[rw]

While using Fink, I got this message:

NB: root's PATH should usually contain /usr/local/sbin, /usr/sbin and /sbin.

So, without enabling root, how do I find out what root's PATH variable actually contains?

[Arkham_c]

Just do:

Code:
sudo su -

Enter your password when prompted, and you'll have a shell running as root with the root users' environment. Then just do

Code:

env | grep PATH

or

echo $PATH

to see the path.

I'm not sure though why you're seeing that from fink.

FYI, my root users' path is unchanged from the default and is:

Code:
PATH=/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin

[ickettpe]

off topic, but :

why is it that apple doesn't allow you to log in as root like on a normal linux box? Any reason we can't have a root user to log into os X as root? Or do i just not know how?

also, is there a way to boot into command line only?

[justinkim]

Root comes disabled in OS X as a security measure. You can turn it on using the NetInfo manager app in the Utilities folder.

IIRC, there's some key combination you can hold down at boot to boot into console mode. Don't remember it, but I'm sure someone'll post it.

[ickettpe]

so uh... how do I activate root user in netinfo?

[IUJHJSDHE]

Originally posted by ickettpe:
so uh... how do I activate root user in netinfo?

Goto Domain Menu, inside that security, and then enable root.

As for starting as cli, you can only do single user mode.

I think it's command+s when starting up

[Ludovic Hirlimann]

Originally posted by justinkim:
Root comes disabled in OS X as a security measure. You can turn it on using the NetInfo manager app in the Utilities folder.

IIRC, there's some key combination you can hold down at boot to boot into console mode. Don't remember it, but I'm sure someone'll post it.

Where you thinking verbose mode , ie V ?

[Ludovic Hirlimann]

Originally posted by ickettpe:
off topic, but :

why is it that apple doesn't allow you to log in as root like on a normal linux box?

Because when root is enabled, it's easier to gain power on your machine. Most machine being connected to the net, and most mac users being non geeks it's normal for Apple do diseable root.

Your account can trash the kernel. Root can.

[chabig]

As for starting as cli, you can only do single user mode.

Not so. You can get to to a command line interface from the GUI by typing >console into the login window's username field. Then hit return.

If you don't have text fields for username and password, but instead use pictures, then at the login window hit the down arrow to highlight a user picture, then hit option-return. This will bring up the username and password fields. Then >console as before.

When you are done in the CLI, type exit and you'll be back at the login window.

Chris

[rw]

This is off the new topic of enabling root, but I wanted to thank Arkham_c for solving my original problem re Fink.

[Arkham_c]

Originally posted by rw:
This is off the new topic of enabling root, but I wanted to thank Arkham_c for solving my original problem re Fink.

Glad to be of assistance.

[ShotgunEd]

how do i add a directory to my path?

[Arkham_c]

Originally posted by ShotgunEd:
how do i add a directory to my path?

It depends if you use a C-shell (csh, tcsh) or a Bourne shell (sh, bash, ksh, zsh). If you're using a c-shell, you should switch , but seriously...

cshell:

setenv PATH "$PATH:newdirectory"

bourne shell:
PATH="$PATH:newdirectory"
export PATH

(some of the better bourne shells will also allow this):
export PATH="$PATH:newdirectory"

If you want to add it permanently so it's already there when you open a new shell/terminal, you can do so in the appropriate resource file in your home directory depending on your shell (.bashrc, .tcshrc, etc). Read the man page on your shell to find the name of the config resource file for your shell.

Everyone has a favorite shell, and OSX comes with most of them. Personally, I use bash.

[cesjr]

I am having this problem. How do I fix it? Is there another site that is better for getting advice on these things?