Novell LINUX ENTERPRISE SERVER 10 - INSTALLATION AND ADMINISTRATION 11-05-2007 Installation Manual page 216

9.2.1 Getting Permissions
Managing packages on a Linux system requires root privileges. The ZEN tools and
rug have their own user management system that allows users to install software up-
dates. When a user first invokes an action that requires special privileges in the ZEN
tools, a prompt for the root password appears. When the password has been verified,
The ZEN tools automatically add the user's account to the user management system
with update permissions. To review or change these settings, use the rug user manage-
ment commands (see
9.2.2 Obtaining and Installing Software
Software Updater resides in the notification area (GNOME) or the system tray (KDE)
of your panel as an icon depicting a globe. It changes color and appearance depending
on the availability of a network link and new updates. Once a day, Software Updater
automatically checks whether updates for your system are available (right-click the
application icon and choose Refresh to force an immediate check). The Software Updater
applet in the panel changes from a globe to an exclamation mark on an orange back-
ground when new updates are available.
Left-click the panel icon to open the updater window. It displays a list of patches and
new package versions available. Each entry has a short description and, if applicable,
a category icon: Security patches are marked with a yellow shield. Optional patches
are marked with a light blue circle. Recommended patches are not marked with an icon.
Security patches are listed first, then recommended patches, optional patches, and finally
new package versions. Use the links All, Packages, and Patches to filter the list of
packages displayed.
NOTE: Packages versus Patches
Officially released updates from Novell show up as Patches. New package ver-
sions from other sources show up as Packages.
To get details about a certain entry, mark it with the mouse and click the Details link
under the list window. To select an entry for installation, mark the entry's check box.
198 Installation and Administration
Section 9.1.4, "rug User Management"
Updates
(page 195) for information).