Managing users in Ubuntu

A short, practical guide to user management in Ubuntu and GNU/Linux


By Mark Rais

Online on: 09/08/2006
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As you notice from day to day use of Ubuntu, most tasks are easily accomplished. But what happens when you're ready to expand your use of Ubuntu to include new applications, or connect to a home network and add new users? This brief guide shares the key steps necessary to create and manage other users, helps clarify some essential differences with other flavors, and provides tips regarding "root" user. Perhaps most importantly, these steps help empower the use of your Ubuntu system to become far more than just another desktop PC.
Understanding users in Ubuntu

The security and usefulness of your Ubuntu system depends a good deal on what you do to enable users and their privileges. Without falling into the minutia and the mundane, it is important to at least understand how users are handled in the Ubuntu GNU/Linux environment.

When you first install Ubuntu, you are required to create a user account. This initial user account, and for that matter all subsequent users, have their independent user files stored under the Home folder. But there is something unique about the first user account you create.

In my case, when installing Ubuntu, I created the user account: "mark". Not only is mark my first Ubuntu user, but mark has automatically been given unique and powerful privileges that other users do not receive. My mark account can create users, change files and folders, and do a lot of administrative functions on Ubuntu that are normally performed by another important user account named "root".

Therefore, in Ubuntu, you should understand the three key users:

    * Initial user, in my case called mark, created when installing Ubuntu
    * Root user, known as the administrator that usually has maximum privileges
    * All other users, which I term basic users, are added following installation

Each of these three key users have their own folders, their own unique privileges, and most importantly their own role to play on your Ubuntu system. In the following sections, I will share how to enable and utilize each. Let's begin with the basic user.

NOTE: I assume that you are logged in to your Ubuntu system as the initial user, thereby having the rights and privileges necessary to perform the tasks below.
Creating and managing basic users

Inevitably, once you setup Ubuntu in your home or office, others will come to you begging to get access. Some may want a chance to try out one of the multitude of cool applications that come preloaded with your system, while others desire to see GNU/Linux power! In other words, you need a good way to give them access without giving them the keys to the system.
Step 1. Accessing the users and groups tool

Creating basic user accounts is easily accomplished through the Users and Groups tool. From your main menu, choose System, then Administration. To start your tool select the Users and Groups menu item.

Notice the message that appears (figure 1).