chfn
change user finger information
TLDR
Update a user's full name
$ chfn -f [new_display_name] [username]
Update a user's office room number$ chfn -o [new_office_room_number] [username]
Update a user's office phone number$ chfn -p [new_office_telephone_number] [username]
Update a user's home phone number$ chfn -h [new_home_telephone_number] [username]
SYNOPSIS
chfn [options] [username]
DESCRIPTION
chfn changes user information stored in the GECOS field of /etc/passwd. This information is displayed by the finger command and other utilities that show user details.Users can change their own information; root can change any user's information.
PARAMETERS
-f, --full-name name
Set the user's full name-o, --office office
Set office room number-p, --office-phone phone
Set office phone number-h, --home-phone phone
Set home phone number-u, --help
Display help message
INSTALL
sudo apt install passwd
sudo pacman -S shadow
sudo apk add shadow
sudo zypper install shadow
nix profile install nixpkgs#shadow
CAVEATS
Some systems restrict which fields users can modify. The GECOS field has a maximum length limit. Changes require authentication unless run as root.
HISTORY
The GECOS field originated from the General Electric Comprehensive Operating System, where it stored accounting information. Its use for user information became a Unix convention.
