Some time back, an IBM software engineer who visited us pointed out to
us the benefits of copying the main syslog (usually goes to
/var/log/messages) to /dev/tty12.  Then a simple ctrl/alt/F12 displays
the most recent lines of the syslog, any time that one feels the need
to see it.  This still works even when lots of other things have died
or hung, and so we found it a valuable suggestion and have been using
it since.

All that's necessary (of course) is to edit /etc/syslog.conf , to
identify the line which writes to /var/log/messages, and make a copy
of the line, changing its destination to /dev/tty12.  Sample:

*.info;mail.none;authpriv.none;cron.none                /var/log/messages
*.info;mail.none;authpriv.none;cron.none                /dev/tty12


Would there be any interest in adopting this little enhancement as
standard?

cheers