Many computer systems display a message of the day or welcome message when a user first connects to them, logs in to them, or starts them. It is a way of sending a common message to all users, and may include information about system changes, system availability, and so on. More recently, systems have displayed personalized messages of the day.
On many time-sharing systems, the contents of the message of the day are fetched from a system file:
Compatible Time-Sharing System; Multics: the motd info segment;A.K. Bhushan, "Scenarios for using ARPANET computers", Request for Comments 254, Network Working Group, IETF https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc254.txt TOPS-10 Incompatible Timesharing System (ITS) Unix-like systems: the /etc/motd file Univac VS/9"The Univac 60/90 Mainframe Computer" https://studylib.net/doc/8373525/the-univac-90---60-mainframe-computer, p. 5 CP/CMS"CP-67 Operator's Guide", Program Number 360D-05.2.005, Control Program-67/Cambridge Monitor System, October 1970, p. 4 http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/360/cp67/GH20-0856-0_CP-67_Operators_Guide_Oct1970.pdf
Usage The contents of the special file are displayed after the user logs in successfully, typically before the login shell is started.The complete FreeBSD: documentation from the source, By Greg Lehey, p.572
Newer Unix-like systems may generate the message dynamically when the host boots or a user logs in.
Various server-based PC games display messages of the day, including Half-Life, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Battlefield. They may be personalized, encouraging users to try new features or make in-game purchases.
Some IRC servers also display a message of the day on login.
See also System console fortune (Unix)
References