Hi,

curenntly I try to write a script which would kill processes of users who are not logged in.

My approach is to find out what users are logged in and then kill processes of all nonsystem users who fail the test of being logged.

I use `w` for finding all logged in users, but apparently there are users on the list which `w` gives me who own absolutely no process in the output of `ps aux`.

Some questions regarding this:
- How do I log off those users, since killing their processes wont work (since they own no processes)?
- How could it had happen?
- Is there a better way to actually find out what users are really logged in?

Thanks in advance,
chris

Try the command:

paliga, if users have no processes, they cannot be logged in.

when a user logs in, a note is made in a file, such that programs like "w" know who's logged in. When a user is logged out the system attempts to note that into that file too. However this requires a few more cpu cycles from their "login" program. If for instance a program (script) kills their programs, the "note that we're now logged out" may have become impossible. So, "w" might show someone logged in on say "ttyp4", but if no program is running that ttyp4 is "free" and may be taken by then next user to log in. At that point in time the outdated information will be overwritten.

In short: don't worry about it. If you can't find any processes, they are not actually logged in.

Oh, and besides... It works much better if you just ask your users not to leave any programs running, and tell them you'll take measures if they do. The way you're doing things now will trigger an arms race between you and the students leaving you as the loser. (there is almost always a student smarter than you).

thanks for your answers!

last is much more handy than w or who... thanks a lot...

I was just wondering... Im far away from starting any arms races... ; )

thanks for your answers!

last is much more handy than w or who... thanks a lot...

I was just wondering... Im far away from starting any arms races... ; )