You can send messages to other users over the system in real time with the write command. It provides conversation-like communication with another logged-in user. Each user alternately sends and receives short messages from the other workstation. Long messages can be sent by putting the complete message in a file and then redirecting that file as input to the write command.
When the write command is issued, it immediately sends the following message, along with an attention-getting sound (the ASCII BEL character) to the message recipient or target:
Message from SenderID on SenderHostname (ttynn) [Date] ...
With a successful connection, the write command sends two ASCII BEL characters to both workstations. The beep alerts the sender that the message can begin, and it alerts the receiving user that a message is coming.
For example, to write a message to user june who is logged in, enter:
write june
I need to see you! Meet me in the computer room at 12:30.
Then press the Ctrl-D key sequence to terminate the write command mode.
If your user ID is karen and you are using workstation tty3 , june 's workstation displays:
Message from karen on trek tty3 Aug 17 11:55:24 ... I need to see you! Meet me in the computer room at 12:30. <EOT>
For example, to hold a conversation with user june , enter:
write june
Meet me in the computer room at 12:30. o
This starts the conversation. The o at the beginning of the next line means the message is over. It tells June that you are waiting for a response. Do not press Ctrl-D if you wish to continue.
write karen
She presses the Enter key and types:
I'm running tests at 12:30. Can we meet at 3? o
OK--the computer room at 3. oo
The oo means "over and out," telling June that you have nothing more to say. If June is also finished oo , then you both press Ctrl-D to end the conversation.
For example, to write user june a prepared message, enter:
write june < message.text
This writes the contents of the message.text file to june 's workstation.
For example, to write to the person using the workstation console , enter:
write console
The printer in building 998 has jammed. Please send help.
Then press the Ctrl-D key sequence.
This writes the message to the person logged in at the workstation /dev/console .
You can use the write command to converse with users on other hosts. You can identify a user on a remote host by using the -nHostname flag or the User@Host parameter. In order to write to a user on a remote host, the writesrv daemon must be running on both the current host and the remote host.
For example, to send a message to user spuds at remote host partya , enter:
write -n partya spuds
Your new tape has just arrived, come see me to pick it up. Thanks!
Then press the Ctrl-D key sequence.
write spuds@partya
Your new tape has just arrived, come see me to pick it up. Thanks!
Then press the Ctrl-D key sequence.
See the write command in the AIX Version 4.3 Commands Reference for the exact syntax.
User Environment and System Information