Parameshwara Bhat wrote:
Dear List,
I am a curious member of this list and an ordinary user of Linux ; so excuse me for breaking into a learned debate.I want to give a perspective of my end,following the threads between Havoc, Matthew and David.
I use Fedora at home and office. Nowhere I can have the support of learned linux experts at my beck and call; Also, I have installed the OS and created root and other users. All passwords are available with me.Working as a user,by the number of times I have to invoke 'root',I wonder why I should not be working as root itself ?.
By the discussions I have seen here and elsewhere, it appears most linux experts and creators are basically contemptous of such a user as me. I am sane, responsible and intelligent, but just not a linux expert. I have my job and I want computer to be an unhindering aid and a provider of entertainment.Why should I be required to know the intricacies of the OS ? When the CD is locked and unmountable, unejectable; profound sermons on the security aspects of linux hardly makes sense.
While completely respecting the concerns of security and stability; borderlines of zones and the security matrix can always be redefined and redesigned if you know exactly what you want to give the end user.OS and programs like shirts and pants need to be tailored to users.
I am a devoted user of Linux and Fedora. But what a stupid it makes of me! Without the root password I just cannot imagine keeping this box running and making any use of it.In a regulated office environment(unlike mine)where I wouldn't be having the root password, I do not think I will be able to use it with any amount of ease.In contrast, much maligned Windows pampers me!So nice and considerate of my needs with all it's flaws and weaknesses.Without the root password and a great deal of 'googli'ng and 'maillist'ng, I couldnot have sustained Linux on this box. Again,compare this with Windows.
When will Linux and Fedora learn to respect me and users like me or will it at all? Answer to that will be the key to whether it can really compete with MS
Parameshwara Bhat
Parameshwara,
The reason why root access is necessary is that it prevents any accidental damage to your system. Of course it is ok for you to have root access to your own Fedora Core installation - after all, you are administering it.
Your point about the regulated office environment pretty much answers your question. For instance, at my place of work we all use Windows 2000 or Mac OS X. I'm one of the people on Windows 2000. Our IT Services department have an acceptable use policy that is supposed to restrict me from installing third party software or anything malicious. However, with Windows 2000 they have all the users set up with administration rights over their own machine, so in theory I could download iTunes and any other piece of software, install it and let it play havoc with my system. Work computers are for work - it is as simple as that. I have seen many laptops and desktops having to be fixed or having to have spyware removed because some user has downloaded and installed software that they shouldn't have done.
However, I have FC3 on my home computer which I trash most weeks just because I can. New software is downloaded and used all the time... sometimes it breaks, sometimes it works, sometimes it makes no difference at all. The point is that I am responsible for my home machine. I am also responsible for my work machine - I have to use it day by day in order to carry out my duties. If it breaks I am not productive...
Fedora does respect users - the System Administrators can grant differing levels of access to the system to particular users. I don't think it is as much about system security as it is about system integrity.
But that is just my two pence worth,
Andy
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