Can anyone explain the use of init3

[Les Mikesell]

On Wed, 2006-04-19 at 09:57, Felix Miata wrote:

> >>> When I try to drop from runlevel 5 to 3 in FC5 by doing a 'sudo init 3', the
> >>> X server quits but the init process gets stuck after the following:
> 
> >>> INIT: Switching to runlevel: 3
> >>> INIT: Sending all processes the TERM signal
> >>> Starting readahead_early: Starting background readahead: [ OK ]
> 
> >>> [ OK ]
> >>> Starting irqbalance: [ OK ]
> 
> >>> Is there any way to drop to runlevel 3 without rebooting?
> 
> >> After running init 3, try changing your virtual terminal, using CTRL-ALT-X,
> >> where you substitute X with one of the F-keys in the F1-F6 range,
> >> e.g. CTRL-ALT-F1.
> 
> > Just type a return. It's not stuck. It's funky, instead.
> 
> AFAIR, this is a misfeature of every RPM distro I've used. Where would
> be the upstream to complain/reportbug to?

How would you describe the bug?  The X screen is going to be
started on a virtual console where you don't already have
a login (mingetty) running.  Switching runlevels will kill
your running X session.  At that point, why do you think
the selected virtual console should switch?  Should you
be forced to VC1 on a runlevel switch - or should a mingetty
run on vc7 in runlevel3 but not 5 so you'd get a login
prompt without switching?

-- 
  Les Mikesell
   lesmikesell at gmail.com