Re: "root" and "su - " -- a Linux trick question?

[Alan Mead <adm ipat com>]

>Is there ANY difference whatsoever between being root as "root" (logging 
>in as root) and being root as "su -" (logging in as user and switching to 
>"su -")? In both cases, you are root in root's own environment as opposed 
>to being root (su) in the user's environment.

On a multi-user system this becomes important:  logging onto console as
root leaves no trace of who it was, whereas using su (anywhere) does.

---
Alan D. Mead  /  Research Scientist  /  adm ipat com
Institute for Personality and Ability Testing
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