MOTD Reset

[Carlosinfl]

I notice that when I change my /etc/motd file from the default to custom on my machine as root, when I reboot back into the same kernel, the MOTD is the default rather than what I changed it to before the reboot.

I have seen this on Ubuntu 6.10 as yell but I am not sure what is causing this.

Anyone know?

[neptho]

It's hardcoded into /etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh, and with Etch, there's no 'leave it alone' variable. You can safely comment it out:

Code: Select all

/etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh:        # Update motd
/etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh:        uname -snrvm > /var/run/motd
/etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh:        [ -f /etc/motd.tail ] && cat /etc/motd.tail >> /var/run/motd

[Carlosinfl]

Is this bad practice to mod the MOTD? I just want to be sure I don't mess up the box or server down the road.

[neptho]

Not really. Until recently, you could set variables to tell it 'LEAVE MY MOTD ALONE.' Just be aware that updated init scripts will revert your edits.

It is, however, considered bad form to reboot it often enough to worry about your motd.

[kink]

As the code quoted above shows, just put your text in /etc/motd.tail and everything will be ok.