Take the Linux Filesystem Tour

"As we set off, on our left you'll notice a directory called /root. This is a little confusing: it isn't the root directory, it's just a directory called root. It's actually the private property of the system administrator. In fact, it's the super-user's home directory.

"I have an uncle who's the system administrator of a Solaris system, and he's always complaining that he doesn't have a private home directory. His home directory is /, and he hates it. How would you like to have to hang your washing out to dry in the town square? Can we take a look in /root, Hal? Oh, apparently not - Colonel Linux says no. Well, there's no harm in asking, but /root is one of the few directories for which ordinary users don't have read permission.

"Generally speaking, Linux permissions implement a 'look but don't touch' policy. The main exception is in a user's home directory, where they can do whatever they want."

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