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Asked: 2024-09-27T14:11:50+05:30 In:

What is the location of the MOTD file in contemporary Ubuntu distributions?

I’ve been diving into some admin tasks on my Ubuntu setup and ran into a bit of a snag. So, I’m curious, what’s the location of the MOTD file in contemporary Ubuntu distributions? I remember back in the day, it seemed a lot simpler, but I get the feeling things have changed quite a bit.

You see, I’ve been trying to customize the message of the day for my users. I want them to see something a bit more friendly or informative when they log in, instead of that default message. I thought, “How hard can it be?” But now I’m second-guessing myself because I can’t even remember where to find that file these days!

I’ve taken a stroll through the `/etc/` directory, poking around, but it’s almost overwhelming because there are so many files and folders. I thought maybe the MOTD file is tucked away in `/etc/motd`, but I feel like there’s a catch that I’m missing. I’ve heard whispers that Ubuntu no longer just uses a single MOTD file, and there are now scripts running that generate the message on-the-fly. Is that true?

If you’ve recently tinkered with your MOTD and know the ropes, can you shed some light on where I should actually be looking? Do I need to edit a specific file, or are there multiple files I need to keep an eye on? Also, any tips on how to make it look nice—like using colors or adding some cool ASCII art—would be super appreciated!

I’m all ears for your insights, especially if you’ve had similar frustrations. It seems like every time I try to make changes, something else gets in the way. I just want to provide my users with a nice welcome message that sets the tone for their sessions. Thanks in advance for any help you can throw my way!

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    2 Answers

    1. In contemporary Ubuntu distributions, the handling of the Message of the Day (MOTD) has indeed evolved. The traditional single MOTD file located at /etc/motd is still present, but it is not the primary method by which the MOTD is displayed upon user login. Instead, Ubuntu uses a dynamic approach where several scripts in /etc/update-motd.d/ generate the MOTD before presenting it to the user. These scripts can provide real-time information such as system updates, resource usage, and other relevant data, making the MOTD more informative and engaging.

      If you wish to customize the MOTD, you should look into editing the files found in /etc/update-motd.d/. You can create your own scripts or modify existing ones to include your personalized messages. To make your welcome message visually appealing, you might consider including ASCII art, which can be created using tools like Artii. For colors, you can use ANSI escape sequences within your scripts to allocate colors to your text. However, be cautious to maintain compatibility with terminal emulators that may not support all color codes. By combining personalized greetings with some creativity, you can effectively set a welcoming tone for your users.


    2. MOTD Location in Ubuntu

      So, you’ve been having a bit of a tough time with the MOTD (Message of the Day) in your Ubuntu setup, huh? Totally get that! Things have changed a bit, so here’s the lowdown on where to find it.

      You’re right that in the past, it was all about /etc/motd, but now, Ubuntu uses a more dynamic system to generate the MOTD at login.

      Here’s the scoop:

      • The main MOTD is not just a single file anymore; it’s actually created by a number of scripts in the /etc/update-motd.d/ directory.
      • The scripts in this folder are executed in alphabetical order and generate various parts of the MOTD that users see during login.

      If you want to customize the message your users see, here are some steps:

      1. Check out the scripts in /etc/update-motd.d/. You can edit or disable some of those scripts if they’re generating messages you don’t want.
      2. To create your own custom message, you can add a new script in that directory, something like /etc/update-motd.d/99-custom-motd. Just make sure it’s executable (you can run chmod +x /etc/update-motd.d/99-custom-motd).
      3. In that script, you can echo your custom message using simple commands. For color, you can use ANSI escape codes!

      Here’s a quick example of what your custom script might look like:

      #!/bin/bash
echo -e "\e[32mWelcome to my Ubuntu server!\e[0m"
echo "Have a great day!"

      That will show a green welcome message when users log in! There’re endless possibilities with ASCII art and colors, just be sure to keep it simple so it doesn’t overwhelm anyone.

      Hope this helps you set up something nice and friendly for your users. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you hit another snag!


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