It is a bit embarassing considering every web page that discusses linux shell commands includes a warning, but I have to admit that I entered the infamous sudo rm -rf / command when I first installed linux. I had just installed Ubuntu and I was trying to switch to the root user. Flipping through a guide I saw the sudo command and below it in a large box quote I saw sudo rm -rf /. Well, without thinking about it I entered the code guessing that it would switch me to the other user.
Things got crazy. I don't know if any of you have ever run this command. I'd assume not. We all know what it does basically but to experience it is very odd. I could still use the mouse. My cursor would move around, but every icon disappeared and I couldn't really do anything. Looking back at the guide on my other computer I realized my mistake, hung my head in shame, and put the ubuntu install disk back into my laptop and began reinstalling linux.
Now most people might think an event like this would turn a person off of Linux, but it had the opposite effect on me. This was the moment that I fell in love with Linux. Sounds strange? Well, it was then that I truly understood the level of power that the administrator has over Linux. You are in total control of the system. There is no hand holding or coddling of the administrator. When you run a command as root Linux assumes you know what the fuck you're doing. I like that.
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