---
name: "bntext"
section: "5"
platform: "linux"
package: "pvpgn"
version: "1.99.7.2.1+dfsg-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/bntext"
---

# bntext(5)

messages for the Unix Battle.net daemon

## NAME

bnmotd.txt, bnnews.txt bnissue.txt - messages for the Unix Battle.net daemon

## DESCRIPTION

The file *bnmotd.txt* contains text displayed by [**bnetd**(1)](/bnetd/1.md), when users first log into the server.

The file *bnnews.txt* contains text displayed when the user uses the /news chat command.

The files consist of raw text with printf-style formatting escapes.  Each line of a file can contain a type formatter from the following list:

- **%B**

  Use the broadcast attribute (???).

- **%C**

  Execute the line as if the user entered it as a command.

- **%E**

  Use the error attribute (red).

- **%I**

  Use the info attribute (yellow).  This is the same was **%W.**

- **%M**

  Normal chat message (white).  This will appear as if the user said it.

- **%T**

  Emote chat message (???).  This will appear as if the user said it.

- **%W**

  Use the warning attribute (yellow).  This is the same was **%I.**

Within a line, any of the following format formatters may be used:

- **%%**

  Expand to a literal percent sign (%).

- **%a**

  Expand to the number of accounts on the server.

- **%c**

  Expand to the number of channels on the server.  This includes all permanent and current temporary channels.

- **%g**

  Expand to the number of games on the server.  This includes both public and private (passworded) games.

- **%h**

  Expand to the hostname of the server (as returned by [**gethostname**(2)](/gethostname/2.md)).

- **%i**

  Expand to this user's account ID number, formatted with a leading pound (#) sign and leading zeros.

- **%l**

  Expand to this user's current chat name which is usually the same

- **%r**

  Expand to the IP of the remote machine (the client).

- **%t**

  Expand to four character client tag.

- **%u**

  Expand to the number of users logged into the server.

- **%v**

  Expand to the version number of the server.

## SEE ALSO

- [**bnetd**(1)](/bnetd/1.md)

  ## AUTHOR

- Ross Combs (*ross@bnetd.org*)