[maemo-developers] [maemo-developers] Zapped wtmp...

[From: Michael P. Lococo]

>> There's no need to link it to anything.  If the file isn't there, then
logging is turned off - at
>> least that's what should happen.
>
> Wrong, this just deletes everything that is stored prior to this. And
no, what you assume is
>  wrong. Of course the log files should be erasable, and if user deletes
the log file, then the
> system should just start making a new one.

Without addressing the question of what the behavior should be, man wtmp
on my FC4 system states that logging is disabled if wtmp doesn't exist:

       wtmp is maintained by login(1),  init(1),  and  some  versions  of
getty(1).
       Neither  of  these  programs  creates the file, so if it is removed,
       record-keeping is turned off.

If you've confirmed that the 770 handles things differently, that's useful
information.  Your tone is somewhat excessive, though, especially
considering that Michael Saunby's claim is supported by at least some
related documentation.

Mike