If flip for mac works for you, then it will play content regardless
of it's stream/download status.
And, to answer your other question.
The root password by default is blank. You can become root simply by
typing
su
at a terminal prompt. However, I *do* *not* recommend you leave it
this way.
In your system preferences, you can set a system wide password. This
is the root password. If you have a systemwide password, then this
is the password you would use to become root. You cannot login as
root from the logon screen (beats me why, probably because of the no
default password thing)
However, su will do the job for you.
Then you're root, and may do whatever you like, including changing
ownership permissions on both user and group options on *any* file,
you could also wipe out your entire hd if you type the wrong command,
so do not use root without knowing what it is you're doing, it can be
very detremental to the health of your machine.
When you're in terminal, and you use the rm command, there is no move
to the trash first, the files are simply gone.
Now, with all that said, let me say that sometimes, becoming root is
the only way to fix a problem w/o having to reinstall an app, or the
whole os in some cases.
It's an extremely useful tool, and one that can fix nearly anything
if you know how to do the fix.
Apple recomends the use of pseudo to perform such actions, and if
you've only got one or two things to do, then this is definitely the
way to go. However, pseudo can also be extremely irritating if
permissions aren't assigned properly, which is why I usually prefer
to just become root myself and do the work required then exit thhe
root shell.
It's of course up to you.
And, in case I missed stating it,
if there is no system wide password set, simply typing su at a
terminal will automatically make you root.
This is why it's so dangerous. If someone who doesn't like you much
gets into your terminal, and you don't have a password set, two
simple letters can give them permission to wipe out your system with
no recourse on your behalf.
