[PLUG] Such a thing as a "single user" Linux?

[Richard Owlett]

Rich Shepard wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Sep 2014, Richard Owlett wrote:
>
>> In a way what I'm looking for is CPM-80 for a i386/486/... with apt-get
>> (Synaptic a plus).
>
> Richard,
>
>     All unices, including linux, are inherently multi-user/multi-tasking from
> the inside out. A single-user linux is analogous to a single-person vehicle;
> there's only one user or driver in a system capable of carrying more than
> one.

<chuckle> You are closer than you thought. Think a commuter 
vehicle for a roving inspector on who is on call 24/7. The *nix 
world issues the tractor portion of a tractor trailer.

>
>     Perhaps you can explain why you're dissatisfied with the distributions
> you've examined. That would elicit better advice on how to remove that
> dissatisfaction. What are you trying to accomplish that has so far eluded
> you?
>
>     I'm the only user on this server/workstation, and have been for many
> years. Same with my portables; I'm the only one using them. However, they
> remain multi-user systems.

I take your usage pattern to an extreme. I am not only the sole 
user of my laptops, I am the only person to have physical access. 
Also, initially due to historical accident, only *one* machine 
*CAN* connect to the internet. The others are used solely as 
"computing devices" [for want of a better word].

This changes the whole concept of who is responsible for system 
integrity [some might use term "security" but that doesn't quite 
have right flavor]. That does strange things to users, groups, 
permissions etc. The Linux Standard Way just "gets in the way" 
and may have holes in it.

I would paraphrase Julius Caesar by saying "All Lenovos belong 
one of three classes." IOW "a computer will perform [system 
maintenance] XOR [web connection] XOR [computation]". In my case 
the "X" is enforced by having 3 physically distinct computers. 
Communication among them is by sneakernet only.

While writing this I saw the mention of Knoppix. I don't recall 
if I had tried it. However, reading some of its site and having 
learned some of Debian's ins and outs, I'm getting some ideas.

Once again I'm persuaded that an open ended question can be more 
productive than a too specific one.

Thanks