I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Free Linux Training Articles
 
Clyde Boom, Author, I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Learn How to Use Linux from CDs or with Online Training
Clyde Boom
The Easy Linux
Training Guy!
With 20+ years of
Training Successes
Sign Up For
FREE
I Learn Linux News
to receive technical tips,
new video samples
and updates on Linux.
Email:
Name:
Privacy Policy:
We will not distribute
your email address
to anyone. Period!
Clyde Boom, Author, I Learn Linux Video Tutorials and computer training Linux books and Linux ebooks
 
Click Here to Watch Free Sample "General Linux / Ubuntu Linux" Video Tutorials
Click Here to Watch Free Sample "Linux Admin & Commands" Video Tutorials
I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Testimonials for Linux Courses and Linux Training - from CD and from Online Viewing
< Back to Free - I Learn Linux Training Articles - List
 

Using the root User for Linux System Administration


  Article Summary:  Learn how to use Linux as the root user and learn Linux commands and concepts. Read free Linux articles. Watch free sample Linux vidoes now!  

There are often several Linux OS (operating system) terms that are similar, the same, or somehow related.

This article will clear up the confusion about the terms: root user, / (root directory) and /root (the home directory of the root user)!

First, you will learn about the root user, and then see a brief description of the / (root) directory and the /root (home directory) of the root user.

  Linux Tips:  The articles with names ending in "Linux Concepts & Terms" help you learn Linux "geek-speak" (terms).

By learning Linux terms (the Linux "lingo") you will be able to understand Linux concepts and more easily learn how to use Linux. This is an excellent way to start your Linux training.
 

The root User


To do Linux system administration tasks, like create Linux users and assign permissions to users, you work as the Linux user named root.

The root user has all permissions (rights, capabilities) to all of the Linux system, including all directories and files.

Linux users that are used for day-to-day tasks, like word processing and working on a spreadsheet, are referred to as "regular" or non-root users. When you're not doing Linux system administration tasks, always work as a non-root user.

When doing Linux system administration, work as the root user and be extremely careful running Linux commands - because you could damage or destroy your Linux installation - and then immediately log out!

The root user is also referred to as superuser (no, really, and you don't even get a cape!) and also referred to as su.

When you boot Linux to a console or terminal (and not a Linux desktop), you see a text (not GUI) Login: prompt and you can log in as root to do Linux administration tasks.

However, when you boot a Linux system that has a desktop, you log in at a GUI login prompt and then the Linux desktop appears.

For various security reasons, never log in to a Linux desktop as the root user.

Log in to the Linux desktop as a "regular" (non-root) user and then open a Linux terminal (terminal emulation window) on the desktop and use the su command with the - (dash) option to log in and work as the root user.

  Linux Tips:  The Linux su command gets its name from the word superuser.

The su command is run in a Linux terminal emulation window to log in and work as the root user, after logging in to a Linux desktop as a "regular" (non-root) user.

Again - Never log in to a Linux desktop as the root user.
 

  Linux Tips:  By default, the root user is locked (disabled, unusable) in Ubuntu Linux.

When you are doing Linux system administration tasks in Ubuntu Linux, you run the Linux sudo command along with Linux system administration commands, rather than logging in as root - or using the su command to log in as root.
 

Now, imagine how easy it will be to learn how to use Linux by seeing all these Linux terms and concepts being clearly presented in a Linux video tutorial!

  You can watch Free Sample Linux Videos at the end of this article!

 
  Watch the Ubuntu Linux (General) Training Videos, to learn how to: download the Linux operating system, install Linux, install Linux software, work at the Linux desktop - and more!

The "Linux Administration & Commands" videos show you how to download and run Linux in Windows, how to get to the Linux command line, and how to run over 100 - yes, really, over 100! - Linux commands, with lots of examples of using Linux command line options.
 

Similar Linux Terms: root user, / (root) directory in the Linux file system and /root (the home directory of the root user)

The / (root) Directory


The root directory of the Linux filesystem is represented (symbolized) by a / (forward slash). All directories in the Linux file system are "below", or "off of" the / (root) directory.

The /root Directory - The Home directory of the root User


The directory named root, located directly "below" or "off of" the / (root) directory, is the "home" directory of the root user.
 
  Now you can click on the links below to:

        watch some free sample Linux video tutorials

          get more information on I Learn Linux Video Tutorials

          read some more Linux training articles!


Wishing you the best of success!

          - Clyde Boom, The Easy Linux Training Guy!

 
  I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Testimonials for Linux Training - from CD and from Online Viewing  
 

General Linux / Ubuntu Linux Training Videos

 
 

Linux Admin & Commands Training Videos

 
 
Got Questions?
 
 
Call Us! at 1-800-718-7318
 
 
Or call +1-905-857-7177
 
 
(outside North America)
 
 
Or - Just send an email to:
 
 
ClydeBoom@iLearnLinux.com
 
 
Call Us! We're ready to help!
 
 
< Back to Free - I Learn Linux Training Articles - List
 
  New! - BONUS: Automatic 30 Day access to Online Viewing when you order on CD - so you can watch your Linux videos until your CD arrives   BONUS:  With every CD order - you automatically get 30 Days of immediate access (24 x 7) to Online Viewing - so you can Log In and watch your Linux Videos - Online - right away - until your CD arrives.  Yes! - It's Easy!  

Watch Free General Linux / Ubuntu Linux Training Video Samples

Get Info on General Linux / Ubuntu Linux Training

Order Now - General Linux / Ubuntu Linux
Training Videos

Watch Free Linux Admin & Commands Video Samples

Get Info on Linux Admin & Commands Training

Order Now - Linux Admin & Commands
Training Videos
Get Your For Free
--- I Learn Linux News ---
Newsletter
(Just Put Your Name & Email At the Top Left)
I Learn Linux Video Tutorials - Testimonials from very satisfied Linux Training Customers
< Back to I Learn Linux - Home
Lancom Technologies
Easy, self-paced Linux Training - in Plain English!
Web Site: www.iLearnLinux.com   |   Email: ClydeBoom@iLearnLinux.com
150 South Eighth Street, P.O. Box 1438, Lewiston, NY 14092-8438 USA
5468 Dundas Street West, P.O. Box 807, Toronto, Ontario M9B 6E3 Canada
Toll Free: 1-800-718-7318   |   Outside North America: +1-905-857-7177
Copyright © 2008 Lancom Technologies. All rights reserved.