CHFN(1)             UNIX Programmer's Manual              CHFN(1)

NAME
     chfn - change finger entry

SYNOPSIS
     chfn [ loginname ]

DESCRIPTION
     _C_h_f_n is used to change information about users.  This infor-
     mation is used by the finger program, among others.  It con-
     sists of the user's "real life" name, office room number,
     office phone number, and home phone number.  _C_h_f_n prompts
     the user for each field.  Included in the prompt is a
     default value, which is enclosed between brackets.  The
     default value is accepted simply by typing <return>.  To
     enter a blank field, type the word 'none'.  Below is a sam-
     ple run:

          Name [Biff Studsworth II]:
          Room number (Exs: 597E or 197C) []: 521E
          Office Phone (Ex: 1632) []: 1863
          Home Phone (Ex: 987532) [5771546]: none

     _C_h_f_n allows phone numbers to be entered with or without
     hyphens.  Because _f_i_n_g_e_r only knows about UCB extensions,
     _c_h_f_n will insist upon a four digit number (after the hyphens
     are removed) for office phone numbers.  Also, room numbers
     must be in Evans or Cory; again, this is because of _f_i_n_g_e_r.

     It is a good idea to run finger after running _c_h_f_n to make
     sure everything is the way you want it.

     The optional argument _l_o_g_i_n_n_a_m_e is used to change another
     person's finger information.  This can only be done by the
     super-user.

FILES
     /etc/passwd, /etc/ptmp

SEE ALSO
     finger(1), passwd(5)

BUGS
     The encoding of the office and extension information is
     installation dependent.

     For historical reasons, the user's name, etc are stored in
     the passwd file.  This is a bad place to store the informa-
     tion. Rumors are that a data base is being developed to
     store this information, but don't hold your breath.

Printed 7/22/83                                                 1

CHFN(1)             UNIX Programmer's Manual              CHFN(1)

     Because two users may try to write the passwd file at once,
     a synchronization method was developed.  On rare occasions,
     a message that the password file is "busy" will be printed.
     In this case, _c_h_f_n sleeps for a while and then tries to
     write to the passwd file again.

Printed 7/22/83                                                 2