How to Set Up a Message of the Day

1. Become superuser.

2. Open the /etc/motd file, using the editor of your choice.

3. Edit the text to include the message that will be displayed as part of the user login process, including spaces, Tabs, and Returns.

4. Exit the file, saving your changes.

5. Verify the changes by displaying the contents of the /etc/motd.

   $ cat /etc/motd Welcome to the UNIX Universe. Have a nice day.

Example--Setting Up a Message of the Day

The default message of the day, provided when you install Solaris software, contains SunOS version information:

$ cat /etc/motd
Sun Microsystems Inc   SunOS 5.6    Generic     August 1997

The following example shows an edited /etc/motd file that provides information about system availabilty to each user who logs in.

$ cat /etc/motd
The system will be down from 7:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.on
Saturday, August 5, for upgrades and maintenance.
Do not try to access the system during those hours.
Thank you...