by wintpe » Jan 19th, '14, 20:01
its probably worth noting for all newbies
this is how linux works, and has always worked
theres no registry, that utilities write into.
its all about dozens of scripts running during start up, reading settings from config files, and setting
them for that boot (thats for the system).
then
everytime you login, as your session is started up, your personal settings files that are stored in your home directory are all read and
all the .files (dot-files that is) (or sometimes refered to as hidden files) in your home directory are read and those settings are applied to your personal session.
so if you want to change a system setting you have to start a terminal or use a tool, that asks you for roots password.
(in a terminals case you have to su - first). (su alone is OK in some cases, the - (minus) means read the new users startup files, as you change to its ID)
if you want to change a setting that is in your session, so it takes effect the next time "you" login, then you do it as yourself.
this then saves it to your personal config files in your home directory.
Its this distinction that makes linux so much more resiliant to malware.
hope that helps, as ive seen a few questions and points of view posted that seem to missunderstand this.
regards peter
Redhat 6 Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Sometimes my posts will sound short, or snappy, however its realy not my intention to offend, so accept my apologies in advance.