When installings pkg's should i be logged in as root user?

Should I use root all the time? or is this bad?
i am currently and usually use the reg account with admin priviledges. I just dont know!

Thanks for any help or ides..

trying to install php mysql and all that junk... its not as easy as everyone says it is!!!

Only use root for installing system-wide packages and other essential administration. This prevents you from accidentally messing things up (easily done!).

Post any questions about installing PHP and MySQL here, and I'll do my best to help.


Hope this helps.

I am having some general issues, like, following instructions on how to install 'fink' it doesnt work..... Ive tried using these installation instructions here:
http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/.../MySQLtips.html

http://www.mysql.com/documentation/....html#Passwords

http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/Default_privileges.html

http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/...nOSX/page3.html

http://www.entropy.ch/software/MacOSx/mysql/

After installing, i try to change file access priviledges etc, and i get messages like, 'file not found' etc! why isnt the installer doing it completely? Ive had to remove the 3.23.55 package many times and reinstall it. because each time I thought i did something wrong. Ive followed several tutorial (given above) and none of them allow me to use MySql. The closest i got was, it was installed, and they tell you the first thing youre supposed to do is set root priveledges, Well they dont tell you if youre supposed to end the mysql session or not, or if its supposed to be running. or if you leave it running while you open a new terminal window. when i tried to set the access (the one time the terminal understood what i was talking about) it said 'ACCESS DENIED' I have sudo priviledges on my pooter though!
If you vcan help please do!!!!!!
I am just learning (teaching myself) UNIX and as far as this stuff is concerned, im a pretty fast study. but the tutorials assume a knowledge i dont have like when it says password 'password' does that mean u type : password 'your_password_here' /OR/: password your_password_here
ENDGOAL: simple... (i thought it was) i want to set up email forms etc on my web site.
I actually did install php and tested it, that works fine...

Please help!
Bo Eddy

I forgot to mention that!
MySql is the app im having a hard time with