Jon Glass wrote: > Ok, so, what is the difference between "root" and "admin?" For what do you > need "root" that you cannot do otherwise. (In other words, what is root > necessary for?) Is it still necessary to go to the CLI to do some things in > Jaguar? Why does this all even exist in the MacOS anyway? I mean, I don't > really care for myself.
Root is a user, one that has totoal and complete access to everything on a computer. On multi-user systems (which Unix is one of) This is important. An Admin account is an ordinary user account that has the rights to do 'root'-owned things, like install software, etc. That's why you're asked for your admin password when you install things. That's why one user cannot delete (or even see) files owned by other users. It is not necessary, normally, to use the CLI for anything in Jaguar, afaik, just like it's not necessary to own and use ResEdit in a classic Mac. But, like ResEdit, the CLI is a power tool that lets you do lots of things, muchg more easily, at times, than using a GUI. Having it present in the Mac OS is a blessing, not a curse. > > Frankly, this business about users--root, admin, etc, have been rather of a > sore spot for me. They scream out to me that my computer is not really mine, > but that I'm only allowed to do what the MCP says I can. ;-) Well, root isn't enabled, and there is no reason whatsoever for a user such as yourself to ever have to enable root. Admin stuff is merely good practice, a sort of 'do you really want to do this?' step. As for 'the computer isn't really mine?' feeling, it passes. I can unplug it, it's mine. Then again, I'm probably not the archetypical OSX user...I don't think in terms so much as 'Is this comuter mine?' as 'Is this network of comuters mine?' ;-) -- Bruce Johnson University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Information Technology Group Institutions do not have opinions, merely customs -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
