Re: User Security

[Dave Reed <dreed capital edu>]

> From: "Firedog@icekitten.com" <firedog@icekitten.com>
> 
> I've set up a user that I always use to logon with. I did this using
> "linuxconf" and tried to give that user "superuser" rights. It didn't work.
> So now when I'm in X windows I can't seem to use any of the tools for
> browsing dirs because I don't have root access. Is there a way to click on
> "Home Directory" logged on a a non-root user and browse dirs that would need
> root access? Can I change to root in the "file manager" that comes with
> gnome, or do I have to logout and log back in as root? I also asked a
> question yesterday about Cut and paste. I'm running my Linux on a laptop
> that does not have a 3rd mouse button. So how would I copy and paste or cut
> and paster with out the 3rd mouse button ?

Log in as your normal user and start X/GNOME.

In a terminal window:
Enter: xhost localhost

assuming your machine name is localhost

Enter: su -
enter the root password

Now you should be able to run the graphical tools that need to be run
as root.

In general, you can set up X to emulate the third button when you
press the two buttons at the same time.  Run your favorite X
configuration tool (e.g., Xconfigurator) or hand edit
/etc/X11/XF86Config and look for a line that may be there but
commented out:

Emulate3Buttons

Uncomment it (remove the #) or add that line in the section for your
mouse.  I think you'll need to exit X and restart it for the change to
take effect.

HTH,
Dave