whois(1) USER COMMANDS whois(1)
NAME
whois - Internet user name directory service
SYNOPSIS
whois [ -h host ] identifier
DESCRIPTION
whois searches for an Internet directory entry for an iden-
tifier which is either a name (such as ``Smith'') or a han-
dle (such as ``SRI-NIC''). To force a name-only search,
precede the name with a period; to force a handle-only
search, precede the handle with an exclamation point.
To search for a group or organization entry, precede the
argument with * (an asterisk). The entire membership list
of the group will be displayed with the record.
You may of course use an exclamation point and asterisk, or
a period and asterisk together.
EXAMPLES
The command
whois Smith
looks for the name or handle SMITH.
The command
whois !SRI-NIC
looks for the handle SRI-NIC only.
The command
whois .Smith, John
looks for the name JOHN SMITH only.
Adding ... to the name or handle argument will match any-
thing from that point; that is, ZU ... will match ZUL, ZUM,
and so on.
1