MOTD stands for "Message Of The Day". On most systems the file /etc/motd
serves to output messages when someone logs in to the system. In this
installment of Tips and Tricks we learn how use fortune and cowsay to create
a fancy MOTD.
First we need to install two packages:
+-----------------------------
----------------------------------------------+
| Code Listing 4.1 |
| Installing cowsay and fortune |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # emerge fortune-mod cowsay |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Next we should choose a character from the following choices:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Code Listing 4.2 |
| Choosing your character |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # ls /usr/share/cowsay-3.03/cows/ |
| # cowsay -f ren "foo" |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Finally, we update /etc/motd:
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Code Listing 4.3 |
| Updating /etc/motd |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # fortune | cowsay -f ren > /etc/motd |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
You can generate a new motd daily by creating the following file in
/etc/cron.daily:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Code Listing 4.4 |
| Setting up the cron job |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # echo '#!/bin/sh' >> /etc/cron.daily/motd |
| # echo '/usr/bin/fortune | /usr/bin/cowsay -f ren > /etc/motd' >> /etc/cron.daily/motd |
| # chmod +x /etc/cron.daily/motd |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you want to spice up your motd even more, read the forums thread[8] which
inspired this week's Tips and Tricks.
http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-97905.html
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