Re: initramfs programs (was [RFC] klibc requirements)

Eric S. Raymond
2002-01-09T23:44:45Z

Matthew Kirkwood <matthew@hairy.beasts.org>:
> > We've been over this already. No, the configurator user should *not*
> > have to su at any point before actual kernel installation. Bad
> > practice, no doughnut.
>
> Why bad practice? Anyway, you can:
>
> if [ /proc/ -nt /var/run/dmidecode ]; then
> echo We need to run some code as root.
> echo -n Enter root\'s\
> su -c 'dmidecode > /var/run/dmidecode'
> fi
>
> Which provides at least a way to have your config tool
> work without having to bloat the initramfs.

OK. One more time.

The autoconfigurator is *not* mean to be run at boot time, or as root.

It is intended to be run by ordinary users, after system boot time.
This is so they can configure and experimentally build kernels without
incurring the "oops..." risks of going root.

Therefore, the above 'solution' is not acceptable.
--
Eric S. Raymond

A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing
which he cares about more than he does about his personal safety,
is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made
and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
-- John Stuart Mill, writing on the U.S. Civil War in 1862