[NTLUG:Discuss] Formatting a floppy with ext3, Smoothwall

[terry]

Stephen Davidson wrote:
> Cameron, Thomas wrote:
> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Wayne Dahl [mailto:w.dahl4 at verizon.net]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 2:35 PM
>>> To: NTLUG Discussion List
>>> Subject: Re: [NTLUG:Discuss] Formatting a floppy with ext3, also using
>>> Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4) with Smoothwall
>>
>>
> [snip]
> 
>>
>>> BTW, any ideas why my RH8 box couldn't seem to find mkfs or mke2fs from
>>> a bash shell, even though they're both located in /sbin?
>>
>>
>>
>> Are you logged in as root?  If used "su" to become root, I bet you 
>> didn't use "su -" (note the dash).
> 
> 
> What is the difference between "su" and "su -"?

su -
logs you into root, but also changes you to root's directory and affords 
you the benefit of the PATH for root, so that whatever's in root's path 
will be available to you - as in just typing the command and not having 
to type the whole path to where the executable is stored.

More info?:
You can also su to another user with the - and it'll do the same thing:
su - fred
will log you into fred and move to /home/fred and afford benefit of 
fred's path.
whereas:
su fred
will log you into fred but leave you in whatever directory your in and 
you'll not be using fred's path, (or anyone's for that matter).

Also:
If you want to have fred's path and fred's permissions, but want to stay 
in /home/cameron, (or where ever you are at the moment), you can go:
su -m fred
and that'll leave you in same directory but you'll have fred's 
permissions and path.
Same holds true when su-ing to root:
su -m
will leave you in whatever directory you were in, but gives you root 
privileges and path.

> 
>>
>> -- 
>> Thomas Cameron, RHCE, CNE, MCSE, MCT
>> Assistant Vice President
>> Linux Design and Engineering
>> Bank of America
>>
>> The opinions expressed in this message are mine alone and do not 
>> necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer, Bank of America.
> 
> 

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