The last word on Passwords

[Steven Vollom]

Bruce Marshall wrote:
> Steven:
>
> Here are the rules you are operating under:
>
> 1)  Your normal user is 'steven'  and for that user you have a password.
> 2) You use 'steven' to login to the KDE environment.
> 3) As such, you are a normal (unprivileged) user except when using SUDO.
> 4) Everything you do in KDE (with a few exceptions) you do as an unpriv user.
> 5) For those commands you might want to use (adept, synaptic, some system 
> settings), those commands will issue a sudo for you and ask for your 'steven' 
> password.  They then execute those commands as if root had issued them.
>
> All of the above is the way most people use the kubuntu system.  They stay as 
> their unpriviledged user, and provide their user passwd when some system 
> command needs to be issued.   Comprendez?
>
> For all of the above, there is only ONE password, the same password you used 
> to login to KDE....  and that is the password for 'steven'.
>
> And I just had a 'light bulb moment'.
>
> And you are NOT going to be able to do what you want.
>
> I was trying to steer you to a root shell in a konsole window.  If you had 
> attained that (and you are almost there), you would NOT be able to do what 
> you want because all of the commands would have to be entered at what we call 
> the CLI level (command line interface)
>
> Thus to enter 'system settings', you would have to enter 'systemsettings' and 
> know enough to do that (different than what you think).   And to change KDE 
> settings, you would have to enter  'kcontrol'  and know to do that.  This is 
> not what you want.
>
> So,  use a reasonable password,   use 'sudo', and live a happy life.   You 
> CANNOT be root while at the KDE level.
>
> But having said that, you're best bet is to go waaay back to this morning (if 
> I recall) and make the changes that will  allow you to enter your password 
> once every xx hours...    or only once.   That's what you really want.
>
> So if you had set that to 8 hours... for example, you could click on adept all 
> you want for up to 8 hours and not have to re-enter your password.  If it can 
> be set to infinity, so much the better.
>
> As far as I know, that comes closest to what you are trying to get to.
>
>
> Over and out.
>
>   
You're not angry anymore$^%##@$%

Dear Bruce,

I hope we are OK.  I kind of wish I could use the program in Feisty that 
gave me what I want.  Is there a way to extract that package from an old 
Feisty CD and make it work in a more current OS?  That was best for me.  
It was pretty too, and that is good for an artist.  It had a beige 
background; I not sure the color of the print.  But it sure was a 
GODsend for someone with a missing digit.  Every time I look up, I see 
another email.  I am not confident this is the last one, but you have 
been put through enough. 

I really can't complain anyway, because it didn't even cost me 8% of 
retail.  The Kubuntu people are incredible.  They put out the most 
fantastic Operating System Free and still get criticism.  Go figure.  
Well, I don't want to do anything that can't be done, but I want to do 
everything that can be done.  If your wife is mad at me for causing you 
this stress, ask her forgiveness, I am pretty ashamed of myself.  Good 
night my friend, we must be near the same time.  It is dark here.  Enjoy 
the fireside cuddles, and I will talk to you again, when you are willing.

Steven