How I changed the encoding of template1 after the fact

[Kevin Murphy <murphy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wanted to change the encoding of the template1 database, but when I 
tried to drop template1, I get the message, "ERROR:  cannot drop a 
template database".

The docs 
(http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.1/interactive/manage-ag-templatedbs.html) 
say that this is possible, but a user comment on that page says you can't.

Actually, you *can* drop a template database, if you first convert it 
into a non-template database, as per 
http://techdocs.postgresql.org/techdocs/pgsqladventuresep1.php

Here's a condensed example, in which template1 is recreated to change 
its default encoding:

-- Connect as the postgres superuser, 
e.g.:                                                                                     

-- psql -U postgres 
template1                                                                                                   

-- Then 
run:                                                                                                                    

UPDATE pg_database SET datallowconn = TRUE where datname = 'template0';
\c template0
UPDATE pg_database SET datistemplate = FALSE where datname = 'template1';
drop database template1;
create database template1 with template = template0 encoding = 'UNICODE';
UPDATE pg_database SET datistemplate = TRUE where datname = 'template1';
\c template1
UPDATE pg_database SET datallowconn = FALSE where datname = 'template0';

If you just wanted to clone template0, you would leave out the "encoding 
= 'UNICODE'" clause.

Gurus, any corrections or safety advisories you care to make?

Kevin Murphy