3.4 Users and Authority

The basic version of desktop OS is a real, complete, multi-user, and multi-tasking operating system. Multi-user and Multi-tasking indicate that multiple users can be created on the system, and multiple users can log in to the same system at the same time to perform their different tasks without affecting them. Different users have different permissions; each user can complete the different task within the scope of permission. It is through the division and management of this authority that the multi-user multi-task operation mechanism has been achieved.

Here is the brief introduction to several common concepts of the user and the authority.

3.4.1 What is the Management Prerogative?

Just as you create the new file, your computer also has many files needed to run the system properly. If these important system files are modified improperly, the system may be destroyed. Therefore, these files will be protected from being modified at will by default. The specific application program will also modify the important parts of the system, therefore it is also protected. The way of protecting them is that only users with management prerogatives are allowed to modify files or using certain application programs.

3.4.2 Problems caused by restriction of management prerogatives

You may undergo problems due to no management prerogatives. Administrator privileges for some operations are needed to work, such as connecting to some networks or wireless network, reviewing catalogs of removable hard disks which inserted to the computer or catalogs of different disk partitions and so on.

3.4.3 User account and management prerogatives

There are two kinds of accounts in the system, including the administrator account and standard users.

Administrator account has management prerogatives. If you are the standard user, you do not need to modify system files or using these application programs in daily use. Therefore, you don’t have administrator privileges by default. Sometimes you may need to use these application programs, and you can obtain management prerogatives temporarily to be allowed to make modifications. If application program needs administrator privileges, it will ask you for the password. For example, if you want to install certain new software, then the installation program (package manager) of the software will ask you for administrator password so that it can add new application program to this system. Once it’s completed, your administrator privileges will be taken back again. All in all, administrator privileges enable you to modify important parts of the system when you need and prevent you from accidental operation.

Notes: The first user account in the system has management prerogatives. This is the new user account when you first time install the system.

3.4.4 Create users

If multiple users use the same system, as the administrator user, you can create new users in the system. You can also set up to decide whether the newly created user is an administrator or standard user.

Notes: It’s not advisable to give administrator privileges to too many users in the same system.

3.4.5 What is the user's home directory?

When a user is created, the system will create a home directory for this user, and also create some default subdirectories under the home directory, such as downloads, documents, music and so on. User can create new subdirectories and documents as needed and it is suggested to perform these operations under their own home directory.

The operation will fail if the permission limit does not allow the user to create subdirectories or files under other directories.