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Customizing UNIX system startup

Changing the /etc/motd file

The message of the day file, /etc/motd, is intended to provide the greeting displayed whenever a user logs in. By default, this file is empty. /etc/motd is an ordinary text file, so the system administrator can change the message by editing the file with a text editor. You can also use the MOTD Manager located in the System directory of the SCOadmin hierarchy, which simply invokes the default editor on the file.

In general, you should limit the size of the /etc/motd file to include no more than a single screen of information. You can modify this file to include messages such as a reminder to clean up directories, to preserve disk space, a notice of the next periodic backup, a description of the latest system upgrade, or information about upcoming scheduled system down times.


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© 2003 Caldera International, Inc. All rights reserved.
SCO OpenServer Release 5.0.7 -- 11 February 2003