freebsd stable - Jan 2012 - not overwriting files in /usr/share/skel

Files in /usr/share/skel are used as example . (dot) files for new 
accounts, when new user is added by adduser command.
We have some local modifications in those files, like another umask and 
so on.
The modification is persistent accross upgrades if system is upgraded by 
freebsd-update, as we have the directory listed in UpdateIfUnmodified 
and MergeChanges.

But on some machines, we can't use freebsd-update (in jails, or those 
running STABLE instead of RELEASE).

The files are overwritten on each installworld.

Is there any option to not overwrite files in /usr/share/skel or 
install/upgrade them with mergemaster instead?
Or should we use some other directory and use adduser.conf instead?

Miroslav Lachman

PS: I am CCing you Doug, because I think you are the most competent 
person in this area

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you about this.

On 01/20/2012 06:50, Miroslav Lachman wrote:
> Files in /usr/share/skel are used as example . (dot) files for new
> accounts, when new user is added by adduser command.
> We have some local modifications in those files, like another umask and
> so on.
You would probably be better off putting these kinds of local
modifications in /etc/login.conf.
> The files are overwritten on each installworld.
> 
> Is there any option to not overwrite files in /usr/share/skel or
> install/upgrade them with mergemaster instead?
No such option exists, sorry.
> Or should we use some other directory and use adduser.conf instead?
That would be another suitable alternative for you, yes.
> PS: I am CCing you Doug, because I think you are the most competent
> person in this area
I'm flattered. :)  And once again, sorry for the delay.


hth,

Doug

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