ctluser - control lusers

ctluser [ -h ] [ -m ] command [ argument... ]

Ctluser sends a message to the control channel of a given luser(8) This command can only be run by the sysadmin(1)

In the normal mode of behavior, the message is sent to the luser's brain, which then performs the requested action and sends back a reply with a text message and the exit code for ctluser. If the luser's brain successfully performed the command, ctluser will exit with a status of zero and print the reply on standard output.

The ``-m'' flag is used to display an MPEG of the results of the given command on the console of the sysadmin(1) Note that this requires the sysadmin(1) to be running an X server.

To see a command summary, use the ``-h'' flag. If a command is included when ctluser is invoked with the ``-h'' flag, then only the usage for that command will be given.

The complete list of commands follows. Note that all commands have a fixed number of arguments. If a parameter can be an empty string, then it is necessary to specify it as two adjacent quotes, like "".

addhist <entry>

Add an entry to the luser's employment record.

allow reason

Allow a luser to use the computer system again. The reason must be the same text given with an earlier ``reject'' command. Note that this command is currently not implemented.

begin name

Begin a new luser(1) with the given file. Note that this command is currently not implemented.

cancel pid

Causes a process of a luser to be killed

changegroup group

Changes a luser from their current workgroup to the one specified.

checkfile

Forces a user to return to a paper based system

drop

Causes a large mass to drop onto the luser from a great height.

flushlogs

Destorys all logs of the actions done by the sysadmin(1) to the luser.

go reason

The luser is fired for the given reason.

hangup

Makes the luser hang themselves

mode

Displays the operating mode of the luser

newgroup group

Causes a luser to make their own newgroup up

pause thought

Makes the luser pause for the given thought. Note that this may cause some lusers to crash

shutdown reason

Makes the luser shutdown. This is essentially the same as killing them

signal sig

Sends the given signal to the luser

throttle reason

Causes the luser to throttle themselves

trace item flag

Gives the sysadmin(1) information on what the luser is doing.

Ctluser sometimes has the effect of lusers complaining the to management. The use of bosskill(8) maybe required at this point.

Written by Simon Burr <simes@tcp.co.uk>. Based upon the manual page for ctlinnd(8), part of the InterNetNews system.

luser(1), sysadmin(1), bosskill(8)