The master list of user accounts is in the database (actually
a text file) called /etc/passwd
.
Every line in this file is a single record, which
describes one user account.
One of the fields in each record (line) is known as the
comment or GECOS
or simply the
finger
information field.
Although this field can contain all sorts of information (and in
fact may be empty), the most common use is to hold a user's real
name.
To view this and other user account information you can use the
finger
command.
For this project you must update your account record so that the
finger
information field contains your full name,
as shown on the official HCC records.
Do not add any other information such as
an office location or phone number, only your name.
For full credit, you must use your full name (no nick-names),
correctly spelled and capitalized, with no additional information.
For example:
Wayne Pollock - right WAYNE POLLOCK - wrong wayne pollock - wrong W. "Prof." Pollock - wrong Wayne Pollock, 555-1234 - wrong
You should use the chfn
command to change your
finger information on YborStudent.
If you do add too much information or make a typo or other
error, you will need to carefully read the man page for the
chfn
command and experiment with it until
you get it exactly right.
A related command is chsh
, to change your default
shell.
(Change this with extreme caution only!)
Note that not all Unix systems permit users to update their
account information.
In many cases only the System Administrator (SA)
is allowed to do so.
Finally, not that for Solaris Unix there is no chfn
or chsh
commands.
Instead you use special options of the passwd
command to update account records.
(That is, you would do that but Solaris doesn't usually allow users
to update their account records.
A resourceful system administrator will add a custom chfn
command if this functionality is desired.)
There is nothing to turn in. Just be sure to complete the project by the due date. (Time for this project will be provided in class.) Once finished, do not change your finger information again until after you have checked that your project has been graded.
Refer to the Projects and the Submitting Assignments sections of your syllabus for more information.