Bug#346342: tzconfig should create a copy of timezone data in localtime rather than a symlink

[James Blanford <jimmybgood9@yahoo.com>]

Package: libc6
Version: 2.3.5-11

The kernel, init and boot-up processes don't have access to timezone
data until /usr is mounted, thereby creating havoc with file system
checks and boot logs.  Please see bug #342887 filed against util-linux.

The filesystem hierarchy standard requires "essential start-up data" to
be in the root file system.  I think it's realistic to describe
site-specific timezone data as essential.  My suggestion is that
tzconfig be changed to create /etc/localtime as a copy of the timezone
data rather than a symlink.  So whenever the timezone is set or changed
or the timezone data itself is changed, tzconfig is run and localtime is
updated.

It sure would make things simpler.

Thanks,

     -  Jim