Adding new background images

[Bubby]

Quoted from your article you posted by the author states :

Running graphical programs using sudo in Ubuntu is basically fine – in many cases. But, doing so is insecure, as you could potentially allow other running GUI apps root access; not just the program you are running! This is probably down to a few freak cases, however, and I have not encountered any problems myself.

Problems arise and solutions are found or given.

as stated FREAK cases happen but it is VERY few. The individual say I have not encountered any problems myself.

[FrenchPress]

I saw the link but have you experienced any problem in person?
Actually I am now curious to hear the other volunteers' opinion about this subject.
@Aravisian @StarTreker @swarfendor437 @zabadabadoo @337harvey
Have you experienced any problem opening Nautilus with sudo?

[Aravisian]

I have not- because I do not do it.

Running the Graphical Nautilus with sudo creates several permissions issues. Sudo is Root but you are opening the Home Folder as Root when you do that.
While it does create a security issue, the primary concern - that article notwithstanding - is in file permissions being nixxed. And fixing it is not easy.
You can do:

sudo -i

THEN launch Nautilus
Or

///admin

OR pkexec
OR
@FrenchPress 's usual recommended

sudo apt install nautilus-admin

Then have access to open as root from the right click context menu.

I recommend this last option. Nemo File manager comes with it and I use it regularly.

[FrenchPress]

@Aravisian

Running the Graphical Nautilus with sudo creates several permissions issues.

That is good to know.
In fact, after I installed nautilus-admin, I seldom do it.

That is one nice thing about XFCE.
Thunar already has this function pre-installed.

[Aravisian]

Yes, I do not know why pkexec has to be manually configured to work with Nautilus but doesn't with everything else.

[FrenchPress]

The best file manager is Thunar for me.
One reason I am patiently waiting for Zorin Lite.

[Winged1]

Using sudo is one of those things that is normally not a problem until it is. Permission problems do and have happened though rare it should be noted. Getting back on topic, as remember there is more to adding wallpapers to the root background folder than just adding the images.

[Aravisian]

@Winged1

Getting back on topic, as remember there is more to adding wallpapers to the root background folder than just adding the images.

Must be a Gnome thing.
On Zorin OS Lite, just toss whatever images whereever you want to... In home folder, pictures folder...
Then open the wallpaper settings and point to the directory that contains the pictures you want to use as wallpapers and pick one.

[Winged1]

No, I have encountered users on Ubuntu forums that have and could not get into their own files.I was told by an experienced user 10 years ago that it was best to avoid using sudo for GUI applications. I first used gksudo which is now depreciated and other alternatives already noted in this thread.

[dasjdoom]

Dear Mongoose, perhaps I was to eager.

You can just copy them to /Home/.local/share/backgrounds.
and do the ALT + F2 + r thing to refresh the desktop.

No sudo privileges needed and no xml files to adjust, which I suggested in my previous message.

[FrenchPress]

@Winged1

I first used gksudo

Same here.
I still do not understand the logic behind the removal of this command.
@Aravisian do you have any idea?

[Aravisian]

Gksudo had some security issues that while not major, had enough presence to nag the developers minds. The current PolicyKit we use now was preferred.
Gksudo was deprecated with PolicyKitExectuable replacing it - pkexec

I am going off memory and this may not be fully accurate. @swarfendor437 may know more than I do. I asked him at the time and he explained it to me.

[swarfendor437]

I've discovered that what must have been a system update on my Desktop install of Devuan 3.1.1. I had setup with a separate root password and to install stuff would have to su in the terminal. They now use pkexec in the background so when I launch synaptic I have to use my user password, not root. I suspect that there was/is an issue with sudo in general, not just gksudo.

Much easier in KDE on Zorin - Right click, Configure Desktop | Wallpaper | Add image ... Pictures folder opens:

Alternatively, Get New Wallpapers ...

Then left mouse-click on desired wallpaper and click on Apply.

[Winged1]

I found in Zorin 16 gnome when I used my own images from the pictures, a folder named wallpapers was created in the pictures directory and I simply load them into background settings from there.

[dasjdoom]

Does not work on my Zorin 16 gnome. How did you do this?

[Winged1]

I opened a picture from my own collection and used the context menu to set as wallpaper. When I did that the wallpaper folder was automatically created and from there I can use add picture in background settings to use when I want.

Example: I just set the owl picture as wallpaper from my collection and it now appears in the wallpapers folder.

[dasjdoom]

Got it,
I know why I couldn't do this. I use Dolphin.
Yes your right, using the standard file manager from Zorin, it can be done.

Well there are more roads leading to backgrounds for change. Hope Mongoose, reads them.

[FrenchPress]

@dasjdoom

Hope Mongoose, reads them.

He is currently busy chasing after Umlaut

[Winged1]

Just installed Solus Plasma on my older Laptop so I'm learning my way around KDE .

[dasjdoom]

I like the Budgie DE your using on Zorin. It has a very clean and sleek look. But I guess that's a different laptop/pc.