Does Slackware need a Root Account?

[Evan]

Distributions like Mint don't have a root account you can Log into , they just use a standard single user account and password with the su command for root access.

Over the last few months i've got into the habit of using the su command and no longer log into the root account of Linux Distributions as i've never had the need too.

I wondered if Slackware needs a root account as one less account is quicker to setup and you only need to remember one password.

[francois]

The root account is what keeps me with porteus and slackware. I hate those distributions that put a lot of energy and care to keep you out of root mode.

[Evan]

LOL , i have noticed people on other forums getting riled and annoyed at the lack of a root account and point blank refusing to use the su command for root access.

[burdi01]

See for instance this http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions ... 175599292/ thread and the linked-to https://github.com/mate-desktop/caja/issues/737 caja thread.

[Evan]

You don't need root icons if you just type su:password from the guest account?

[brokenman]

I agree 100%. Porteus doesn't need a root account. There are other ways to get things done. Having said that, my car doesn't need air conditioning either. If someone took it away, it would be something I would notice every day and I probably wouldn't be happy about it.

[Evan]

As Porteus follows the Slackware structure i suppose "Does Slackware need a Root Account? would have been a fairer topic.

Slackware doesn't do drastic changes so i can't see that happening any time soon.

[beny]

in slackware i use the root account because it is a bit strange with the permission rules,in arch i use the user account simple to manage that it is,but the root account used like a universal key.... brokenman the hard coded option are a developper choice,you have to think people follow or not your choice,but if this it is difficult to change people give up and give up also aufs...

[francois]

I understand brokenman's which takes about position as for Linux best practices.


And maybe, I should not have intervene on that sensible and conflictual topic. I might be on the side of a minority of users.

I appreciate beny's opinion which provides on the subject some shades of greys. 8)

[brokenman]

There is no choice for me to make and, therefore, no choice to follow. Porteus doesn't NEED a root account, but it has one available for those that want to use it. If you don't want to use it then you simply log in as guest. If you feel it is a security risk having it enabled than editing the password file to disable it is simple enough.

[Evan]

I've changed the topic as to make it fairer as Portues follows the slackware structure, this was always about a General discussion of opinions , hence why it's posted in General chat

At no point was it a suggestion that porteus should change , just an attempt at starting a General discussion of pros and cons of a Root account while others have decided to change and move away from this.

[Evan]

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=6186&

Infact this topic can be locked or removed as from the link above the topic is already exists for discussion.

[francois]

Locking the topic as requested by the initiator of the thread.