Reply to Kenneth Almquist

[phil.rice%rand-relay at sri-unix.UUCP]

From:  Bill.LeFebvre <phil.rice at rand-relay>

     Barring a major re-design of the UNIX security mechanisms, you can
     a) Forget about using write.  I prefer mail or a phone call anyway.
     b) Make your terminal mode 620, and only talk to people in your group.

If you set your terminal to mode 620, you would have to forget about
using write.  Although the `mesg' command sets your terminal to mode
722, it only considers "messages on" when the world write bit is on
(regardless, I might add, of the group write bit).  `Write' also uses
this scheme and won't let you write to anybody when you have world write
permission off.  I personally find it alot more convenient to `write'
to someone when I have something quick to say, but I am naturally lazy
and would prefer to stay seated behind my terminal if at all possible
(I don't have a phone conveniently placed next to my terminal).

				William LeFebvre

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