docs/master: intro.roff annotate

annotate intro.roff @ 162:5520bbde3767

Renamed Chapter 3 back from `Future of mmh' to `Summary'.

author	markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de>
date	Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:41:05 +0200
parents	8b411125645d
children	5c01017be420

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,
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	22 .\" XXX ref to rand corp.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	23 where the first implementation followed later.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	24 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	25 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	26 than in being a specific software product.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	27 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	28 MH follows this philosophy.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	29
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	30 .U2 "History
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	31 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	32 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	33 proposed the design
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	34 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	35 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	36 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	37 prototype of MH.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	38 Before the prototype's existence, the concept was
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	39 believed to be practically unusable.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	40 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	41 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	42 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	43 In the early eighties,
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	44 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	45 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	46 They took over the development and pushed MH forward.
8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	47 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	48 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	49 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	50 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	51 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	52 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	53 email standard.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	54 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	55 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	56 Richard Coleman initiated the ``New Mail Handler'' (nmh) project.
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	57 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	58 \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	59 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	60 MIME handling capabilities.
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	61 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	62 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	63 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	64 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	65 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	66 .P
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	67 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	68 However, the development was revived in December 2011
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	69 and stayed busy since then.
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	70
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	71 .U2 "Concepts
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	72 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	73 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	74 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	75 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	76 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	77 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	78 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	79 \fPmessages\fP (regular files).
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	80 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	81 received (i.e. transfer format).
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	82 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	83 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	84 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	85 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	86 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	87 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	88 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	89 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	90 context themselves.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	91 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	92 with others.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	93 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	94 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	95 too. These are either automatically updated
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	96 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	97 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	98 These names are called sequences.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	99 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	100 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	101 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	102 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	103 adjust them to the user's personal preferences.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	104 Multiple versions of the same command with different
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	105 default values can also be created very easily.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	106 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	107 and output is adjustable with format files.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	108 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	109 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	110 The system is well scriptable and extensible.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	111 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	112 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	113 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	114 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	115
102 a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	116
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	117 .ig \"XXX
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	118
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	119 .P
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	120 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	121 prefix remains unambiguous.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	122 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	123 .Cl "-truncate" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	124 .Cl "-trunc" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	125 .Cl "-tr" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	126 and
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	127 .Cl "-t
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	128 would all be the same.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	129 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	130 .Cl "ls -ltr" )
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	131 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	132 .Cl "sendmail -q30m" ).
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	133 .P
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	134 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	135 For example
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	136 .Cl "-notruncate
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	137 inverts the
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	138 .Cl "-truncate
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	139 switch.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	140 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	141 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	142 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	143 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	144 switch on the command line.
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
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	148
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	149 .U2 "Using MH
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	150 .P
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	151 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	152 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	153 .[ [
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	154 peek mh book
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	155 .], Part II]
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	156 Rose and Romine provide a deeper and more technical
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	157 though slightly outdated introduction in only about two dozen pages.
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	158 .[
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	159 rose romine real work
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	160 .]
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	161 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	162 Following is an example mail handling session.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	163 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	164 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	165
83 99ab58dc891f New macro: .VF to read verbatim text from file. Outsourced the MH session. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 82 diff changeset	166 .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	167
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	168
131 7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	169 .H1 "nmh
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	170 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	171 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	172 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	173 This section explains the background.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	174 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	175 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	176 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	177 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	178 Its core-concepts, however, remained the same.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	179 During the eighties, students at UCI actively worked on MH.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	180 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	181 All this still was in times before POSIX and ANSI C.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	182 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	183 still contains many ancient parts.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	184 BSD-specific code and constructs tailored for hardware of that time
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	185 are frequent.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	186 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	187 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	188 established. A more modern coding style entered the code base, but still
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	189 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	190 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	191 coding styles.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	192 Programming practices from different decades merged in the project.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	193 As several peers added code, the system became more a conglomeration
49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	194 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	195 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	196 They were mostly untouched throughout the years.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	197 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	198 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	199 \(en a collection of small, separate programs \(en
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	200 on the source code level, it is much more interweaved.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	201 Several separate components were compiled into one program
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	202 for efficiency reasons.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	203 This led to intricate innards.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	204 While clearly separated on the outside,
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	205 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	206 .\" XXX FIXME rewrite...
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	207 .\" nicht zweimal ``interweaved''
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	208 .\" 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	209 .\" fairly interweaved inside.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	210 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	211 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	212 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	213 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	214 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	215 such approaches, but unfortunately, it led to duplicated functions
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	216 and half-hearted implementation of the concepts.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	217 .P
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	218 To provide backward-compatibility, it is a common understanding not to
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	219 change the default settings.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	220 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	221 to be able to use them.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	222 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	223 in the same ancient style.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	224 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	225 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	226 emailing.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	227 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	228 as they have had their convenient setups for decades.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	229 .\" XXX Explain more
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	230
3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	231
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	232 .H1 "mmh
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	233 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	234 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	235 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	236 since the beginning of the year.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	237 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	238 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	239 .[
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	240 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	241 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	242 nmh's community became active, too.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	243 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	244 .[
af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	245 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	246 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	247 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	248 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	249 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	250 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	251 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	252 because the project tries to modernize nmh.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	253 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	254 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	255 (My login name is \fImeillo\fP.)
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	256 This project model was inspired by \fIdwm\fP,
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	257 .\" XXX Ref
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	258 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	259 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	260 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	261 its community-driven predecessor \fIwmii\fP had grown fat over time.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	262 .\" XXX ref
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	263 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	264
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	265
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	266 .U2 "Motivation
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	267 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	268 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	269 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	270 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	271 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	272 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	273 programs.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	274 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	275 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	276 This keeps their
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	277 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	278 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	279 for new and interested users.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	280 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	281 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	282 my wish for general changes, combined
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	283 with the nmh community's reluctancy to change.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	284 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	285 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	286 The default setup was completely unusable for modern emailing.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	287 Too much setup work was required.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	288 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	289 did not want to have them as default.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	290 Mmh is a way to change this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	291 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	292 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	293 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	294 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	295 software leverage at the same time.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	296 Mmh is a way to demonstrate this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	297 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	298 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	299 compete with the large specialized projects that focus
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	300 on only one of the components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	301 The situation can be improved by concentrating the development power
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	302 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	303 set of other mail components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	304 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	305 Mmh is a way to go for this approach.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	306 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	307 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	308 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	309 The nmh community's reluctance regarding change conflicts
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	310 with my strong desire for it.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	311 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	312 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	313 In fact, revolutionary changes are hardly possible otherwise.
c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	314 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	315 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	316 ideas can be implemented and demonstrated,
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	317 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	318 Of course, the results of the mmh project shall improve nmh, in the end.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	319 By no means it is my intent to work against the nmh project.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	320
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	321
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	322 .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	323 .P
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	324 Any effort needs to be targeted towards a specific goal
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	325 in order to be successful.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	326 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	327 Mmh should satisfy their needs.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	328 .\" XXX Remove the next sentence?
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	329 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	330 of myself.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	331 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	332 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	333 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	334 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	335 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	336 productivity by scripting the mail system.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	337 .\" XXX Naturally, he uses ...
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	338 They naturally use modern email features, such as attachments,
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	339 non-ASCII text, and digital cryptography.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	340 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	341 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	342 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	343 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	344 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	345 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	346 shell session, but they use them to automate mail handling tasks as well.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	347 Likely, they run their mail setup on a server machine,
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	348 to which they connect via ssh.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	349 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	350 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	351 of using graphical front-ends.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	352 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	353 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	354 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	355 .\" XXX themself vs. themselves
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	356 Typical mmh users are programmers themselves.
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	357 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	358 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	359 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	360 In general, they believe that:
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 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	363 is most important.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	364 .BU
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	365 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	366 .BU
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	367 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	368 if possible.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	369 .BU
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	370 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	371 .BU
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	372 Removed code is debugged code.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	373
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	374 .U2 "Goals
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	375 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	376 The general goals for the mmh project are the following:
128 76c440261ebb s/stream-lining/streamlining/ markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 117 diff changeset	377 .IP "Streamlining
87 7d5b180de542 All kinds of rework plus new refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 83 diff changeset	378 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	379 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	380 effectively removing corner-cases.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	381 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	382 appealing MUA should be removed.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	383 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	384 Choice should be reduced to the main options.
131 7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	385 All tools should be tightly shaped.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	386 .IP "Modernizing
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	387 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	388 Better support for attachment and digital cryptography should be added.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	389 MIME support should be integrated deeper and more naturally.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	390 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	391 On the other hand,
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	392 bulletin board support and similar obsolete facilities can be dropped out.
131 7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	393 Likewise, ancient technologies should not be supported any further.
7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	394 The available concepts need to be expanded as far as possible.
7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	395 A small set of concepts should recur consistently.
7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	396 .IP "Styling
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	397 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	398 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	399 whenever possible.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	400 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	401 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	402 clear and readable code.
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	403 A uniform programming style should prevail.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	404 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	405 it should feel like being cast as one.

Mercurial > docs > master

annotate intro.roff @ 162:5520bbde3767