Commands Reference, Volume 3

mesg Command

Purpose

Permits or refuses write messages.

Syntax

mesg [ n | y ]

Description

The mesg command controls whether other users on the system can send messages to you with either the write command or the talk command. Called without arguments, the mesg command displays the current workstation message-permission setting.

The shell startup process permits messages by default. You can override this default action by including the line mesg n in your $HOME/.profile file. A user with root user authority can send write messages to any workstation, regardless of its message permission setting. Message permission has no effect on messages delivered through the electronic mail system (sendmail).

If you add mesg y to your $HOME/.profile, you will be able to receive messages from other users via the write command or the talk command.

If you add mesg n to your $HOME/.profile, you will not be able to receive messages from other users using the write command or the talk command.

Flags

Exit Status

This command returns the following exit values:

Examples

1. To allow only the root user the permission to send messages to your workstation, enter:
   mesg n
   
2. To allow everyone the permission to send messages to your workstation, enter:
   mesg y
   
3. To display what your current message-permission setting is, enter:

   mesg

   Information similar to the following is displayed:
   is y
   In the previous example, the current message-permission setting is y (allowing all users on the local network the permission to send messages to your workstation). If you change the message-permission setting to n (allowing only the root user the permission to send messages to your workstation), information similar to the following is displayed:
   is n
   

Files

Related Information

The sendmail command, talk command, write command.

Network Overview in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System Management Guide: Communications and Networks.