on Wed, Nov 05, 2003 at 09:49:39PM -0700, Monique Y. Herman ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote: > On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 at 04:31 GMT, Karsten M. Self penned: > > > > > > It's the residual files which are th epirmary reason *not* to blindly > > delete a user's /etc/passwd entry. Given a disabled account, the user > > *cannot* log into the system. However the system administrator *can* > > still identify files owned by that user, and move, change ownership, > > or delete these as necessary. > > > > Sure, but I don't want these users to exist forever ... if only to clean > up my passwd file ....
My point, to repeat myself:
- Your passwd file serves your system. Your system doesn't serve your
passwd file. A handful of additional entries isn't going to hurt
it. A passwd file can handle tens of thousands of entries.
- Wiping your passwd file entries *before* properly dealing with other
artifacts of the account on your system can cause significant
downstream headaches.
- Take a cue from my friend who reunited with his girlfriend after
wiping her from his GNU/Linux system.... ;-)
Peace.
--
Karsten M. Self <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/
What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand?
"Life," said Marvin, "don't talk to me about life."
-- HHGTG
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