(From http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2008/04/09/usb-ubuntu-804-installation-from-windows/)

This simple tutorial covers how to install, boot and then run Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) from a USB flash drive. Upon completion of this tutorial, Ubuntu 8.04 can be run from the portable flash device in the same fashion (but much faster) than it would from the Live CD. This specific tutorial does not cover a Ubuntu 8.04 persistence (persistent) feature option. Hence the user cannot save changes back to the USB device using this tutorial. Read more »

In a Linux installation, the administrator is known as root and usually has it’s own password. Most operations that need root privileges will ask you for the root password or if you are working on the command line, you would swap to root for a time by typing su (for Super User) and then the password. This gives an element of protection and security to the system.You are advised not to work as root under normal operating circumstances. This is one of the ways that Linux helps protect you from virus infections and other problems.

Ubuntu is a little different and you need to understand the differences if you are to get the best from your system. When Ubuntu Linux is first installed, a normal user account is set up along with a password. When certain operations are attempted – for example going to synaptic package manager – you will be asked for your password. This is your normal user password. If you are working on the command line some operations will require su type privileges. In these instances you need to type sudo before the command and you will again be asked for the password. If you need to have a dedicated root account there is a way of setting one up, but for normal use you wouldn’t need that.

If you have been a Windows and/or a Mac OS user to date, you are probably used to searching for a program on the internet (often offered in an executable installer) and having to download and install it.

You’re probably familiar with software distributed on CDs, DVDs, etc. which often have an autorun feature from where you can then install them. For free and open systems like Ubuntu GNU/Linux there is some software distributed in this fashion, but those are mostly proprietary and closed programs. Read more »

(From http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2008/06/02/usb-centos-5-live-install-via-windows/)

The following tutorial covers the process of installing CentOS 5 to a USB flash drive using a Windows host. Once CentOS is installed, it will operate just like the CentOS live cd. A persistence feature is not being utilized in this tutorial so you will NOT be able to save and restore your changes on subsequent boots. A little background info on CentOS; CentOS is an Enterprise class Linux Distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public. This version of Linux is commonly used by many popular web hosting companies as a Linux server platform due to it’s extreme stability. We can use the Fedora LiveUSB Creator to install CentOS to a flash drive. Read more »

You can restrict and enable administrative (ROOT) access to users with the Users and Groups application:

• Press System | Administration | Users and Groups
• Select the user who is to be given administrative access and press Properties
• Select the User Privileges tab
• Check the box next to Administer the system and press OK