Customizing User Accounts
June 22, 2005
Using Nicknames for Commands :
oYou can assign to commands alternative names (“nicknames”). This is
done by using the alias utility (p. 42).
oHere is an example of how we might use alias to save us some work.
Assume that you anticipate using the history utility often and we want to
save us some keystrokes.
Enter the following command and press ENTER.
alias h=history
Enter the following command and press ENTER.
h
Tasks of the useradd Utility :
oA record of the user (including user ID #, group IP #, full name home
directory, shell) is added to the /etc/passwd file.
oA record of the user (including encrypted password) is added to the
/etc/shadow file.
oA home directory for the user is automatically created beneath /home.
oThe contents of the /etc/skel directory are copied to the user’s directory.
These filenames are preceded by a dot, which makes them hidden
files.
Hidden files do not appear in a regular listing. You must also use
the –a command option.
User Specific Customization Files :
oThese files control the experience for an individual user.
.bashrc – aliases specific to a user.
When you create aliases with the alias utility, the alias
only lasts until you log out.
