cannot get from 'user' to root to update anything

Hi,
Everything in Linux/Ubuntu has permissions which is split up into users, groups, or everyone else.
Your system files are protected from being edited by regular users to help protect your system.
In order to edit them, you must give yourself "root" (administrator) privileges.
You can give yourself temporary root permission by typing "sudo" before a command.
After you type the command, you must authenticate yourself by typing in your password.
I hope that clears some of the stuff up.

The reason you are not given root privileges to your computer by default is a security feature. You don't want everything on your computer to be given the ability to mess around with core components of your system.

I hope that helps!

On Fri, 2006-11-03 at 06:56 +0000, Jeff Greene wrote:
> Support request #2315 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2315
>
Thank you! So far so good. Now, where do I find a command line in
order to type 'sudo' and what command would I be using? I am the
administrator so I want access to everything. I am trying to see what
there is in the system. Denis

> Comment:
> Hi,
> Everything in Linux/Ubuntu has permissions which is split up into users, groups, or everyone else.
> Your system files are protected from being edited by regular users to help protect your system.
> In order to edit them, you must give yourself "root" (administrator) privileges.
> You can give yourself temporary root permission by typing "sudo" before a command.
> After you type the command, you must authenticate yourself by typing in your password.
> I hope that clears some of the stuff up.
>
> The reason you are not given root privileges to your computer by default is a security feature. You don't want everything on your computer to be given the ability to mess around with core components of your system.
>
> I hope that helps!

By default, you should be able to view everything on your computer as "read-only." Should a program such as update manager need root access, a window should pop up asking you for your password. This will authenticate you as root. If you need to type terminal commands as root, you can do so by going to Applications --> Accessories --> Terminal and typing "sudo" before the commands. I highly recommend knowing what commands you are typing do before using sudo as you can mess up your machine with root privlages. Don't be discouraged that you are not root all the time because there is no need and it would only open your computer to be vulnerable. Any time you need to use it with the standard applications, you will be prompted for your password so you can still use them as root.

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