whois(TC) 19 June 1992 whois(TC) Name whois - DARPA Internet user name directory service Syntax whois [-h host] name Description whois help Produces a helpful message similar to the following: Please enter a name or a handle (``ident''), such as ``Smith'' or ``SRI-NIC''. Starting with a period forces a name-only search; starting with exclamation point forces handle-only. Examples: Smith [looks for name or handle SMITH ] !SRI-NIC [looks for handle SRI-NIC only ] .Smith, John [looks for name JOHN SMITH only ] Adding ``...'' to the argument will match anything from that point, for example, ``ZU...'' will match ZUL, ZUM, etc. To have the entire membership list of a group or organization, if you are asking about a group or org, shown with the record, use an asterisk character ``*'' directly preceding the given argument. [CAUTION: If there are a lot of members this will take a long time!] You may of course use exclamation point and asterisk, or a period and asterisk together. Options The -h host option directs the user name directory search to host. See also RFC 812: Nicname/Whois