Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop

Managing Users

JDS allows many users to share a computer, keeping their files separate and making sure nobody can step on anybody else’s files or activities.

On your system, one user, called root, always exists. The root user has administrative rights to all the resources on a computer system. In Linux, we also refer to root as superuser.

You can always log on to your computer as root if you have the password. When you perform certain advanced tasks affecting the functioning of the computer system, such as adding a user, you are prompted for a root password. In addition, knowledgeable users of Linux and JDS can run programs as root from the Terminal window that was discussed earlier. We cover this subject in greater detail later in another chapter. For now, do not access the root account unless you have extensive experience using Linux. The root user can alter critical system resources, and you could accidently make your system unusable.

To manage users, navigate to the Systems-settings window by selecting Launch → Preferences → System. You see an icon called Users and Groups. Double-click on the icon and you are prompted for the root password.

Once you enter the root password and click OK, you see a Java Desktop Configuration Screen that allows you to add, edit, and delete users.

Depending on the action you select, the Java Desktop System Configurator guides you through the process. Each step has detailed instructions on the left side of the configuration window.