Public SourceMage Discussion List

[Eric Sandall <eric AT sandall.us>]

Quoting Karsten Behrmann <BearPerson AT gmx.net>:
> How about
> /etc/profile.d/smgl-doc-nagger.sh, which uses a count stored in /var/state
> or someplace to make sure it only displays, say, the first 5 logins.
> A bit magical, but it removes issues about "first boot" and about "non-
> root login", though obviously non-root wouldn't be able to count down
> the count. Basing it on time would have the classic problem if the user
> only adjusts timezone / system time after setting the system up all the
> way.
>
> Personally, I dislike both the one-time notification (chance of missing
> it) and a permanent notification. I don't want to be responsible for
> half the smgl boxes having a 10-line blurb on every login just because
> their admins are too lazy to change it ;)

I disagree. Instead of picking some magical number which no one will  
agree with (some may say first login only (already have), others all  
logins until noted others (e.g. me), and many varying numbers in  
between), just stick it somewhere most people know about: /etc/motd

If it's annoying, the admin can remove it. If it's not annoying, it  
doesn't hurt.

-sandalle

--
Eric Sandall                     |  Source Mage GNU/Linux Developer
eric AT sandall.us PGP: 0xA8EFDD61  |  http://www.sourcemage.org/
http://eric.sandall.us/          |  http://counter.li.org/  #196285