initial philosophies behind MH were developed. MH isn't so much

      initial philosophies behind MH were developed. MH isn't so much

      a monolithic email program but a philosophy about how best to

      a monolithic email program but a philosophy about how best to

      develop tools for reading email. The MH developers have done a

      develop tools for reading email. The MH developers have done a

      Simple Stupid.  Rather than have one large program for reading,

      Simple Stupid.  Rather than have one large program for reading,

      sending and handling email they have written specialized

      sending and handling email they have written specialized

      programs for each part of your email life. One might liken MH to

      programs for each part of your email life. One might liken MH to

	</screen>

	</screen>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      directory for you as well as adding several binaries to the

      directory for you as well as adding several binaries to the

      compile it yourself then you can anonymous ftp it from <ulink

      compile it yourself then you can anonymous ftp it from <ulink

	URL="ftp://ftp.ics.uci.edu/">ftp.ics.uci.edu</ulink> or <ulink

	URL="ftp://ftp.ics.uci.edu/">ftp.ics.uci.edu</ulink> or <ulink

	URL="ftp://louie.udel.edu/">louie.udel.edu</ulink>.</para>

	URL="ftp://louie.udel.edu/">louie.udel.edu</ulink>.</para>

  <sect1>

  <sect1>

    <title>Reading Mail</title>

    <title>Reading Mail</title>

      consistent interface between programs. A few things to keep in

      consistent interface between programs. A few things to keep in

      mind when using these commands is how to specify message lists.

      mind when using these commands is how to specify message lists.

      know. </para>

      know. </para>

    <para>A message list can consist of something like <parameter>23

    <para>A message list can consist of something like <parameter>23

      fairly simple but you can do more useful things like

      fairly simple but you can do more useful things like

      23 and 30. You can also specify something like

      23 and 30. You can also specify something like

      to the current, last or first message in the folder.</para>

      to the current, last or first message in the folder.</para>

    <sect2 id="inc">

    <sect2 id="inc">

	new email or check it</title>

	new email or check it</title>

	will setup your account to use all the MH defaults and ask you

	will setup your account to use all the MH defaults and ask you

	about creating a Mail directory. If you have mail waiting to

	about creating a Mail directory. If you have mail waiting to

	be downloaded you will see something that looks like:</para>

	be downloaded you will see something that looks like:</para>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>This is the same thing you will see from a

      <para>This is the same thing you will see from a

	computer for email that is supposed to be coming to

	computer for email that is supposed to be coming to

	you.</para>

	you.</para>

      <para>A lot of people like to use POP for grabbing their email.

      <para>A lot of people like to use POP for grabbing their email.

	MH can do POP to grab your email. You will need to give

	MH can do POP to grab your email. You will need to give

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	<screen>&prompt.user; <userinput>inc -host mail.pop.org -user <replaceable>username</> -norpop</>

	<screen>&prompt.user; <userinput>inc -host mail.pop.org -user <replaceable>username</> -norpop</>

	</screen>

	</screen>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

	plain POP3 for downloading your email. MH has support for a

	plain POP3 for downloading your email. MH has support for a

	few different dialects of POP. More than likely you will never

	few different dialects of POP. More than likely you will never

	ever need to use them though. While you can do more complex

	ever need to use them though. While you can do more complex

	things with inc such as audit files and scan format files this

	things with inc such as audit files and scan format files this

	will get you going.</para>

	will get you going.</para>

	the same <option>-host</option> and <option>-user</option>

	the same <option>-host</option> and <option>-user</option>

    </sect2>

    </sect2>

    <sect2 id="show">

    <sect2 id="show">

	email</title>

	email</title>

	message. You can also give specific message numbers to

	message. You can also give specific message numbers to

	show:</para>

	show:</para>

      <para>This would display message numbers 32, 45 and 56 right

      <para>This would display message numbers 32, 45 and 56 right

	after each other. Unless you change the default behavior

	after each other. Unless you change the default behavior

	email message.</para>

	email message.</para>

	you go to the next message it automatically displays

	you go to the next message it automatically displays

	it.</para>

	it.</para>

    </sect2>

    </sect2>

    <sect2 id="scan">

    <sect2 id="scan">

	messages</title>

	messages</title>

	messages in your current folder. This is an example of what

	messages in your current folder. This is an example of what

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	<screen>  30+ 01/16 "Jordan K. Hubbar  Re: FBSD 2.1&lt;&lt;&gt; Do you want a library instead of

	<screen>  30+ 01/16 "Jordan K. Hubbar  Re: FBSD 2.1&lt;&lt;&gt; Do you want a library instead of

	configurable.  This is the typical default display. It gives

	configurable.  This is the typical default display. It gives

	you the message number, the date on the email, the sender, the

	you the message number, the date on the email, the sender, the

	subject line, and a sentence fragment from the very beginning

	subject line, and a sentence fragment from the very beginning

	message is the current message, so if you do a

	message is the current message, so if you do a

      <para>One useful option for scan is the

      <para>One useful option for scan is the

	<option>-reverse</option> option. This will list your messages

	<option>-reverse</option> option. This will list your messages

	with the highest message number first and lowest message

	with the highest message number first and lowest message

	have it read from a file. If you want to scan your incoming

	have it read from a file. If you want to scan your incoming

	can do <command>scan -file

	can do <command>scan -file

    </sect2>

    </sect2>

    <sect2 id="rmm">

    <sect2 id="rmm">

	current message or folder</title>

	current message or folder</title>

	default is typically to not actually remove the message but to

	default is typically to not actually remove the message but to

	rename the file to one that is ignored by the MH commands. You

	rename the file to one that is ignored by the MH commands. You

	will need to through periodically and physically delete the

	will need to through periodically and physically delete the

	This doesn't just rename the files but actually removes the

	This doesn't just rename the files but actually removes the

	from the hard drive so you should be careful when you use this

	from the hard drive so you should be careful when you use this

	command.</para>

	command.</para>

      <title>A typical session of reading with MH</title>

      <title>A typical session of reading with MH</title>

      <para>The first thing that you will want to do is

      <para>The first thing that you will want to do is

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	<screen>&prompt.user; <userinput>inc</>

	<screen>&prompt.user; <userinput>inc</>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>This shows you the new email that has been added to your

      <para>This shows you the new email that has been added to your

	and move around.</para>

	and move around.</para>

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	</screen>

	</screen>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

	if I wanted to look at ten most recent messages so I could

	if I wanted to look at ten most recent messages so I could

	read one of them here is what I would do:</para>

	read one of them here is what I would do:</para>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>Then if I wanted to read message number 27 I would do a

      <para>Then if I wanted to read message number 27 I would do a

	probably tell from this sample session MH is pretty easy to

	probably tell from this sample session MH is pretty easy to

	use and looking through emails and displaying them is fairly

	use and looking through emails and displaying them is fairly

	intuitive and easy.</para>

	intuitive and easy.</para>

      the concept of folders. You have undoubtedly come across the

      the concept of folders. You have undoubtedly come across the

      folders concept using other email programs. MH has folders too.

      folders concept using other email programs. MH has folders too.

      MH can even do sub-folders of a folder. One thing you should

      MH can even do sub-folders of a folder. One thing you should

      the first time and it asked you if it could create a

      the first time and it asked you if it could create a

      directory. If you look at that directory you will find a

      directory. If you look at that directory you will find a

      directory houses all of your incoming mail that hasn't been

      directory houses all of your incoming mail that hasn't been

      thrown anywhere else.</para>

      thrown anywhere else.</para>

    <para>Whenever you create a new folder a new directory is going to

    <para>Whenever you create a new folder a new directory is going to

      messages in that folder are going to be stored in that

      messages in that folder are going to be stored in that

      directory.  When new email comes in that new email is thrown

      directory.  When new email comes in that new email is thrown

      equivalent to the message number.  So even if you didn't have

      equivalent to the message number.  So even if you didn't have

      any of the MH tools to read your email you could still use

      any of the MH tools to read your email you could still use

      standard UNIX commands to munge around in those directories and

      standard UNIX commands to munge around in those directories and

      a lot of power with what you can do with your email.</para>

      a lot of power with what you can do with your email.</para>

    <para>Just as you can use message lists like <parameter>23 16

    <para>Just as you can use message lists like <parameter>23 16

      specify with just about every MH command. If you do a

      specify with just about every MH command. If you do a

      folder, and your current folder will be changed to

      folder, and your current folder will be changed to

      will need to make sure you use it to make commands process

      will need to make sure you use it to make commands process

      different folders. Remember you default folder for mail is

      different folders. Remember you default folder for mail is

      always get you back to your mail. Of course, in MH's infinite

      always get you back to your mail. Of course, in MH's infinite

      flexibility this can be changed but most places have probably

      flexibility this can be changed but most places have probably

    <sect2>

    <sect2>

	criteria</title>

	criteria</title>

	the MH system. So you might want to read the

	the MH system. So you might want to read the

	page for a more thorough understanding. At its simplest level

	page for a more thorough understanding. At its simplest level

	you can do something like</para>

	you can do something like</para>

	</screen>

	</screen>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

	single line in every message in your current folder and tell

	single line in every message in your current folder and tell

	though. A slightly more useful thing to do is this:</para>

	though. A slightly more useful thing to do is this:</para>

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

      <para>This will show you the same messages you just didn't have

      <para>This will show you the same messages you just didn't have

	to work as hard to do it. The <option>-seq</option> option is

	to work as hard to do it. The <option>-seq</option> option is

	really an abbreviation of <option>-sequence</option> and

	really an abbreviation of <option>-sequence</option> and

	numbers that matched. You can use sequences with just about

	numbers that matched. You can use sequences with just about

	and all those messages would be removed instead. You sequence

	and all those messages would be removed instead. You sequence

	can be named anything. If you run pick again it will overwrite

	can be named anything. If you run pick again it will overwrite

	the old sequence if you use the same name.</para>

	the old sequence if you use the same name.</para>

      <para>Doing a <command>pick -search</command> can be a bit more

      <para>Doing a <command>pick -search</command> can be a bit more

	time consuming than just searching for message from someone,

	time consuming than just searching for message from someone,

	following predefined search criteria:</para>

	following predefined search criteria:</para>

      <variablelist>

      <variablelist>

	  <listitem>

	  <listitem>

	    <para>search for any other component in the header. (i.e.

	    <para>search for any other component in the header. (i.e.

	      reply-to in the header)</para>

	      reply-to in the header)</para>

	  </listitem>

	  </listitem>

	</varlistentry>

	</varlistentry>

	</informalexample>

	</informalexample>

	to get a list of all the email send to the FreeBSD hackers

	to get a list of all the email send to the FreeBSD hackers

	criteria in different ways using the following options:</para>

	criteria in different ways using the following options:</para>

      <itemizedlist>

      <itemizedlist>

	something called operator precedence. Remember in math how you

	something called operator precedence. Remember in math how you

	evaluate from left to right and you do multiplication and

	evaluate from left to right and you do multiplication and

	division first and addition and subtraction second? MH has the

	division first and addition and subtraction second? MH has the

	so you might want to study the man page. This document is just

	so you might want to study the man page. This document is just

	to help you get acquainted with MH.</para>

	to help you get acquainted with MH.</para>

    </sect2>

    </sect2>

    <sect2>

    <sect2>

	maintenance</title>

	maintenance</title>

      <para>There are three programs which are primarily just for

      <para>There are three programs which are primarily just for

	used to switch between folders, pack them, and list them. At

	used to switch between folders, pack them, and list them. At

	its simplest level you can do a <command>folder

	its simplest level you can do a <command>folder

      <para>Sometimes when you are reading and deleting messages you

      <para>Sometimes when you are reading and deleting messages you

	55, 56, 57, 80. If you do a <command>folder -pack</command>

	55, 56, 57, 80. If you do a <command>folder -pack</command>

	this will renumber all your messages so that there are no

	this will renumber all your messages so that there are no

	holes. It doesn't actually delete any messages though. So you

	holes. It doesn't actually delete any messages though. So you

	may need to periodically go through and physically delete

	may need to periodically go through and physically delete

      <para>If you need statistics on your folders you can do a

      <para>If you need statistics on your folders you can do a

	all your folders, how many messages they have, what the

	all your folders, how many messages they have, what the

	current message is in each one and so on. This line of stats

	current message is in each one and so on. This line of stats

	it displays for all your folders is the same one you get when

	it displays for all your folders is the same one you get when

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	<screen>                Folder      # of messages (  range  ); cur  msg  (other files)

	<screen>                Folder      # of messages (  range  ); cur  msg  (other files)

	</screen>

	</screen>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

	messages between folders. When you do something like

	messages between folders. When you do something like

	would put message number 23 in a subfolder called

	would put message number 23 in a subfolder called

	If you want to keep a message in the current folder and link

	If you want to keep a message in the current folder and link

	it you can do a <command>refile -link 23 +netfuture</command>

	it you can do a <command>refile -link 23 +netfuture</command>

	probably beginning to realize some of the really powerful

	probably beginning to realize some of the really powerful

	things you can do with MH.</para>

	things you can do with MH.</para>

    </sect2>

    </sect2>

      Subject: headers already in it.  You are then sent into your

      Subject: headers already in it.  You are then sent into your

      editor where you fill in the header information and then type

      editor where you fill in the header information and then type

      the body of your message below the dashed lines in the message.

      the body of your message below the dashed lines in the message.

      <prompt>What now?</prompt> prompt you can tell it to

      <prompt>What now?</prompt> prompt you can tell it to

      of these commands are self-explanatory. So the message sending

      of these commands are self-explanatory. So the message sending

      process involves copying a component file, editing your email,

      process involves copying a component file, editing your email,

      your email.</para>

      your email.</para>

    <sect2>

    <sect2>

	to someone</title>

	to someone</title>

	options. The most important one to know right now is the

	options. The most important one to know right now is the

	<option>-editor</option> option. When MH is installed the

	<option>-editor</option> option. When MH is installed the

	default editor is usually a program called

	default editor is usually a program called

	exciting editor and basically just gets the job done. So when

	exciting editor and basically just gets the job done. So when

	you go to compose a message to someone you might want to use

	you go to compose a message to someone you might want to use

	<emphasis>comp</emphasis> you are in your editor and you see

	<emphasis>comp</emphasis> you are in your editor and you see

	something that looks like this:</para>

	something that looks like this:</para>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>You need to put the person you are sending the mail to

      <para>You need to put the person you are sending the mail to

	other headers also, so you would need to put your subject

	other headers also, so you would need to put your subject

	the body of your message after the dashed lines. It may seem a

	the body of your message after the dashed lines. It may seem a

	bit simplistic since a lot of email programs have special

	bit simplistic since a lot of email programs have special

	requesters that ask you for this information but there really

	requesters that ask you for this information but there really

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>You can now save this message and exit your editor. You

      <para>You can now save this message and exit your editor. You

	their just rewards. As I mentioned earlier you can also use

	their just rewards. As I mentioned earlier you can also use

	to send the message.</para>

	to send the message.</para>

	big difference being that the message you are forwarding is

	big difference being that the message you are forwarding is

	automatically included in the outgoing message. When you run

	automatically included in the outgoing message. When you run

	always tell it to forward something else by doing something

	always tell it to forward something else by doing something

	put in your outgoing message instead of the current message.

	put in your outgoing message instead of the current message.

	same message sending process.</para>

	same message sending process.</para>

	current message is, unless you give it a different message to

	current message is, unless you give it a different message to

	fill in some of the email headers already. So you will notice

	fill in some of the email headers already. So you will notice

	already be filled in.  You then go about the normal message

	already be filled in.  You then go about the normal message

	composition process and you are done. One useful command line

	composition process and you are done. One useful command line

	option to know here is the <option>-cc</option> option. You

	option to know here is the <option>-cc</option> option. You

	the cc list in the message. You have probably noticed that the

	the cc list in the message. You have probably noticed that the

	original message isn't included. This is because most MH

	original message isn't included. This is because most MH

	setups are configured to do this from the start.</para>

	setups are configured to do this from the start.</para>

    </sect2>

    </sect2>

    <sect2>

    <sect2>

	<filename>/usr/local/lib/mh</filename>. You can copy that file

	<filename>/usr/local/lib/mh</filename>. You can copy that file

	into your MH Mail directory and edit to contain what you want

	into your MH Mail directory and edit to contain what you want

	it to contain. It is a fairly basic file. You have various

	it to contain. It is a fairly basic file. You have various

	email headers at the top, a dashed line and then nothing. The

	email headers at the top, a dashed line and then nothing. The

	<command>comp</command> command just copies this

	<command>comp</command> command just copies this

	any kind of valid RFC822 header you want. For instance you

	any kind of valid RFC822 header you want. For instance you

	file:</para>

	file:</para>

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>MH would then copy this components file and throw you into

      <para>MH would then copy this components file and throw you into

	simple.  If you wanted to have a signature on those messages

	simple.  If you wanted to have a signature on those messages

	you would just put your signature in that

	you would just put your signature in that

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	<screen>%(lit)%(formataddr %&lt;{reply-to}%?{from}%?{sender}%?{return-path}%&gt;)\

	<screen>%(lit)%(formataddr %&lt;{reply-to}%?{from}%?{sender}%?{return-path}%&gt;)\

      </informalexample>

      </informalexample>

      <para>It's in the same basic format as the

      <para>It's in the same basic format as the

	that returns a proper email address. The next part is

	that returns a proper email address. The next part is

	<literal>%&lt;</literal> which means if and the

	<literal>%&lt;</literal> which means if and the

	original message. So that might be translated this way:</para>

	original message. So that might be translated this way:</para>

      <informalexample>

      <informalexample>

	variables mean. All of the information on writing these format

	variables mean. All of the information on writing these format

	strings is in the MH-Format man page. The really nice thing is

	strings is in the MH-Format man page. The really nice thing is

	that once you have built your customized

	that once you have built your customized

	No other email program really gives you the power and

	No other email program really gives you the power and

	flexibility that MH gives you.</para>

	flexibility that MH gives you.</para>

    </sect2>

    </sect2>