diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc-checkconfig.in b/src/lxc/lxc-checkconfig.in
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index 39da91006..8c2b5e517
--- a/src/lxc/lxc-checkconfig.in
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc-checkconfig.in
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ is_enabled() {
 }
 
 if [ ! -f $CONFIG ]; then
-    echo "Kernel config $CONFIG not found, looking in other places..."
+    echo "Kernel configuration not found at $CONFIG; searching..."
     KVER="`uname -r`"
     HEADERS_CONFIG="/lib/modules/$KVER/build/.config"
     BOOT_CONFIG="/boot/config-$KVER"
@@ -40,15 +40,14 @@ if [ ! -f $CONFIG ]; then
     [ -f "${BOOT_CONFIG}" ] && CONFIG=${BOOT_CONFIG}
     GREP=grep
     if [ ! -f $CONFIG ]; then
-        echo
-        echo "The kernel configuration can not be retrieved."
-        echo "Please recompile with IKCONFIG_PROC, or"
-	echo "install the kernel headers, or specify"
-	echo "the path to the config file with: CONFIG=<path> lxc-checkconfig"
-        echo
+        echo "$(basename $0): unable to retrieve kernel configuration" >&2
+        echo >&2
+        echo "Try recompiling with IKCONFIG_PROC, installing the kernel headers," >&2
+        echo "or specifying the kernel configuration path with:" >&2
+        echo "  CONFIG=<path> $(basename $0)" >&2
         exit 1
     else
-        echo "Found kernel config file $CONFIG"
+        echo "Kernel configuration found at $CONFIG"
     fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc-clone.in b/src/lxc/lxc-clone.in
index 386be3044..c7413f218 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc-clone.in
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc-clone.in
@@ -24,22 +24,24 @@
 set -e
 
 usage() {
-    echo "usage: lxc-clone -o <orig> -n <new> [-s] [-h] [-L fssize] [-v vgname] [-p lxc_lv_prefix] [-t fstype]"
+    echo "usage: $(basename $0) -o ORIG_NAME -n NEW_NAME [-s] [-h] [-L FS_SIZE]" >&2
+    echo "        [-v VG_NAME] [-p LV_PREFIX] [-t FS_TYPE]" >&2
 }
 
 help() {
     usage
-    echo
-    echo "creates a lxc system object."
-    echo
-    echo "Options:"
-    echo "orig        : name of the original container"
-    echo "new         : name of the new container"
-    echo "-s          : make the new rootfs a snapshot of the original"
-    echo "fssize      : size if creating a new fs.  By default, 2G"
-    echo "vgname      : lvm volume group name, lxc by default"
-    echo "lvprefix    : lvm volume name prefix, none by default, e.g. --lvprefix=lxc_ then new lxc lv name will be lxc_newname"
-    echo "fstype      : new container file system type, ext3 by default (only works for non-snapshot lvm)"
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Clone an existing container on the system." >&2
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Options:" >&2
+    echo "  -o ORIG_NAME   specify the name of the original container" >&2
+    echo "  -n NEW_NAME    specify the name of the new container" >&2
+    echo "  -s             make the new rootfs a snapshot of the original" >&2
+    echo "  -L FS_SIZE     specify the new filesystem size (default: 2G)" >&2
+    echo "  -v VG_NAME     specify the new LVM volume group name (default: lxc)" >&2
+    echo "  -p LV_PREFIX   add a prefix to new LVM logical volume names" >&2
+    echo "  -t FS_TYPE     specify the new filesystem type (default: ext3;" >&2
+    echo "                  only works for non-snapshot LVM)" >&2
 }
 
 shortoptions='ho:n:sL:v:p:t:'
@@ -62,8 +64,8 @@ fi
 eval set -- "$getopt"
 
 while true; do
-        case "$1" in
-            -h|--help)
+    case "$1" in
+        -h|--help)
             help
             exit 1
             ;;
@@ -102,52 +104,46 @@ while true; do
             break
             ;;
         *)
-            echo $1
             usage
             exit 1
             ;;
-        esac
+    esac
 done
 
 if [ -z "$lxc_path" ]; then
-    echo "no configuration path defined !"
+    echo "$(basename $0): no configuration path defined" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ ! -r $lxc_path ]; then
-    echo "configuration path '$lxc_path' not found"
+    echo "$(basename $0): configuration path '$lxc_path' not found" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ -z "$lxc_orig" ]; then
-    echo "no original container name specified"
+    echo "$(basename $0): no original container name specified" >&2
     usage
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ -z "$lxc_new" ]; then
-    echo "no new container name specified"
+    echo "$(basename $0): no new container name specified" >&2
     usage
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
-   echo "This command has to be run as root"
+   echo "$(basename $0): must be run as root" >&2
    exit 1
 fi
 
-if [ ! -r $lxc_path ]; then
-    echo "no configuration path defined !"
-    exit 1
-fi
-
 if [ ! -d "$lxc_path/$lxc_orig" ]; then
-    echo "'$lxc_orig' does not exist"
+    echo "$(basename $0): '$lxc_orig' does not exist" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ -d "$lxc_path/$lxc_new" ]; then
-    echo "'$lxc_new' already exists"
+    echo "$(basename $0): '$lxc_new' already exists" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
@@ -166,7 +162,7 @@ cleanup() {
     if [ $frozen -eq 1 ]; then
         lxc-unfreeze -n $lxc_orig
     fi
-    echo aborted
+    echo "$(basename $0): aborted" >&2
     exit 1
 }
 trap cleanup SIGHUP SIGINT SIGTERM
@@ -195,8 +191,8 @@ lxc-info -s -n $lxc_orig|grep RUNNING >/dev/null 2>&1 || container_running=False
 sed -i '/lxc.rootfs/d' $lxc_path/$lxc_new/config
 oldroot=`grep lxc.rootfs $lxc_path/$lxc_orig/config | awk -F= '{ print $2 '}`
 if [ -b $oldroot ]; then
-    type vgscan || { echo "Please install lvm"; false; }
-    lvdisplay $oldroot > /dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "non-lvm blockdev cloning not supported"; false; }
+    type vgscan || { echo "$(basename $0): lvm is not installed" >&2; false; }
+    lvdisplay $oldroot > /dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "$(basename $0): non-lvm blockdev cloning is not supported" >&2; false; }
     lvm=TRUE
     # ok, create a snapshot of the lvm device
     if [ $container_running = "True" ]; then
@@ -211,16 +207,16 @@ if [ -b $oldroot ]; then
     if [ $snapshot = "no" ]; then
         #mount snapshot
         mkdir -p ${rootfs}_snapshot
-        mount /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}${lxc_new}_snapshot ${rootfs}_snapshot || { echo "failed to mount new rootfs_snapshot"; false; }
+        mount /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}${lxc_new}_snapshot ${rootfs}_snapshot || { echo "$(basename $0): failed to mount new rootfs_snapshot" >&2; false; }
         #create a new lv
         lvcreate -L $lxc_size $lxc_vg -n ${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new
         echo "lxc.rootfs = /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new" >> $lxc_path/$lxc_new/config
         # and mount it so we can tweak it
         mkdir -p $lxc_path/$lxc_new/rootfs
         mkfs -t $fstype /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new
-        mount /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new $rootfs || { echo "failed to mount new rootfs"; false; }
+        mount /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new $rootfs || { echo "$(basename $0): failed to mount new rootfs" >&2; false; }
         mounted=1
-        rsync -ax ${rootfs}_snapshot/ ${rootfs}/ || { echo "copy of data to new lv failed"; false; }
+        rsync -ax ${rootfs}_snapshot/ ${rootfs}/ || { echo "$(basename $0): copying data to new lv failed" >&2; false; }
         umount ${rootfs}_snapshot
         rmdir ${rootfs}_snapshot
         lvremove -f $lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}${lxc_new}_snapshot
@@ -229,18 +225,18 @@ if [ -b $oldroot ]; then
         echo "lxc.rootfs = /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new" >> $lxc_path/$lxc_new/config
         # and mount it so we can tweak it
         mkdir -p $lxc_path/$lxc_new/rootfs
-        mount /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new $rootfs || { echo "failed to mount new rootfs"; false; }
+        mount /dev/$lxc_vg/${lxc_lv_prefix}$lxc_new $rootfs || { echo "$(basename $0): failed to mount new rootfs" >&2; false; }
         mounted=1
     fi
 
 elif out=$(btrfs subvolume list "$lxc_path/$lxc_orig/rootfs" 2>&1); then
 
-    out=$(btrfs subvolume snapshot "$lxc_path/$lxc_orig/rootfs" "$rootfs" 2>&1) || { echo "failed btrfs snapshot"; false; }
+    out=$(btrfs subvolume snapshot "$lxc_path/$lxc_orig/rootfs" "$rootfs" 2>&1) || { echo "$(basename $0): btrfs snapshot failed" >&2; false; }
     echo "lxc.rootfs = $rootfs" >> "$lxc_path/$lxc_new/config"
 
 else
     if [ $snapshot = "yes" ]; then
-        echo "Can't snapshot a directory"
+        echo "$(basename $0): cannot snapshot a directory" >&2
         cleanup
     fi
     if [ $container_running = "True" ]; then
diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc-create.in b/src/lxc/lxc-create.in
index 9b12e5ffd..bd9a438ce 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc-create.in
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc-create.in
@@ -21,44 +21,41 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 
 usage() {
-    echo "usage: lxc-create -n <name> [-f configuration] [-t template] [-h] [fsopts] -- [template_options]"
-    echo "   fsopts: -B none"
-    echo "   fsopts: -B lvm [--lvname lvname] [--vgname vgname] [--fstype fstype] [--fssize fssize]"
-    echo "   fsopts: -B btrfs"
-    echo "           flag is not necessary, if possible btrfs support will be used"
-#    echo "   fsopts: -B union [--uniontype overlayfs]"
-#    echo "   fsopts: -B loop [--fstype fstype] [--fssize fssize]"
-#    echo "   fsopts: -B qemu-nbd [--type qed|qcow2|raw] [--fstype fstype] [--fssize fssize] # Qemu qed disk format"
+    echo "usage: $(basename $0) -n NAME [-f CONFIG_FILE] [-t TEMPLATE] [FS_OPTIONS] --" >&2
+    echo "         [TEMPLATE_OPTIONS]" >&2
+    echo >&2
+    echo "where FS_OPTIONS is one of:" >&2
+    echo "  -B none" >&2
+    echo "  -B lvm [--lvname LV_NAME] [--vgname VG_NAME] [--fstype FS_TYPE]" >&2
+    echo "    [--fssize FS_SIZE]" >&2
+    echo "  -B btrfs" >&2
 }
 
 help() {
     usage
-    echo
-    echo "creates a lxc system object."
-    echo
-    echo "Options:"
-    echo "name         : name of the container"
-    echo "configuration: lxc configuration"
-    echo "template     : lxc-template is an accessible template script"
-    echo
-    echo "The container backing store can be altered using '-B'.  By default it"
-    echo "is 'none', which is a simple directory tree under /var/lib/lxc/<name>/rootfs"
-    echo "Otherwise, the following option values may be relevant:"
-    echo "lvname       : [for -lvm] name of lv in which to create lv,"
-    echo "                container-name by default"
-    echo "vgname       : [for -lvm] name of vg in which to create lv, 'lxc' by default"
-    echo "fstype       : name of filesystem to create, ext4 by default"
-    echo "fssize       : size of filesystem to create, 500M by default"
-    echo
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Create a new container on the system." >&2
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Options:" >&2
+    echo "  -n NAME            specify the name of the container" >&2
+    echo "  -f CONFIG_FILE     use an existing configuration file" >&2
+    echo "  -t TEMPLATE        use an accessible template script" >&2
+    echo "  -B BACKING_STORE   alter the container backing store (default: none)" >&2
+    echo "  --lvname LV_NAME   specify the LVM logical volume name" >&2
+    echo "                      (default: container name)" >&2
+    echo "  --vgname VG_NAME   specify the LVM volume group name (default: lxc)" >&2
+    echo "  --fstype FS_TYPE   specify the filesystem type (default: ext4)" >&2
+    echo "  --fssize FS_SIZE   specify the filesystem size (default: 500M)" >&2
+    echo >&2
     if [ -z $lxc_template ]; then
-        echo "for template-specific help, specify a template, for instance:"
-        echo "lxc-create -t ubuntu -h"
+        echo "To see template-specific options, specify a template. For example:" >&2
+        echo "  $(basename $0) -t ubuntu -h" >&2
         exit 0
     fi
-    type ${templatedir}/lxc-$lxc_template >/dev/null
-    echo
-    echo "template-specific help follows: (these options follow '--')"
+    type ${templatedir}/lxc-$lxc_template 2>/dev/null
     if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+        echo >&2
+        echo "Template-specific options (TEMPLATE_OPTIONS):" >&2
         ${templatedir}/lxc-$lxc_template -h
     fi
 }
@@ -133,7 +130,6 @@ while true; do
 		shift
 		break;;
             *)
-		echo $1
 		usage
 		exit 1
 		;;
@@ -141,17 +137,17 @@ while true; do
 done
 
 if [ -z "$lxc_path" ]; then
-    echo "no configuration path defined !"
+    echo "$(basename $0): no configuration path defined" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ ! -r $lxc_path ]; then
-    echo "configuration path '$lxc_path' not found"
+    echo "$(basename $0): configuration path '$lxc_path' not found" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
 if [ -z "$lxc_name" ]; then
-    echo "no container name specified"
+    echo "$(basename $0): no container name specified" >&2
     usage
     exit 1
 fi
@@ -161,20 +157,20 @@ if [ -z "$lvname" ]; then
 fi
 
 if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
-   echo "This command has to be run as root"
+   echo "$(basename $0): must be run as root" >&2
    exit 1
 fi
 
 case "$backingstore" in
     lvm|none|btrfs|_unset) :;;
-    *) echo "'$backingstore' is not known ('none', 'lvm', 'btrfs')"
+    *) echo "$(basename $0): '$backingstore' is not known (try 'none', 'lvm', 'btrfs')" >&2
         usage
         exit 1
         ;;
 esac
 
 if [ -d "$lxc_path/$lxc_name" ]; then
-    echo "'$lxc_name' already exists"
+    echo "$(basename $0): '$lxc_name' already exists" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
@@ -187,7 +183,7 @@ if [ "$backingstore" = "_unset" -o "$backingstore" = "btrfs" ]; then
         backingstore="btrfs"
     else
         if [ "$backingstore" = "btrfs" ]; then
-            echo "missing 'btrfs' command or $lxc_path is not btrfs";
+            echo "$(basename $0): missing 'btrfs' command or $lxc_path is not btrfs" >&2
             exit 1;
         fi
         backingstore="none"
@@ -197,34 +193,32 @@ fi
 if [ $backingstore = "lvm" ]; then
     which vgscan > /dev/null
     if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
-        echo "vgscan not found.  Please install lvm2 package"
+        echo "$(basename $0): vgscan not found (is lvm2 installed?)" >&2
         exit 1
     fi
     grep -q "\<$fstype\>" /proc/filesystems
     if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
-        echo "$fstype is not listed in /proc/filesystems"
-        usage
+        echo "$(basename $0): $fstype is not listed in /proc/filesystems" >&2
         exit 1
     fi
 
     vgscan | grep -q "Found volume group \"$vgname\""
     if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
-        echo "Could not find volume group \"$vgname\""
-        usage
+        echo "$(basename $0): could not find volume group \"$vgname\"" >&2
         exit 1
     fi
 
     rootdev=/dev/$vgname/$lvname
     lvdisplay $rootdev > /dev/null 2>&1
     if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
-        echo "backing store already exists: $rootdev"
-        echo "please delete it (using \"lvremove $rootdev\") and try again"
+        echo "$(basename $0): backing store already exists: $rootdev" >&2
+        echo "please delete it (using \"lvremove $rootdev\") and try again" >&2
         exit 1
     fi
 elif [ "$backingstore" = "btrfs" ]; then
     mkdir "$lxc_path/$lxc_name"
     if ! out=$(btrfs subvolume create "$rootfs" 2>&1); then
-        echo "failed to create subvolume in $rootfs: $out";
+        echo "$(basename $0): failed to create subvolume in $rootfs: $out" >&2
         exit 1;
     fi
 fi
@@ -235,7 +229,7 @@ cleanup() {
         lvremove -f $rootdev
     fi
     ${bindir}/lxc-destroy -n $lxc_name
-    echo aborted
+    echo "$(basename $0): aborted" >&2
     exit 1
 }
 
@@ -247,7 +241,7 @@ if [ -z "$lxc_config" ]; then
     touch $lxc_path/$lxc_name/config
 else
     if [ ! -r "$lxc_config" ]; then
-	echo "'$lxc_config' configuration file not found"
+	echo "$(basename $0): '$lxc_config' configuration file not found" >&2
 	exit 1
     fi
 
@@ -265,9 +259,9 @@ fi
 
 if [ ! -z $lxc_template ]; then
 
-    type ${templatedir}/lxc-$lxc_template >/dev/null
+    type ${templatedir}/lxc-$lxc_template 2>/dev/null
     if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
-        echo "unknown template '$lxc_template'"
+        echo "$(basename $0): unknown template '$lxc_template'" >&2
         cleanup
     fi
 
@@ -299,7 +293,7 @@ if [ ! -z $lxc_template ]; then
 
     ${templatedir}/lxc-$lxc_template --path=$lxc_path/$lxc_name --name=$lxc_name $*
     if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
-        echo "failed to execute template '$lxc_template'"
+        echo "$(basename $0): failed to execute template '$lxc_template'" >&2
         cleanup
     fi
 
diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc-destroy.in b/src/lxc/lxc-destroy.in
index b0f2da5a4..76cad8637 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc-destroy.in
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc-destroy.in
@@ -26,24 +26,28 @@
 #
 
 usage() {
-    echo "usage: $0 -n <name> [-f]"
-    echo "  -f: if a container is running, stop it first.  Default is to abort"
+    echo "usage: $(basename $0) -n NAME [-f]" >&2
 }
 
-if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
-   echo "This command has to be run as root"
-   exit 1
-fi
+help() {
+    usage
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Remove an existing container on the system." >&2
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Options:" >&2
+    echo "  -n NAME   specify the name of the container" >&2
+    echo "  -f        stop the container if it is running (rather than abort)" >&2
+}
 
-shortoptions='n:f'
-longoptions='name:'
+shortoptions='hn:f'
+longoptions='help,name:'
 localstatedir=@LOCALSTATEDIR@
 lxc_path=@LXCPATH@
 force=0
 
 getopt=$(getopt -o $shortoptions --longoptions  $longoptions -- "$@")
 if [ $? != 0 ]; then
-    usage $0
+    usage
     exit 1;
 fi
 
@@ -51,6 +55,10 @@ eval set -- "$getopt"
 
 while true; do
         case "$1" in
+	    -h|--help)
+		help
+		exit 1
+		;;
 	    -n|--name)
 		shift
 		lxc_name=$1
@@ -64,21 +72,25 @@ while true; do
 		shift
 		break;;
             *)
-		echo $1
-		usage $0
+		usage
 		exit 1
 		;;
         esac
 done
 
 if [ -z "$lxc_name" ]; then
-    echo "no container name specified"
+    echo "$(basename $0): no container name specified" >&2
     usage $0
     exit 1
 fi
 
+if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
+   echo "$(basename $0): must be run as root" >&2
+   exit 1
+fi
+
 if [ ! -d "$lxc_path/$lxc_name" ]; then
-    echo "'$lxc_name' does not exist"
+    echo "$(basename $0): '$lxc_name' does not exist" >&2
     exit 1
 fi
 
@@ -88,7 +100,7 @@ if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
 	if [ $force -eq 1 ]; then
 		lxc-stop -n $lxc_name
 	else
-		echo "Container $lxc_name is running, aborting the deletion."
+		echo "$(basename $0): '$lxc_name' is running; aborted" >&2
 		exit 1
 	fi
 fi
diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc-setcap.in b/src/lxc/lxc-setcap.in
index 47954ab4a..52d4b48dd 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc-setcap.in
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc-setcap.in
@@ -37,9 +37,17 @@ LXC_RESTART_CAPS="$LXC_START_CAPS,cap_mknod"
 LXC_CHECKPOINT_CAPS="$LXC_COMMON_CAPS,cap_sys_ptrace,cap_mknod"
 LXC_DROP_CAPS=""
 
-usage()
-{
-    echo "lxc-setcap [-d] : set or remove capabilities on the lxc tools"
+usage() {
+    echo "usage: $(basename $0) [-d]" >&2
+}
+
+help() {
+    usage
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Set or drop file capabilities on the lxc tools." >&2
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Options:" >&2
+    echo "  -d   drop file capabilities" >&2
 }
 
 lxc_setcaps()
@@ -69,32 +77,31 @@ lxc_dropcaps()
     setcap -r @BINDIR@/lxc-netstat
     setcap -r @BINDIR@/lxc-checkpoint
     setcap -r @LXCINITDIR@/lxc-init
+
     chmod 0755 @LXCPATH@
 }
 
+shortoptions='hd'
+longoptions='help'
 libdir=@LIBDIR@
 localstatedir=@LOCALSTATEDIR@
 
-if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
-    echo "You have to be root to run this script"
-    exit 1
-fi
-
+getopt=$(getopt -o $shortoptions --longoptions  $longoptions -- "$@")
 if [ $? != 0 ]; then
     usage
     exit 1
 fi
 
-set -- $(getopt dh "$@")
+eval set -- "$getopt"
 
-for i in "$@"; do
+while true; do
     case "$1" in
 	-d)
 	    LXC_DROP_CAPS="yes"
 	    shift
 	    ;;
-	-h)
-	    usage
+	-h|--help)
+	    help
 	    exit 0
 	    ;;
 	--)
@@ -108,6 +115,11 @@ for i in "$@"; do
     esac
 done;
 
+if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
+   echo "$(basename $0): must be run as root" >&2
+   exit 1
+fi
+
 if [ -z "$LXC_DROP_CAPS" ]; then
     lxc_setcaps
 else
diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc-setuid.in b/src/lxc/lxc-setuid.in
index 00870a8a1..0919eacb6 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc-setuid.in
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc-setuid.in
@@ -25,9 +25,17 @@
 # When the capabilities are set, a non root user can manage the containers.
 #
 
-usage()
-{
-    echo "lxc-setuid [-d] : set or remove setuid on the lxc tools"
+usage() {
+    echo "usage: $(basename $0) [-d]" >&2
+}
+
+help() {
+    usage
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Set or drop the setuid attribute on the lxc tools." >&2
+    echo >&2
+    echo "Options:" >&2
+    echo "  -d   drop the setuid attribute" >&2
 }
 
 setuid()
@@ -70,29 +78,27 @@ lxc_dropuid()
     chmod 0755 @LXCPATH@
 }
 
+shortoptions='hd'
+longoptions='help'
 libdir=@LIBDIR@
 localstatedir=@LOCALSTATEDIR@
 
-if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
-    echo "You have to be root to run this script"
-    exit 1
-fi
-
+getopt=$(getopt -o $shortoptions --longoptions  $longoptions -- "$@")
 if [ $? != 0 ]; then
     usage
     exit 1
 fi
 
-set -- $(getopt dh "$@")
+eval set -- "$getopt"
 
-for i in "$@"; do
+while true; do
     case "$1" in
 	-d)
 	    LXC_DROP_CAPS="yes"
 	    shift
 	    ;;
-	-h)
-	    usage
+	-h|--help)
+	    help
 	    exit 0
 	    ;;
 	--)
@@ -106,6 +112,11 @@ for i in "$@"; do
     esac
 done;
 
+if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
+   echo "$(basename $0): must be run as root" >&2
+   exit 1
+fi
+
 if [ -z "$LXC_DROP_CAPS" ]; then
     lxc_setuid
 else