ARCHIVED: In Unix, how do I change my finger information?

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Most Unix systems have a chfn (change finger) command. It allows you to change the standard information that is displayed when someone fingers your account.

Note: For security reasons, the chfn command is not available on Steel at Indiana University.

You can also display additional information by putting it in your home directory in a world-readable .plan or .project file. For more information about creating these files and making them readable by others, see the Knowledge Base document ARCHIVED: In Unix, how do I make plan and project files that will show up when people finger my account?

To change your finger information, on most systems, at the Unix shell prompt, enter chfn. You will be prompted to enter values for each of the following fields:

  Changing finger information for username
  Name [your name]:
  Location [XY 0436]:
  Office Phone [555-1212]:
  Home Phone [555-7352]:

These lines may differ slightly among systems. To change a line, enter the new information. To retain the original line, press the Enter or Return key. To remove all information from the line, enter none.