Am I correct in saying SuSE uses PAM for the shadow password file?

Is the inittab sys V like?

Recomendations for kernel 2.4.0 are to upgrate the util-linux package but it ask questions I am not sure how to answer.

The package also mentions that some of the program including simpleinit are not sys V compliant. What kind of trouble do I have to be wary of here?

Yes, it's a little hairy...basically, you don't want to install ANY of the login-related things in util-linux or their init. In the config file (called MCONFIG or something like that), I think the login stuff is set to install by default, but the inittab isn't. In the comments it tells you what turning each thing off and on will do...say no to installing init, login, passwd, chsh, and other ch* stuff. That is the safe route (and it worked for me). --Jeremy