You need that root access to run service that uses port 80, or any port below 1024.
This is linux kernel security feature.
More detailed information:
"Why can only root listen to ports below 1024?" at Mikael Ståldal’s blog
Solution 1:
If you don't want to enter root password everytime or automate that kind of task by script - learn to use sudoers
.
HowTO: Sudoers Configuration at ubuntuforums.org
Solution 2:
Port limit is defined in kernel source, in include/net/sock.h
file.
/* Sockets 0-1023 can't be bound to unless you are superuser */
#define PROT_SOCK 1024
To change this on your desktop (not recommended on servers) - you may compile new kernel, with PORT_SOCK
set to 79
to unlock 80 port for non-root users, or set it to 0
to unlock all ports.