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

[Scott Robbins <scottro@example.com>]

On Sat, Mar 08, 2008 at 02:38:41AM +0900, Brian Chandler wrote:
> Josh Glover wrote:


> >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... 

Not really, don't worry.  I have a world of respect for Josh and I
believe he knows it--I was just being a bit tongue in cheek.  As for the
Ubuntu, because you're too stupid to have root line, that too was a
joke--one of my first mentors from this list uses it frequently these
days, and believe me, I'd be terrified of getting in a flame war with
him.  

Sorry for any misunderstandings, but don't worry, none of it was your
fault. 

> 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. 

Close enough.  Sudo gives you administrative privileges for that one
command and will require your USER password.  (vs a root password.)  

As you're learning, that's enough of an understanding, just keep in mind
that it can be used for much more granular control if you wish. 


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...

Well, that's what we were discussing so cheerfully (honest!) last night.
It seems to be an apparent Ubuntu bug.  

Cups (which is the backend, that is, the thing behind the gnome
interface, as far as I know--it is with most printing programs) is
insisting that it wants root's password.  Yet, Ubuntu doesn't enable a
root user by default.  Ergo, it seems to be a bug.  :)

> 
> Can I ask another question? (Oops) 

You just did, you have to say, "May I ask TWO questions with this being
the first."  :)


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"??

localhost is the name that the operating system gives the machine that
is running the system.  So, if you look at your /etc/hosts file you'll
see something like 127.0.0.1 and the name you gave your machine when you
installed it as well as something like localhost.localdomain. 

So localhost means the computer you are physically in front of, and
using at the moment.  It's your localhost for now. 

However, if you log into it remotely, then you're not on the localhost,
you're working on a remote host. 


> 
> 
> * 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.

Most have us have been at that, I don't understand anything stage once
in awhile. 


-- 
Scott Robbins
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