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Couldn't you output the host and version at the beginning of the log? Any tool that transforms the logs (splicing together logs from different servers) should include these bits in it's output.

Also, why don't you use a sortable form for time? (With the most significant parts first.)

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My issue with host and version at the beginning of the log is that they'll roll away when your logs rotate. If you've got a service that's rarely taken down, anything written to the front of the logs is likely long gone by the time you have a problem. That said, there may be a better way to handle these two. I certainly don't like repeating information if it's not necessary.

> I certainly don't like repeating information if it's not necessary.

On what grounds?

You could just print the version, etc. again when logrotate sends your daemon a SIGHUP.

Ahh... never thought of doing that. I like it.

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