rig

Display a random name (male or female) and address

$ rig

$ rig -[m|f]

$ rig -d [path/to/directory]

$ rig -c [number]

$ rig -f -c [number]

rig [-l] [-r] [-s seed] [-f file] [type]

-l
    Prints a list of the currently available identity types.

-r
    Repeats the last identity generated. This is useful when a seed is provided with -s.

-s seed
    Uses the provided seed for the random number generator. This allows for reproducible identity generation.

-f file
    Specifies an alternative file to use as the source of identity templates. Defaults to /usr/share/misc/rig.dat.

type
    Specifies a specific identity type to generate. If not provided, a random type is selected.

The rig command generates random identities. It produces a humorous, often outlandish, pseudo-login consisting of a randomly chosen real name, login name, office, phone number, and commentary appropriate to the selected person and situation. It can be used for testing, creating dummy accounts, or just for amusement.

The command offers a few parameters to control the randomness, such as the seed to generate reproducable results or the type of person to impersonate. It reads from a file (typically /usr/share/misc/rig.dat) which contains the templates for generating the identities. The rig.dat file is a plain text file structured into distinct sections, each representing a different persona. The persona include information to create a fake name, login id, phone number, commentary and office. The rig utility is usually packaged with a default rig.dat that provides a diverse range of options, though customized rig.dat files can be created and used to tailor the generated identities to specific needs.

The information generated by rig is completely random and should not be used for any purpose where genuine personal information is required. It is only designed for testing or amusement purposes.

The rig.dat file is a plain text file that stores the data used by the rig command to generate random identities. It's structured into sections, each beginning with a type name enclosed in angle brackets, like <techie>. Within each section, various tags are used to define the format of the output.

For example:
<name> FirstName LastName
<login> flast
<office> basement
<phone> 123-456-7890
<comment> likes computers.

The rig command has been a part of Unix-like systems for a long time, providing a lighthearted tool for generating fake identities. Its origins are likely rooted in the need for creating dummy accounts for testing purposes, or perhaps simply as a way to add some amusement to system administration tasks. Its continued presence reflects its simple utility and appeal as a fun, harmless tool.

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