In this article, we will dive into the details of where the Ubuntu Message of the Day (MOTD) is stored and how it is generated. The MOTD is a useful feature that provides users with dynamic information each time they log into their system via the terminal.
The Ubuntu Message of the Day (MOTD) is not stored in a single static file. Instead, it is generated dynamically using scripts located in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory.
Understanding Ubuntu MOTD
The Ubuntu MOTD, or Message of the Day, is a handy system feature that displays important and dynamic system information each time a user logs into the terminal. This information can include system load, available updates, system tasks, and other relevant details.
Location of Ubuntu MOTD
On modern Ubuntu systems, the MOTD is not stored in a single static file as one might expect. Instead, it is generated dynamically using a series of scripts located in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory. Each script in this directory is responsible for generating specific parts of the MOTD message.
Traditionally, on older Unix-like systems, the MOTD was stored in a static file located at /etc/motd. While this file can still be found on Ubuntu systems, it is no longer the primary source of the MOTD content.
Creating a Custom MOTD
Even though Ubuntu now uses dynamic scripts to generate the MOTD, it is still possible to create a custom MOTD. This can be done by creating a file named /etc/motd and adding your desired message to it.
To create a custom MOTD, you can use the following command:
sudo sh -c 'echo "YOUR MESSAGE HERE" > /etc/motd'In this command, sudo is used to run the command with root privileges. The sh -c part allows us to run a command string in a subshell. The echo command is used to output the text “YOUR MESSAGE HERE”, and the > operator is used to redirect this output to the file /etc/motd, effectively overwriting any existing content in this file with your custom message.
Understanding the Dynamic MOTD
Even after creating a custom MOTD, you may notice that the dynamic information generated by the scripts in /etc/update-motd.d/ is still displayed above your custom message. This is because these scripts are run every time a user logs into the terminal, and their output is prepended to the MOTD.
If you want to remove the dynamic information and only display your own message, you can remove the scripts in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory. However, it is recommended to save these scripts somewhere else in case you want to restore the default behavior in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, on modern Ubuntu systems, the MOTD is generated dynamically using scripts in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory. A custom MOTD can be created by adding a message to the /etc/motd file, but the dynamic information will still be displayed above this message. Understanding how the MOTD works can help you customize it to suit your needs and provide useful information each time you log into your system.
The Ubuntu MOTD is stored in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory.
Yes, you can create a custom MOTD by adding a message to the /etc/motd file.
To create a custom MOTD, use the command sudo sh -c 'echo "YOUR MESSAGE HERE" > /etc/motd' and replace "YOUR MESSAGE HERE" with your desired message.
If you create a custom MOTD, the dynamic information generated by the scripts in /etc/update-motd.d/ will still be displayed above your custom message.
Yes, you can remove the scripts in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory to remove the dynamic information. However, it is recommended to save these scripts elsewhere in case you want to restore the default behavior in the future.
