docs/master: intro.roff annotate

annotate intro.roff @ 227:157c92fc1597

Further improvements.

author	markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de>
date	Sun, 15 Jul 2012 23:44:15 +0200
parents	1fa5a74bf138
children	a1468cf505fd

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
227 157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	6 MH is a set of mail handling tools with a common concept.
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	7 It is similar to the Unix tool chest, which is a set of file
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	8 handling tools with a common concept.
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	9 \fInmh\fP is the currently most popular implementation of an
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	10 MH-like mail handling system.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	11 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	12 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	13 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	14 It describes nmh's code base and community to give the reader
227 157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	15 a better understanding of the project's condition at the time when
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	16 mmh started off.
181 eb6eeb10afd5 Various stuff: Checked quotes, s/further more/furthermore/, etc markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 173 diff changeset	17 Furthermore, this chapter outlines the mmh project itself,
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	18 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	19
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	20
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	21 .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	22 .Id mh
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	23 .P
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	24 MH is a conceptual email system design and its concrete implementation.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	25 MH had started as a design proposal at RAND Corporation,
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	26 where the first implementation followed later.
eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	27 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	28 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	29 than in being a specific software product.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	30 The ideas behind Unix are summarized in the \fIUnix philosophy\fP.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	31 .[
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	32 gancarz unix philosophy
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	33 .]
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	34 MH follows this philosophy.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	35
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	36 .U2 "History
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	37 .P
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	38 In 1977 at RAND Corporation, Norman Shapiro and Stockton Gaines
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	39 proposed the design of a new mail handling system,
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	40 .[
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	41 shapiro gaines mh proposal
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	42 .]
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	43 to superseed RAND's old monolithic \fIMail System\fP (MS).
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	44 One year later, in 1978, Bruce Borden picked up on the
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	45 proposal and implemented a prototype, which he called
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	46 \fIMail Handler\fP (MH).
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	47 Before the prototype's existence, the concept was
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	48 believed to be practically unusable.
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	49 But the prototype \(en written in only three weeks \(en
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	50 proved successful and replaced MS thereafter.\&
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	51 .[ [
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	52 rand note design of mh
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	53 .], p. 4]
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	54 .P
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	55 In the early eighties,
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	56 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	57 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	58 They took over the development and pushed MH forward.
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	59 .[ [
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	60 rand note design of mh
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	61 .], p. 4]
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	62 RAND had put the code into the public domain by then.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	63 MH was developed at UCI at the same time when the Internet appeared,
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	64 BSD started to support TCP/IP networking,
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	65 and Eric Allman wrote Sendmail.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	66 MH was extended as emailing became more featured.
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	67 The development of MH was closely related to the development of email RFCs.
204 8c0d5bd92f0b Added full names of abbreviations. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 202 diff changeset	68 In the advent of the \fIMultipurpose Internet Mail Extensions\fP (MIME),
8c0d5bd92f0b Added full names of abbreviations. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 202 diff changeset	69 MH was one of the first implementations of the new email standard.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	70 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	71 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	72 Richard Coleman initiated the \fINew Mail Handler\fP (nmh) project.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	73 Nmh is a fork of MH 6.8.3 and bases heavily on the
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	74 \fILBL changes\fP by Van Jacobson, Mike Karels and Craig Leres.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	75 .[
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	76 lbl changes
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	77 .]
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	78 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	79 MIME handling capabilities.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	80 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	81 February 1996, soon after the development of nmh had started.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	82 Today, nmh is developed openly in the Internet community.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	83 It has almost completely replaced the original MH.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	84 Some systems might still provide the old MH, but hardly for good reasons.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	85 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	86 In the last years, the majority of changes in nmh was maintenance work.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	87 Nevertheless, the development was revived in December 2011
57 8776101db595 Intro: Fixed the history. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 54 diff changeset	88 and stayed busy since then.
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	89
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	90
11 9a313c929a2a style: Introduced .U2 for unnumbered .H2. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 9 diff changeset	91 .U2 "Concepts
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	92 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	93 MH consists of a set of tools, each covering a specific task of
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	94 email handling, such as composing a message, replying to a message,
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	95 refiling a message to a different folder, listing the messages in a folder.
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	96 The tools are invoked directly from the Unix shell.
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	97 .[
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	98 a rand note design of mh
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	99 .]
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	100 .P
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	101 The tools operate on a common mail storage, which consists of
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	102 \fImail folders\fP (directories) and \fPmessages\fP (regular files).
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	103 Each message is stored in a separate file.
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	104 .[
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	105 a rand note design of mh
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	106 .]
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	107 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	108 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	109 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	110 .P
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	111 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	112 current mail folder.
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	113 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	114 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	115 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	116 context themselves.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	117 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	118 with others.
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	119 .P
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	120 Messages are named by their numeric filename,
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	121 but they can have symbolic names, as well.
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	122 These are either one of six system-controlled position names
208 fead1fc981f0 Added note about the `a' message sequence. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 207 diff changeset	123 and a shorthand for the range of all messages,
32 6a9abf543297 Rework in the Introduction (about MH). markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 28 diff changeset	124 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	125 These names are called sequences.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	126 Automatically updated position names exist for the
208 fead1fc981f0 Added note about the `a' message sequence. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 207 diff changeset	127 first, last, previous, next, current message, and for the number
fead1fc981f0 Added note about the `a' message sequence. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 207 diff changeset	128 one beyond the last message.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	129 (In mmh, the names of these sequences are abbreviated to the
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	130 first character.)
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	131 User-definded sequences can be bound to the folder containing the
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	132 messages (\fIpublic sequences\fP) or to the user's context
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	133 (\fIprivate sequences\fP).
0 dc2bfef4cda7 Initial commit: Basic structure, macros and fonts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: diff changeset	134 .P
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	135 The user's \fIprofile\fP is the file that contains his MH configuration.
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	136 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	137 adjust them to the user's personal preferences.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	138 These switches will be automatically supplied whenever the specific
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	139 tool is invoked.
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	140 Additionally, a single command can be linked under different names
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	141 with different default values.
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	142 Form templates for new messages and replies, as well as format files
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	143 to adjust the output of tools are easily exchanged in the profile.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	144 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	145 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	146 The whole system is well scriptable and extensible.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	147 New MH tools are built out of or on top of existing ones quickly.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	148 MH encourages the user to tailor, extend, and automate the system.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	149 As the MH tool chest was modeled after the Unix tool chest, the
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	150 properties of the latter apply to the former as well.
102 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
a782488c85f5 More text about attachments mainly, plus some rearrangements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 87 diff changeset	153
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	154 .U2 "Using MH
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	155 .P
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	156 Many tutorials to using MH
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	157 .[
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	158 rose sweet mh tutorial
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	159 .]
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	160 .[
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	161 moss jackson user's guide for mh
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	162 .]
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	163 .[
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	164 hegardt mh for beginners
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	165 .]
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	166 are old, but still they teach the concepts and basics,
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	167 which remained unchanged.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	168 Rose and Romine have written an excellent introduction on a more
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	169 technical level, with pointers to advanced usage.
209 1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	170 .[
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	171 rose romine real work
1b38b1c3c01d More refs to MH tutorials. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 208 diff changeset	172 .]
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	173 For a more recent document, it is strongly recommended to have
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	174 a look at the \fIMH Book\fP,
54 d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	175 .[ [
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	176 peek mh book
d9c18bd9ed92 Intro: Filled in the very basics for Using MH. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 53 diff changeset	177 .], Part II]
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	178 especially at its online version.
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	179 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	180 Following here is a sample mail handling session with mmh.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	181 Details might vary to MH and nmh 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	182
202 e417f510aaca Reworked the MH example session. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 197 diff changeset	183 .so 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	184
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	185
131 7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	186 .H1 "nmh
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	187 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	188 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	189 one needs to know the reasons behind them.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	190 This section gives background information.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	191 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	192 MH predates the Internet;
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	193 it comes from times before networking was universal;
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	194 it comes from times when emailing was small, short and simple.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	195 Then, MH grew, spread and adapted to the changes email went through.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	196 Its core concepts, however, remained the same.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	197 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	198 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	199 popular at that time.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	200 This was in times before POSIX and ANSI C.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	201 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	202 still contains many ancient parts.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	203 BSD-specific code and constructs tailored for hardware of that time
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	204 are frequent.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	205 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	206 Nmh started about one decade after the POSIX and ANSI C standards were
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	207 released.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	208 A more modern coding style entered the code base but still
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	209 a part of the developers were ``of the old type''.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	210 The developer base became more diverse,
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	211 thus broadening the range of different coding styles.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	212 Programming practices from different decades merged in the project.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	213 As several peers added code, the system became more a conglomeration
49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	214 of single tools rather than a homogeneous of-one-cast mail system.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	215 For that, leadership would have been necessary.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	216 Nevertheless, MH's basic concepts held the project together.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	217 They were mostly untouched throughout the years.
2 65e4327aa9f8 Added some introduction text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 0 diff changeset	218 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	219 Though clearly separated on the surface
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	220 \(en as a collection of small, separate programs \(en
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	221 the source code turns out to be fairly interwoven.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	222 Multiple separate components are compiled into a program
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	223 for efficiency reasons.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	224 This leads to intricate innards.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	225 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	226 It is visible in nmh that
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	227 the advent of MIME raised the complexity of email by a magnitude.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	228 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	229 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	230 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	231 such approaches, but unfortunately, it led to duplicated functions
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	232 and half-hearted implementation of concepts.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	233 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	234 To provide backward-compatibility, it is a common understanding
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	235 in the nmh community to not change the default settings.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	236 In consequence, users need to activate modern features explicitly
47 eae5e50381ce Rework in Preface and Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 45 diff changeset	237 to be able to use them.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	238 The ancient style in which fresh nmh setups remain to appear
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	239 causes difficulties for new users, as modern email features require
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	240 additional configuration.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	241 The small but mature community around nmh, however, needs little change
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	242 as they have had their convenient setups for decades.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	243
3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	244
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	245 .H1 "mmh
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	246 .P
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	247 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	248 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	249 At that time no more than three commits were made to nmh
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	250 since the beginning of 2011, the latest one being
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	251 .Ci a01a41d031c796b526329a4170eb23f0ac93b949 ,
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	252 commited on 2011-04-13.
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	253 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	254 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	255 .[
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	256 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	257 .]
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	258 nmh's community became active, all of a sudden.
49 d3a02f5e63b3 Various rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	259 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	260 .[
af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	261 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	262 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	263 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	264 Hence, while I was working on mmh, the community was working on nmh,
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	265 in parallel but unrelated.
28 6c63083b4c19 Wrote text for the Preface; changed headings in Preface and Introduction. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 27 diff changeset	266 .P
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	267 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	268 because the project tries to modernize nmh.
01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	269 Personally however, I prefer to call mmh \fImeillo's mail handler\fP,
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	270 emphasizing that the project is my version of nmh,
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	271 following 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	272 (My login name is \fImeillo\fP.)
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	273 This project model was inspired by \fIdwm\fP,
42 af8c46461924 Rework and new text about mmh's name in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 39 diff changeset	274 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	275 targeted to satisfy Garbe's personal needs whenever conflicts appear.
227 157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	276 Dwm has retained its lean elegance and its focused character,
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	277 .[
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	278 dwm ohloh
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	279 .]
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	280 whereas its community-driven predecessor \fIwmii\fP had grown
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	281 fat over time.
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	282 .[
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	283 wmii ohloh
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	284 .]
53 01d06ca2eb1b Rework based on comments by Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 51 diff changeset	285 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	286
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	287
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	288 .U2 "Motivation
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	289 .P
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	290 MH is the most important of very few email systems in a tool chest style.
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	291 Tool chests are powerful because they can be perfectly automated and
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	292 extended.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	293 They allow the implementation of arbitrary kinds of front-ends
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	294 on top of the tool chest quickly and without internal knowledge.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	295 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	296 programs.
227 157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	297 .[ [
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	298 gancarz unix phil
157c92fc1597 Further improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 223 diff changeset	299 .], p. 14]
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	300 MH-like email tool chests should be kept alive as they fill a market
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	301 niche by providing conceptional elegance and unique scripting qualities.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	302 Mmh tries to create a modern and convenient entry point to MH-like
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	303 systems for new and interested users.
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	304 .P
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	305 The mmh project is motivated by deficits of nmh and
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	306 by my wish for general changes.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	307 At the time the mmh project started, nmh had not yet adjusted to
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	308 modern emailing needs well enough.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	309 The default setup was completely unusable for modern emailing.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	310 Too much setup work was required.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	311 Several modern features were already available,
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	312 but the community did not want to have them active by default.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	313 Mmh is my way to change this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	314 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	315 In my eyes, MH's concepts could be exploited better and
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	316 the style of the tools could be improved.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	317 Both would simplify and generalize the system, providing cleaner
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	318 interfaces and greater software leverage at the same time.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	319 Mmh is my way to demonstrate this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	320 .P
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	321 In providing multiple parts of the email system, nmh can hardly
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	322 compete with the large specialized projects that focus
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	323 on one of the components only.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	324 The situation could be improved by concentrating the development power
51 49cf68506b5d Spell checking. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 50 diff changeset	325 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	326 set of other mail components.
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	327 Today's pre-packaged software components encourage this model.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	328 Mmh is my way to provide this.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	329 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	330 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	331 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	332 fundamental questions.
106 3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	333 The nmh community's reluctance regarding change conflicts
3c4e5f0a7e7b Included (English language) corrections by Kate. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 102 diff changeset	334 with my strong desire for it.
207 e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	335 .[
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	336 nmh-workers schnalke understanding nmh
e0e49a8bfbe8 Added refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 204 diff changeset	337 .]
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	338 In developing a separate experimental version, new approaches can
43 c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	339 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	340 In fact, revolutionary changes are hardly possible otherwise.
c21ff903c71c New text on mmh in Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 42 diff changeset	341 .P
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	342 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	343 ideas can be implemented and demonstrated,
164 5c01017be420 Reacted to suggestions by Aaron Mueller. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 159 diff changeset	344 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	345 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	346 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	347
27 b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	348
b687d151eed3 Reorganized the content in the Intro and added placeholders for missing parts. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 11 diff changeset	349 .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	350 .P
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	351 Any effort needs to be targeted towards a specific goal
7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	352 in order to be successful.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	353 Therefore, a description of an imagined typical mmh user follows.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	354 Actually, as mmh is my personal version of MH,
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	355 this is sort of a description of myself.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	356 Developing software for one's own is a reliable way to produce software
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	357 that matches the user's desires.
45 7a33b5adb672 Rework in the Intro. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 43 diff changeset	358 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	359 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	360 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	361 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	362 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	363 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	364 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	365 non-ASCII text, digital signatures and message encryption in a natural way.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	366 He is able to set up mail system components
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	367 and likes to pick the ones he prefers.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	368 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	369 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	370 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	371 The typical user invokes mmh commands directly in an interactive
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	372 shell session, even on workstations where graphical front-ends could
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	373 be added.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	374 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	375 to which he connects via ssh.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	376 He might automate mail processing with mmh tools
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	377 but definitely he uses the tools to build better tools.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	378 In any case, he wants to have the flexibility to change
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	379 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	380 .P
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	381 The typical mmh user is a programmer.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	382 He likes to, occasionally, make use of the opportunity of free software
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	383 by putting hands on and getting involved in software he uses.
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	384 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	385 code quality.
05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	386 In general, he believes that:
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	387 .BU
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	388 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	389 .BU
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	390 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	391 .BU
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	392 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	393 .BU
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	394 Removed code is debugged code.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	395 .BU
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	396 Having a lot of choice is bad.
8 3ef5449c1175 Moved text; wrote more text; removed ch02.roff. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 3 diff changeset	397
197 05a243dffaca Added refs to the Preface; splitted the bib. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 187 diff changeset	398
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	399 .U2 "Goals of the mmh Project
128 76c440261ebb s/stream-lining/streamlining/ markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 117 diff changeset	400 .IP "Streamlining
87 7d5b180de542 All kinds of rework plus new refs. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 83 diff changeset	401 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	402 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	403 effectively removing corner cases.
173 4c7db172fb59 Various corrections and improvements. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 171 diff changeset	404 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	405 appealing user agent should be removed.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	406 This includes the mail transfer and mail retrieval facilities.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	407 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	408 All tools should be tightly shaped.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	409 .IP "Modernizing
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	410 Mmh's feature set needs to become more modern.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	411 Better support for attachments, digital signatures, and message
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	412 encryption should be added.
159 8b411125645d Corrections and improvements by Kate, Phil, Matou, Michi, Lydi. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 131 diff changeset	413 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	414 The modern email features need to be readily available, out-of-the-box.
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	415 On the other hand, obsolete facilities can be dropped out and
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	416 ancient technologies need not be further supported.
9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	417 The available concepts should be expanded as far as possible.
131 7c741bc8f719 Reorganized: Converted 4-parted discussion into 3-parted discussion. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 128 diff changeset	418 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	419 .IP "Styling
212 9317d789cef9 Various improvements and rework. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 209 diff changeset	420 Mmh's source code should be updated to modern standards.
48 d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	421 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	422 whenever possible.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	423 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	424 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	425 clear and readable code.
d28ff07dfc0f Rework in the Intro, with new text. markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 47 diff changeset	426 A uniform programming style should prevail.
117 97369a93ef39 Corrections by Kate. Again of high quality. :-) markus schnalke <meillo@marmaro.de> parents: 107 diff changeset	427 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	428 it should feel like being cast as one.

Mercurial > docs > master

annotate intro.roff @ 227:157c92fc1597