[TECK]

Very easy.

PHP Code:

function get_searchd_status()
{
    return file_exists('/var/run/searchd.pid');
}

$searchd = get_searchd_status();
if ($searchd)
{
    // searchd enabled;
} 


I wrote the check as a function because you can use it in several areas, this way.

Now, back to my question. Can anyone help me with the username setup? I can't think how you can use a variable in Sphinx conf file... because you cannot. Obviously I`m wrong, kmike did it but unfortunatelly he is not available.