Thanks for all the assistance and clarification with my new install of PostgreSQL. I am able to switch users to 'postgres' and verify the default home directory for 'postgres' shell user: [root@db1 ~]# su - postgres [postgres@db1 ~]$ pwd /var/lib/postgres I am also now able from the documentation to understand how I can "create" a database and "drop" a database but thats about all I can figure out for now. In MySQL, it was recommended that you create a power user account rather than manage the database with the 'root' account. Is this also the same thing for PostgreSQL? I know you guys told me that there is no 'root' account but there is a 'postgres' account which appears to be the equivalent of MySQL's 'root' database user. My question is do I need to or is it recommended I create a 'carlos' account and grant privileges to that user rather than manage the database with the 'postgres' super user account? test=# SELECT * FROM "pg_user"; usename | usesysid | usecreatedb | usesuper | usecatupd | passwd | valuntil | useconfig ----------+----------+-------------+----------+-----------+----------+----------+----------- postgres | 10 | t | t | t | ******** | | cmennens | 16393 | f | f | f | ******** | | (2 rows) -- Sent via pgsql-general mailing list (pgsql-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) To make changes to your subscription: http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general