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28 .\" @(#)msgs.1 8.2 (Berkeley) 4/28/95
29 .\" $FreeBSD: src/usr.bin/msgs/msgs.1,v 1.9.2.7 2002/07/15 07:19:24 keramida Exp $
30 .\" $DragonFly: src/usr.bin/msgs/msgs.1,v 1.2 2003/06/17 04:29:29 dillon Exp $
37 .Nd system messages and junk mail program
51 utility is used to read system messages.
53 sent by mailing to the login `msgs' and should be short
54 pieces of information which are suitable to be read once by most users
59 utility is normally invoked each time you login, by placing it in the file
65 It will then prompt you with the source and subject of each new message.
66 If there is no subject line, the first few non-blank lines of the
67 message will be displayed.
68 If there is more to the message, you will be told how
69 long it is and asked whether you wish to see the rest of the message.
70 The possible responses are:
73 Type the rest of the message.
78 and go on to the next message.
80 Redisplay the last message.
86 will pick up where it last left off.
88 Append the current message to the file ``Messages'' in the current directory;
89 `s\-' will save the previously displayed message.
91 be followed by a space and a file name to receive the message replacing
92 the default ``Messages''.
94 A copy of the specified message is placed in a temporary
97 is invoked on that mailbox.
98 Both `m' and `s' accept a numeric argument in place of the `\-'.
103 utility keeps track of the next message you will see by a number in the file
105 in your home directory.
108 it keeps a set of files whose names are the (sequential) numbers
109 of the messages they represent.
112 shows the low and high number of the messages in the directory
115 can quickly determine if there are no messages for you.
118 is incorrect it can be fixed by removing it;
122 file the next time it is run with the
127 is run with any option other than
129 an error will be displayed if
135 option is used for setting up the posting of messages.
138 .Dl msgs: \&"\&| /usr/bin/msgs \-s\&"
140 should be included in
141 .Pa /etc/mail/aliases
144 to enable posting of messages.
148 option is used for performing cleanup on
150 A shell script entry to run
154 option should be placed in
155 .Pa /etc/periodic/daily
159 This will remove all messages over 21 days old.
160 A different expiration may be specified on the command line to override
162 You must be the superuser to use this option.
164 Options when reading messages include:
167 Do not say ``No new messages.''.
170 file since this is often the case here.
172 Queries whether there are messages, printing
173 ``There are new messages.'' if there are.
174 The command ``msgs \-q'' is often used in login scripts.
176 Print the first part of messages only.
178 Cause only locally originated messages to be reported.
180 A message number can be given
181 on the command line, causing
183 to start at the specified message rather than at the next message
191 prints the first part of all messages.
195 messages back from the one indicated in the
197 file, useful for reviews of recent messages.
199 Pipe long messages through
205 you can also go to any specific message by typing its number when
207 requests input as to what to do.
215 environment variables for the default home directory and
218 .Bl -tag -width /var/msgs/* -compact
222 number of next message to be presented