Followup: access to /var/log/messages

[William Jensen <jensenb@charter.net>]

I usually add myself to the adm group.  That way, I get access to the
file /var/log/messages.  You can use either adduser or usermod
utilities.  The latter can mess thigs up if you don't list your
groups carefully -- read the man pages.

Andrew,

I used adduser <username> adm and it worked like a charm.  My question is why
does it work?  The folder /var/log is owned by root and has root group.  Why
does adm have rights to that...how does that all fit together?

Bill