Switching between two desktops/users

[Tim036]

What I want to do is to have two windows open at the same time, running the same applications but with no history from the other window.

Like as if there were two users .

Is this possible ? Unix is a multi-tasking system ?

Or are we talking two computer systems here ?

A curious,

Tim

[toad]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

Setup a new user with

sudo adduser

Klick on the menu button and select switch user. A new session will be started and both users are now logged in and can access programmes. Each will have their own /home, i.e. the programmes will draw on the user's /home for specific settings.

To switch back to the first user press CTRL+ALT+F7 (F7 is the first instance of a graphical terminal or X). Subsequent users get increasing numbers, i.e. user 2 would be CTRL+ALT+F8, a third would get CTRL+ALT+F9 and so on. The first 6 terminals do not work with X, i.e. if you press CTRL+ALT+F1 trough to F6 you get taken to the command line.

HTH.

[flarson]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

The parallel session sis cool. I had not looked at that yet. Starting another session on another VT is a neat.

To the original question, what toad suggested will work but depending on what the application is youmay be able to run it in the same session as the same user and not share history, but it would depend entirely on the app.

[angel6700]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

Hello

Another way, after creating the new user (sudo adduser) (probably you should login in kde before try what I will propose you).

after

sudo adduser

you give the new user, the name "bob"

kdesudo -u bob command

this will execute the command whatever it will be. as the other user.

Good luck.

[Tim036]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

Many many thanks ! I'll try tomorrow !



Tim

[Tim036]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

I opened up a Terminal window but did not get anywhere.

Nothing worked.

So Google yielded:-

http://linux.about.com/od/kubuntu_doc/a/kubudg15t01.htm

So I had a poke about a created a new user called Tim1

So far so good but with no way to give Tim1 a password.

I'm stuck.

Any thoughts ?



Tim

[flarson]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

To create the user I would have opened a terminal and run
sudo adduser Tim1
It would then ask you some questions and create the user according to the system defaults and copied the files in /etc/skel into their new home along with asking you for the password. Hopefully your method did create the user correctly also. To set the password run
sudo passwd Tim1

[Tim036]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

To create the user I would have opened a terminal and run
sudo adduser Tim1
It would then ask you some questions and create the user according to the system defaults and copied the files in /etc/skel into their new home along with asking you for the password. Hopefully your method did create the user correctly also. To set the password run
sudo passwd Tim1

I missing some knowledge here...

I can get into a Terminal window but when I type sudo etc it does not ask me for a password.

I;m using Kubuntu 'Hardy Heron'



Tim

[flarson]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

Then you must have typed it wrong. It should go like
sudo passwd Tim1
[sudo] password for flarson:
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:

Of course the username is case sensitive. This is basic unix implemented in Debian and K/Ubuntu has not messed with it.

[Tim036]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

When I typed the password nothing came on the screen but I thought maybe its a safety feature and it accepted it aok and now every thing works fine !

Tim1 is alive and well and switches finw with tim user. Brilliant !

All is running fine.

Without the support of yourself and other Forum members I would never had got there on my own !

Many many thanks !



Tim

[Tim036]

Re: Switching between two desktops/users

Snag !



I seem to have got confused and have to enter the password each time I switch. The switching is very very slow.

Any way to avoid this ?

I'm sure its just some sort of finger trouble.



Tim

Update;-


Going to Switch User from the 'K' ikon, the Start New Session avoiding the 'locked' option above.

This seems vital anyway before using control.alt.F8

And the GEM is right click on screen and near the bottom is Switch User ! ******

Can't get easier than that.