Hi Mark,
Having sorted out my earlier problems I thought I would come back with my latest thoughts.
As these will be technical problems I have moved here out of the General Discussion board.
Firstly I am a bit worried that I may ‘break’ something when I am using Linux. When I log in I use my name and password. When I want to alter something it asks for my password again, I enter that and the changes are made. As I use the same password I am worried that I may break something.
The last time I used Linux I signed in did what I wanted and signed out. If I had to make any changes I had to log in as root with the root password.
Does this method no longer work ?
I am using the PeppermintOS and it seems to be doing fine, I am logged on to the www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix and going through the tutorials there, but am having some problems, if I may can I use your brain again to sort out my problems ?
take care
Don W
OK, some Linux distro’s still require you to change user to root to make changes … but Ubuntu (and others like Peppermint) use the “sudo” (or “gksudo”) command to temporarily “elevate” the users privileges instead … this will ONLY work for users that are members of the “admin” and/or “sudo” group(s), and is just as safe as having a separate unlocked “root” account … in some ways it may even be safer.
As long as you’re as careful with your use of the “sudo” command as you would be doing anything whilst logged in as “root”, you’ll be fine 
… there are however a few caveats … like … when elevating privileges of a GUI application (that may alter settings in the users “Home” directory) from the command line, the use of “gksudo” is better than “sudo”.
It IS possible to “unlock” the root account in Ubuntu/Peppermint … but it’s probably inadvisable.
If you want to run from an account that CANNOT change any system settings, it would be better to create a new account … make sure it ISN’T in the admin or sudo groups … and only use the account you are currently logged into (that IS a member of the admin group) for administrative tasks.
In Ubuntu (and therefore Peppermint), the first account (created during installation) will be a member of the admin group by default, and therefore able to elevate it’s privileges temporarily by using the sudo command … (I think) accounts added AFTER installation are not.
If you want to see what groups a particular user is a member of:
groups <username>
as in:
groups mark
For more info on sudo vs root, see:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo
Here endeth the lesson for today … any questions class ?
I am using the PeppermintOS and it seems to be doing fine, I am logged on to the [url=http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix]www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix[/url] and going through the tutorials there, but am having some problems, if I may can I use your brain again to sort out my problems ?
First be aware that is a UNIX site, not Linux … whilst most things will apply/translate to Linux, not all will apply or translate 100% accurately.
Secondly … that’s what I’m here for … so sure, if I can help I’ll be happy to 
Hi Mark,
I created another account and it looks as if I can use the sudo command
don@don ~ $ groups don
don : don adm dialout cdrom plugdev lpadmin admin sambashare
don@don ~ $ groups craigw_1
craigw_1 : craigw_1 adm dialout fax cdrom floppy tape dip video plugdev fuse
don@don ~ $
I deleted the craigw_1 account as it din’t help.
quote ‘It IS possible to “unlock” the root account in Ubuntu/Peppermint … but it’s probably inadvisable.’
I agree, I will leave this option unused and will be careful when using sudo or indeed ‘gksudu’
I have been advised of this book
UBUNTU LINUX for Non Geeks.
A Pain free, Project based, Get-Things-Done Guidebook.
I will try Amazon
thanks for the help, I will be back.
take care
Don W