The second part of Figure 3 demonstrates a response in which finger permission is denied. The username may or may not be accurate. While security and privacy issues may be an argument for restricting incoming finger requests, they do not apply to outgoing finger. If a system does not allow you to use the finger command, suggest that at least an outgoing finger client be implemented. The sources listed in the sidebar may help convince a reluctant administrator.
People continue to devise unique and useful ways to use finger.
Earthquake information and other reports have shown it to be a valuable vehicle for communicating brief information. It can be used to try to discover when someone has read e-mail from you and to inform others when you last read yours. Also, finger can be a way to advertise unobtrusively and a vehicle for small databases. Perhaps finger can be best thought of as access to a miniature world of online. Online Inc. All rights reserved.