[NCLUG] Display variables

[Neil Doane]

* Matt Taggart (matt at lackof.org) on [12-17-00 12:13] did utter:
> 
> Prescott Oelke writes...
> 
> >  Hi there,
> > 
> >  I had a problem installing Myth II and checked the FAQ. The FAQ said to use
> > unset DISPLAY and run the installer in text only mode. Myth II installed
> > fine but ever since I did this I can't get a lot of stuff (netscape for
> > example) to work at all if I'm not root.
> 
> It sounds like root owns the $DISPLAY so you're logged in as root(or ran 
> startx as root). This is generally a bad idea, always log in to X as a mortal 
> and su when you need to be root. If you need to run X apps as other users then 
> you'll need to grant them permission to the $DISPLAY. You can do this with 
> xauth(the proper way) or xhost(the insecure, but easy, way). Also if you just 
> use sudo then the display stuff gets taken care of automagically.

Another easy way around this is to simply ssh root at localhost, (or ssh -X
root at localhost if you use OpenSSH).  This will also forward your X11 display
info automatically.



Neil