>> Reading that, I think he's actually got a fair point. The intended >> meaning is that if you were previously using ENV_SUPATH to give root a >> different PATH from ordinary users, you would now need to do so by >> modifying root's login scripts. >> >> But if you read that note, it starts by assuming the reader actually >> knows what ENV_SUPATH is, and why it being no longer supported means >> they have to create a suitable .bashrc file. If they don't know what >> ENV_SUPATH is, they're merely left with a cryptic instruction to create >> a .bashrc file with unspecified content. >> >> And consider, ENV_SUPATH isn't mentioned in the LFS shadow page, and >> only mentioned in this page in the context of saying it can't be used. A >> typical LFS builder is *not* going to know what that message means. >> >> A better wording would perhaps be something like: >> >> Note: The ENV_SUPATH option used to modify root's default path does not >> work with PAM. If you are using this option, you'll need to set the path >> in root's login scripts instead. >> >> To me, that explains what it does, and makes it clear that if you don't >> use it, you don't need to do anything. >> >> Simon. >> > > Yeah, I suppose it's would be reasonable to specify what ENV_SUPATH > does. I think I just let myself get carried away with emphasizing the > "when is it needed" part and didn't see that yes, he does have a point > about explaining what that var does. > > Although, "If you are using this option" would likely not be necessary, > as it's part of the default login.defs, so it would pretty much be used > by everyone. Otherwise, anyone who is using it would add it themselves, > in which case they wouldn't need to be told what it's for. So...yeah, > the fact that the user never even creates it themselves would be a valid > reason to explain exactly what it's for.
Thank you! That is all I was trying to accomplish when I asked my original question. There are parts of the LFS and BLFS book written in a way that leaves less experienced users scratching their head wondering what they just read because it is written on the assumption the reader already knows the subject matter and that is not true 100% of the time. Then when authors or users defend the poorly written parts that just makes it worse. I will bet that is the reason most of the time for the conflict between new comers with less experience and those with more. The LFS project says the books are for learning. If something is written so less experienced users don't understand then change those parts. Don't get defensive and attack the person asking about them. It happens all the time on the LFS list and it happened to me the very first time I posted on this list. -- http://linuxfromscratch.org/mailman/listinfo/blfs-support FAQ: http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/faq.html Unsubscribe: See the above information page
