[tech] Making admin logins easier on Linux desktops

[James Arcus]

Hi tech (again),

Previously on the Linux desktops, anyone on wheel or sprocket could use 
sudo to do administrative tasks with their own password. However, if 
they were using a graphical interface, they would usually be asked for 
the root password for the machine. The graphical admin dialog is handled 
through software called Polkit, and it had not been configured to 
recognise any UCC groups as administrators.

I have pushed out a configuration change to polkit for all of the 
clubroom desktops. Now if you are a member of either wheel or sprocket, 
you will be given the chance to authenticate using your own password 
instead of having to look up/know the machine's root password.

Cheers,

James [MPT]