docs/master: intro.roff annotate

annotate intro.roff @ 199:5cd9bacdfcd3

Updated RFCs.

author	markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de>
date	Thu, 12 Jul 2012 01:07:44 +0200
parents	05a243dffaca
children	e417f510aaca

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
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	2 .H0 "Introduction
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	3 .Id introduction
39 22ae3981a76b style: New RN macro to reset page numbers and change their style. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 32 diff changeset	4
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	5 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	6 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	7 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	8 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	9 MH-like mail handling system.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	10 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	11 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	12 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	13 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	14 a better understanding of the state of mmh when it started off.
181 eb6eeb10afd5 Various stuff: Checked quotes, s/further more/furthermore/, etc markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 173 diff changeset	15 Furthermore, this chapter outlines the mmh project itself,
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	16 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	17
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	18
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	19 .H1 "MH \(en the Mail Handler
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	20 .Id mh
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	21 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	22 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	23 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	24 where the first implementation followed later.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	25 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	26 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	27 than in being a specific software product.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	28 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	29 MH follows this philosophy.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	30
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	31 .U2 "History
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	32 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	33 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	34 proposed the design
181 eb6eeb10afd5 Various stuff: Checked quotes, s/further more/furthermore/, etc markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 173 diff changeset	35 of a new mail handling system, called \fIMail Handler\fP (MH),
eb6eeb10afd5 Various stuff: Checked quotes, s/further more/furthermore/, etc markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 173 diff changeset	36 to superseed RAND's old monolithic \fIMail System\fP (MS).
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	37 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	38 prototype of MH.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	39 Before the prototype's existence, the concept was
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	40 believed to be practically unusable.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	41 But the prototype proved successful and replaced MS thereafter.
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	42 In replacing MS, MH grew to provide anything necessary for emailing.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	43 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	44 In the early eighties,
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	45 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	46 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	47 They took over the development and pushed MH forward.
8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	48 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	49 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	50 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	51 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	52 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	53 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	54 email standard.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	55 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	56 In the nineties, the Internet became popular and in December 1996,
181 eb6eeb10afd5 Various stuff: Checked quotes, s/further more/furthermore/, etc markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 173 diff changeset	57 Richard Coleman initiated the \fINew Mail Handler\fP (nmh) project.
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	58 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	59 \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	60 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	61 MIME handling capabilities.
6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	62 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	63 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	64 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	65 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	66 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	67 .P
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	68 In the last years, the changes in nmh were mostly maintenance work.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	69 However, the development was revived in December 2011
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	70 and stayed busy since then.
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	71
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	72
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	73 .U2 "Concepts
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	74 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	75 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	76 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	77 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	78 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	79 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	80 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	81 \fPmessages\fP (regular files).
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	82 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	83 received (i.e. transfer format).
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	84 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	85 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	86 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	87 .P
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	88 MH tools maintain a \fIcontext\fP, which includes for instance the
5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	89 current mail folder.
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	90 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	91 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	92 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	93 context themselves.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	94 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	95 with others.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	96 .P
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	97 Messages are named by their numeric filename,
5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	98 but they can have symbolic names, too.
5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	99 These are either automatically updated
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	100 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	101 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	102 These names are called sequences.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	103 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	104 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	105 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	106 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	107 adjust them to the user's personal preferences.
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	108 Additionally, a single command can be linked under different names
5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	109 with different default values easily.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	110 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	111 and output is adjustable with format files.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	112 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	113 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	114 The system is well scriptable and extensible.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	115 New MH tools are built out of or on top of existing ones quickly.
181 eb6eeb10afd5 Various stuff: Checked quotes, s/further more/furthermore/, etc markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 173 diff changeset	116 Furthermore, MH encourages the user to tailor, extend and automate the system.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	117 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	118 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	119
102 a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	120
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	121 .ig \"XXX
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	122
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	123 .P
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	124 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	125 prefix remains unambiguous.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	126 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	127 .Cl "-truncate" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	128 .Cl "-trunc" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	129 .Cl "-tr" ,
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	130 and
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	131 .Cl "-t
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	132 would all be the same.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	133 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	134 .Cl "ls -ltr" )
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	135 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	136 .Cl "sendmail -q30m" ).
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	137 .P
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	138 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	139 For example
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	140 .Cl "-notruncate
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	141 inverts the
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	142 .Cl "-truncate
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	143 switch.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	144 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	145 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	146 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	147 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	148 switch on the command line.
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	149
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	150 ..
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	151
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	152
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	153 .U2 "Using MH
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	154 .P
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	155 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	156 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	157 .[ [
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	158 peek mh book
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	159 .], Part II]
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	160 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	161 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	162 .[
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	163 rose romine real work
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	164 .]
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	165 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	166 Following is an example mail handling session.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	167 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	168 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	169
83 99ab58dc891f New macro: .VF to read verbatim text from file. Outsourced the MH session. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 82 diff changeset	170 .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	171
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	172
131 7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	173 .H1 "nmh
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	174 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	175 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	176 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	177 This section explains the background.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	178 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	179 MH predates the Internet;
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	180 it comes from times before networking was universal,
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	181 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	182 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	183 Its core-concepts, however, remained the same.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	184 During the eighties, students at UCI actively worked on MH.
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	185 They added new features and optimized the code for the systems
5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	186 popular at that time.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	187 All this still was in times before POSIX and ANSI C.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	188 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	189 still contains many ancient parts.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	190 BSD-specific code and constructs tailored for hardware of that time
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	191 are frequent.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	192 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	193 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	194 established. A more modern coding style entered the code base, but still
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	195 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	196 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	197 coding styles.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	198 Programming practices from different decades merged in the project.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	199 As several peers added code, the system became more a conglomeration
49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	200 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	201 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	202 They were mostly untouched throughout the years.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	203 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	204 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	205 \(en a collection of small, separate programs \(en
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	206 on the source code level, it is much more interwoven.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	207 Several separate components were compiled into one program
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	208 for efficiency reasons.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	209 This led to intricate innards.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	210 While clearly separated on the outside,
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	211 the programs turned out to be fairly interwoven inside.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	212 .\" XXX FIXME rewrite...
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	213 .\" nicht zweimal ``interwoven''
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	214 .\" Unfortunately, the clear separation on the outside turned out to be
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	215 .\" fairly interwoven inside.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	216 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	217 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	218 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	219 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	220 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	221 such approaches, but unfortunately, it led to duplicated functions
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	222 and half-hearted implementation of the concepts.
d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	223 .P
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	224 To provide backward-compatibility, it is a common understanding not to
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	225 change the default settings.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	226 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	227 to be able to use them.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	228 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	229 in the same ancient style.
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	230 If nmh is seen to be a back-end,
346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	231 then this compatibility surely is important.
346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	232 However, at the same time, new users have difficulties using nmh for
346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	233 modern emailing.
173 4c7db172fb59 Various corrections and improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 171 diff changeset	234 The small but mature community around nmh needs little change
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	235 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	236 .\" XXX Explain more
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	237
3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	238
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	239 .H1 "mmh
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	240 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	241 I started to work on my experimental version in October 2011,
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	242 basing my work on nmh version \fInmh-1.3-dev\fP.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	243 At that time no more than three commits were made to nmh
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	244 since the beginning of the year, the latest one being
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	245 .Ci a01a41d031c796b526329a4170eb23f0ac93b949
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	246 on 2011-04-13.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	247 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	248 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	249 .[
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	250 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	251 .]
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	252 nmh's community became active, all of a sudden.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	253 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	254 .[
af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	255 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	256 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	257 After long years of stagnation, nmh became actively developed again.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	258 Hence, while I was working on mmh, the community was working on nmh,
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	259 in parallel.
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	260 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	261 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	262 because the project tries to modernize nmh.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	263 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	264 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	265 (My login name is \fImeillo\fP.)
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	266 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	267 .\" XXX Ref
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	268 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	269 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	270 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	271 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	272 .\" XXX ref
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	273 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	274
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	275
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	276 .U2 "Motivation
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	277 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	278 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	279 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	280 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	281 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	282 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	283 programs.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	284 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	285 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	286 This keeps their
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	287 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	288 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	289 for new and interested users.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	290 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	291 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	292 my wish for general changes, combined
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	293 with the nmh community's reluctancy to change.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	294 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	295 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	296 The default setup was completely unusable for modern emailing.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	297 Too much setup work was required.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	298 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	299 did not want to have them as default.
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	300 Mmh is a way to change this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	301 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	302 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	303 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	304 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	305 software leverage at the same time.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	306 Mmh is a way to demonstrate this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	307 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	308 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	309 compete with the large specialized projects that focus
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	310 on only one of the components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	311 The situation can be improved by concentrating the development power
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	312 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	313 set of other mail components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	314 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	315 Mmh is a way to go for this approach.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	316 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	317 It is worthwhile to fork nmh for the development of mmh,
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	318 because the two projects focus on different goals and differ in
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	319 fundamental questions.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	320 The nmh community's reluctance regarding change conflicts
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	321 with my strong desire for it.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	322 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	323 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	324 In fact, revolutionary changes are hardly possible otherwise.
c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	325 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	326 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	327 ideas can be implemented and demonstrated,
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	328 without the need to change the nmh project or its community.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	329 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	330 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	331
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	332
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	333 .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	334 .P
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	335 Any effort needs to be targeted towards a specific goal
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	336 in order to be successful.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	337 Therefore, a description of an imagined typical mmh user follows.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	338 Mmh should satisfy his needs.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	339 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	340 of myself.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	341 Writing software for oneself is a reliable way to produce software
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	342 that matches the user's desires.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	343 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	344 The target user of mmh likes Unix and its philosophy.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	345 He appreciates to use programs that are conceptionally appealing.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	346 He is familiar with the command line and enjoys its power.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	347 He is capable of shell scripting and wants to improve his
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	348 productivity by scripting the mail system.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	349 He uses modern email features, such as attachments,
169 f4ffe121a0a2 Applied excellent suggestions and corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 166 diff changeset	350 non-ASCII text, digital signatures and message encryption in a natural way.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	351 He is able to set up mail system components,
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	352 and like to have the choice to pick the ones he prefers.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	353 He has a reasonably modern operating system that complies to the
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	354 POSIX and ANSI C standards.
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	355 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	356 The typical user invokes mmh commands directly in an interactive
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	357 shell session, but he uses them to automate mail handling tasks as well.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	358 Likely, he runs his mail setup on a server machine,
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	359 to which he connects via ssh.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	360 He might also have a local mmh installation on his workstation.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	361 Still, he tend to use mmh directly in the shell instead
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	362 of using graphical front-ends.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	363 He definitely wants to be flexible and thus be able to change
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	364 his setup to suit his needs.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	365 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	366 The typical mmh user is a programmer.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	367 He likes to, occasionally, take the opportunity of free software to put
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	368 hands on and get involved in the software he uses.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	369 In consequence, he likes small and clean code bases and cares for
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	370 code quality.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	371 In general, he believes that:
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	372 .BU
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	373 The elegance of source code is most important.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	374 .BU
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	375 Concepts are more important than concrete implementations.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	376 .BU
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	377 Code optimizations for anything but readability should be avoided.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	378 .BU
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	379 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	380 .BU
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	381 Removed code is debugged code.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	382
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	383
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	384 .U2 "Goals
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	385 .P
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	386 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	387 .IP "Streamlining
87 7d5b180de542 All kinds of rework plus new refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 83 diff changeset	388 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	389 The feature set should be distilled to the indispensable ones,
171 346ff7e201f5 Applied suggestions by Boris. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 169 diff changeset	390 effectively removing corner cases.
173 4c7db172fb59 Various corrections and improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 171 diff changeset	391 Parts that do not add to the main task of being a conceptionally
187 5360f5fdb118 Added mail agent figure. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 181 diff changeset	392 appealing user agent should be removed.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	393 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	394 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	395 All tools should be tightly shaped.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	396 .IP "Modernizing
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	397 Mmh's feature set needs to become more modern.
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	398 Better support for attachments, digital signatures and message encryption
5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	399 should be added.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	400 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	401 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	402 On the other hand,
97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	403 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	404 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	405 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	406 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	407 .IP "Styling
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	408 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	409 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	410 whenever possible.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	411 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	412 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	413 clear and readable code.
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	414 A uniform programming style should prevail.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	415 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	416 it should feel like being cast as one.

Mercurial > docs > master

annotate intro.roff @ 199:5cd9bacdfcd3