, with three terminals opened.
you can type any command or any program name., it will start with root previleges.
i never had problems with su, sudo, gksu nor kdesu.
except for sudo:, i disabled the wheelgroup, 'cause i'm not the only one behind my PC, and i don't want my children to "sudo" around. Now, the wheelgroup is disabled by default, but the sabayon installer enables it again by adding a new entry in the sudoers file.

i know that there are Distributions out there that support root-login into the Gui. eg. crunchbang.

[jk121960]

And not even to prove a point but didn't you learn a lot banging around like that, in the beginning I screwed up systems too, but they were mine and I learned not to do dumb things. I used to go into directories and execute every executable just to know what it did. I have been working with computers since the 70's and yes I had to learn to be cautious about certain things but that's what a learning experience is about. Most lessons are remembered best because they, caused you trouble but I digress. I know that there are other distro's, I was interested in this one. 'Crunchbang' I haven't gotten a successful install yet, I do go back and look at it much like I did with Sabayon. I use Debian everyday ( I did get a chuckle during the Sabayon install), it's dead solid, I also have Arch installed and Gentoo. Sabayon was kind of like getting Gentoo without the setup. I am always looking around for something new. But point taken, thanks again for the concern, ideas and conversation.

--jerry

[batvink]

crunchbang 10, alias "statler" comes as a live cd.
very easy to install, and, on my pc, lightening fast.
it has openbox running stand alone, and is really a joy to work with.

[jk121960]

This is getting off topic though I am enjoying the conversation, I install it and it makes it all the way through but doesn't create the initramfs and the kernel for grub. For a while I couldn't get it to install even but the last version went in but with out initrd etc. There site now I noticed I think it was last night is now closed but for login with like your gmail ID and to download they are only offering torrent. Gmail don't bother me but I don't like to use torrents (open client and all, not very secure). I just finished a new gentoo this morning, I am really pushing for something new as Gnome is now part of history, don't like it by any stretch, loosing functionality doesn't seem like an upgrade to me(IMHO).

--jerry

[batvink]

Yeah...
we're discussing Crunchbang on sabayon forum.
Perhaps a moderator can move this Solved thread to off topic?

Strange though, that it doesn't create the initramfs and the kernel for grub.
Do you have other machines or virtual to test it?
you could subscribe to their forum, and post it.

I like Crunchbang very much. Very easy, and it has a good a(p)titude.
I think i'll keep Sabayon for myself, and put the Kids on CrunchBang....
Funny, they're 10 and 12 years, but rather have Linux than Windows.

[jk121960]

I have tested it in vm's and it installs, periodically I run into a distro that has a problem with my DVD unit because it's external usb, I had that with a lot of the BSD's but every once in a while a Linux has the same problem, Bodhi I couldn't install at all, went into a VM fine though. Debian BSD I finally got the install to run from a grub listing pointing to an on disk ISO image. Solaris 10 fine but 11 and all the OpenSolaris (OpenSolaris OpenIndiana etc) flavors no go. I should maybe try CrunchBang like that and see if it makes a difference. As far as machines no -- just one, though I have it setup to test as many distro's simultaneuosly as I want, I have 8 2TB black Caviars divided up with 30 and some odd partitions for Linux with one of them divided into 4 partitions for BSD and the like. So 2 little Linux users, good for you. My one daughter is an Apple fanatic and the other I can't seem to to get her to take the plunge, I installed a dual boot with Mint for her but she never boots in, bout the same age as yours. So while I have been writing I secured a folder and am downloading the the latest CrunchBang by torrent, your advocacy has we me intrigued, I hope I can get it in this time.

--jerry