Yum update/bug alert

[T.C. Hollingsworth]

On Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 1:12 PM, Joe Zeff <joe at zeff.us> wrote:
> On 01/05/2012 11:50 AM, g wrote:
>>
>> you can use cron to run a script that redirects output;
>>
>>   yum check-update>  ~/robert/Desktop/newupdates
>>
>> and have everything pop does not give you.
>>
>> yes/no/maybe?
>
>
>
> Two things: first, AIUI, cron jobs run with the same permissions that the
> user who owns the job has -- if not, it's a horrible security flaw -- so
> you'll have to put this in root's crontab to make it work.

Why?  You're *checking* for updates, not actually installing them, so
you shouldn't (and don't, yum will handle it just fine) need root
permissions.

> Second, you could
> have the script mail the output to your main email account, so you'll be
> sure to see it even if you're checking your email from someplace else.  Of
> course, that's not going to help much unless you have ssh or equivalent
> access to your home box, but if you do, it's a cool, geeky way to keep your
> computer updated when you're on the road.  It's also good if you either need
> to have programs maximized much of the time (and wouldn't see the file
> sitting on your desktop) or are the type of person who likes their desktop
> as clean as possible, preferring menus to icons.

-T.C.