Re: [tlug] Re: "Password on localhost"

[Brian Chandler <brian@example.com>]

Josh Glover wrote:
> On 07/03/2008, Gernot Hassenpflug <aikishugyo@example.com> wrote:
>
> > Yes, as Scott Robins has said, you can create a password for root.
> >  Initially, if you do not have one, you could probably so "sudo su -"
> >  and press RET for password if asked. Then use the change password
> >  command to create a new one for root. Then you can enter that one when
> >  prompted for the admin or root password in another application.
>
> Yuck. Isn't it better to change the user CUPS runs as, rather than
> subverting an important piece of Ubuntu's security model?
>
> Try this:
>
> http://ubuntu.wordpress.com/2005/10/13/enabling-cupsys-web-admin-interface/
>
> Found with the following Google search:
>
> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cups+administrator+password+ubuntu&btnG=Search


I'm amazed my little question actually managed to generate 
controversy... but it's not CUPS, it's settings in Gnome: System > 
Administration > Printing. I think I understand* the Ubuntu no-root 
idea: just one password, which is mine to login, and also gives root 
permission for admin jobs. But the problem is that while for most things 
"password" indeed unlocks the door, in this case it simply doesn't (the 
password prompt reappears, states no message, just asks again). So I 
don't know if there's supposed to be another password somewhere...

Can I ask another question? (Oops) What *exactly* does "localhost" mean? 
When I get referrers in my weblogs that say "localhost", would I be 
right in guessing it means more or less nothing?

Or could this be a clue, that it's something like the "Can't access CUPS 
in Ubuntu problem"??


* I'm not confident I understand *anything*, having spent eight hours 
today working out how to enter the UserID to the router on our new FTTH 
connection.

Brian Chandler