Bela

apt-get install unzip

This will set vi to run in nocompatible mode (so you can actually use arrow keys while in edit mode)

echo "set nocompatible"  > ~/.exrc

Make sure the script that makes node start exits (run node in a screen).

Found out how to avoid the root password at all:

edit /etc/pam.d/common-auth
edit the existing line to :
auth [success=1 default=ignore] pam_unix.so nullok

/etc/ssh/sshd_config
edit the existing line to:
PermitEmptyPasswords yes

and then
passwd -d root #deletes the password for user root