xargs

Craig White wrote:

> I don't ever use the xargs command and unfortunately, my bash book
> doesn't really cover it and it's really tricky.
>
> What I want to do is to distribute some new files which I put into
> /etc/skel to existing users (all users for that matter)...
>
> so I tried...
> ls /home > users # so I can edit list
> cd /home
> cat users > xargs cp /etc/skel/.procmailrc
> ### didn't work
> cp /etc/skel/.procmailrc < xargs users
> cp: overwrite `users'?
> ### clearly didn't work
>
> I've tried a bunch of different things but none seem to be happening...
>
> man xargs is never gonna get through to this thick head

I don't know much about xargs, but I do know that it is used with the |
delimiter and not with the > or >> redirectors.

Has an example of xargs usage:
http://www.ale.org/archive/ale/ale-2000-08/msg00304.html