SUSE Linux 10.0 Unleashed

Where All the Good Stuff Goes: Your /home Directory

Ultimately, the most important data on any computer belongs in this directory the files you create for yourself. Every "real" (in contrast to a system) user on a Linux system gets a /home directory labeled with their username. That user has complete control over folders and files created in this directory and control over all access to those files except for the Root user.

In an effort to be helpful, SUSE Linux adds a few subdirectories to the /home directory by default:

• /bin can hold binary (program) files, but is usually empty to begin with.

• /Desktop holds your KDE desktop icons. GNOME users tend to have a cleaner look, but the subdirectory is there if you want it.

• Documents is a lovely place to store word processing files and other, well... documents.

• /public_html is a place to store your website. If you have a web server, such as Apache, installed, this directory links directly to your localhost URL. Read more about building websites in Chapter 14, "Creating Basic Websites," and Chapter 31, "Programming Dynamic Websites." Learn more about the Apache web server in Chapter 26, "Managing Your Apache Web Server."

You can work with these subdirectories, create more, delete some your /home is your playground. But remember, back up your /home directory regularly. It's designed for that.