From: Chris Koeritz <fred@gruntose.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2017 00:00:23 +0000 (-0500)
Subject: updated to specific CRONUSER variable
X-Git-Tag: 2.140.90~225
X-Git-Url: https://feistymeow.org/gitweb/?a=commitdiff_plain;h=4cfdd08aaad4926a3133d96076d3e4cae78adb3a;p=feisty_meow.git

updated to specific CRONUSER variable

this decouples us from the USER variable, which cron doesn't provide to us anyway.
---

diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/aa_cron_defaults.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/aa_cron_defaults.crontab
index 41015fdc..a91c88bc 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/aa_cron_defaults.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/aa_cron_defaults.crontab
@@ -4,10 +4,17 @@
 # cron default bits to add at top of crontab...
 # by fred t. hamster, GNU GPL v3 license.
 
-# these stanzas are assumed to be present in every one of the other cron
-# example files.  unfortunately there is no way to include cron files in other
-# cron files, so the functional parts here should just be pasted directly into
-# the user's crontab.
+# every one of the crontab examples in feisty meow depends on the the stanzas
+# below.  (unfortunately there is no way to include cron files in other cron
+# files, so the functional parts here should just be pasted directly into the
+# user's crontab at the top.)
+
+# set a user name for writing unique log files.  this is important because
+# cron doesn't have the normal variable 'USER' defined.  cron does define
+# HOME, which is pretty lucky for us...
+# please change the name to the user running the cronjob, or to whatever
+# unique string you'd like to use:
+CRONUSER=fred
 
 # set the shell to bash.  (not the default for some cron implementations.)
 SHELL=/bin/bash
@@ -30,12 +37,6 @@ SHELL=/bin/bash
 # the wildcard form of a crontab line is this: "* * * * * command"
 # that "command" will execute every single minute.
 
-# set a user name for writing unique log files.  this is important because
-# cron doesn't have the variable USER defined.  cron does define HOME, which
-# is pretty lucky for us...
-# you may want to use a more appropriate user name than mine, which is "fred".
-USER=fred
-
 # the guts of the crontab would follow below.  this usually is a set of valid
 # crontab lines that spell the time or times for commands to be executed.  my
 # crontabs usually have from 3 to 8 entries because i tend to atomicize the
@@ -51,16 +52,15 @@ USER=fred
 # with cron job output on some systems.  you can use the normal output
 # redirection operators to do this (e.g. '>', '2>', '&>', '>>' and '&>>').
 # /dev/null works as an output target if you don't ever want to see the
-# results from your cron jobs.  i usually prefer to write log files in the /tmp
-# directory with the ${USER} variable in the file name.  here's an example of
-# a real command with output that will *append* both output and error streams
-# ('&>>') to an output file.  if your output can be huge, then you may want to
-# overwrite the output file instead ('&>').
+# results from your cron jobs.  i usually prefer to write log files in the
+# /tmp directory with the ${CRONUSER} variable added in the file name.
+# below is a live example which we almost always include, so it's embedded
+# here for convenience.
 
 #[nechung fortune]
 # runs every minute and recreates a fortune for thunderbird signature.
 # a lot of the detail below is to get the feisty meow environment loaded for
 # the new_sig command.
-* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; perl $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/text/new_sig.pl) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-nechung_fortune.log
+* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; perl $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/text/new_sig.pl) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-nechung_fortune.log
 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_git_account.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_git_account.crontab
index ab75d0bc..a08e239a 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_git_account.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_git_account.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[backup git account]
 # archives the whole ~git folder with all account databases into a compressed tar file.
-34 20 * * 5 tar -czf /z/stuffing/archives/git_archive_$(date +"\%Y_\%m_\%d_\%H\%M_\%S" | tr -d '/\n/').tar.gz /home/git &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-backup_git_account.log
+34 20 * * 5 tar -czf /z/stuffing/archives/git_archive_$(date +"\%Y_\%m_\%d_\%H\%M_\%S" | tr -d '/\n/').tar.gz /home/git &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-backup_git_account.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_maildir.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_maildir.crontab
index c3fa624b..752f6e02 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_maildir.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_maildir.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[backup maildir]
 # backs up the maildir folder for fred bi-monthly.
-8 4 3,14 * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; tar -czf /z/stuffing/archives/maildir_backup_$(date_stringer).tar.gz $HOME/Maildir) &>/tmp/${USER}-cron-backup_maildir.log
+8 4 3,14 * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; tar -czf /z/stuffing/archives/maildir_backup_$(date_stringer).tar.gz $HOME/Maildir) &>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-backup_maildir.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_mysql_databases.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_mysql_databases.crontab
index 4bca961e..991b6f6f 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_mysql_databases.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_mysql_databases.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[backup mysql databases]
 # backs up all of our mysql databases on a weekly basis.
-28 4 * * 2 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; mysqldump -u root '-pPASSWORD' --all-databases | gzip > /z/stuffing/archives/database_backup_$(hostname)_$(date_stringer).sql.gz) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-backup_mysql_databases.log
+28 4 * * 2 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; mysqldump -u root '-pPASSWORD' --all-databases | gzip > /z/stuffing/archives/database_backup_$(hostname)_$(date_stringer).sql.gz) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-backup_mysql_databases.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_photo_albums.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_photo_albums.crontab
index 32a52004..a061dd94 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_photo_albums.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_photo_albums.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[backup photo albums]
 # back up the pictures in coppermine gallery every month.
-34 6 4 * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; tar -czf /z/stuffing/archives/photo_albums_backup_$(date_stringer).tar.gz /home/albums ; refred) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-backup_photo_albums.log
+34 6 4 * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; tar -czf /z/stuffing/archives/photo_albums_backup_$(date_stringer).tar.gz /home/albums ; refred) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-backup_photo_albums.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_serene_system.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_serene_system.crontab
index 146a16d4..cfbff040 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_serene_system.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_serene_system.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[backup serene system]
 # backs up config files and important parts of home directories to off-machine storage.
-14 2 * * */7 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/serene_backer_upper.sh) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-backup_serene_system.log
+14 2 * * */7 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/serene_backer_upper.sh) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-backup_serene_system.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_trac.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_trac.crontab
index 992446a8..007cb024 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_trac.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/backup_trac.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[backup trac]
 # backs up trac every week.
-28 7 * * 2 bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/backup_trac.sh /home/trac /z/stuffing/archives &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-backup_trac.log
+28 7 * * 2 bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/backup_trac.sh /home/trac /z/stuffing/archives &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-backup_trac.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/bookmarks_builder.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/bookmarks_builder.crontab
index acd7cc04..0c6f888b 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/bookmarks_builder.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/bookmarks_builder.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[bookmarks builder]
 # regenerate the bookmarks pages.
-24 10 * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/bookmarks/create_marks.sh ) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-bookmarks_builder.log 
+24 10 * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/bookmarks/create_marks.sh ) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-bookmarks_builder.log 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/chkrootkit.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/chkrootkit.crontab
index 778a2648..1087ce00 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/chkrootkit.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/chkrootkit.crontab
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 #[chkrootkit]
 # this runs chkrootkit to demonstrate a bug in the vm kernel currently
 # provided by...?  hmmm: who's the vendor?
-3 * * * * (/usr/sbin/chkrootkit -q &>/var/www/rootkit_report_quiet.txt ) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-chkrootkit.log 
-4 * * * * (/usr/sbin/chkrootkit -x &>/var/www/rootkit_report_expert.txt ) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-chkrootkit.log 
+3 * * * * (/usr/sbin/chkrootkit -q &>/var/www/rootkit_report_quiet.txt ) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-chkrootkit.log 
+4 * * * * (/usr/sbin/chkrootkit -x &>/var/www/rootkit_report_expert.txt ) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-chkrootkit.log 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/doxygen.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/doxygen.crontab
index fa51d99a..c75baed6 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/doxygen.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/doxygen.crontab
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 #[doxygen]
 # update the feisty meow documentation once on each of tuesday, thursday and saturday.
-20 4 * * 2,4,6 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; cd $HOME/feisty_meow/documentation; make) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-doxygen.log 
+20 4 * * 2,4,6 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; cd $HOME/feisty_meow/documentation; make) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-doxygen.log 
 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/emit_crontab.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/emit_crontab.crontab
index 627d16dc..152dd4b0 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/emit_crontab.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/emit_crontab.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[emit crontab]
 # meta-operation to backup the crontab file using cron itself.
-28 */8 * * * crontab -l >$HOME/$(hostname).$USER.crontab
+28 */8 * * * crontab -l >$HOME/$(hostname).$CRONUSER.crontab
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/letsencrypt_renewal.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/letsencrypt_renewal.crontab
index 18a43ef6..4a343de0 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/letsencrypt_renewal.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/letsencrypt_renewal.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[letsencrypt renewal]
 # run the letsencrypt certificate renewal process every 4 hours.
-37 */4 * * * letsencrypt renew &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-letsencrypt_renewal.log 
+37 */4 * * * letsencrypt renew &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-letsencrypt_renewal.log 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/nechung_fortune.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/nechung_fortune.crontab
index b220c2de..c8c6375c 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/nechung_fortune.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/nechung_fortune.crontab
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@
 # runs every minute and recreates a fortune for thunderbird signature.
 # a lot of the detail below is to get the feisty meow environment loaded for
 # the new_sig command.
-* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; perl $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/text/new_sig.pl) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-nechung_fortune.log
+* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; perl $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/text/new_sig.pl) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-nechung_fortune.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/opensim_restart.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/opensim_restart.crontab
index 8dc3ab0a..88c1a554 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/opensim_restart.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/opensim_restart.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[opensim restart]
 # ensure opensim is started if we can't detect it as running.
-*/5 * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/opensim/maybe_restart_opensim.sh) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-opensim_restart.log 
+*/5 * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/opensim/maybe_restart_opensim.sh) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-opensim_restart.log 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/pack_feisty_for_web.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/pack_feisty_for_web.crontab
index 1f90527c..83473f30 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/pack_feisty_for_web.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/pack_feisty_for_web.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[pack feisty for web]
 # this packs up our source code distributions every 8 days.
-16 22 */8 * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/pack_feisty_meow.sh) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-pack_feisty_for_web.log 
+16 22 */8 * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/pack_feisty_meow.sh) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-pack_feisty_for_web.log 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/process_check.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/process_check.crontab
index b88350d8..e0d76a25 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/process_check.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/process_check.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[process check]
 # a crontab for periodically dumping the process state.
-* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/processes/show_hot_ones.sh) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-active_processes.log 
+* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/processes/show_hot_ones.sh) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-active_processes.log 
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/random_sound.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/random_sound.crontab
index 144e0778..31f894bf 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/random_sound.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/random_sound.crontab
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 
 #[random sound]
-* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/multimedia/randomly_play.sh) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-random_sound.log
+* * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/multimedia/randomly_play.sh) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-random_sound.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/snarf_linux_configuration.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/snarf_linux_configuration.crontab
index c670cb5f..e1096a06 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/snarf_linux_configuration.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/snarf_linux_configuration.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[snarf linux configuration]
 # do a backup of the linux configuration files once a week.
-28 7 * * 4 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; cd /z/stuffing/archives; perl $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/snarf_linux_config.pl) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-snarf_linux_configuration.log
+28 7 * * 4 (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; cd /z/stuffing/archives; perl $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/archival/snarf_linux_config.pl) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-snarf_linux_configuration.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/synch_and_swim_downstream.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/synch_and_swim_downstream.crontab
index f4fee134..d447b62e 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/synch_and_swim_downstream.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/synch_and_swim_downstream.crontab
@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@
 # repositories, such as sourceforge or github.  the uploading process (which we think of as sending
 # those updated items swimming downstream to their dependent repositories) is done automatically in
 # our makefiles.  that's why the code below relies on the top-level makefile in home.
-14 3 * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; cd $HOME ; rev_update ; make ) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-synch_and_swim_downstream.log
+14 3 * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; cd $HOME ; rev_update ; make ) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-synch_and_swim_downstream.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/tell_zooty_our_ip.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/tell_zooty_our_ip.crontab
index a6c31a1c..37322d24 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/tell_zooty_our_ip.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/tell_zooty_our_ip.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[tell zooty our ip]
 # firewall host only--inform serene/zooty of our home IP address to enable back-connections.
-0,14,28,42,56 * * * * (bash /home/fred/feisty_meow/scripts/security/tell_zooty_our_ip.sh serene.feistymeow.org fred fred ) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-tell_zooty_our_ip.log
+0,14,28,42,56 * * * * (bash /home/fred/feisty_meow/scripts/security/tell_zooty_our_ip.sh serene.feistymeow.org fred fred ) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-tell_zooty_our_ip.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/time_synch.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/time_synch.crontab
index 8b4ff038..17cdd554 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/time_synch.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/time_synch.crontab
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 #[time synch]
 
 # standard to synch to local machine.
-#0,4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56 * * * * /usr/sbin/sntp -P no -r greendragon &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-time_synch.log
+#0,4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56 * * * * /usr/sbin/sntp -P no -r greendragon &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-time_synch.log
 #or
-0,4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56 * * * * /usr/bin/rdate -s -n greendragon &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-time_synch.log
+0,4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56 * * * * /usr/bin/rdate -s -n greendragon &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-time_synch.log
 # -n is nntp which may not work with govt servers.
 
 # one machine on the network uses this version, to synch externally.
-#0 0,4,8,12,16,20 * * * /usr/sbin/sntp -P no -r time.nist.gov &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-time_synch.log
+#0 0,4,8,12,16,20 * * * /usr/sbin/sntp -P no -r time.nist.gov &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-time_synch.log
 #or
-0 0,4,8,12,16,20 * * * /usr/bin/rdate -s time-c.nist.gov &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-time_synch.log
+0 0,4,8,12,16,20 * * * /usr/bin/rdate -s time-c.nist.gov &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-time_synch.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/configuration/cron/uptime_report.crontab b/infobase/configuration/cron/uptime_report.crontab
index 1494c34c..3ee25494 100644
--- a/infobase/configuration/cron/uptime_report.crontab
+++ b/infobase/configuration/cron/uptime_report.crontab
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
 #[uptime report]
 # the script writes the current time and current uptime to the log file.
-0 * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/system/write_uptime_report.sh) &>>/tmp/${USER}-cron-uptime_report.log
+0 * * * * (source $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/core/launch_feisty_meow.sh; bash $HOME/feisty_meow/scripts/system/write_uptime_report.sh) &>>/tmp/${CRONUSER}-cron-uptime_report.log
 
diff --git a/infobase/fortunes.dat b/infobase/fortunes.dat
index 0dd5b0a8..882681cf 100644
--- a/infobase/fortunes.dat
+++ b/infobase/fortunes.dat
@@ -42640,4 +42640,8 @@ effort are in the heap of wisdom awareness;
 full liberation.
   -- Gampopa, from "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation", published by Shambhala
      Publications
+~
+i try to think of 10,008 impossible things before breakfast,
+and i'm near ecstatic if any of those is worth writing down.
+  -- fred t. hamster
 
diff --git a/scripts/files/count_files.sh b/scripts/files/count_files.sh
index b70d75f2..847fb68e 100644
--- a/scripts/files/count_files.sh
+++ b/scripts/files/count_files.sh
@@ -1,23 +1,27 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+# counts the number of files in a set of directories.
+# if no directories are provided, uses the current working directory.
 
-# make sure they gave us some arguments.
-if [ -z "$1" ]; then
+# make sure they gave us some arguments, or go with our default of the current dir.
 #hmmm: could use the count notation instead of sloppy empty check.
-  # reset first arg to be '*' to do any directories here.
-#echo changing args to use all subdirs in current dir.
+if [ -z "$1" ]; then
+  # reset the arguments list to scan any directories found in cwd.
+  SAVEIFS="$IFS"
+  IFS=$(echo -en "\n\b")
   set -- $(find . -maxdepth 1 -mindepth 1 -type d) "${@:2}"
-#echo "arg 1 is now '$1'"
+  IFS="$SAVEIFS"
 fi
 
-# run through all the parameters provided and find any
-# directories under them (or probably barf if they're not
-# dirs).
-for i in "${@}" ; do
+# run through all the parameters provided and find any directories under them
+# (or probably barf if they're not dirs).
+#hmmm: really?  "barf" is an implementation strategy now?
+for countfilesname in "${@}" ; do
+#  echo "arg is: '$countfilesname'"
   # print the count of files followed by directory name,
   # with leading zeros to allow sorting, which get
   # redigested as spaces before showing the list.
-  printf "%06d -- %s\n" $(find "$i" -type f | wc -l) "$i"
+  printf "%06d -- %s\n" $(find "$countfilesname" -type f | wc -l) "$countfilesname"
 done |
   # provide sorted output based on how many files exist
   # in each directory.