'\" te
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.TH whois 1 "6 Nov 2000" "SunOS 5.11" "User Commands"
.SH NAME
whois \- Internet user name directory service
.SH SYNOPSIS
.LP
.nf
\fBwhois\fR [\fB-h\fR \fIhost\fR] \fIidentifier\fR
.fi

.SH DESCRIPTION
.sp
.LP
\fBwhois\fR searches for an \fBInternet\fR directory entry for an
\fIidentifier\fR which is either a name (such as ``Smith'') or a handle (such
as ``SRI-NIC''). To force a name-only search, precede the name with a period;
to force a handle-only search, precede the handle with an exclamation point.
.sp
.LP
To search for a group or organization entry, precede the argument with \fB*\fR
(an asterisk). The entire membership list of the group will be displayed with
the record.
.sp
.LP
You may of course use an exclamation point and asterisk, or a period and
asterisk together.
.SH EXAMPLES
.LP
\fBExample 1 \fRUsing The \fBwhois\fR Command
.sp
.LP
The command:

.sp
.in +2
.nf
example% whois Smith
.fi
.in -2
.sp

.sp
.LP
looks for the name or handle SMITH.

.sp
.LP
The command:

.sp
.in +2
.nf
example% whois !SRI-NIC
.fi
.in -2
.sp

.sp
.LP
looks for the handle SRI-NIC only.

.sp
.LP
The command:

.sp
.in +2
.nf
example% whois .Smith, John
.fi
.in -2
.sp

.sp
.LP
looks for the name \fBJOHN SMITH\fR only.

.sp
.LP
Adding \fB\&.\|.\|.\fR to the name or handle argument will match anything from
that point; that is, \fBZU .\|.\|.\fR will match ZUL, ZUM, and so on.

.SH SEE ALSO
.sp
.LP
\fBattributes\fR(5)