The xzewd Signature dialog: the command box

# Signature Commands and the Command Box

The signature command is a shell command that xzewd executes every time it sends a message. It then reads the standard output of the command and uses that (with the last newline chopped off) as your signature.

Sometimes, a signature command could run amuck, and either not produce anything at all or produce things forever. Since xzewd freezes while the command is being run, this would be bad. Therefore, a command timeout is provided. If the signature command is still running after that many seconds have passed, the command is aborted and "(whoops! signature command timed out!)" is used as your signature instead. If your command doesn't work at all, "(whoops! signature command failed!)" is used as your signature.

It's easy to implement random zsigs through the signature command.

## The Command box

To use a signature command, go to the Signature dialog and make sure the Use Command button is on. Then, type a shell command into the box labeled "Command:" and click either OK, Apply, or Save.

Back to the Signature dialog page.