MESG(1,C)                   AIX Commands Reference                    MESG(1,C)



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mesg



PURPOSE

Allows or prevents incoming write command messages.

SYNTAX


        +--------+
mesg ---| one of |---|
        | +---+  |
        +-| n |--+
          | y |
          +---+


DESCRIPTION

The mesg command controls whether other users on the system can send messages
to your work station with the write or talk command.  Called without arguments,
mesg displays the current work station message-permission setting.  The shell
startup process permits messages by default.  You can override the default by
including the line "mesg n" in the $HOME/.profile file (for sh users), or in
the file $HOME/.login (for csh users).  A user with superuser authority can
send write messages to any work station, regardless of its message permission
setting.  Message permission has no effect on messages delivered through the
electronic mail system (sendmail).

Note:  The mesg command does not affect the mail notification (biff command).

FLAGS

n  Disables incoming write messages.  Use this form of the command to prevent
   your display from being cluttered with incoming messages.

y  Permits incoming write command messages.

FILES

/dev/tty*   Default terminal devices.

RELATED INFORMATION

See the following commands:  "write,"  "sendmail, mailq, newaliases," and
"biff."






Processed November 8, 1990         MESG(1,C)                                  1