MESG(1)                     386BSD Reference Manual                    MESG(1)

NAME
     mesg - Display (do not display) messages from other users

SYNOPSIS
     mesg [n | y]

DESCRIPTION
     The mesg utility is invoked by a user to control write access others have
     to her or his terminal.  By default, write access is allowed, and
     programs such as talk(1),  write(1) and echo(1) may display messages on
     the target user's terminal.

     Options available:

     n     Disallows messages and informs the sender that `Your party is
           refusing messages'.

     y     Allows messages to be displayed.

     If no arguments are given, mesg displays the present message status.

     The mesg utility exits with one of the following values:

            0    Messages are allowed.
            1    Messages are not allowed.
           -1    An error has occurred.

FILES
     /dev/[pt]ty[pq]?

SEE ALSO
     write(1),  talk(1),  echo(1),  biff(1)

HISTORY
     A mesg command appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.

BSD Experimental                 July 26, 1991                               1