Hi there,

As I read about *nix style permissions, I find that I don't really understand some of it. Oh, I feel like I understand how to read the rwxrwxrwx parts, but I suppose I don't why certain users can read files in certain directories while other can't.

Let me see how I can explain.

It's almost as if I'm missing something like "Power Users." A Power User can, in general, do more and see more than a User, but less than an Administrator.

If I have an account and I want to raise that accounts privileges -- assuming, of course, I have root access already -- so that my account can read files regardless of the owner or group, then how can one do that? Is it even possible?

m

May be this will help you understand better.

tcv - me again.

have a look at

http://www.linux-tutorial.info/modul...ssary&term=UID

it's quite a nice summary.


Someone may want to correct me, but I think that root gets its "power" by virtue of having the uid 0. There isn't a step between root and a normal user; there are users with reduced capablities, for example users that can't logon.

I think the simple answer is that only root (or a user with a uid 0) can do what you want. A lot of people on this forum would recommend that you don't use this user for anything but admin tasks - installing system software, etc.

*nix all works on the file permissions as you understand them. If I don't own a file or directory and only the owner or group can read that file, if I'm not in the group, I can't read it. Nothing more to it than that (although it gets a bit messed up if the directory permissions are out of kilter with the files in the directory (note this does not mean the permissions should be the same - typically directories will have execute set whereas files don't for example)).

Rgds again

Bill

Hey Billy,

I hope you don't think I was ducking you. I just thought I should post the question here.

Wow, so there really is no escalated user privilege between root and user. That is safer, but it can also be a little frustrating. You know my dilemma.

Thanks for the link!

And the sudo link, mokele.

I thought I suggested a new pot anyway?

pot?? what??

post - missed the "s"