docs/master: intro.roff annotate

annotate intro.roff @ 119:f9bf4d5ac1ba

style: Divert verbatim text (VS/VE) to handle page transitions.

author	markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de>
date	Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:01:10 +0200
parents	97369a93ef39
children	76c440261ebb

rev	line source
39 22ae3981a76b style: New RN macro to reset page numbers and change their style. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 32 diff changeset	1 .RN 1
22ae3981a76b style: New RN macro to reset page numbers and change their style. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 32 diff changeset	2
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	3 .H0 "Introduction
dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	4 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	5 MH is a set of mail handling tools with a common concept, similar to
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	6 the Unix tool chest, which is a set of file handling tools with a common
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	7 concept. \fInmh\fP is the currently most popular implementation of an
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	8 MH-like mail handling system.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	9 This thesis describes an experimental version of nmh, named \fImmh\fP.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	10 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	11 This chapter introduces MH, its history, concepts and how it is used.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	12 It describes nmh's code base and community to give the reader
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	13 a better understanding of the state of mmh when it started off.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	14 Further more, this chapter outlines the mmh project itself,
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	15 describing the motivation for it and its goals.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	16
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	17
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	18 .H1 "MH \(en the Mail Handler
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	19 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	20 MH is a conceptual email system design and its concrete implementation.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	21 Notably, MH had started as a design proposal at RAND Corporation,
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	22 where the first implementation followed later.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	23 In spirit, MH is similar to Unix, which
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	24 influenced the world more in being a set of system design concepts
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	25 than in being a specific software product.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	26 The ideas behind Unix are summarized in the \fIUnix philosophy\fP.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	27 MH follows this philosophy.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	28
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	29 .U2 "History
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	30 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	31 In 1977 at RAND Corporation, Norman Shapiro and Stockton Gaines
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	32 proposed the design
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	33 of a new mail handling system, called ``Mail Handler'' (MH),
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	34 to superseed RAND's old monolithic ``Mail System'' (MS).
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	35 Two years later, in 1979, Bruce Borden took the proposal and implemented a
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	36 prototype of MH.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	37 Before the prototype's existence, the concept was
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	38 believed to be practically unusable.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	39 But the prototype proved successful and replaced MS thereafter.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	40 In replacing MS, MH grew to an all-in-one mail system.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	41 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	42 In the early eighties,
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	43 the University of California at Irvine (UCI) started to use MH.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	44 Marshall T. Rose and John L. Romine then became the driving force.
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	45 They took over the development and pushed MH forward.
8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	46 RAND had put the code into the public domain by then.
8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	47 MH was developed at UCI at the time when the Internet appeared,
8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	48 when UCB implemented the TCP/IP stack, and when Allman wrote Sendmail.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	49 MH was extended as emailing became more featured.
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	50 The development of MH was closely related to the development of email
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	51 RFCs. In the advent of MIME, MH was the first implementation of this new
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	52 email standard.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	53 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	54 In the nineties, the Internet became popular and in December 1996,
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	55 Richard Coleman initiated the ``New Mail Handler'' (nmh) project.
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	56 Nmh is a fork of MH 6.8.3 and bases strongly on the
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	57 \fILBL changes\fP by Van Jacobson, Mike Karels and Craig Leres.
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	58 Colman intended to modernize MH and improve its portability and
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	59 MIME handling capabilities.
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	60 This should be done openly within the Internet community.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	61 The development of MH at UCI stopped after the 6.8.4 release in
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	62 February 1996, soon after the development of nmh had started.
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	63 Today, nmh has almost completely replaced the original MH.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	64 Some systems might still provide old MH, but mainly for historical reasons.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	65 .P
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	66 In the last years, the work on nmh was mostly maintenance work.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	67 However, the development was revived in December 2011
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	68 and stayed busy since then.
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	69
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	70 .U2 "Concepts
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	71 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	72 MH consists of a set of tools, each covering a specific task of
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	73 email handling, like composing a message, replying to a message,
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	74 refiling a message to a different folder, listing the messages in a folder.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	75 All of the programs operate on a common mail storage.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	76 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	77 The mail storage consists of \fImail folders\fP (directories) and
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	78 \fPmessages\fP (regular files).
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	79 Each message is stored in a separate file in the format it was
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	80 received (i.e. transfer format).
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	81 The files are named with ascending numbers in each folder.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	82 The specific format of the mail storage characterizes MH in the same way
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	83 as the format of the file system characterizes Unix.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	84 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	85 MH tools maintain a \fIcontext\fP, which includes the current mail folder.
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	86 Processes in Unix have a similar context, containing the current working
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	87 directory, for instance. In contrast, the process context is maintained
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	88 by the Unix kernel automatically, whereas MH tools need to maintain the MH
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	89 context themselves.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	90 The user can have one MH context or multiple ones; he can even share it
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	91 with others.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	92 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	93 Messages are named by their numeric filename, but they can have symbolic names,
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	94 too. These are either automatically updated
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	95 position names such as the next or the last message,
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	96 or user-settable group names for arbitrary sets of messages.
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	97 These names are called sequences.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	98 Sequences can be bound to the containing folder or to the context.
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	99 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	100 The user's \fIprofile\fP is a file that contains his MH configuration.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	101 Default switches for the individual tools can be specified to
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	102 adjust them to the user's personal preferences.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	103 Multiple versions of the same command with different
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	104 default values can also be created very easily.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	105 Form templates for new messages or for replies are easily changeable,
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	106 and output is adjustable with format files.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	107 Almost every part of the system can be adjusted to personal preference.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	108 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	109 The system is well scriptable and extensible.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	110 New MH tools are built out of or on top of existing ones quickly.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	111 Further more, MH encourages the user to tailor, extend and automate the system.
49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	112 As the MH tool chest was modeled after the Unix tool chest, the
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	113 properties of the latter apply to the former as well.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	114
102 a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	115
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	116 .ig \"XXX
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	117
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	118 .P
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	119 To ease typing, the switches can be abbreviated as much as the remaining
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	120 prefix remains unambiguous.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	121 If in our example no other switch would start with the letter `t', then
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	122 .Cl "-truncate" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	123 .Cl "-trunc" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	124 .Cl "-tr" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	125 and
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	126 .Cl "-t
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	127 would all be the same.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	128 As a result, switches can neither be grouped (as in
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	129 .Cl "ls -ltr" )
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	130 nor can switch arguments be appended directly to the switch (as in
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	131 .Cl "sendmail -q30m" ).
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	132 .P
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	133 Many switches have negating counter-parts, which start with `no'.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	134 For example
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	135 .Cl "-notruncate
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	136 inverts the
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	137 .Cl "-truncate
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	138 switch.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	139 They exist to undo the effect of default switches in the profile.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	140 If the user has chosen to change the default behavior of some tool
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	141 by adding a default switch to the profile,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	142 he can still undo this change in behavior by specifying the inverse
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	143 switch on the command line.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	144
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	145 ..
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	146
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	147
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	148 .U2 "Using MH
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	149 .P
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	150 It is strongly recommended to have a look at the MH Book,
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	151 which offers a thorough introduction to using MH.
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	152 .[ [
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	153 peek mh book
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	154 .], Part II]
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	155 Rose and Romine provide a deeper and more technical
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	156 though slightly outdated introduction in only about two dozens pages.
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	157 .[
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	158 rose romine real work
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	159 .]
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	160 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	161 Following is an example mail handling session.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	162 It uses mmh but is mostly compatible with nmh and old MH.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	163 Details might vary but the look and feel is the same.
82 ff4537327162 Mayor rework: Replaced .DS with .VS, a better verbatim environment. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 57 diff changeset	164
83 99ab58dc891f New macro: .VF to read verbatim text from file. Outsourced the MH session. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 82 diff changeset	165 .VF input/mh-session
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	166
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	167
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	168 .H1 "nmh: Code and Community
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	169 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	170 In order to understand the condition, goals and dynamics of a project,
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	171 one needs to know the reasons behind them.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	172 This section explains the background.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	173 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	174 MH predates the Internet; it comes from times before networking was universal,
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	175 it comes from times when emailing was small, short and simple.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	176 Then it grew, spread and adapted to the changes email went through.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	177 Its core-concepts, however, remained the same.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	178 During the eighties, students at UCI actively worked on MH.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	179 They added new features and optimized the code for the then popular systems.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	180 All this still was in times before POSIX and ANSI C.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	181 As large parts of the code stem from this time, today's nmh source code
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	182 still contains many ancient parts.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	183 BSD-specific code and constructs tailored for hardware of that time
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	184 are frequent.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	185 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	186 Nmh started about a decade after the POSIX and ANSI C standards were
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	187 established. A more modern coding style entered the code base, but still
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	188 a part of the developers came from ``the old days''. The developer
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	189 base became more diverse, thus broadening the range of different
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	190 coding styles.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	191 Programming practices from different decades merged in the project.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	192 As several peers added code, the system became more a conglomeration
49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	193 of single tools rather than a homogeneous of-one-cast mail system.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	194 Still, the existing basic concepts held it together.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	195 They were mostly untouched throughout the years.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	196 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	197 Despite the separation of the tool chest approach at the surface
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	198 \(en a collection of small, separate programs \(en
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	199 on the source code level, it is much more interweaved.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	200 Several separate components were compiled into one program
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	201 for efficiency reasons.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	202 This led to intricate innards.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	203 While clearly separated on the outside,
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	204 the programs turned out to be fairly interweaved inside.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	205 .\" XXX FIXME rewrite...
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	206 .\" Unfortunately, the clear separation on the outside turned out to be
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	207 .\" fairly interweaved inside.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	208 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	209 The advent of MIME raised the complexity of email by a magnitude.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	210 This is visible in nmh. The MIME-related parts are the most complex ones.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	211 It is also visible that MIME support was added on top of the old MH core.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	212 MH's tool chest style made this easily possible and encourages
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	213 such approaches, but unfortunately, it led to duplicated functions
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	214 and half-hearted implementation of the concepts.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	215 .P
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	216 To provide backward-compatibility, it is a common understanding to not
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	217 change the default settings.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	218 In consequence, the user needs to activate modern features explicitly
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	219 to be able to use them.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	220 This puts a burden on new users, because out-of-the-box nmh remains
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	221 in the same ancient style.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	222 If nmh is seen to be a back-end, then this compatibility surely is important.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	223 However, in the same go, new users have difficulties using nmh for modern
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	224 emailing.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	225 The small but mature community around nmh needs few change
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	226 as they have had their convenient setups for decades.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	227
3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	228
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	229 .H1 "mmh
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	230 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	231 I started to work on my experimental version in October 2011,
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	232 at a time when there had been no more than three commits to nmh
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	233 since the beginning of the year.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	234 In December, when I announced my work in progress on the
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	235 nmh-workers mailing list,
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	236 .[
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	237 nmh-workers mmh announce December
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	238 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	239 nmh's community became active, too.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	240 This movement was heavily pushed by Paul Vixie's ``edginess'' comment.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	241 .[
af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	242 nmh-workers vixie edginess
af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	243 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	244 After long years of stagnation, nmh became actively developed again.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	245 Hence, while I was working on mmh, the community was once more working
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	246 on nmh, in parallel.
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	247 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	248 The name \fImmh\fP may stand for \fImodern mail handler\fP,
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	249 because the project tries to modernize nmh.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	250 Personally however, I prefer to call mmh \fImeillo's mail handler\fP,
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	251 emphasizing that the project follows my visions and preferences.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	252 (My login name is \fImeillo\fP.)
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	253 This project model was inspired by \fIdwm\fP,
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	254 which is Anselm Garbe's personal window manager \(en
af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	255 targeted to satisfy Garbe's personal needs whenever conflicts appear.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	256 Dwm had retained its lean elegance and its focused character, whereas
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	257 its community-driven predecessor \fIwmii\fP had grown fat over time.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	258 The development of mmh should remain focused.
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	259
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	260
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	261 .U2 "Motivation
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	262 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	263 MH is the most important of very few command line tool chest email systems.
49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	264 Tool chests are powerful because they can be perfectly automated and
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	265 extended. They allow arbitrary kinds of front-ends to be
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	266 implemented on top of them quickly and without internal knowledge.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	267 Additionally, tool chests are easier to maintain than monolithic
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	268 programs.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	269 As there are few tool chests for emailing and as MH-like ones are the most
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	270 popular among them, they should be developed further.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	271 This keeps their
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	272 conceptional elegance and unique scripting qualities available to users.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	273 Mmh creates a modern and convenient entry point to MH-like systems
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	274 for new and interested users.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	275 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	276 The mmh project is motivated by deficits of nmh and
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	277 my wish for general changes, combined
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	278 with the nmh community's reluctancy to change.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	279 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	280 At that time, nmh had not adjusted to modern emailing needs well enough.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	281 The default setup was completely unusable for modern emailing.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	282 Too much setup work was required.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	283 Several modern features were already available but the community
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	284 did not want to have them as default.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	285 Mmh is a way to change this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	286 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	287 In my eyes, MH's concepts could be exploited even better and
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	288 the style of the tools could be improved. Both would simplify
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	289 and generalize the system, providing cleaner interfaces and more
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	290 software leverage at the same time.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	291 Mmh is a way to demonstrate this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	292 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	293 In providing several parts of an email system, nmh can hardly
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	294 compete with the large specialized projects that focus
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	295 on only one of the components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	296 The situation can be improved by concentrating the development power
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	297 on the most unique part of MH and letting the user pick his preferred
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	298 set of other mail components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	299 Today's pre-packaged software components encourage this model.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	300 Mmh is a way to go for this approach.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	301 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	302 It is worthwhile to fork nmh for the development of mmh, because
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	303 the two projects focus on different goals and differ in fundamental questions.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	304 The nmh community's reluctance regarding change conflicts
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	305 with my strong desire for it.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	306 In developing a separate experimental version new approaches can
c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	307 easily be tried out without the need to discuss changes beforehand.
c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	308 In fact, revolutionary changes are hardly possible otherwise.
c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	309 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	310 The mmh project provides the basis on which the aforementioned
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	311 ideas can be implemented and demonstrated,
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	312 without the need to change nmh or its community.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	313 Of course, the results of the mmh project shall improve nmh, in the end.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	314 By no means is my intend to work against the nmh project.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	315
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	316
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	317 .U2 "Target Field
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	318 .P
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	319 Any effort needs to be targeted towards a specific goal
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	320 in order to be successful.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	321 Following is a description of imagined typical mmh users.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	322 Mmh should satisfy their needs.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	323 .\" XXX Remove the next sentence?
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	324 Actually, as mmh is my personal version of MH, this is a description
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	325 of myself.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	326 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	327 The target users of mmh like Unix and its philosophy.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	328 They appreciate to use programs that are conceptionally appealing.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	329 They are familiar with the command line and enjoy its power.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	330 They are at least capable of shell scripting and want to improve their
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	331 productivity by scripting the mail system.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	332 .\" XXX Naturally, he uses ...
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	333 They naturally use modern email features, such as attachments,
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	334 non-ASCII text, and digital cryptography.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	335 They are able to setup email system components besides mmh,
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	336 and actually like to have the choice to pick the ones they prefer.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	337 They have a reasonably modern operating system that complies to standards,
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	338 like POSIX and ANSI C.
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	339 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	340 The typical users invoke mmh commands directly in an interactive
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	341 shell session, but they use them to automate mail handling tasks as well.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	342 Likely, they runs their mail setup on a server machine,
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	343 to which they connect via ssh.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	344 They might also have local mmh installations on their workstations,
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	345 where they tend to work with mmh directly in the shell instead
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	346 of using graphical front-ends.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	347 They definitely want to be flexible and thus be able to change
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	348 their setup to suit their needs.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	349 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	350 .\" XXX themself vs. themselves
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	351 Typical mmh users are programmers themselves.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	352 They like to, occasionally, take the opportunity of Free Software to put
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	353 hands on and get involved in the software they use.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	354 Hence, they like small and clean code bases and care for code quality.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	355 In general, they believe that:
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	356 .BU
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	357 Elegance \(en i.e. simplicity, clarity and generality \(en
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	358 is most important.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	359 .BU
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	360 Concepts are more important than the concrete implementation.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	361 .BU
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	362 Code optimizations for anything but readability should be avoided
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	363 if possible.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	364 .BU
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	365 Having a lot of choice is bad.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	366 .BU
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	367 Removed code is debugged code.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	368
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	369 .U2 "Goals
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	370 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	371 The general goals for the mmh project are the following:
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	372 .IP "Stream-lining
87 7d5b180de542 All kinds of rework plus new refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 83 diff changeset	373 Mmh should be stripped down to its core, which is the user agent (MUA).
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	374 The feature set should be distilled to the indispensable ones,
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	375 effectively removing corner-cases.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	376 Parts that don't add to the main task of being a conceptionally
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	377 appealing MUA should be removed.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	378 This includes the mail submission and mail retrieval facilities.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	379 Choice should be reduced to the main options.
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	380 .IP "Modernizing
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	381 Mmh's feature set needs to become more modern.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	382 Better support for attachment and digital cryptography should be added.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	383 MIME support should to be integrated deeper and more naturally.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	384 The modern email features need to be readily available, out-of-the-box.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	385 On the other hand,
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	386 bulletin board support and similar obsolete facilities can be dropped out.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	387 Likewise, ancient technologies such as hardcopy terminals
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	388 need not to be supported any further.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	389 .IP "Code style
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	390 Mmh's source code needs to be updated to modern standards.
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	391 Standardized library functions should replace non-standard versions
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	392 whenever possible.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	393 Code should be separated into distinct modules when feasible.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	394 Time and space optimizations should to be replaced by
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	395 clear and readable code.
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	396 A uniform programming style should prevail.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	397 .IP "Homogeneity
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	398 The available concepts need to be expanded as far as possible.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	399 A small set of concepts should recur consistently.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	400 The whole system should appear to be of-one-style;
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	401 it should feel like being cast as one.

Mercurial > docs > master

annotate intro.roff @ 119:f9bf4d5ac1ba