---
name: "ctluser"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "asr-manpages"
version: "1.2-3"
release: "Debian 2.2 (Potato)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ctluser"
---

# ctluser(8)

control lusers

## NAME

ctluser - control lusers

## SYNOPSIS

**ctluser** \[ **-h** \] \[ **-m** \] *command* \[ *argument...* \]

## DESCRIPTION

*Ctluser* sends a message to the control channel of a given [*luser*(8)](/luser/8.md) This command can only be run by the [*sysadmin*(1)](/sysadmin/1.md)

In the normal mode of behavior, the message is sent to the luser's brain, which then performs the requested action and sends back a reply with a text message and the exit code for *ctluser*. If the luser's brain successfully performed the command, *ctluser* will exit with a status of zero and print the reply on standard output.

The \`\`-m'' flag is used to display an MPEG of the results of the given command on the console of the [*sysadmin*(1)](/sysadmin/1.md) *Note* that this requires the [*sysadmin*(1)](/sysadmin/1.md) to be running an X server.

To see a command summary, use the \`\`-h'' flag. If a command is included when *ctluser* is invoked with the \`\`-h'' flag, then only the usage for that command will be given.

The complete list of commands follows. Note that all commands have a fixed number of arguments. If a parameter can be an empty string, then it is necessary to specify it as two adjacent quotes, like "".

- **addhist** *\<entry\>*

  Add an entry to the luser's employment record.

- **allow** *reason*

  Allow a luser to use the computer system again. The *reason* must be the same text given with an earlier \`\`reject'' command. **Note** that this command is currently not implemented.

- **begin** *name*

  Begin a new *luser*(1) with the given *file*. **Note** that this command is currently not implemented.

- **cancel** *pid*

  Causes a process of a luser to be killed

- **changegroup** *group*

  Changes a luser from their current workgroup to the one specified.

- **checkfile**

  Forces a user to return to a paper based system

- **drop**

  Causes a large mass to drop onto the luser from a great height.

- **flushlogs**

  Destorys all logs of the actions done by the [*sysadmin*(1)](/sysadmin/1.md) to the luser.

- **go** *reason*

  The luser is fired for the given reason.

- **hangup**

  Makes the luser hang themselves

- **mode**

  Displays the operating mode of the luser

- **newgroup** *group*

  Causes a luser to make their own newgroup up

- **pause** *thought*

  Makes the luser pause for the given thought. *Note* that this may cause some lusers to crash

- **shutdown** *reason*

  Makes the luser shutdown. This is essentially the same as killing them

- **signal** *sig*

  Sends the given signal to the luser

- **throttle** *reason*

  Causes the luser to throttle themselves

- **trace** *item flag*

  Gives the [*sysadmin*(1)](/sysadmin/1.md) information on what the luser is doing.

## BUGS

*Ctluser* sometimes has the effect of lusers complaining the to management. The use of [*bosskill*(8)](/bosskill/8.md) maybe required at this point.

## HISTORY

Written by Simon Burr \<simes@tcp.co.uk\>. Based upon the manual page for [*ctlinnd*(8)](/ctlinnd/8.md), part of the InterNetNews system.

## SEE ALSO

luser(1), [sysadmin(1)](/sysadmin/1.md), [bosskill(8)](/bosskill/8.md)