The following bug has been logged online:

Bug reference: 2711
Logged by: Yang Zhang
Email address: yang.postgresqlbugs (AT) mailnull (DOT) com
PostgreSQL version: 8.1.4
Operating system: Linux (Fedora Core 5)
Description: PGUSER affects "pg_ctl -w start" behavior
Details:

When I do the following, PG never actually starts:

PGUSER=postgres pg_ctl -w start

If I make sure PGUSER I unset before pg_ctl, however, then everything
proceeds smoothly.

Even if this is a 'feature' instead of a bug, it should be documented. (No
mention of PGUSER in man pg_ctl.)

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