Run gDesklets as Root in Ubuntu/Debian

gDesklets is an application for GNOME which as its name suggests, creates Desklets on one’s desktop. These nifty utilities can be fairly useful or serve a decorative purpose. However, if you run your computer as root, this error may appear as you attempt to run it:

You must NOT run gDesklets as superuser (root).

Luckily, it’s a quick fix.

1) Open up Terminal.

2) Type this command in: (you can use any editor you want, as long as you are editing this file)

sudo gedit /usr/bin/gdesklets

3) Find these lines:

elif (os.getuid() == 0):
print _(“You must NOT run gDesklets as super user (root).”)
sys.exit(1)

And place a # sign in front of sys.exit(1) so it becomes:

elif (os.getuid() == 0):
print _(“You must NOT run gDesklets as super user (root).”)
#sys.exit(1)

4) The above line is near the top of the file.  After you’ve saved it, run gDesklets and have fun!

Any problems? Leave a comment!

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