Ted Unangst wrote:
On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 3:00 PM, Antoine Jacoutot <ajacou...@bsdfrog.org>
wrote:
On Sun, 24 Jan 2010, Ted Unangst wrote:
Are you sitting around feeling bored because you don't know how to
help out OpenBSD? Did your requests for info on where to start come
back with unhelpful responses? I've got just the thing for you: an
idea!
Cron runs the weekly update script every Saturday at 3:30am. If you
use a laptop or other desktop, your computer probably isn't on then.
So the locate and whatis databases never get updated unless you run it
by hand.
So somebody should figure out a way to handle this for desktop machines.
sysutils/anacron
Right, but I think this is something base should handle more
gracefully. The locate database is part of the OS, therefore the OS
should take the necessary steps to maintain it.
Drawbacks of anacron:
1. GPL. Can't import in base.
2. Doesn't run things at a set time. You probably don't want weekly
running when you're actually using the system.
Since we have to roll our own because #1, may as well fix #2. I think
a better solution is something that runs weekly from shutdown. I hit
the power button, I walk away, and the next time I use it everything
is up to date.
This seems like a good and bad idea.
I would want something more optional.
How about a message at shutdown :
Press d to run daily, w to run weekly, b for both.
wait a few seconds then continue with shutdown.
If I am about to leave for all day, I don't really want something still
running.
It never interrupts my work or slows down startup.
Both of these are a must. Running daily and weekly really dog down old
systems
--
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion,
butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance
accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders,
give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new
problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight
efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
-- Robert Heinlein
