Another way to configure the bash shell so that it doesn’t alert you to new email is to set the MAILCHECK environment variable to a negative number, like this:
/home/micha/.bashrc:
export MAILCHECK=-1
From the bash(1) manpage:
Specifies how often (in seconds) bash checks for mail. The default is 60 seconds. When it is time to check for mail, the shell does so before displaying the primary prompt. If this variable is unset, or set to a value that is not a number greater than or equal to zero, the shell disables mail checking.
Comment [1]
On CentOS the default /etc/profile sets the environment variable MAIL to the path of the user’s mailbox:
/etc/profile, line 35:
MAIL="/var/spool/mail/$USER"
Because of this, bash periodically interrupts my shell sessions and lets me know that I have mail. And I don’t really care because I get my mail through IMAP.
To shut it up, I unset it in my ~/.profile:
/home/alan/.profile:
export MAIL=""
Fancy.
Comment [1]
On Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake, the GUI networking helper tool is basically worthless.
If there’s an open network near you and you just want on the meganet:
sudo iwconfig rausb0 essid anyWhere 'rausb0' is the device name of the wifi doodad you're trying to get to work. If you don't know what your stuff is called, executing iwconfig by itself will give you a list. The 'essid any' piece connects to whatever open network possible.
Then:
sudo dhclient rausb0That sets dhclient loose on the interface to hook you up with an IP, a gateway, and some DNS type shit. Happy trails.
Comment [2]