Thoughts about running as root

[zscoundrel]

Safety is as good a reason as any, and so is impact on other users.

I find it really amusing when someone will preach about never-ever-ever 
running as root, and then turn around and provide step by step 
instructions that couldn't possibly be done without root access - and 
fail to mention you have to be root to follow the instructions!

I always run under a user account and SU to do admin work.  Even though 
the account I use has enhanced access levels, I have saved myself from 
several stupid mistakes by running under user rather than SU.

Running under a user account actually helped to teach me what were root 
privileges and the some of the differences between user duties and admin 
duties.

JD Runyan wrote:

> I believe that the argument is that when someone is using it as the sole
> user, why not use root, not when you are on a multi-human system.  The
> best rational not to do this, is that if by some chance your box has
> been compromised, and someone has installed at trojan horse then you
> risk allowing the trojan full access to your system.
>