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+<!--
+title: Finger
+author: ahriman
+description: Getting started with fingerd
+-->
+
+# Finger
+
+The finger protocol was created way back in 1977. its purpose was to
+display information about the queried user of a system, or all the users
+of a system.
+
+It fell out of use in the 1990s due to various security concerns. the
+old finger daemons were buggy and easily exploited, while the
+information garnered from a query could be used for social engineering
+attacks. nowadays, the finger daemons have been refined and are no longer
+so vulnerable.
+
+In the post-Facebook world, new types of social networks are
+popping up. the latest in this movement is a resurgence of the finger
+protocol. what follows is a rough guide for getting yourself up to speed
+with finger on tilde.institute.
+
+## Querying
+
+The standard query for finger is simply
+
+```
+finger user@host
+```
+
+which displays login name, home directory, shell, real name, current login
+time, idle time, whether or not the user has mail, and the contents of
+the user's `~/.plan` file. Here is an example of the output:
+
+```
+Login: username                          Name: Bob Bobson XXII
+Directory: /home/username                Shell: /bin/bash
+On since Wed Jan  2 04:04 (EST) on pts/94 from 168.297.83.21 via mosh [6420]
+    8 minutes 26 seconds idle
+Last login Wed Jan  2 04:33 (EST) on pts/91 from 168.297.83.21
+No mail.
+Plan: hey hey hey everybody!
+```
+
+## .plan
+
+The `~/.plan` file displayed at the end of the finger query response
+allows for some customization. You can put literally any text you want
+there. Status updates, summaries, etc. This little file allows us to use
+finger as a rudimentary social network.
+
+For example, say you want to use it as a personal summary, like having
+a blurb about what you're working on. Place the statement into `~/.plan`
+and you're ready to go!
+
+For a more traditional social network style format, put dated and timed
+status updates as if you're tooting on a mastodon instance. The sky's
+the limit! Well, actually, text is the limit. But you get the idea. Right?
+
+Hope to see you on finger soon!
+
+[back](/)