Root and Other Users

In any Unix system, the root user is called a superuser because it has powers far beyond those of mortal users (and it's not even affected by kryptonite).

As root, you can access files and change the system in ways other users cannot. But you can also wipe out your entire hard drive in just ten keystrokes.

Unless you plan to install new software or tweak your system, you should log in to Linux as a user other than root.

Ex Nihilo: Adding New Users

In the Linux universe, new users do not evolve--they are created by a benevolent superuser. To add a new user account, log in to the root account and enter a command like the one shown here. There's no limit to the number of new users you can add.

adduser hermie

After using the adduser command, you must assign a password to the new account before it can be used. Use this command to set the password:

passwd hermie

. . . and enter the initial password for hermie when prompted.