MESG(1)

NAME
mesg - permit or deny messages

SYNOPSIS
mesg [ n ] [ y ] [answerback message]

DESCRIPTION
Mesg with argument n forbids messages via write and talk(1) by revoking non-user write permission on the user's terminal. Mesg with argument y reinstates permission. All by itself, mesg reports the current state and answerback message without changing it.

The answerback message is used as an automatic response to anyone who tries to send you a msg. The existing answerback message is removed on subsequent mesg command invocations (except when no arguments are given).

EXAMPLE
mesg n Please send me mail instead.

BUGS
mesg will not work within a script(1) session because there is no way for it to find out what terminal you are really signed on to.

FILES
/dev/tty*
/usr/tmp/mesg.tty*

SEE ALSO
write(1), talk(1)

DIAGNOSTICS
Exit status is 0 if messages are receivable, 1 if not, 2 on error.

NOTE
Answerback messages are a Waterloo addition.