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Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ptsfa!ames!xanth!john
From: john@xanth.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions
Subject: Re: access(2) question
Message-ID: <1519@xanth.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-Jul-87 14:33:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: xanth.1519
Posted: Wed Jul  8 14:33:35 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Jul-87 14:47:35 EDT
References: <530@applix.UUCP> <488@its63b.ed.ac.uk> <489@its63b.ed.ac.uk> <3158@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va.
Lines: 19
Keywords: access permissions

In article <3158@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>, mangler@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu (System Mangler) writes:
> because while "test -w /dev/rmt8" used to be a useful way to determine
> if the write ring was in, now it always returns true.  Probably a change
> imported from System V...

"What you have just seen was performed by an experienced professional.
You should not try this at home ...."

Seriously, that's a pretty destructive way to check for a write ring;
it will write an EOF mark on the current point of the tape, then
rewind the tape.  Fine, if that's what you're going to do....

Doesn't mt status show you whether or not writes are enabled as one of
the status bits?

-- 
John Owens		Old Dominion University - Norfolk, Virginia, USA
john@ODU.EDU		old arpa: john%odu.edu@RELAY.CS.NET
+1 804 440 4529		old uucp: {seismo,harvard,sun,hoptoad}!xanth!john