Hello,

> on my NetBSD 1.6.2 machine, uname -a gives,
> 
> when I'm me:
> 
> su% uname -a
> NetBSD su 1.6.2 NetBSD 1.6.2 (GENERIC) #0: Tue Sep 28 11:04:09 EST 2004
> root@su:/opt/src/sys/arch/i386/compile/GENERIC i386
> 
> when I'm root:
> 
> su# uname -a
> Linux su 2.4.18 #0 Wed Feb 20 20:00:02 CET 2002 i386 unknown
> 
> does anyone have an idea why it thinks it's linux when root?

Hmm, you don't have by any chance installed the Linux compatibility stuff and root has /usr/pkg/emul/linux/usr/bin in his path before /usr/bin?
try <which uname> as you and as root to see who uses which binary. 

good luck
Michael