--------------------------------------------------- Great, but how does this make the Linux system easy to use for the home user? --------------------------------------------------- Understanding the Init System doesn't so much make Linux easier for the home user, it just gives you a better understanding of how the system works, which in turn makes Linux easier. The more you know about something the easier it is. It is just the way that Sys V *nix systems work. On the other hand BSD based *nix use rc.local and rc.conf to configure the system and start applications. The runlevels are organized into six different levels (or more depending on how you look at it). To change Run Level simply type #init [0123456] notice that there is a "#" meaning I am running the command as ROOT! Init 0 - shut down, shuts down the system. If you do a shutdown -h now the system goes into Init 0. Init 1 - Single user mode, which means no networking. If you are using your *nix box as a server with multiple people accessing it and you need to make a change to something and not have an outside user affect that change you put the system into Single User mode. Init 2 - Linux uses this run level to bring the system into a command line mode with all services running except NFS. Init 3 - The default runlevel in most Linux systems. Brings the system into a command line mode. Usually with all networking and unneeded deamons running. Init 4 - Unused. It is left for the user to build a special run level if they require that. Init 5 - The default runlevel in most Linux systems to bring the system into X windows. Init 6 - reboot. It tell the system what to do in a reboot! To know what run level your system boot to look at : id:5:initdefault: in you /etc/inittab The /etc/inittab also tells what each run level is for. Well anyway, that is that. Let me know if you have any questions or if everyone here is just no interested in really learning how Linux works and more of how to make it easier! I only like to talk about how it works. Dusty