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From: alt@aids-unix@sri-unix.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards
Subject: Re: passwd and /etc/passwd
Message-ID: <4743@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Aug-83 15:15:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.4743
Posted: Wed Aug 31 15:15:00 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Sep-83 17:57:56 EDT
Lines: 22

From:  Howard Alt <alt@aids-unix>


      Return-Path: <menlo70!nsc!chongo@ucb-vax>
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      To: Unix-Wizards@brl-vgr
      From: menlo70!nsc!chongo@ucb-vax
      Subject: passwd and /etc/passwd
      Article-I.D.: nsc.366

      if `*` is the first character in the gcos field of /etc/passwd, running
      passwd will remove it in 4.1.  why?

      chongo /\../\


Because finger prints a * in front of someones name if they have write
permission off on thier tty.

	Howard